EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
If you would like to ask a further question Mr. Iqaqrialu, I will give you an opportunity at this time.
These are deficits that have accumulated from the 70’s, from the 80’s and the deficit has accumulated over the years and it is huge now.
It wasn’t the local government’s fault.
Can we just forgive or write off the old deficit.
I believe that we have to have discussions of these issues.
Like I said the communities are funded on a per capita basis.
The Hamlets, I believe there are 26 of them in the Nunavut Settlement area, there are some communities that are operating within their budget, if they need help then we give them help.
If there are problems financially in the Hamlet Councils we end up helping those communities and it is our staff or the Hamlet staff that have dialogue to rectify the problem and afterwards it is up to us.
I would like to tell the member of the Legislative Assembly that very likely we will have to meet with the employees of the Hamlet Council and also the appropriate MLA.
That is it for oral questions.
Sorry I apologize I have the wrong one here.
Item 10, Petitions. Petitions.
Tabled Document 05 - 1(3): Candidates’ Election Returns and Declarations
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 183(4) of the Nunavut First Elections Act, I wish to table candidates’ election returns and declarations respecting election contributions and expenses.
The names of the candidates are listed by ridings and are attached to this tabled document.
Item 17: First Reading of Bills
Bill 1 – Loan Authorization Act 99/2000
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit West, that Bill 1 – Loan Authorization Act, 99/2000 be read for the first time.
Bill 1 has had first reading.
First reading of bills, Mr. Ng.
Bill 2 - An Act to Amend the Worker’s Compensation Act
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Pangnirtung, that Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 2 has had its first reading.
First Reading of Bills. Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nanulik riding, that Bill 3 – (interpretation ends) An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act, be read for the first time.
Mr. Anawak your motion is in order.
Comments or questions to the motion.
Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act, has now been read for the first time.
First reading of bills.
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act, be read for the first time.
The motion is in order.
Bill 4 has had its first reading.
First reading of bills. Mr. Ng.
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 99/2000
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Kugluktuk, that Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 99/2000 be read for the first time.
Bill 5 has had first reading.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters.
Report of the Committee of the Whole.
A reminder for members that 2 o’clock is picture taking time here in the Chambers.
Orders of the Day for Monday, October 25, 1999, 1.30 in the afternoon.
Item 15, Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills.
Motion 1 – 1 (3) Report of the Chief Electoral Officer
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriations Act, No. 1, 1999/2000
There will be refreshments and snacks for the members in the Nanuq Board Room.
At this point the House stands recessed until Monday, October 25, 1999 at 1.30 in the afternoon.
Sergeant-at-Arms.
>> House adjourned at 12.20 p.m.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1999
Pages 76 - 97
Opening Prayer 76
Ministers’ Statements 76
Members’ Statements 84
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 87
Oral Questions 88
Petitions 93
Tabling of Documents 93
Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills 94
Second Reading of Bills 94
Orders of the Day 96
Monday, October 25, 1999 76
10 - 1(3): Minister's Absence (Okalik) 76
11 - 1(3): Maligarnik Qimirrujiit (Okalik) 76
12 - 1(3): Legal Interpreter and Justice of the Peace Training (Anawak) 77
13 - 1(3): Integration of Health and Social Services (Picco) 78
14 - 1(3): Schools Integration Project (Arvaluk) 79
15 - 1(3): Sustainable Development's Implementation of the Bathurst Priorities (Kilabuk) 80
23 - 1(3): Mr. Douglas Lem Business Anniversary (Okalik) 84
24 - 1(3): Coral Harbour Bridge (Arvaluk) 84
25 - 1(3): Absence from House (Iqaqrialu) 85
26 - 1(3): Suicide Prevention (Irqittuq) 85
27 - 1(3): Sanikiluaq 4 Wheeler Accident (Kattuk) 86
28 - 1(3): Recognition of Daughters Birthday (Anawak) 86
29 - 1(3): Congratulations to Kirt Ejesiak (Picco) 86
31 - 1(3): Integration of Health & Social Services (Nutarak) 88
32 - 1(3): Government Support for Unilingual Businesspersons (Iqaqrialu) 90
33 - 1(3): Definition of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Irqittuq) 91
34 - 1(3): Housing for Social Worker (Akesuk) 92
01 - 1(3): Alcohol Import Permit Fees (Havioyak) 93
06 - 1(3): Toward a Healthy Future (Picco) 93
07 - 1(3): Responses to Petitions (Clerk) 93
Bill 1 – Loan Authorization Act, 1999/2000 (Okalik) 94
Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the Workers’ Compensation Act (Okalik) 94
Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act (Anawak) 95
Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act (Anawak) 95
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriations Act, No. 1, 1999/2000 (Okalik) 95  Monday, October 25, 1999
Monday, October 25, 1999
Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable Jack Anawak, Honourable James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Honourable Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable Manitok Thompson.
