EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Are we going to be seeing a listing of those?
I apologize again, Mr. Chairman.
I’m not sure whether he wants that listing from Community and Government Services or some other department.
Could the Member please elaborate.
Well it has to be a separate listing if we’re going to be talking about Government of Nunavut staff housing.
I’m not pushing you as the Minister but I’m sure that you’ll be able to have an answer for that one soon.
If we’re going to be talking about leased properties there has to be another listing about Government of Nunavut staff housing.
I will be able to give the information to my colleague from my other portfolio.
I have no other questions on this issue.
Chairman: Mr. Alagalak I would like to ask you on why you are reporting progress.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): The reason why I said that is because we still have tomorrow.
The motion is carried and I will now rise to report progress.
Thank you, Minister Kilabuk and your staff.
Mr. Evygotailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Your committee has been considering Bill 18; Bill 19; Tabled Document 100-2(2), and would like to report progress that Bill 19 is immediately ready for Third Reading, and that Bill 18 is immediately ready for Third Reading as amended.
Bill 18 – Powers of Attorney Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Qamaniktuaq that Bill 18, as amended, the Powers of Attorney Act, be read for the third time.
The motion is carried. Bill 18 has had its third reading. Third Reading of Bills.
Deputy Clerk (Ms. Tupik): Meeting announcements for tomorrow.
At 9 o’clock Standing Committee Ajauqtiit in the Nanuq Room.
Standing Committee Government Operations and Accountability at 10:30 in the Tuktu Room.
Orders of the day for Tuesday, May 3rd:
This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at 1:30 in the afternoon.
>>Session adjourned at 18:05  Nunavut Canada
Tuesday May 03, 2005
Pages 2567 – 2633
Opening Prayer 2567
Ministers’ Statements 2567
Members’ Statements 2571
Oral Questions 2577
Tabled Documents 2595
Notices of Motions 2596
Motions 2599
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2611
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2631
Third Reading of Bills 2631
Orders of the Day 2632
Tuesday, May 3, 2005 2567
122 – 2(2): Premier Absent from the House (Aglukkaq) 2567
123 – 2(2): Nunavut Mining Symposium (Simailak) 2567
124 – 2(2): Gasoline Survey and Follow-up (Kilabuk) 2568
125 – 2(2): Income Support Food Allowance Increased (Picco) 2569
126 – 2(2): Workplace Health, Safety and Wellness (Tapardjuk) 2570
314 – 2(2): Loose Dogs (Peterson) 2571
315 - 2(2): Fishing Derby in Panniqtuuq (Kilabuk) 2572
316 – 2(2): Fish Quotas (Alagalak) 2572
317 – 2(2): Dental Therapist (Netser) 2573
318 – 2(2): Elections in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 2573
319 – 2(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Rent Scales (Barnabas) 2574
320 - 2(2): Environmental Issues in the Hudson Bay Area (Kattuk) 2575
321 - 2(2): Local Housing Authority Workshop in Iqaluit (Tootoo) 2576
322 - 2(2): Bad Gasoline Issue (Curley) 2577
399 – 2(2): Update on Fish Quotas (Alagalak) 2577
400 – 2(2): Government of Nunavut Purchasing Computers (Tootoo) 2580
401 – 2(2): Bad Gasoline Report (Kattuk) 2582
402 – 2(2): Rent Scale Review (Barnabas) 2583
403 – 2(2): Dental Therapist (Netser) 2584
404 – 2(2): Compensation for Bad Gasoline (Curley) 2586
405 - 2(2): Update on Discussion for Airport Improvements (Peterson) 2588
406 – 2(2): Update on Docking Facilities (Mapsalak) 2590
407 – 2(2): Community Consultations on Wildlife Regulations (Kattuk) 25921
408 – 2(2): Children and Adult Group Homes in Iqaluit (Tootoo) 2593
137 - 2(2): Resolutions Passed at the 2005 Nunavut Association of Municipalities Annual General Meeting (Peterson) 2595
138 - 2(2): Environmental Impact Statement for Eastmain -1-A (Kattuk) 2595
139 - 2(2): Nunavut Electricty Subsidy Program Contribution Policy (Aglukkaq) 2595
140 - 2(2): Sport North Financial Statements (Tapardjuk) 25965
141 - 2(2): Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services 2003/04 (Brown) 2596
142 - 2(2): 2003/04 Report on Home and Community Care Services (Brown) 2596
143 - 2(2): 2004 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report (Brown) 2596
144 - 2(2): News and Insight on Public – Private Partnerships (Picco) 2596
