EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
What I can say to you, just as an example, Mr. Speaker, of 120 salary evaluations that we did do and were completed, 89 out of that 120 needed additional information. So that’s what occurred and when you need information, you have to request it and it takes a longer period of time for the teacher, as an example, to get the information, the marks.
We also had an issue with the registrar who does the certification had left the position and then we had to put a new registrar in place. That was part of the logistics issues that we had to deal with.
Indeed, there were problems in the registry and the teachers were phoning; leaving messages and messages were going unreturned; sending emails and the emails weren’t being responded to.
So they were getting quite frustrated trying to provide the information that they thought they had to provide.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House what the department has done since those problems occurred last year to ensure and guarantee that teachers will be certified properly and their salary reviewed after 2008 and the future years’ teacher recruitment drives?
There was a vacancy, as I said earlier, in the registrar’s position and that was filled. All the teacher certification in Nunavut goes through our office in Arviat, Mr. Speaker.
That position was filled and then we were dealing with some of the backlog because of that as we explained.
As I said earlier, right now, the certification process is still in place, it’s up and running, and there doesn’t seem to be concerns that we had this fall.
I also understand, Mr. Speaker, we have done some workshops and some work with our HR people to ensure that the certification process is understood by all, and that includes the staffing and so on.
We did have some inquiries and some concerns raised by the NTA, the Nunavut Teachers Association, and that also has been addressed.
I certainly hope that things proceed a bit more smoothly this year because it’s very disconcerting as an MLA getting calls from teachers saying they can’t afford to pay mortgages, or their expenses, or buy food when they’re here to teach our children.
The minister indicated there were some problems with their information requirements. I wonder if the minister could tell the House if his department is working with other Canadian education jurisdictions to streamline, develop an inter-provincial, territorially recognized teacher certification process.
I know there has been some suggestions and conversation around the issue of teacher certification.
There have been some suggestions, for example, that you have, like the Red Seal Program with journeymen and electricians, and if you have your Red Seal, you’re recognized to work from Nunavut to British Columbia.
There are a lot of documents that need to be put in place, Mr. Speaker, and they include a criminal record check, transcripts of marks, proof that you have a Bachelor of Education, as an example, and that takes between six and eight weeks.
So if the person has been hired and they’re in a community, and all of that information has not been provided to HR, then we place them on a level four, step one of the pay grid, and the member is correct, that’s probably the lowest pay grid within the teacher framework.
If that information is late coming in, then they stay on that lower pay grid, and it can be a financial hardship and we realize that.
And, that’s why we have been trying to be more expeditious in helping teachers get that information.
The problem in November was, Mr. Speaker, as we said earlier, we did have an absence in the office there.
We had to bring that back up to staffing and that is in place right now, so we’re seeing it move further and a little bit faster.
Question 481 – 2(4): Status of Devolution Negotiations with Government of Canada (Curley)
Mr. Speaker, on December 28, 2005, the government announced the appointment of former Yukon NDP Premier, Tony Penikett, as our Chief Negotiator for devolution talks with the federal government.
Can the Premier confirm today whether this individual is still our negotiator and indicate who the federal government has appointed to sit across the table for him as Ottawa’s negotiator?
According to my knowledge, the individual appointed is Paul Mayer.
He is still Ottawa’s negotiator and we have been working with him to date.
Some of us don’t really believe that negotiations are proceeding with devolution talks, but reading the correspondence from the Prime Minister, he indicated that and I quote, “our officials will examine your questions.”
Perhaps, the Premier can talk a bit more on what kind of mandate he gave our negotiator as to what we want.
Yes, he has been negotiating on behalf of us, and we’re trying to negotiate for devolution and how we can provide more benefits to Nunavut.
The negotiations are just starting to get underway, I have written to the Prime Minister expressing my gratitude for having finally moved on this issue.
It has been so long since there has been any progress on devolution, so I am anxious to get these talks proceeding and finally have devolution take place.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): For Nunavummiut and Members of this House, do we understand correctly that the negotiations on devolution have been stalled, and in fact, there are no negotiations taking place?
Thus, if negotiations are indeed to resume, can the Premier indicate to the House when they will start?
We talked about when the deadline would be and we didn’t want to rush on this issue because it’s very important to both parties.
The Prime Minister indicated that we would have a review as this is the beginning stage of the negotiations. It has been taking too long and we were at an impasse at one point.
The Premier didn’t respond to my question. I know we do want a lot of things from the federal government but what I asked was: have the negotiations started?
