EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
My question was: who do they go to and how many of them have to go who in order for the action to be taken?
It depends on who is having problems, whether it’s individuals or the co-workers, but from what I have heard a lot of times it’s the Members of the Legislative Assembly that get the most complaints from the people, and there are individuals out there who have difficulties.
As Human Resources, we have to abide by the policies and procedures that we have and we try to follow on that policy and procedure, but we try to advise them that it would be better for them to go through this route.
I guess having said that and heard that, I am just wondering a couple of things.
Is there, at any time, advice given from the Department of Human Resources that has been not taken and are there other times when the Department of Human Resources would say, “Okay, for whatever reason, you can’t do that or you have to do this,” and then instruct the department of that so that they have to go for whatever reason.
And I guess having said that, that statement on the government is obligated to hire on fairness and the basis of fairness and equity, and if the community feels whether correct or not this process is not fair, then the government is obligated to act on it to ensure it.
Would the minister and the department, would they concur with that statement that basically that anyone can go and complain to anyone that something is not fair and then the government is obligated to act on it.
I know a number of us have brought up the idea of whistleblower protection legislation.
This is the kind of thing that could be looked at being protected, where the people whether, rightly or wrongly, are targets or they have malicious rumors or innuendo about them in the community, it doesn’t matter where it is, it happens all over the county and I am sure it happens all over the world, but in most cases I know of, governments are not obligated to act on it.
It kind of seems odd that here, this government is saying that they are obligated to act on it and I would just like to find out from the minister if they agree with that statement.
Chairman: Just a moment, please.
We have a point of order.
Mr. Curley: The point is that the Article 23 or what not that the member is alluding to is really basing on the basis of the individual, not that the community has no status or rights.
So, I am really trying to help you, that you would guide this committee, that the question raised be based on individuals looking for jobs or hiring, if that’s what it is.
But, no, the government doesn’t hire communities, nor is there provision for appeal to the community.
So, I’m just questioning, how the community of any kind, in heaven or hell, really apply.
Chairman: To the point of order, Mr. Tootoo.
Maybe just to clarify it for the member, because it seems like he’s a little bit out in left field on this one, I’m not talking about anything to do with Article 23.
I’m talking about staff policies under the government, outside of Article 23, so, I don’t believe there is a Point of Order.
The document that I’m referring to is here in front of us, and it has nothing to do with hiring communities or people, it doesn’t matter where they’re from.
I don’t know where the member’s coming from on this point of order.
Pretty sure when we hear back from the speaker on that ruling or someone that it won’t be a point of order.
Mr. Curley, I have to listen to both of you.
I rule no point of order and I have no more members on my list.
Mr. Minister, can you respond to Mr. Tootoo’s question.
I’ll let my deputy respond to that question.
Maybe she’ll be much clearer.
I’d like to say that the Department of Human Resources definitely went to public pressure on when we receive any types of issues or complaints or any types of letters or inquiries, we investigate.
We take every type of HR issue seriously and we respond by looking into it and we respond to people.
We respond to people, whether it be a phone call or a matter and we, I’d like to say that we do not change our policies or procedures.
Chairman: Thank you, Miss Okpik.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $6,590,000.
Chairman: Branch, Human Resource.
Assistance Deputy Minister and Community Operations.
Operation and Maintenance. $2,658,000.
Human Resources branch summary.
Job evaluation and operational design.
Sorry, job evaluation and organizational design.
Total operation and maintenance, $729,000.
I’ve got some questions on this page, but I recognize the clock.
I would just like to check with my colleagues before I go on with questions, if they’d rather report progress now and or continue on.
That is not a motion, just an inquiry.
I’d like to ask the members of this committee if you want to continue on.
The members of the committee today or yesterday did not agree to sit tomorrow, which I would have preferred in view of the fact that we have two more days possible.
The motion is in order and it’s not debatable.
I would like to thank Minister Tapardjuk and your staff, and I will now rise to report progress.
Mr. Chairman Evyagotailak.