022 – 2(2): Amendment to Rule 39 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly - Notice (Barnabas) 2596
023 – 2(2): Amendment to Rule 41 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly - Notice (Barnabas) 2597
024 – 2(2): Amendment to Rule 44 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly – Notice (Tootoo) 2597
025 – 2(2): Compensation Program for Nunavut Residents Suffering Losses as a Result of the Quality of Gasoline – Notice (Curley) 2598
026 – 2(2): Amendment to Rule 68 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly - Notice (Tootoo) 2598
022 – 2(2): Amendment to Rule 39 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly (Barnabas) 2599
023 – 2(2): Amendment to Rule 41 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly (Barnabas) 2600599
024 – 2(2): Amendment to Rule 44 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly (Tootoo) 2600
026 – 2(2): Amendment to Rule 68 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly (Curley) 2601
027 – 2(2): Amendment to Motion 26-2(2) 26021
Bill 19 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendments Act – Third Reading 26310
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Hon. Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Hon. Levinia Brown, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allan Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Hon. Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Mr. Patterk Netser, Hon. Jobie Nutarak, Mr. Keith Peterson, Hon. Edward Picco, Hon. David Simailak, Hon. Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Good afternoon, Ministers and Members.
Proceeding to the Orders of the Day.
Minister’s Statement 122 – 2(2): Premier Absent from the House
I wish to advise Members that the Honourable Member, Paul Okalik, will be absent for the rest of the week.
Minister’s Statement 123 – 2(2): Nunavut Mining Symposium
I would like to send my regards to my constituents in Baker Lake.
(interpretation ends) I would like to inform the House of a very successful Nunavut Mining Symposium that occurred in Rankin Inlet from April the 1st to the 4th. The theme of this year’s symposium was “From the Land.”
This was a thought provoking and dynamic theme that stressed the importance of the land to the Inuit.
The land has been and will continue to be a source of wealth and prosperity for Nunavummiut.
There were approximately 200 participants from industry, government, Inuit organizations and Institutions of Public Governments at the symposium, as well as many members of the community.
The mining industry is becoming increasingly important for the Nunavut economy.
Last year over $150 million was spent on mineral exploration activities in Nunavut alone.
There is a new appreciation of the mineral potential in Nunavut and this was evident by the high number of attendees and the atmosphere of excitement at this year’s mining symposium.
Every year at the mining symposium there are three awards handed out and I would like to acknowledge the winners of this year’s awards.
The first award is the Exploration Success Award. It was given to Miramar Mining in recognition of their exciting achievement at the Madrid deposit south of Cambridge Bay.
The second award, the Sustainable Development Award.
It was given to Cumberland Resources for their notable work in collaborating and communicating with partner communities and development organizations.
The final award is the Prospector of the Year Award, it was given to the Inuit prospectors, Seemeega and Nowdluk Aqpik, for their discovery and option agreement of the Kimmirut Sapphire Project.
I would like to welcome the Members of this House to extend their congratulations to the winners of these prestigious awards of the Mining Symposium this year in Rankin Inlet.
Minister’s Statement 124 – 2(2): Gasoline Survey and Follow-up
I rise today to report on the results of the recent survey of complaints about gasoline in a number of communities.
The firm we contracted visited 15 communities and spoke to more than 170 people.
The visits were very useful in establishing the type of problems that people were experiencing and I would like to thank all the individuals who took the time to come forward.
Mr. Speaker, we were also able to get further gasoline testing done which confirms the gas from both the Shell Scotford and Montreal Refineries meets the Canadian General Standards Board and Nunavut specifications.