Is it at an impasse, and if it’s at an impasse, when is it going to start again? To us, it seems like we’re in an impasse and nothing has started yet.
Can the Premier indicate to us exactly what’s happening on that issue to the people of Nunavut?
We haven’t really started it but we did want to include the offshore.
We haven’t got anywhere on this issue but I’m sure that we will start moving towards the negotiations.
As soon as we find out when it’s going to start, we will inform the House. That’s where we are at this point.
I want the people of Nunavut to know exactly what’s happening between our government and the federal government.
Question 482 – 2(4): Support for Mining Development in Nunavut (Simailak)
My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, perhaps, in English.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s Statement today, I addressed the need to ensure that our residents are prepared for opportunities in the mining industry.
The Department of Economic Development’s business plan indicates that one of its priorities for the coming year is to “support the Department of Education in the development of a mine training facility in Nunavut.”
Can the minister tell the House where this facility will be located and indicate when it will open its doors to Nunavummiut?
We are working with the Department of Education on the mine training facility but I believe the Minister of Education is best to answer that question as to where the location will be.
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Both the Government of Nunavut and NTI have announced their support for responsible uranium mining in Nunavut.
Can the minister update the House today on the status of the government’s Uranium Development and Mining Management Plan?
Uranium mining raises environmental and health, as well as political questions that are quite distinct from other types of mining. However, uranium exploration and mining has been done in a safe and environmentally sound fashion in Northern Saskatchewan.
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): My question to the minister was on what the status of the government’s Uranium Development and Mining Management Plan is.
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation ends) during my time at the Prospectors and Developers Association convention, I heard concerns that Nunavut is at risk of being less attractive to mining investment unless we act decisively to reform and streamline our regulatory regime.
Can the minister update me today on what concrete actions he plans to take on this issue in the coming months?
We seem to be all over the place today on this particular round of questions.
The department is conducting an independent review of all of the permitting and regulatory structures related to mining in Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, the final report of the review will be publicly released at the mining symposium this month.
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) That’s very good to know that you’ll be releasing that at the symposium, I do look forward to it.
As I noted in my Member’s Statement, Mr. Speaker, the annual PDAC convention is the most important gathering of the year for decision makers in the mining sector. It is vital that the Government of Nunavut have strong relations with the association.
Can the minister indicate to me when he plans to personally meet with the association’s leadership to discuss issues of concern and exchange ideas for ways we can support the mining sector?
We have a Mining Strategy which encourages mineral exploration and mining development, and I would like to sit down with the developers association when the time is right.
Question 483 – 2(4): Legislation to Ban Smoking in Vehicles (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I read a news story online and the headline says, “Ontario to Ban Smoking in Cars Carrying Children.”
Mr. Speaker, the article is about the Province of Ontario’s plan to introduce legislation this spring to ban smoking in cars where young children are present. The Premier of Ontario’s quote is saying that, “A small child breathing second-hand smoke in the car for an hour receives exposure equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes.”
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House if the Government of Nunavut is considering similar legislation in Nunavut?
I appreciate the member raising this issue.
This morning we had a discussion and a meeting with the National Lung Association who are here to hear about more of the initiatives that we’re undertaking in our territory to address tobacco-related illnesses and the prevention initiatives.
On that very subject, I had asked my staff to look into ways of addressing or introducing similar legislations or policies within Nunavut.
Right now, in any public place, under our Tobacco Act, we cannot have any smoking permitted, including in taxis and so on, but the methods of introducing legislation for private vehicles is one that I’m interested in knowing more about. Once I’ve had an opportunity to research the current legislation, whether it requires a revision, or an amendment, or a separate legislation, I’m looking into that.
It is one that I recognize and I’m glad the member recognizes this one area that we can pursue to address the high tobacco smoking illnesses that we have in Nunavut.
Your fist supplementary, Mr. Peterson.
The article is very revealing. In the article, it is reported that risk to children from exposure to second-hand smoke includes respiratory illnesses, middle ear infection disease, lower respiratory tract infection, and sudden infant death syndrome.
I think we’re all familiar with these issues in Nunavut.
My question for the minister: can the minister inform the House if the medical evidence in Nunavut shows that our children are suffering from these same diseases due to exposure to second-hand smoke?
Evidence and statistics show that we have a high rate of infant mortality in Nunavut and a lot of it relates to pregnant women smoking and second-hand smoke.
So it is an area that we are concerned about and the one area that we try and introduce prevention through prenatals and so on in trying to educate the effects of second-hand smoke in homes as well as when you’re pregnant.