Your committee has been considering tabled document 52 – 2(2) and Bill 8 and would like to report progress.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. There’s a motion on the Floor.
Who is the seconder for the motion?
Orders of the Day. Item 21.
Orders of the Day for Monday, March 21, 2005:
The Report of the Chief Electoral Officer
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. The House will reconvene on Monday, March 21, 10:00 in the morning.
>>House adjourned at 16:20  Nunavut Canada
Monday March 21, 2005
Pages 2052 – 2149
Opening Prayer 2052
Ministers’ Statements 2052
Members’ Statements 2054
Returns to Oral Questions 2058
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2059
Oral Questions 2060
Tabled Documents 2078
Notices of Motions 2078
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2079
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2147
Orders of the Day 2147
Monday, March 21, 2005 2052
095 – 2(2): Our Land – Peabody Essex Museum Exhibit (Tapardjuk) 2052
096 – 2(2): Nunavut Offshore Fishing Training Plan (Akesuk) 2053
097 – 2(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Forecast Capital Expenditures Five Year Ending March 31, 2010 (Picco) 2053
252 – 2(2): Tourism in Nunavut (Tootoo) 2054
253 – 2(2): Congratulate Veronica Nirlungajuk (Curley) 2055
254 – 2(2): Completion of Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program (Peterson) 2055
255 – 2(2): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Songs and Hymns (Alagalak) 2056
256 – 2(2): Inuit Dog Teams (Kattuk) 2057
257 – 2(2): First Air Jet Flight Services (Barnabas) 2058
Return to Oral Question 308 – 2(1): Post Secondary Student Funding (Picco) 2058
327 – 2(2): Fetal Alcohol Disorder (Peterson) 2060
328 – 2(2): Compensation for Bad Gasoline (Curley) 2062
329 – 2(2): Cruise Ship Custom and Immigration Fees (Tootoo) 2064
330 – 2(2): Recruitment of Nurses (Evyagotailak) 2067
331 – 2(2): Jet Services for Arctic Bay (Barnabas) 2068
332 – 2(2): Income Support for the Hunters in Arviat (Alagalak) 2069
333 – 2(2): Slaughter of Dogs (Kattuk) 2071
334 – 2(2): City Council (Curley) 2072
335 – 2(2): Part of Lottery Sales to Sports Nunavut (Tootoo) 2073
336 – 2(2): Savings from the Purchase of Fuel (Netser) 2074
337 – 2(2): Insurance Coverage for Firefighter and Emergency Response Teams (Peterson) 2076
108 – 2(2): Sealskin Price Schedule and Manual (Akesuk) 2078
109 – 2(2): Nunavut Liquor Commission (Unaudited) Financial Statements for Year Ending March 31, 2000 to 2004 (Aglukkaq) 2078
110 – 2(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Forecast Capital Expenditures: Five Year Ending March 31, 2010 (Picco) 2078
018 – 2(2): Tabled Document 100-2(2) GN Leased Properties Report ending March 31, 2004, Tabled Document 101-2(2) GN Procurement and Contracting Report 2003/04 and Tabled Document 102-2(2) GN Contract Data Report 2003/04 to Committee of the Whole – Notice (Tootoo) 2078
005 – 2(2): Deletion of $150,000 from the 2005-06 Main Estimates of the Department of the Environment (Curley) 2123
Monday, March 21, 2005
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning Mr. Premier, Ministers and Members.
Going to the orders of the day for today.
Minister’s Statement 095 – 2(2): Our Land – Peabody Essex Museum Exhibit
I am pleased to share with my colleagues and to all Nunavummiut the status of the art exhibit entitled, ‘Our land; Contemporary Art from the Arctic.’
The exhibit was conceived at part of the broader Nunavut-New England economic development initiative involving the Government of Nunavut and Canada and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Our contribution to the initiative was to showcase Nunavut’s culture and heritage as expressed through traditional and contemporary Inuit art.