However, the testing also confirmed the differences between the gasoline coming from the two refineries, which may have contributed to the problems encountered.
It is evident that a number of individuals had trouble, particularly spark plug fouling, with the fuel from the Scotford Refinery.
Shell Canada has confirmed to me that they agree with this conclusion.
They are changing the gasoline for this summer’s re-supply so that it addresses all the concerns.
Shell Canada is also proposing a Fuel Voucher Program that they will fund for those who have experienced spark plug fouling during the past winter.
We have received good cooperation from Shell Canada on this issue, and I appreciate their offer. However, I also feel that it is not enough nor does it deal with the full range of complaints.
Thus, I am actively pursuing this with Shell Canada to get a more complete response that addresses all the concerns.
I will keep Members informed of the response from Shell Canada.
Minister’s Statement 125 – 2(2): Income Support Food Allowance Increased
As of April 1st, the Government of Nunavut has, for the second time in ten months, increased the food allowance for Income Support recipients.
A five percent increase has been applied to the existing rate guide, which varies by community and family size.
For example, a family of four in Grise Fiord will now receive $1 thousand, 151 dollars for food for the month.
We expect that this increase will cost the Government of Nunavut about $1.1 million this fiscal year.
This initiative was one of several income support budget items approved by the Members of this House last session.
Thanks to the ten percent increase to food allowance that came into effect last June and this latest five percent increase, income support recipients now receive funds that better cover the actual costs of nutritious food basket in their community.
Mr. Speaker, income support is intended to be a temporary measure to help those in need.
Through financial assistance, counseling, and training opportunities, we try to help recipients regain their rightful place in our economy.
Helping people meet their basic food needs is one way the Government of Nunavut give effect to the principle of Inuuqatigiitsiarniq, where we respect others and care for people.
Personal well-being in turn leads to healthy communities and the ability to make positive contributions to the future of Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 126 – 2(2): Workplace Health, Safety and Wellness
The Workplace Health, Safety and Wellness program was established in 2002 to provide Employee Assistance and Workplace Health, Safety and Wellness Services to all Government of Nunavut employees.
To date, we have provided workshops on Harassment and Violence in the Workplace, First Aid, CPR and Occupational Health and Safety.
I am pleased to announce that this fiscal year, our goals are to:
Provide a Level 2 Harassment Investigator Training Program.
This training program will create the capacity in each department to conduct harassment investigations in a formal and professional manner;
Deliver Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Training for each region.
This will ensure that Government of Nunavut staff are available throughout the territory with the skills to support employees who have experienced a traumatic event in the home or workplace;
Establish a St. John’s Ambulance Instructors Course for each region and increase the number of employees trained in First Aid and CPR to fulfill the requirements of the Safety Act;
Establish a partnership with the Worker’s Compensation Board. All Government of Nunavut departments and the respective Unions plan training for employees serving on occupational health and safety committees.
Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to report that a minimum of three courses on particular topics have been scheduled for 16 different communities during this fiscal year.
Mr. Speaker, by continuing to be receptive and proactive in this manner, the Government of Nunavut will ensure a healthy and safe workplace for all of its employees.
I request consent to go back to Item 3.
Speaker (interpretation): The Member would like to return to Item 3. Member’s Statements.
Member's Statement 314 – 2(2): Loose Dogs
I thank my colleagues for granting permission to go back.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the plight of a dog, to be more specific, the loose dog.
Mr. Speaker, every year we hear news reports from across Nunavut about loose dogs running wild in the communities.
In some instances the loose dogs are a danger to residents, especially to our children who are too small to defend themselves if they are attacked.
Mr. Speaker, in many communities the dogs are running loose because the owners are not taking the time to ensure that they are secured or they have broken loose.
Mr. Speaker, I doubt very much that there is a single mayor, past or present who hasn’t be inundated with phone calls from constituents asking them what they are going to do about the loose and dangerous dogs.
That’s when we hear about by-law officers shooting loose dogs and accusations of inhumane treatment of dogs.
It wasn’t so long ago Mr. Speaker, that dogs were held in very high esteem in Nunavut because they worked and contributed greatly to people’s survival.
