EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would urge members to review the section on the situation in Nunavut with particular care.
Tabling of Documents. Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Minister Peterson.
Tabled Document 274 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services (Peterson)
Tabled Document 275 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Annual Report of the Operation of the Medical Care Plan (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have two documents I would like to table today.
I am pleased to table the 2010-11 Annual Report of the Director of Child and Family Services.  The second report I am pleased to table is the 2010-11 Annual Report of the Operation of the Medical Care Plan.
Tabled Document 276 – 3(3): NIRB’s Correspondence Concerning Areva’s Information Request Response Timeline and Next Steps for the Kiggavik Project (Aupaluktuq)
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table today an Inuktitut and English copy of the Nunavut Impact Review Board’s correspondence dated October 15, 2012 concerning the Areva’s information request response timeline and the next steps for the Kiggavik project.
Motion 036 – 3(3): Acceptance of the Report of the Integrity Commissioner to the Legislative Assembly regarding Mr. Fred Schell, MLA – Notice (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Monday, November 5, 2012, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet North, that the sanctions and recommendations contained in the Report of the Integrity Commissioner be accepted.
Item 14. Notices of Motions. Minister Taptuna.
Motion 037 – 3(3): Removal of the Member for South Baffin from the Executive Council of Nunavut – Notice (Taptuna)
I give notice that on Monday, November 5, 2012, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that the Member for South Baffin be removed as a Member of the Executive Council of Nunavut.
Notices of Motions for First Reading Bills.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with her motion today.
Is that a nay?
An Hon. Member: Nay.
Speaker: There is a nay. So hence, we cannot proceed.
Speaker: There’s a nay. So hence, we cannot proceed.
Bill 45 – An Act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly – Second Reading
Mr. Elliott: Can you hear me?
It’s because I don’t have the beard on.
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Hudson Bay, that Bill 45, An Act Respecting Constituency Names and Superannuation of Certain Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Nunavut Elections Act to change a number of constituency names.
This bill also amends the Nunavut Elections Act and the Official Languages Act to provide that certain independent officers of the Legislative Assembly are deemed to be members of the public service for purposes of superannuation.
The motion is carried and passed, and as Bill 45 is a House Bill, it is referred to Committee of the Whole.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills 41, 42, 43, and 45 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:09 and Committee resumed at 15:34
Chairman (Mr. Enook)(interpretation): Good afternoon. I would now like to call the committee meeting to order.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 41, 42, 43, and, if time permits, 45.
We wish to continue with the review of Bill 41, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014, and the departments of Environment, Culture and Heritage, and the Legislative Assembly.
We would then proceed with the review of Bills 42, 43, and 45.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Does the committee agree to first deal with the capital estimates for the Department of Environment?
Bill 41 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2013-2014 – Environment – Consideration in Committee
I would like to ask Minister Arreak, Minister of Environment, to go to the witness table to make his opening comments.
I am asking you to go to the witness table.
You can now begin your opening comments, Minister Arreak.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to be here today before the committee to present the Department of Environment’s capital plan for the 2013-14 fiscal year.
For this fiscal period, the Department of Environment is proposing a capital budget of $3,980,000.
This expenditure will permit the department to concentrate on two program areas: Wildlife Management and Parks and Special Places.
Within our Wildlife Division, these capital funds will be invested towards replacing aging wildlife mobile equipment, improving and renovating aging infrastructure.
We will start the construction of a new wildlife office in Repulse Bay and initiate planning for the construction of a new wildlife office building in Resolute Bay.
Mr. Chairman, our territorial parks and special places have an important role in the protection and promotion of Nunavut’s outstanding natural and cultural heritage.
Our territorial parks support positive recreation and tourism and serve to meet the needs of Nunavummiut and our visitors.
It is our hope in the 2013-14 fiscal year that we will move forward the planning for Ukkusiksalik Kuunga, or Back River, to become an addition to Nunavut’s Canadian Heritage River System and that we continue to study the potential for new parks at Axel Heiberg Island, Arviat, Clyde River, Kugaaruk, and Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Environment’s capital plan is centred on Nunavummiut and Nunavut communities.
We are committed and focused in the areas that clearly support the needs and priorities of the government as set out in Tamapta. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Committee members, do you agree to bring in the witnesses?
On my left is David Akeeagok, Deputy Minister, and on my right is David Monteith, who is the Acting Assistant Deputy Minister at the Department of Environment.
Welcome, Mr. Monteith and Mr. Akeeagok.