The successful exhibit, which took two years to organize was joint effort between Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, it features approximately 50 works of art from the Government of Nunavut collection.
The exhibit opened on November 26, 2004 and closed on January 30, 2005.
During that period, the exhibit had wide media coverage and nearly 22,000 people had an opportunity to experience Inuit culture.
Currently, discussions are underway to possibly tour the exhibit in other locations in the United States and Europe.
All Nunavummiut share in the success of this initiative, and we look forward to the opportunities that it presents to continue to share our story with the world.
Minister’s Statement 096 – 2(2): Nunavut Offshore Fishing Training Plan
The fisheries industry offers immense potential to contribute to our economic independence.
It faces many challenges, and I am pleased to advise that one of the major challenges, training, is being addressed.
The Baffin Fisheries Coalition, with the support of the Government of Nunavut, has accessed the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to support a three-year training plan for offshore fisheries.
This program will contribute $5.8 million in to fisheries training for Nunavut, with $3.4 million coming from HRSDC and the remainder split by the Government of Nunavut, industry, and other supporters.
This training plan is a long-term initiative that includes a number of training elements such as basic upgrading and lessons on career opportunities; training for entry-level positions; a detailed technical certificate; diploma-based training for advanced positions in the fishing industry; and an at-sea mentorship support program for new employees.
This training is to be provided through a collaborative arrangement between the Marine Institute in Newfoundland and Labrador and the Nunavut Arctic College.
Where possible, training will take place in Nunavut and if possible in the communities.
This program will increase the skills, employability and involvement of Inuit in Nunavut offshore fisheries.
I would like to congratulate the Baffin Fisheries Coalition and other stakeholders who have supported this program.
I look forward to the day when our offshore fisheries are fished 100 percent by the people of Nunavut and today we are a step closer to this reality.
Minister’s Statement 097 – 2(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Forecast Capital Expenditures Five Year Ending March 31, 2010
At the appropriate time later today, I will table the document, the five year capital plan used the Qulliq Energy Corporation to develop and plan capital projects.
This material was most recently used at the Qulliq Energy Corporation Finance and Budget Committee meetings.
The year labeled “2004/05” has received Board approval and has been implemented.
The year “2005/06” has been “approved in principle” by the Board and final pricing is being solicited.
Later years are simply planning guides which the Board and the committees use as working documents.
They should not be seen as approved capital commitments, of either the Corporation or the Government of Nunavut, as they are subject to change.
Only one year is approved at a time by the Board.
At the appropriate time later today, I will table the document.
Member's Statement 252 – 2(2): Tourism in Nunavut
Good morning and I hope you had a good weekend.
I know I found that the Minister of Energy was busy this weekend tracking down some papers and I am glad to see that.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the great potential of tourism in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker; tourism is an excellent way to share culture, values, and traditions with others.
Tourism is also a good way to keep those traditions alive.
When people visit our communities, we have traditional feasts, performed throat singing and drum dancing, and make demonstrations of Igloo building and crafts.
Mr. Speaker, we share our art, carvings, prints, and crafts for everyone to benefit and everyone does.
Tourism also provides the opportunity to take visitors on the land with dog teams.
Mr. Speaker, tourism allows us to develop the potential of our renewable resources.
Driven fosters understanding of our culture and traditions.
Mr. Speaker, I would say that some of those seal hunt protestors had visited Nunavut shared in our traditions and experienced our lives, they may have gained some much needed understanding.
They may have gained the understanding of what it’s like to be outside in -40° with winds at 60 kilometres an hour or more in their ski jackets without fur on their faces and they may not have been so energetic with their protest on Parliament Hill.
Mr. Speaker, there’s a lot of potential of tourism in Nunavut.
We have excellent heritage sites where our ancestors lived, beautiful land, lakes, and rivers.
There are opportunities for equal tourism, sport hunting and fishing, and adventure tourism.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all of the people who are engaged in tourism in Nunavut; I am talking about the community economic development officers, the staff of the visitors’ centres, performers, artists and outfitters.