Mr. Speaker, because of the introduction of snowmobiles, the dependency on dogs has diminished.
Many dog owners now keep dogs simply as pets or as a hobby to run sleds.
Mr. Speaker, dogs and people have kept each other company for thousands of years.
Dogs are commonly referred to as our best friend.
In Nunavut they stop being our best friend when they’re running loose and putting our residents at risk.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the Government of Nunavut should explore ways in which they can assist hamlets to control dog populations in their communities.
One reason there are so many loose dogs is because of the high birth rate among dogs.
This is not the fault of the dogs.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut should look at helping hamlets bring in veterinarians once or twice each year to give dogs rabies shot and neuter them at the owners request.
In some cases, at the owner’s request, they could euthanize their dogs in a humane manner if circumstances warrant.
Mr. Speaker, one of Nunavut’s official symbols is the Canadian Inuit dog, known as Qimmiq in Inuktitut.
This symbol was adopted shortly after the creation of the territory by members of this Legislative Assembly.
I believe that if we are to truly honour this noble companion, we must do more.
Member’s Statement 315 - 2(2): Fishing Derby in Panniqtuuq
I apologise, I did not realize that Item 3 had passed.
At the end of this week my constituents will once again be practising an annual event in my community, a fishing derby.
I would like to be able to participate and to also bring my family to this event.
This coming weekend I look forward to the fishing derby and to get out of the house.
If my son is listening, but I know that he is in school, he is on an outing to Nasaujaq through a school program and is practicing how to jig.
I look forward to participating in the fishing derby with my family.
Member’s Statement 316 – 2(2): Fish Quotas
I know that there is going to be a fishing derby at the end of the month, and I envy Mr. Kilabuk’s constituency and their fishing derby, but I am going to be talking about something different, although I am in support of fishing derbies.
I rise today to talk about our Nunavut Government expending funding for renewable resources. In Rankin Inlet they harvest caribou for commercial purposes and it seems like the operational funding for that plant is going down continually.
The reason why I rise today is, last summer I spoke about this issue to the Department of Economic Development and the Minister was in support of this.
I did some research on the lakes, and found we are able to receive a quota for the fish, especially when the HTO requests for a quota from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
One thing that I would like to announce ahead of time that I will be dealing with is fisheries.
There are a lot of Whitefish (Kakiviaktuun) in our area and we hear that down south that they prefer to get trout from the north.
It is possible and it wouldn’t be very expensive.
FFMC, Fresh Water Fish Marketing Corporation Winnipeg, perhaps I should urge the Minister to start discussions with them on how to start this process and how to make sure that this is done to make the fisheries alive again, especially in the Arviat area.
I will raise this at the appropriate time and would like to be able to ask the Minister for Economic Development regarding this topic.
The Fish Plant in Rankin Inlet must also be considered to make sure that it remains sustainable.
I will be making comments on this issue at a later point in time.
Member’s Statement 317 – 2(2): Dental Therapist
On April 12 the dentist went to Coral Harbour. Although we are appreciative that the Dental Therapist arrived into our community they stay there for a very short time.
There are times they defer client appointments because they have no time for some patients. They have to defer some patients, whom they were supposed to see.
They end up having to extract the teeth when they could have just worked on them. Mr. Speaker, this needs to be rectified.
There were two patients from Rankin Inlet that came to Coral Harbour to have work done on their teeth.
Although Rankin Inlet has a dental therapist, there is a space for dental therapist, and the Department of Health and Social Services sent two dental patients from Rankin Inlet to Coral Harbour.
There are many patients in Coral Harbour that have not been seen by the dentist and we were not very pleased about that.
At the appropriate time I will be asking the question to the appropriate Minister.
Member’s Statement 318 – 2(2): Elections in Kugluktuk
Some Members: We cannot hear you.
Speaker (interpretation): Some of the Members cannot hear so please try again. Mr. Evyagotailak
When they talk about fishing derbies in other communities it makes you homesick but we are here nonetheless to do a job.
I rise today to speak about the elections that will be occurring in Kugluktuk.