Another area that we had talked about with other agencies is also including mothers packing their babies and having the Amauti hood on does not prevent the smoke from going into the child.
Those are the kinds of things that we need to further educate the general public - the impact of smoking around children.
So it is high for us in the North and it’s one that we’re trying to address in the development of our Public Health Strategy at the community level, as well as through our prenatal programs and so on.
Mr. Speaker, the minister mentioned initiatives that are intended to educate parents and expectant parents about the dangers of second-hand smoke to children. She also indicated that there’s a high incidence of infant mortality, even after there is a correlation between second-hand smoke and infant mortality.
I am wondering if the minister could explain to the House why there seems to be some resistance by parents to recognize that second-hand smoke and smoking is dangerous to their children.
Why? It’s a difficult question to answer.
The Department of Health has a number of initiatives related to smoking.
We all know that the cause of death in Nunavut relates to cancer. We have a very high percentage of deaths relating to cancer and many of it relates to lung cancer.
We know that but yet, people still smoke.
So how do we try and educate people to stop and try and address the harms of it?
One of the things that we’re doing is to try and address and focus on our young people. We have a task group within the Department of Health that tries to educate young people to not smoke, to stop smoking, or not start smoking in our communities.
We also have, through Public Health, initiatives to try and educate the general population of the harms of tobacco, and so on, and the respiratory illnesses related to it. There are a number of programs we’re investing in to try and stop people from smoking and to have people in the general population make informed decisions on the harms of tobacco.
So, it is one that we continue to try and address in Nunavut.
I must say though, within the youth groups, in the last three or four years, we have put in a lot of resources to address young people smoking and we have seen a reduction of 12 percent of our young population quit smoking in the last three years.
So that, to me, shows that we are seeing some results in our initiatives.
But, it doesn’t mean that we should stop, that we have to continue, especially with mothers to be or young mothers, and so on.
So it is an area that we will continue to try and address.
Mr. Speaker, nothing hammers home the issue of the dangers of smoking like statistics. I’m wondering if the minister could tell the House, in 2007-08 to date, how many children have received medical treatment for respiratory illnesses, middle ear infections, or respiratory tract issues, and how many died due to sudden infant death syndrome.
I would be happy to try and get that information to the members before the end of session.
The other determinant that has been identified as factors relating to respiratory illnesses in Nunavut also relates to overcrowding in homes. That’s one area that we have identified as many of our indicators addressing health in Nunavut.
In terms of the questions the member has asked for statistics, I’ll try and get that information to the members within the next few days.
Question 484 – 2(4): Government of Nunavut’s Plans to Protect Wildlife on Baffinland’s Proposed Routes (Barnabas)
Mr. Speaker, this past winter the Baffinland Iron Mine Corporation held public meetings in Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay and Igloolik.
I’m glad to hear that Baffinland is employing some my constituents.
Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, there will be impact on wildlife, especially when migration routes of caribou will be crossed and the walrus harvesting areas of Igloolik residents will lay in the path of bulk carrier ships. Then there is the proposed railway in the area.
I would like to ask the Minister of Environment if the government has any plans on this, especially when it will have an affect on the communities.
Minister of Environment, (interpretation ends) birthday boy, Minister Akesuk.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) First of all, I would like to say happy birthday to my wife if she’s watching.
What I mentioned yesterday during Ministers’ Statements with regards to the caribou, we will work closely with Baffinland and they have told us how it might interfere with the migration route of the caribou.
We will work closely with Baffinland and see how it will have an affect on the wildlife when they’re constructing the mine. We will be working closely together with the mining company.
I want to add that the minister’s constituency in Cape Dorset will also be affected by this project with the shipping. I believe there will be four trips made in the area, for about a month if I remember correctly.
Marine mammals are going to be affected by all that activity, so what is the government planning to do?
We will probably have to consult with the federal government on the possible affects this will have on the sea mammals and which communities will be affected.
We will also want to meet with those communities because the residents are aware of the time of year different animals might congregate in given areas. We can work closely together to review that.
If there’s going to be some soapstone quarries, this can also be included in there and we can ask the federal government to review this and also encourage them to keep the communities informed of when the ships will go through that route.
Is there any historical record of the migration routes of the animals in our area?
I haven’t seen any historical information and I don’t know if the federal government has any but I can definitely ask them.
As I stated earlier, the residents in the communities know best of the migration patterns of wildlife.