Speaker (interpretation): I would like to ask Ms. Thompson to say the opening prayer.
At this time I would like to announce to the House that the member for Iqaluit Centre will not be here this afternoon and for the rest of the week because there was a death in his family.
We will include Hunter and Carol Tootoo in our prayers.
Going to our agenda, Item 2, Ministers’ Statements, Mr. Premier.
Minister's Statement 10 - 1(3): Minister's Absence
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the members of this House that the Deputy Premier, Hon. Kelvin Ng, will be absent today, he will be returning to the House for tomorrow's sitting.
Minister's Statement 11 - 1(3): Maligarnik Qimirrujiit
Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the members and bring them up to date on the progress made on the establishment of Maligarnik Qimirrujiit, Nunavut's Law Review Commission.
The establishment of the commission was announced at the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit workshop held last month in Apex, where government staff and Elders gathered to discuss ways in which the Government of Nunavut can include a cultural component within operations through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Later today, I will table the terms of reference for the commission.
All members of this assembly are committed to promoting Inuit values, and I believe that Maligarnik Qimirrujiit reflects the commitment in a definitive and tangible way.
A way in which Nunavummiut across the territory can recognize and relate to. One of the premises of Nunavut was that we would be able to make our law in areas that we have authority.
In order to do this, we have to review the laws that we have inherited.
Maligarnik Qimirrujiit has important work to accomplish and we have looked to the members of this assembly to assist us in identifying people to be appointed as commissioners.
I would like to thank them for bringing names forward before last Friday's deadline.
The commissioners need not have formal legal training.
They need not speak English.
Primarily, their work will be to identify Nunavut laws that are inconsistent with the vision and goals of Nunavummiut.
Laws that are not in keeping with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
The commissioners will be asked to identify those areas of law for review. The goal of Maligarnik Qimirrujiit will be to encourage public discussion and to reflect the thoughts and feelings of Nunavummiut in the recommendations made to the government.
That's why some of our Elders need to play a prominent role in the work of the commissioners and I will be instructing Maligarnik Qimirrujiit to work closely with the Elders in each community throughout their work.
Ministers' statements.
Minister's Statement 12 - 1(3): Legal Interpreter and Justice of the Peace Training
I wish to inform members of two important initiatives being organized and sponsored by the Nunavut Department of Justice.
The first is the Legal Interpreters training program currently underway at Arctic College, the second is the Justice of the Peace training program which will start in Iqaluit in November.
(interpretation ends) The Nunavut Court of Justice was officially created on April 1.
This is a court that is unique in Canada as it is the country's first single level trial court.
We decided on this model because it is the best for the people of Nunavut.
But we continue to face challenges simply due to the make up of our territory. We need high quality interpretation in the court room in order for the new court to serve the people effectively.
Unfortunately, the few interpreters that we have in the communities have been under trained and are working under stressful conditions. We need more qualified interpreters throughout Nunavut.
Therefore, my department has asked Arctic College to select 17 applicants to take an intensive 8 week training program designed specifically for Nunavut Legal Interpreters.
Once these people graduate, they will return to their home communities and serve as interpreters for the Nunavut Court of Justice.
(interpretation) The second training program which will start in November is being designed and run by our Justice of the Peace Co-ordinator, Mr. Neil Sharkey.
There has been a serious need for more qualified Justices of the Peace in our communities. As a territory, we have made the commitment to a community based justice system. But how can we call the system community based when the court only arrives in some locations every six months.
Inuit Justices of the Peace reside in their own communities and hear cases frequently.
The other important benefit is that they speak the Inuktitut language and they understand the issues and dynamics of the communities in which they serve.
I believe that this is another way in which we are seeing the principals of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit being applied in the justice system. I would like to point out that we managed to get federal funding to cover the costs of both these training programs for two years.
(interpretation ends) These two programs will give an important boost to the creation of the justice system at the community level and they will also result in a greater number of highly qualified Inuit working in their communities.
Ministers’ statements.
Minister's Statement 13 - 1(3): Integration of Health and Social Services  Health Boards
Hon. Ed Picco: Uqaqti, I wish to inform the House of the progress achieved to date towards the integration of the three Health and Social Services Boards.
We are building a unified Health and Social Services Department for Nunavut.
The work required for integration is mostly administrative at this time, though it is complicated and it must be done well to ensure services continue to be delivered properly.