Does the chair of the standing committee have opening comments? Mr. Rumbolt.
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of the Department of Environment’s proposed 2013-14 capital estimates.
Members note that the department’s proposed capital budget for 2013-14 is $3.98 million. The department’s capital budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year was $3,044,000 and its capital budget was $4.02 million for the 2011-12 fiscal year.
Mr. Chairman, the department’s proposed 2013-14 capital estimates include $1.75 million in funding for the construction of a new conservation office in Repulse Bay.
The department’s 2012-13 capital estimates also included $150,000 in funding for this project.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members were advised that Repulse Bay is the only community in Nunavut without an existing conservation office and that it requires a new conservation office in order to deliver programs and services to the community.
The department’s proposed 2013-14 capital estimates also include $150,000 in funding for replacement of the conservation office in Resolute Bay.
Members look forward to receiving updates on these projects.
There was no funding allocated for this project in the department’s 2011-12 or 2012-13 capital estimates.
The proposed 2013-14 capital estimates do not include funding for this project. However, during the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, members were informed that the department will continue to study the potential for a new park in Kugaaruk.
The department’s proposed 2013-14 capital estimates also include $650,000 in funding for park development studies in or near Axel Heiberg Island, Arviat, Clyde River, and Sanikiluaq. Members look forward to receiving ongoing updates on these projects.
The department’s 2013-14 capital estimates proposes $500,000 in funding for renovations and repairs to wildlife offices and research facilities across the territory.
Mr. Chairman, the department’s proposed 2013-14 capital estimates include $1.2 million in funding for small capital projects.
During the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee, he indicated in his opening comments that the department will move forward with planning for the Back River to be included in the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. However, an issue members raised was that many current river names are in the English language. The minister indicated that the department is working with the Department of Culture and Heritage to replace the existing river names with traditional Inuktitut names.
The standing committee was pleased to note that both departments are working together to rename territorial rivers and look forward to ongoing updates on this important issue.
On September 23, 2010, the GN issued a news release which stated that the Department of Environment and the Department of Community and Government Services are “working together to examine Nunavut’s solid waste management practices as a whole.
Mr. Chairman, during the Department of Community and Government Services’ recent appearance before the standing committee, the minister indicated in his opening comments that the department had completed a solid waste management study which explored best practices for managing solid waste in the territory.
The Minister of Community and Government Services also indicated that his department is working on management and training plans for communities, which will provide training to encourage segregation of waste streams, controlled access, and better management of solid waste facilities.
This is an issue that I also note in my opening comments on the 2013-14 capital estimates for the Department of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2013-14 Capital Estimates of the Department of Environment.
Before we proceed, I would like to remind the members, so that we can have a smooth meeting, of Rule 77(1) and Rule 77(2). We know the contents of these rules.
Are there any general comments in regard to the Department of Environment?
In regard to the park for Kugaaruk, I think that’s what it says, it’s still on the list, but the people were expecting for this project development. In 2008-09, there was $600,000 allocated for parks development and there was also $100,000 in 2009-2010, but there is nothing left allocated for the park’s development. There are no funds allocated for that, unfortunately.
If I misunderstood and if I am unable to ask questions at this time, Mr. Chairman, once we start reviewing the capital details page by page, I will ask my question.
At this time, you have the opportunity to ask questions, but at this time, I will allow you to ask questions when we start the page-by-page review.
I also thank the minister and his officials sitting next to him. Your underlings coincidently have the same first names.
In our community and in Nunavut, your equipment is aging and it states here in your opening comments that you have made plans to replace these pieces of equipment.
With respect to operational issues related to equipment capital purchases, I will have questions once we have reached the appropriate page.
I’m just commenting on mobile equipment, as that seems to be the only item listed in the opening comments.
Further, the future territorial parks currently being planned, all of these items require operational budgets, especially the items listed in your opening comments that are specifically mentioned, and how much funding you need for these items.
These items in our community are all directly related to economic development. I am thankful to territorial parks for the benefits and it would be good to see them marketed in order to get more visitors in the future.
I would also like to thank the Hon. Minister Arreak and his officials.
I would like to thank the Department of Environment on behalf of my constituents in Baker Lake and of Nunavummiut, as Baker Lake is in the exact centre of Canada.
There are three rivers connected to Baker Lake: Harvaqtuuq (Kazan River), Kangirjuap Kuungat (Thelon River), and the river that drains into Ukkusiksalik that is to become a Heritage River, known as Back River.