So we will have to work very closely together if those vessels are to go through the migratory route. We can advise them to be more careful around the communities.
When the HTOs held public meetings, they told the people that caribou is very scarce in our area at this time.
If it’s going to be like that because they’re going to block the migratory route, I wonder if the government is prepared.
After ten years, if the caribou is still scarce, will they be able to assist those communities?
As I stated earlier, there will be a three-year study on Baffinland’s plans with respect to the caribou and I’m pretty sure they will provide us with the information every year.
We will keep the communities informed, and the conservation officers and the HTOs will be working closely with them to determine how the caribou is doing up there.
We want the communities to know all this information in determining where there might be an impact on wildlife, especially caribou. Those are the things that we will have to consider.
Committee Report on Bills 009 – 2(4): Bill 22, Engineers and Geoscientists Act (Mapsalak)
I wish to report that Bill 22, the Engineers and Geoscientists Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit, and that the bill as amended and reprinted is ready for consideration in the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 22 will be put in the Order Paper beginning March 10.
Tabled Document 198 – 2(4): Letter from Standing Committee to Minister of Health and Social Services Concerning Bill 20 Proposed “Midwifery Profession Act” (Alagalak)
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Yesterday, the Legislative Assembly approved the motion for an extension of the review period for Bill 20. As has been noted, the standing committee is in support of the bill and look forward to receiving a response to these letters which I am tabling for the public record. (interpretation) Thank you.
My apologies, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Netser.
Tabled Document 199 – 2(4): Nunavut Overview 2007 Mineral Exploration, Mining & Geoscience (Netser)
I am pleased to table the following document: the Nunavut Overview 2007 Mineral Exploration, Mining and Geoscience.
Tabled Document 200 – 2(4): Non-Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) and Consolidated Financial Statements March 31, 2006 (Tapardjuk)
I would like to table the 2005-2006 Public Accounts.
Tabled Document 201 – 2(4): Nunavut Early Childhood Development Update Report for 2004-2007 and the Early Learning and Child Care Update Report for 2004-2007 (Picco)
I am pleased to table the following documents: the Nunavut Early Childhood Development Update Report for 2004 and 2007; and the Early Learning and Childcare Update Report for 2004 and 2007.
Bill 26 – Securities Act – Notice
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Monday, March 10, 2008, that Bill 26, Securities Act, be read for the first time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 029 – 2(4): Extension of Review Period of Bill 21 (Alagalak)
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Extension of Review Period for Bill 21:
WHEREAS Bill 21, the proposed Education Act, received second reading on November 6, 2007;
AND WHEREAS, Bill 21 has been referred to the Standing Committee on Health and Education for scrutiny;
AND WHEREAS the standing committee has received a number of submissions on this important piece of proposed legislation;
AND WHEREAS the standing committee is committed to fulfilling its responsibility to review the bill with care;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit Centre, that notwithstanding Rule 68(1), the period of time for the Standing Committee on Health and Education to report on the review of Bill 21, Education Act, be extended for a further 120 calendar days. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, I fully support this motion and I am aware of the extension. The members, as well as the DEA Chairperson, have been asked to be in attendance for Thursday afternoon. I am aware that some members will not be able to attend as we are scheduled to have a Leadership Forum on Thursday.
I do support the extension after hearing the minister during Committee of the Whole the other day that the powers of the authorities that have been raised as issues have been given to the Minister of Education, including the Education Act.
The powers are not given to the local authorities and maybe once this is scrutinized by the committee, it can be reconsidered to place powers to the education authorities that they have genuinely requested in order for things to run smoothly.
I want all members to support this motion as there are a lot of things that will need to be put in there and we would like to deal with it once it is more complete. I just wanted to point that out.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As the mover of this motion and as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Health and Education, I wish to offer some comments.
Mr. Speaker, Bill 21, the proposed Education Act, was introduced by the Minister of Education. Following second reading of the Bill on November 6, 2007, it was referred to the Standing Committee on Health and Education for review.
Mr. Speaker, the standing committee is reviewing this bill with care and attention. The committee has received input from a number of organizations and individuals who have raised many issues of concern. The standing committee has noted a number of areas where there is disagreement between parties.
Mr. Speaker, it is the view of the committee that several issues require further consideration before proceeding further with Bill 21.
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that members will agree that the legislative process is established in such a way as to allow for a full exchange of views to take place with the intention of ensuring that any legislation passing through this House best serves Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, the committee is looking forward to inviting organizations and individuals to appear before the standing committee next month to discuss the issues they have raised.