I would like to thank Ernie Bernhardt for the work he has done in the past.
He has been very helpful to the community and to the residents of the community.
Election Day is today and I urge my fellow residents of Kugluktuk to go to the polls to vote.
Stanley Anablak, Peter Taptuna and Derek Powers are the three mayoral candidates.
They have been residents of the community for many years.
Member’s Statement 319 – 2(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Rent Scales
I send my regards to my constituents in Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay, especially when the weather is getting nice.
I wish them a good day.
I rise today with respect to Nunavut Housing Corporation’s rent scale.
I am concerned about the way the corporation currently calculates the vacation travel assistance as income for the purpose of the rent scale. It is an unfair impact on residents of the High Arctic.
I will use an example to explain.
Imagine two people who live in public housing and they both have an equal family size.
One of them lives in Arctic Bay, and the other one lives in Iqaluit, both of them have an equal salary and the same family size, both of them receive vacation travel assistance as a benefit from their employment.
I don’t believe in that.
Members are aware the high cost of travel to and from the High Arctic.
The increased costs of flights means the person in Arctic Bay receive a higher amount for their VTA, while the person in Iqaluit receive a lesser amount because there are more opportunities for bigger centres to...
Mr. Speaker, I will speak in English.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Members are aware of the high cost of travel to and from the High Arctic.
The increased cost of flights means that the person in Grise Fiord receives a higher amount for their VTA while the person in Iqaluit receives a lesser amount.
Both of them receive a VTA for only one trip each year.
Mr. Speaker, when the Housing Corporation calculates the rent for those two people, the value of the VTA is considered income.
That means that the income of the person in Grise Fiord is calculated as being higher than the income of the person in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, it is clear that this results in the person in Arctic Bay being assessed at a higher amount of rent every month than the person in Iqaluit even though they both have the same take-home income.
Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that my constituents should be forced to carry this burden.
The cost of flights is more expensive and so their benefit amount is greater but they do not receive any more trips than someone living in the capital.
The cost of living is also more expensive in my riding and because of the way the rent scale is calculated, the cost of public housing is therefore more expensive.
Mr. Speaker, I believe this is unfair and I will be asking questions at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 320 - 2(2): Environmental Issues in the Hudson Bay Area
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address proposed hydroelectric projects that will have an effect on marine mammals, fish and wildlife in Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time that I have raised concerns about the environment surrounding the Belcher Islands.
My constituents depend on the area surrounding the islands for beluga, seals, walrus, polar bear, water fowl and fish.
In turn, these animals depend on those waters and islands for migration, molting and breeding.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavuummi Tasiujarjuamiuqatigiit Katujiqatigiingit, or the Nunavut Hudson Bay Inter-Agency Working Group, recently released a report analyzing the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Eastmain 1-A-Powerhouse and Rupert River Diversion.
The working group is composed of representatives from the Government of Nunavut departments of Environment, Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Community and Government Services, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Municipality of Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, the voices of Nunavummiut must be heard to preserve our wildlife.
Last fall I rose in this house because I am concerned that the sea cucumbers near Sanikiluaq are dying.
I am concerned that changes to the flow of water into Hudson Bay will damage the animals we depend on for food.
Mr. Speaker, fifteen years ago, Sanikiluaq participated in the joint environmental review of the Great Whale River Hydroelectric Project.
The Government of Quebec canceled that project but the questions and concerns that were raised by Sanikiluarmiut were never properly address
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleague.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling the report of the NTK working group.
The report outlines deficiencies in the Environmental Impact Statement and describes serious trans-boundary environmental impacts that will affect the entire marine environment of Hudson Bay, James Bay and Hudson Strait.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to review this report and to add their concerned voices to my own.
Member’s Statement 321 - 2(2): Local Housing Authority Workshop in Iqaluit
I’m not rising to wish Ed luck on a fish story.
I know it’s that time of year when there are derbies going on all over the place and all I can say to all those that are going to be participating is good luck and it’s a good thing that Mr. Picco isn’t there with you because he has a history of coming up with some rather large fishing stories.
See, he says they’re all true, so we know that’s a story right off the bat.