The population living in Baker Lake has grown quite large and we all work together. Our community is comprised largely of inland people, with various names for different groups of Inuit.
We also have relatives who live on the coast.
The people who comprise the population of Baker Lake stem from Harvaqtuurmiut, Ukkuhikhalingmiut, Hanningajurmiut, Qainnirmiut, Paalirmiut, and Ahiarmiut.
We constitute the community of Baker Lake, where we have lived since the community was created, but we are largely Inland Inuit.
However, I, too, appreciate the work to create the territorial park near the Back River, as many elders still relate their stories about the breadth and length of the river. Some parts of the river have numerous names.
It was a spring camping area where people fished, at Kitikhat and Kannguujaqtalik, which have been used for many generations.
Baker Lake are starting to become recognized by the mining companies, exploration companies, as our land forms part of the foundation, especially for Inuit culture and people realize that it is Inuit land.
I would use this example the current creation of territorial parks is well recognized, but our waters formed living highways and they serve as a larder for the Inuit.
The residents of Baker Lake appreciate these lands.
Youth in our community are starting to talk about the future territorial park currently under discussions.
We are quite happy that these discussions are taking place. I wish to add that this recognition extends to the world, as well as in Canada, as many residents of Baker Lake are being acknowledged as for their skills as carvers, printmakers, and woven wall tapestries, sewn crafts, and drawings. They are becoming well known throughout the world as part of Nunavut’s arts and crafts sector.
It is becoming obvious that Baker Lake is getting acknowledged, both within Nunavut and for being the centre of Canada’s landmass.
The youth of Baker Lake are starting to take pride in and to understand their history, especially their ancestors and how they developed the community up to today. We are proud of our heritage.
Those of us who reside in Baker Lake are central inland Inuit, with our own dialects, and it is quite obvious that our people depend on the caribou and fish, the same as our ancestors who survived off these animals. We have experienced hardships as well, which our ancestors were able to weather.
To cite an example, I want to mention this elder who finally moved to Baker Lake when he was 16 years old and he saw his first houses. I am using this example because this person has survived to this day and now has many descendents, both children and grandchildren, and he is proud to be from Baker Lake.
Although we are part of Nunavut, I wanted to make a statement about Back River, which drains into Ukkusiksalik, as it is being touted as a future Canadian Heritage River.
Our future is full of possibilities, with the recognition of the river as a Heritage River, and the residents of Baker Lake will be quite proud of this status since, even without it, the Inuit of Baker Lake are already quite attached to it today.
I wanted to also thank the minister and his officials.
I think it was when we had our session and we talked about, as a standing committee, the Canadian Heritage River System and for it to be recognized, such as the Back River.
They just talked about Back River.
They didn’t call it Ukkusiksalik, but a lot of people from Baker Lake know about that area, the Back River. They would want to have an Inuktitut name for that river.
Mr. Chairman, the reason why… . Captain George Back’s name was Back River and also, Garry River is also called Sanningajulik in Inuktitut and they prefer that river to be called that.
We want those river systems to have their Inuktitut names because Captain George Back tried to go up there about four times and he was the captain of Polar Explorer and was accompanied by John Franklin.
They walked up there to that river and Akaitcho and Kivalliq Inuit saved those individuals.
They also travelled to the Mackenzie River and up to the Yukon River. They reached the Yukon River and then up to Barrow, Alaska. They had to be accompanied by two Inuit people who are from Arviat originally.
His name was… . Hold on. The first one was Ulivvaq, who travelled up to Alaska, and the other was Tatannuaq.
I think some people thought that his name was Tutannuaq, but they called him Billy. (interpretation ends) I think it is Tatannuaq. (interpretation) Those are the two Inuit people who accompanied.
George Back was also involved as second in command for Sir John Franklin.
So they explored in 1836 and found the Great Slave Lake because it reaches the river.
George Back had his own command, but the Inuit wanted to have the river named in Inuktitut.
When they went north towards Franklin River, they walked, met with the Inuit people who were fishing, and they were shocked that there, George Back’s people killed those Inuit people.
When they killed those Inuit people, it must have been really hurtful for their families.
They were apparently shot.
That George Back was not even told and when he went back to England, he was told that. So I don’t really like that river being called Back River.
I have the journal at my house and that’s how I know they were going towards the ocean and they were welcomed by the Inuit people.
That place is very scenic and when they got there on their way back, they did not need one Inuk person. He also wondered what happened to them, even though the Inuit people were standing on the hill.
It is written in his addendum.
