EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, the menu the youth have designed for this session include items like pizza, granola bars, yoghurt, popsicles, Chinese style caribou and rice, maple marinated char, fruit salad and chocolate zucchini cake.
Mr. Speaker, this program is in its third week and is proving to be very successful.
The youth are enthusiastic about the classes and enjoy sharing their newfound skills with the other youth at the centre.
This program is building confidence in the young people and Mr. Speaker, teaching them important life skills.
Mr. Speaker, also the youth group are creating a resource centre where youth will be able to learn computer skills.
I would like to take this opportunity Mr. Speaker, again to thank the Royal Bank and congratulate our youth on this initiative and the town of Iqaluit, the City of Iqaluit for making this worthwhile program possible.
Member’s Statement 110 – 1(6): Public Service Alliance Meeting in Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform members of a very successful meeting that took place here in Iqaluit this past weekend.
The Public Service Alliance of Canada represents tens of thousands of public servants across Canada.
These are the men and women who deliver vital programs and services to constituents in every province and territory.
In the north, the Nunavut Employees’ Union is a valued component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
Over 2700 Nunavummiut belong to the Nunavut Employees’ Union.
They are our relatives, our friends and our neighbours.
They are the people whom we depend on to make the plans we develop in this legislature a reality in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, one of the resolutions passed in this week’s northern PSAC convention here in Iqaluit was a motion to establish a full fledged PSAC regional office in Nunavut.
This is an excellent initiative and it will strengthen Nunavut’s voice and help strengthen the union on the ground.
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to have had the opportunity to attend the weekend convention and see the strength of the membership.
They are determined to continue their work to stand up for their rights as our employees and to help build a long term, stable work force in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 111 – 1(6): Fishing Derby in Rankin Inlet
Mr. Speaker, there was a fishing derby held in Rankin Inlet last weekend.
I was quite envious of the people who participated.
I wish I were in their place.
The people of Rankin Inlet were able to go out on the land and I’d like to thank the committee that organised the fishing derby, although there were a lot of regulations to follow.
It helps the community members physically and mentally.
They are able to go out on the land and spend time with their children so I’d like to thank the committee.
I’d also especially like to thank the mothers with mother’s day coming this weekend.
They were able to dress their children warmly during the fishing derby and to feed their children and jig and am I ever envious.
Mr. Speaker, I spoke to my paternal aunt yesterday, who also happens to be my best friend Panikak’s wife.
There was a fish caught that was 3 feet eleven inches long, this trout was quite big, just about four feet long.
I can’t imagine how some of the individuals pull some of these larger fish out, they get so big.
I am happy for the community.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to introduce in the Gallery, a friend of Nunavut.
One of the most recognizable faces in politics in the north for the last twenty years, Mr. Tony Whitford, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I might add that when I was serving in Yellowknife, Mr. Whitford and myself, usually around seven-thirty, almost every morning, we would meet at Tim Horton’s and have coffee.
Mr. Whitford has held several portfolios.
And Mr. Whitford one time gave me some advice.
He said, “When you get into politics, everyone in your constituency thinks that they can do a better job than you when you are an MLA.
When you become a Minister, the Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister can do a better job than the Minister.”
I took that to heart and I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Mr. Whitford for his wise advice on many occasions and welcome him and thank you for attending Mr. Arlooktoo’s funeral yesterday and coming back to Nunavut and coming for the first time I believe to our new Assembly.
I thought that you would have allowed me that opportunity.
Welcome to the Gallery, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend our hospitality and to recognize someone. (interpretation ends) I would like to welcome to the Gallery some very friendly people from another Island, from a smaller Island, Prince Edward Island.
A guy that I have golfed with and I lost all his balls, unfortunately.
I don’t know if I will be able to play with him again.
He is a Member for Morrel-Fortune Bay in Prince Edward Island, Mr. Kevin McAdams.
He is here with the Atlantic Veterinary College people; Wayne Hooper and Olive Coombs.
(interpretation) They are here to assist us in fisheries and training.
They would like to establish a better working relationship with us.
We will continue to work closely with them in the near future and I look forward to it.
It is always nice to see people from back in the Maritimes here.
I would like to recognize someone in the Gallery, an individual who is now related to Sanikiluammiut, my assistant Johnny Manning, who is my Constituency Assistant in Sanikiluaq.
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation ends) I would like to recognize a long time friend, Mr. Tony Whitford.
I went to school a long time ago with him along with Mr. Kakfwi and Ethel Blondin in Fort Smith.
So I would like to welcome Mr. Whitford.
I used to call him Tony but now I just call him Mister.
That year, 1972 was a good year when we went to school.
Welcome Mr. Whitford.