There are lots of hurdles facing tourism today.
There are hurdles worth clearing, but cooperation between all levels of government will be necessary and I will be asking some questions to the minister responsible a little over on it.
Member’s Statement 253 – 2(2): Congratulate Veronica Nirlungajuk
I rise today to congratulate Veronica Nirlungajuk from Rankin Inlet who has been living in Rankin Inlet for quite some time with her children and her husband.
She did a drawing to be shown in the Northwestel’s telephone book and I would like to thank the people of Northwestel for picking her.
Her drawing will be in the 2005/06 Northwestel telephone directory.
I would like to congratulate Veronica.
First of all, I would like to say that the government should support Nunavut artists.
Looking at the walls here, there should be more artwork displayed in this House, and also over on this side.
I would like to tell the members that she was jumping and screaming and we should be doing that when we get our art selected.
Member’s Statement 254 – 2(2): Completion of Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program
I am pleased to rise today to update the House about the successful completion of the alcohol and drug treatment pilot projects that were announced in the House on February 28.
It has been noted many times by the members in this House that alcohol abuse is a very serious issue in our communities.
Whether we realize it or not, alcohol issues affect us all directly, or indirectly.
Hardly a week goes by where we don’t read or hear about alcohol abuse causing grief for an individual, family or community somewhere in our territory.
Governments can’t force people to overcome their alcohol problem.
They must look within themselves and make a personal decision to help turn around their lives and lead us over life.
Governments can help people by providing access to alcohol treatment program support services to help in their quest to improve their lives.
Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Cambridge Bay developed the 28-day live-in program that was the first of its kind in Nunavut.
It was a pilot program for women and 12 participants made a personal decision to take the program.
Mr. Speaker, on Saturday 19, nine women graduated from the 28-day live-in program.
I would like the House to join me in congratulating the graduates.
Mr. Speaker, one of the graduates wrote me a letter a few weeks ago to tell me the program had already given her a new outlook on more stronger and sober way of living.
Mr. Speaker, with the support of their families and communities, their dedication and commitment to overcome their problems with alcohol, these nine women are on a better path.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage the Government of Nunavut to support more programs like this across Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 255 – 2(2): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Songs and Hymns
I rise today in regards to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit songs.
It seems that they are not very visible and we should make them more visible to the international community so that we can get more support.
There are a lot of people who want to show their talent and if they were assisted to be able to travel to other countries, and once the international community recognizes, they would be more encouraged.
There are people who can do traditional dances, drum dances, throat singing, and that can be one of the attractions for Nunavut.
Our Nunavut government should make more funding accessible for those people who wish to come up to Nunavut and I just wanted to say this to show support that we should be encouraging this; that Inuit are very capable.
We have various capabilities and we have to market them.
Member’s Statement 256 – 2(2): Inuit Dog Teams
First of all, I am very proud that last week we all stood up in support of the sealing industry and the minister even stated that the animal rights activists didn’t seem to oppose, but I have something else.
The Inuit culture, when the government or RCMP first started coming up, there was a slaughter against the dog teams.
Mr. Speaker, the dog teams were used for hunting, to transport wildlife between outpost camps because what they used to do was they would go to an area where there was abundance of wildlife, and because there were different camps; spring camps, winter camps, summer camps, but nevertheless, Mr. Speaker, the dog teams helps our livelihood and we didn’t have too much to worry about.
There were times when people might be hungry, but the dogs provided for us.
They assisted us.
And they can even smell and locate breathing holes, even if they were under the snow.
At the time we didn’t have too much material things but sometimes very aggressive dogs, which in turn if their owners were like that.
I can give you an example.
One of my uncles, some of his dogs was quite aggressive because he didn’t have any children to help him to raise the dogs.
Once his dogs were full grown, some of them were quite aggressive so I would assist my uncle.
What I would do is to help him to tame the aggressive ones, and to help him prepare to go out in the morning.
Back then the RCMP and the government, when they first started going to the camps, that was our only mode of transportation.