They were shot at that time and that’s why I didn’t want to go close to there.
I think David Monteith read that too and that’s the history that happened. Some of them might have gotten sick. Those families must have been hurt and we have to start healing for those people.
So I want to be able to name those rivers in Inuktitut. That’s why I want to mention that.
I am happy and proud that the minister is recognizing those Inuktitut names.
Thank you for telling the history that we didn’t know. I don’t have any more names on my list.
Go to page G-3. Environment.
I just wanted to ask a question about the Kugaaruk Park Development project. They’re talking about heritage parks and stuff and they said that the proposed area is being used by prospectors. I’m not really sure if that’s it or not around Kugaaruk in that park.
It’s not in the capital estimates, but it has been forwarded.
It’s there in the capital estimates and we haven’t forgotten about the park development, but it has been moved to another year.
Sometimes it is unfortunate if you don’t see it on paper or in capital estimates. Under G-4, the Repulse Bay Wildlife Office, will you keep this amount of money in the capital estimates?
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As soon as Bill 41 passes, we will not delete that amount for the Repulse Bay Wildlife Office. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Arreak. Mr. Ningark.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I support my colleagues. Thank you.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a question on the opening comments.
He talked about mobile equipment and I need clarification.
I know that any vehicle has a lifespan. Can you give me details on the lifespan of boats and snowmobiles?
What is the lifespan of this mobile equipment?
Sometimes we speak in Inuktitut when we’re speaking in English.
So how long is the lifespan of this mobile equipment? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Oshutapik. Minister Arreak.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The lifespan of snowmobiles is 3 years, ATVs 4 years, marine boats 15 years, outboard motors 5 years, and vehicles 10 years.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Arreak. Mr. Oshutapik.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for his response and providing the information.
It doesn’t state which community will be allocated this mobile equipment, such as snowmobiles, ATVs, and boats. Do you know if the lifespan in the community’s mobile equipment is at the end?
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We only talked about the details, but at this time, it doesn’t state which community will be allocated mobile equipment; it just states what each region will be allocated.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Arreak. Mr. Rumbolt.
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the budget, there’s a line item for Sanikiluaq and it says that in prior years, they spent $350,000 on park development and there’s a further $150,000 in the upcoming budget. I’m wondering if the minister can provide us with an update today on the status of this park development.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. Minister Arreak.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If you will allow the person on my right, David Monteith, to respond, he can elaborate further on this. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Monteith: Thank you. I am glad to say that the study work that we have done on Sanikiluaq is now complete.
We began, I believe, in 2010. First of all, we began workshopping with the community like what is the park and how it works, and tried to see if we could get some interest from the community as well for the idea of looking at the feasibility for a park.
Sanikiluaq, obviously, is one of those non-decentralized communities, so the focus of our capital plan and initiatives was addressed towards those non-decentralized communities, including Sanikiluaq.
Over the years, we have done a number of studies that have looked at different park boundaries or suggested boundaries for a park in Sanikiluaq.
Given the amount of mineral exploration that is currently taking place there, those boundaries have been adjusted somewhat, but I am happy to say that it looks like we have an agreement with the community for a park that would go from Sanikiluaq up to Kataapik. We’re quite excited by that.
We have a really good park advisory committee that we have been working with and the community.
I am happy to say that that study is now completed and we will now be taking the results of that study to other government departments to make sure there are no concerns with those other government departments, and then hopefully take it to cabinet for their consideration.
I would like to thank the minister for allowing Mr. Monteith to answer that question. I was hoping that he would because Mr. Monteith used to live in the community years ago and I was hoping that the people of Sanikiluaq would get to see him again.
Chairman: Are you done, Mr. Rumbolt?
There was your five minutes of fame, Mr. Monteith.
In the detailed capital there noted as Baker Lake, the line item seems to be Thelon and Kazan Heritage River development for the year 2013-14 at $80,000. Is this from an ongoing project that’s existing or is that to read “Back River,” that Back River is going to be included? When do we expect to see it as well in the capital estimates?
I’ll have David Monteith respond or perhaps he has never been to Baker Lake, so no one will recognize him.
Chairman: There you go again, Mr. Monteith.
We do have a budget item for the Thelon and Kazan.
We’re ready to proceed with implementing the river management plan that was done several years ago for both the Thelon and the Kazan. However, we have been stalled somewhat as a result of the land claims agreement.
We had to negotiate Inuit impact benefit agreements for those two river systems.
We have been advised not to proceed with any development until such time as those negotiations have been concluded.