This work is on track and will continue right through to April 2000. I want to emphasize Mr. Speaker, that the administrative reorganization that we're doing as part of the integration process will not, and I repeat, will not in any way affect the day to day delivery of services in the communities. As well Mr. Speaker, I repeat that the government is committed to a "no layoff" policy for any employees whose jobs are affected by integration.
Mrs. Rosemary Cooper, Assistant Deputy Minister of my department has also been assigned full time to the integration and decentralization initiatives.
An integration co-ordinator has been contracted to assist in the integration of both Education and Health and Social Services. The Integration Planning Committee for our senior managers of all three boards at the department has met three times. It has provided direction to a series of working committees, again with participation from all three boards, and the department as well as the central agencies.
They're currently working on the many administrative details.
Mr. Speaker, integration is only the first of a series of steps towards the building of a health and social services system designed by and for all of Nunavummiut. The redesign of the current system will evolve over the next several years.
It will include honouring our commitment to decentralized positions both in Pangnirtung and to Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, while the boards will no longer exist after April 1, 2000, there is an ongoing need to maintain and enhance partnerships with communities and to build a system of accountability at the community level as well as the ministerial level.
This will certainly be part of the system design work which lies ahead.
Mr. Speaker, in the meantime, I have directed the department to enter into discussions with community governments regarding interim arrangements.
Some Nunavut communities already have some form of a committee, usually a sub-committee of the hamlet which considers wellness promotion and other related health and social services programs.
These committees can be the focus of discussions that might take place in communities and between communities and the department.
We would be prepared to provide some support to such an approach on an interim basis.
Mr. Speaker, as we move through integration and begin discussions about the future, I am more and more convinced that this unification of the system is the right thing to do. I look forward to providing members and the public with further details over the coming months.
Minister's Statement 14 - 1(3): Schools Integration Project
Mr. Speaker I would like to provide members with an update on the progress made by Education Nunavut on the Schools Integration Project.
As you will remember, a decision was made in April of this year to dissolve both education and health boards of management by July 1, 2000.
Since that time, an implementation co-ordinator has been hired to manage the project and I am pleased with the progress we have made.
I provided you with a copy of the Implementation Co-ordinator’s Handbook in August so that you would have an overview of how this project will be implemented.
Since April, I have briefed all district education councils with the exception of the Kivalliq Council.
I will be attending their next regularly scheduled meeting to discuss these issues as well as the re-writing of the Education Act. Headquarters staff have also met the Divisional Education Council with board staff and with the majority of school principals in Nunavut to provide briefings and to answer questions.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, discussions have also been held with the Nunavut Social Development Council and with the legislative standing committee on Culture Education and Health.
Working Committees consisting of representatives of all three boards and headquarters have been working hard to design the new organization to undertake the action that is needed to redesign the administrative systems to allow us to take advantage of central agencies systems where ever that is possible.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I'm confident this will result in more cost effective regional structures.
The new regional offices will be designed to provide strong support both to schools and to district education authorities who will ultimately manage more of the direction of education in their communities under the authority of a new Education Act.
(interpretation ends) Organization charts for the new regional schools will be ready within the next month. We are targeting staff for appointments to re-describe positions.
This will be completed before Christmas.
This should lessen any anxiety on the part of staff and provide the system with the required stability to do the required work that will be needed prior to July 2000.
As you know, there will be no layoffs as a result of the organization changes.
The skilled people in the system will continue to be valuable members of the Nunavut Government team and if it's not possible to take place in the Department of Education, alternate jobs will be available in other departments.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, in summary, the work is on schedule and I'm confident that the integration schedule will be a success.
The success will include a department and myself as Minister of Education, closer and more accountable to the students and all Nunavummiut.
Minister's Statement 15 - 1(3): Sustainable Development's Implementation of the Bathurst Priorities
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
During the summer I had the opportunity to speak with people in my community about our government.
I discussed the challenges that our government faces and the work that lies ahead with leading the Department of Sustainable Development, our department, with a broad and diverse mandate.
One elder said to me just recently, "remember Peter, a good dog team will work hard to get from one place to another, each dog pulling in the same direction, each dog knowing their role.
Each dog is different but they are a team and because they are a team, when they work together, they are powerful. They are more powerful than any snow machine.” This elder reminded me that it is my job to make sure that everyone on the team knows my direction and that the traces in my hands must be taut.
Mr. Speaker, in the first six months on the job, I have worked very hard to find out the needs of our communities and the role of my department and with this knowledge, I have worked to establish direction for the department.