It affected us greatly when they were slaughtered and we were not compensated.
There were some skidoos but they didn’t come up north until the 1960s and 1970s.
Once the government started ordering the people to the communities, I can give you an example, in my constituency one of the concerns is we had to travel to a central community because we were told that we were to settle in a community.
I was very proud of my father’s dogs because I was going to take over the ownership over them.
I went to school I would go out of school.
We were in the process of me taking over the dog team when we had to relocate to a community and the dogs had to be slaughtered.
We were not offered another mode of transportation.
According to Inuit knowledge, dogs should never be abandoned without people because they feared that they can become very aggressive, even becoming as wild as wolves.
A lot of those had to be slaughtered and we didn’t get any kind of compensation for that.
The sod houses and tents were abandoned without replacement.
We were just asked to move.
This created hardship among our people.
I feel obligated that I should say what I feel.
Member’s Statement 257 – 2(2): First Air Jet Flight Services
Good morning to my colleagues and I send greetings to my constituents.
I rise today in regards to First Air jet services to Nanisivik next month.
This has been raised in this House as concern about patients travelling without washroom facilities on flights, even if the duration of the flight with small planes is about four to six hours.
Up to date, we have not heard, especially for the residents of Arctic Bay, what kind of services we will be getting.
So for that reason, there are a lot of things that we have to plan.
We have an inadequate airport because of the closure of the Nanisivik mine, but even up to date, we have not been told what kind of service we will be getting.
So for that reason, I will be asking questions to the appropriate minister.
Return to Oral Question 308 – 2(1): Post Secondary Student Funding
I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. Levi Barnabas on March 17, 2005.
In response to the member’s question, I am pleased to provide the following information, and Mr. Speaker, I think there’s some good news in the answer here.
The number of Nunavut residents receiving support through FANS to take graduate level courses, such as masters and doctorate programs for 2003/04 was eight; with five taking masters degrees and three pursuing their doctorates.
The figures for 2004/05 are 14, Mr. Speaker, 14 students in our masters program and three in the PhD program.
The graduate level programs do take several years for a student to complete, some graduate and professional programs may have significant costs, however there are a lifetime limits on the amounts in grants and repayable, and a non-repayable loan that the student may receive through FANS.
They have committed, Mr. Speaker, to review those limits to see whether there may be additional assistance needed for students enrolled in those programs.
I would like to recognize one of my staff in my office, he has been here for quite a long time.
This is his last day and he will be returning down south to pursue a career and I would like to thank him at this time for giving his support.
Anthony Saez has assisted us and we appreciate his assistance.
As I stated earlier that I wanted to recognize the people who work at Innirvik and I would like to welcome and recognize Eileen Kilabuk-Weber, who is one of the people who produce the Hansard.
If Members recall, I previously recognized a former member for Panniqtuuq, she is his daughter.
Bear with me, I have to get my notepad ready.
Question 327 – 2(2): Fetal Alcohol Disorder
My question is for the Minister of Health and Social Services and it concerns fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Mr. Speaker, it’s not clear what specific work the Department of Health and Social Services has done on the FASD issue, other than the pilot project that we talked about during the Committee of the Whole.
The deputy minister’s response during Committee of the Whole to my question seems to suggest that the diagnostic tool is still a work in progress.
My question for the minister, Mr. Speaker, is: what is the status of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder diagnostic tools specific to Inuit?
This has been worked on by public health and it’s a social concern, but on his question, it would probably be up to the nurses and doctors to diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome disorder.
(interpretation ends) The goals of the FASD program in Nunavut are to develop and promote a territorial approach for prevention, intervention, care, and support of the individuals and families affected by FASD, and also to create partnerships towards a comprehensive range of services to address the needs of children, families, and communities.
I am just speaking about the current status, and (interpretation) that’s the information I have right now.
If he can elaborate more on his question and what he is requesting.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Peterson, if you would clarify your question.
My understanding of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is that there’s a need for a diagnostic tool.