Mr. Speaker, this individual has been recognized by the Sanikiluaq member, but I’d like to recognize Johnny Manning who used to live in Gjoa Haven, working at the airport.
This was around August of 1994 and during his time in Gjoa Haven we learned that he was very good at playing the guitar and he taught my children and my maternal nephew how to play the guitar.
If he was to see them play today he would be very proud of their accomplishments in playing the guitar.
So, I would like to extend my thanks to Johnny Manning and welcome him to the House.
Well I better recognize my constituency assistant right now before Mr. Picco does.
A good friend of mine, Diane Ingmak from Arviat.
I’d also like to recognize a very good friend of mine, probably my best friend.
It’s actually somebody that I knew before I was born.
We both knew each other before we were born.
We actually both stayed in the same safe but small accommodations before we were born.
I’d like to introduce my twin brother Kirk O’Brien.
Are we still on five?
I thought we were finished.
I would like to recognize someone who I used to be a member with during the days of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada.
Zebedee Nungaq is here, and I would like to recognize him.
I would like to recognize that same individual again, Zebedee, I would like to welcome him to this gallery.
Thank you, for coming to Nunavut and indeed to our legislature.
We’ll see you later.
I also wish to recognize Mr. Zebedee Nungaq.
Every time we would go to Ottawa, we met in Ottawa and he would keep mentioning the fact that he would like to run for Nunavut.
He stated that he could do so if he moved to an offshore island and became a resident of Nunavut.
I know that you have not done so, so make sure you move so that you can run for Nunavut some day.
I am still awaiting that day.
Question 124 – 1(6): Difference Between Consolidated and Cash Flow Financial Statements
Mr. Speaker, last week the minister announced in his Budget Address that he’s projecting on a cash flow basis an operating surplus of 1.6 million dollars for this year coming up.
I understand that the government’s annual financial statements are prepared and consolidated based in accordance with the accounting standards for governments.
They are published by the Public Sector Accounting Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
I’d like to ask the minister if he could explain to us the difference between a consolidated statement, which our financial statements are done on, and a cash flow basis on which our budget seems to be delivered in.
Mr. Speaker, the consolidated statements take into account all the entities that the government has including corporations, the Business Credit Corporation, the Nunavut Development Corporation, Nunavut Arctic College, all the entities that we fund, the Housing Corporation as well.
So, that’s why it’s a consolidated statement of all the government’s operations.
In respect of our cash flow and our accounting based on the budget right now there is a difference in reporting, in respect of public accounts versus government accounts.
I was asking what the difference was; I know there’s a difference.
I’d like to ask if he could explain what that difference is?
Mr. Speaker, I’m not an expert in respect of the accounting profession.
I have certainly somewhat of a background.
I would be prepared to have my officials speak on the differences.
It’s very technical from what I understand, when we get to the Department of Finance’s budget.
Or I can have certainly a briefing prepared for the member if he’s interested from the comptroller general of the Government of Nunavut in respect to that if he wishes.
Mr. Speaker, I think if memory serves me correct, when we met with the department officials, and the Auditor General, one of the differences they mentioned was a cash flow basis, it’s exactly just what it is, a cash flow, and the public accounts are done on an accrued method.
I’d like to just ask the minister, based on the current information that he has, that he’s delivered to us in his budget address, what our position would be if it was done on an accrued basis rather than on a cash flow basis.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, I would be prepared to have my officials speak to the member, and again any member, on that.
But I could say that right now there is an issue surrounding the treatment of leases that, from an accounting perspective and again, it’s somewhat of a complex matter in that we’re being asked to account for all our leases on a net present value basis in the view that we’ll soon enter into the lease and assume the property which the lease is attached to.
But at the same time we’re not allowed to show the assets against the net present value, so there’s a big discrepancy in that area that’s not normal in respect of how we’re being and in respect of other jurisdictions because of what is in place in the Nunavut Act.
We’re required to follow the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants guideline. And that is not a normal practice for other jurisdictions.
So it’s one issue that we’re trying to work through with the office of the Auditor General as we speak.
Sometimes I can’t tell whether you want one or not so please signal me.
It’s not very often that I finish before my final supplementary.
I’m just wondering if the minister could also have his staff prepare something that would inform us whether and what would indicate what our accumulated surplus or deficit would be at the end of the 2002-2003 fiscal year on a consolidated basis in accordance to CICA standards.
I would be prepared to bring forward both differences in the respect of what we would project based on our calculations versus the public accounts that come forward of course for this Assembly based on the CICA standard, Mr. Speaker.
Question 125 – 1(6): Update on Negotiations for Chesterfield Inlet Care Facility
My voice is not itself today.
This is a question for the Minister responsible for Health.