This direction is based on what many people in Nunavut would view as common sense and that our work must take into consideration the capacities of our people, the protection of our environment and it's resources and the development of our economy and that every aspect of our work must include Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
(interpretation ends) I will speak about the direction that we have established for our government as a whole in the Bathurst Mandate.
I am pleased to be able to speak to you about the role of the Department of Sustainable Development.
After the Cabinet meeting in Bathurst Inlet in August, I called together the senior staff in my department.
I outlined for them the direction I wanted our department to take in the next 180 days.
I described for them five major areas in which I expect our department to provide leadership.
Each relates to the Bathurst Mandate and the four goals we set for this government.
(interpretation) First, I stressed the need for us to communicate effectively with the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I travelled extensively in Nunavut throughout the summer and everywhere the message was the same, keep us informed about what the government is doing.
So I have told my staff in Sustainable Development, people expect that we will faithfully and regularly communicate with them.
I want my department to be a leader in the government's effort.
Secondly, I have asked my department to strengthen it's community presence.
We must work to provide more support for our Wildlife Officers and for the Community Economic Development Officers in each community.
Thirdly, I have stated in this House before and I emphasized it again with my staff that job creation is a priority of our department.
Speaker: Mr. Kilabuk, can you please be seated?
I apologize, your time of 20 minutes is up and you can request consent from the members to continue.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: I would like to request consent from the members.
Mr. Kilabuk has requested to continue with his Minister's Statement.
Any objections.
Mr. Kilabuk you have a consensus.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): A key to job creation is a partnership with the Federal Government.
(interpretation ends) We have been successful negotiating with the Federal Government recent agreements with Natural Resources Canada and DIAND to establish a Geoscience Officer in Iqaluit, rather in Nunavut, and this can make a major contribution to our economy.
Moreover, Mr. Speaker, I have reasonable hopes that our current negotiations with DIAND will result in the establishment of a Nunavut Economic Development Agreement this year.
I cannot emphasize enough the gains and benefits of working with our partners both in economic development and in our co-management responsibilities for our environment and our wildlife.
(interpretation) The Bathurst Mandate calls for Nunavummiut to be self-reliant.
Self-reliance is not being able to go at it alone, self-reliance is pulling your weight as part of a team, making full use of your own resources and abilities.
When we combine our resources and abilities with others in partnership, each one is stronger.
As a fourth priority, I am determined that we must simplify our program delivery. Again, Mr. Speaker, I have told my senior staff that we must emphasize improvements in communication, explain our programs and policies and make them clear and simple so that the public can understand and take full advantage of them.
Finally Mr. Speaker, I have told my staff of the pride I take in the leadership they have provided in our efforts in this government to apply Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
This government team we have been told is making a trail in new snow.
Our elders have pointed to the direction we must take and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit reminds us that learning is not only about discovering what is ahead of us.
Learning must be about understanding who we are and how we can use our strengths to find our way into the future.
(interpretation ends) I would like to refer briefly now to specific programs my department will be undertaking in the next six months which will address the Bathurst Mandate directly.
Mr. Speaker, through my travels this summer, I have heard from our hunters about the existing Wildlife Act, and it's outdated approach to wildlife management.
As I have said previously in this House, I am committed to modernizing our Wildlife Act and I will be bringing forward recommendations on how we can approach this very large process of reform.
This important new proposed legislation will be brought to cabinet only after extensive public consultation.
A major part of the work of my department is dedicated to community capacity building.
We work routinely with our partners in other government departments, the Inuit organizations, hamlets and the federal government on wellness, community development, labour force development and economic development.
Community planning is essential to our work.
(interpretation) We will continue to provide direct financial support to communities wishing to establish their development plans.
We will continue our support for Community Economic Development Officers and their professional organization, the Nunavut Economic Developers Association.
(interpretation ends) Concerning my statements on the Nunavut economy made during the last session.
We are working toward an economic strategy for Nunavut.
To this end, I am committing to a consultation process in which I will invite participants from each community to contribute to the creation of a Nunavut plan for economic development.
I anticipate this process beginning early in the new calendar year.
But in the meantime Mr. Speaker, my department will continue to pursue opportunities for our growing labour force.
I am particularly concerned that we identify work opportunities for people among the Makkuktut and Makkuktut Inait Group aged from 15-39 years of age who want to make a good start in life and be recognized as useful, productive members of their communities.
My department is presently conducting background research on the creation programs that I hope will lead to the establishment of another partnership in Nunavut's job force to address the needs of our young adults, for work in our communities.
I've already stated how important I regard communication by government with the public.
This is the key to achieving the goal we set in Bathurst to simplify government.