I thanked him previously as they were planning the construction of a facility for the disabled in Chesterfield Inlet and I thanked him while representing Chesterfield Inlet.
However, to this day I have kept up the questions in relation to the facility being negotiated for Chesterfield Inlet and yet there are no updates as to whether this project will proceed or even whether this facility will be owned by our government.
Can the minister update me as to where this process is?
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Finance along with Public Works and Services have completed their analysis on the lease proposal that’s been put forward and Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services is now in the process of developing a service contract for the Chesterfield Development Corporation to be able to bring the facility to the next stage.
That would include Mr. Speaker, the architectural drawings and the finer details on the project itself.
I believe that’s very good news for the people of Chesterfield Inlet.
The technical drawings in relation to the pipes, wires and so on, for the facility.
I would like to ask who is going to do the architectural drawings?
Mr. Speaker, the member’s correct.
The next phase of the program for the Chesterfield Inlet facility which will replace the old Saint Theresa’s Hospital, is to look at the architectural drawings and that will include the technical aspects of the building.
For example, Mr. Speaker, the electrical codes, wiring, Mr. Speaker, if there’s a need for the fabrication of steel and so on.
That has to be laid out in architectural drawings.
Mr. Speaker, we are in the process right now, like I said earlier, of looking at the service contract and hopefully very expediently having that in place with the Chesterfield Development Corporation the next few days.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I think that’s some news that the people of Chesterfield Inlet have been waiting for, for quite a period of time, and we’re quite pleased to be able to say that today in the House.
That is very good news the minister just provided.
I would like to then ask another question in regards to the re-supply ship that will be coming in.
I believe the arrival date is August 25th, is that not too late to start building the facility.
Mr. Speaker, one of the concerns that we had on this project, along with Minister Ng, and I must take this opportunity to publicly thank Minister Ng and his staff for expediently reviewing the lease options that were available to us through the Department of Finance.
We believe, Mr. Speaker, that we can meet the window for sealift so that the facility could come ahead.
Again, Mr. Speaker, it will be contingent now on the signing of the service contract and again we’re very hopeful that could be done in the next couple of days.
If that is the case Mr. Speaker, then we will meet the requirements and the window that is there for the sealift.
Question 126 – 1(6): Shipping of Liquor Through Canada Post
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Liquor Act.
In the news, in the media, there was one published release that was put out last week and it’s in regards to the postal services being utilized to ship liquor orders.
My question, Mr. Speaker, is to the Minister responsible, and I would also like to know if he’s had discussions with the Postal Corporation and whether he can ask the officials not to ship liquor orders through the postal services.
There are communities that are prohibited or restricted according to the Act, and if we allow liquor orders to be shipped through the postal services, it’s going to destroy the present liquor system which we have worked so hard on to have in place today.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not aware of the reports that the member mentioned, but certainly I haven’t any discussions with any Canada, or my officials for that matter with any Canada Post officials in respect of shipping but certainly it’s something that we check into if I can get some more information from the member.
On this issue they need to think about how they’re going to be tracking the liquor coming in through post offices.
Also, this government generates revenue of about 10 million dollars from liquor and cigarette tobacco products.
This will have an impact on that, so this government needs to be on top of this.
This is a very serious matter that they need to look at.
This government will need to inform the communities just exactly what it’s going to be doing and I would like to have some answers to this question before the end of this session.
Mr. Speaker, any illegal importation of alcohol would be a problem and we’ll try to deal with this as soon as we can.
Question 127 – 1(6): Maintenance Procedures for Community Freezers
I would like to direct this question to the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services.
Of the 26 communities in Nunavut, I believe all the communities have community freezers that can be used to store country food and they’re also utilized by the Hunter's and Trapper's Organizations.
The department might not be responsible for these freezers but I would like to ask the minister about these freezers just in case there’s a break down or if there’s maintenance required of the freezer, do they require approval from your department before they can repair the freezer on an emergency basis?
What is the procedure to maintain those freezers, especially an emergency?
In regards to the member’s question, if there’s a breakdown or maintenance requirement for a community freezer, our department could be informed about the situation, by any community.
My question was not in relation to a small repair job, but if there was a total breakdown of a building, if the freezer building collapsed or was no longer usable.
What type of plans do you have for the replacement of the community freezer?
Do you have emergency funds that could be used to replace these facilities?
I am not just talking about the refrigeration system.
It depends on what broke down.
We have to look at the situation or the circumstance and make a decision.
I don’t know if we have any policy in regards to the community freezers.
If there has to be a replacement of a community freezer, we would have to look at that unique circumstance or situation on a case by case basis.
I will look into it and report back to the member.
Do you know of any community freezers that have broken down in any the twenty-six communities?
I have not heard of one experiencing problems to date.
That has been one of the concerns of the people out there prior to my taking on this portfolio.
To date, I don’t know of any community freezers that have broken down.
I will give you a brief preamble.
I can refer to the Pond Inlet community freezer situation; I hear that it is being dealt with.
The reason why I am asking you those questions is to find out if the community of Pond Inlet has informed your department of their community freezer.
Last year the freezer broke down in the spring and everything had to be destroyed because the refrigeration system broke down completely.
Everything thawed out and all the meat was ruined and I have heard recently that it couldn’t be used again and all of the meat within may have to be thrown out again.
Is it possible for your department to replace the community freezer on an emergency basis?
If possible I would like to ask the minister to direct his staff to look at the Pond Inlet community freezer as soon as possible.
Part of the HTO office is in that facility and they are generating revenue through the sale of this meat and as well this is a communal freezer.
I would like to urge the minister to deal with the community freezer on an emergency basis.
Some of the community freezers are operated and owned by the Hamlet Councils.
The Department of Public Works and Services can’t give financial assistance for the maintenance of the buildings.
We can give assistance as a department, but if it’s under the responsibility of the Hamlet Council it will be the Hamlet who will be responsible for the community freezers, if they own it.
But our department can give assistance.
I’d like to welcome the Terry Fox class from the Inuksuk High School and also the teacher, Nick Newberry.
Members will note that there has been a change or a jump in their clocks.
We’re trying to deal with that and we’re looking at 36 minutes left.
That’s fairly accurate.
Question 128 – 1(6): Community Consultation on Proposed Education Act
I will direct my question to the Minister responsible for Education about the proposed Education Act.
There has been more than one occasion where concerns were voiced by the public out there in relation to the proposed legislation.
Even prior to its completion, we were hearing concerns about the draft legislation even during the consultation.
Are you going to consult with each of the communities to find out what concerns they have in regards to the Education Act?
Are you going to be consulting with each of the Nunavut communities?
Speaker: Mr. Iqaqrialu, in reference to your question that responsibility is now with the Standing Committee, so you may want to re-phrase who you direct the question to.
I’m one of the Standing Committee members.
I will re-phrase my question.
Even though it is now with the Standing Committee since you are the Minister of Education, are you going to be working with the communities before dealing with the Education Act?
Ever since this review was initiated by my predecessor, the previous Minister of Education and since the drafting of the bill, the committees, different organizations and regular residents of the communities were involved and they were informed that they could be involved in the process of working on the Bill.
So we collected all the concerns and suggestions from all the communities, and to date they have been involved and we have made the report available.
To briefly ask the Minister responsible for Education, that this bill, and I’m sure that there will be various concerns voiced by the various communities, according to their traditions.
Perhaps when all the communities have voiced their concerns, what is your department going to do once you find out what the results are from the consultation.
This question is for the Minister responsible for the Department of Education.
Speaker: Minister Kilabuk, that’s a hypothetical question but if you care to try to answer it.
Perhaps I could explain to my colleague that since the Standing Committee is now reviewing the Bill, only after they have reviewed the bill and after their consultation then we will review the recommended changes according to the Standing Committee’s report then we can deal with it at that time and I expect to hear more results after the consultations.
Question 129 – 1(6): Difficulties with Standby Tickets for Medical Travel
I would like to direct my question to my friend, the Minister responsible for Health.
In my constituency, in the communities of Igloolik and Hall Beach, we have only one airline that is scheduled to go to those two communities.
This is a problem for patients that are going home because on Saturday the airline ticket counter is closed even though the doctors had seen the patients they have to stay an extra day.
And secondly, every time there is a plane, there are always some patients that don’t leave because they’re on stand-by when the plane is booked and this is quite an inconvenience in my community and also in the community of Igloolik.
So, what is the process or how do you deal with the patients?
Is it cheaper to leave them behind with a stand-by ticket or is it cheaper, I’m not too sure if it’s cheaper, to have patients stay here in Iqaluit an extra day?
I would like to ask how the airline tickets are set up for patients going to and from the centre here.
We’ve had several complaints from patients travelling from Hall Beach and Igloolik, as well as some other Baffin communities who have been left behind or have been inadvertently delayed to get back to their home communities because of problems with the ticketing.
Mr. Speaker, specifically at the present time, we offer a one way ticket to a patient who’s travelling from their home community to the point of the health contact, either in the Baffin Region for example, Iqaluit or Ottawa.
The reason for the one way ticket Mr. Speaker, is because we don’t know when their appointment will be finished and how long the person will have to stay at that particular location.
Mr. Speaker, at that time, Monday to Friday, the ticketing office is open.