EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Yes, one of the Members of that Parliament had removed himself because of he did not agree with this upcoming war and that is very good example because that our Member did not agree with his Colleagues.
He removed himself because he could not reach an agreement with his government.
So, before we had asked, before the creation of Nunavut Government, after the Election, what kind of process are we going to have?
Are we going to run by Cabinet?
Yes, every time we run into a systematic problem, we try to use Inuit culture, but it is very hard to incorporate Inuit cultural values into the system because our ancestors never had this kind of a Government system.
So, every time it becomes necessary to use it, then we will apply it.
Question 429 – 1(6): Clarifications on Conferences in Rankin Inlet
My question is directed to the Minister for the Community Government and Transportation.
In her Opening Comments, she said that there would be a conference on April 16th to the 18th,, 2003, in Rankin Inlet, and that there will be another conference from March 24th to the 28th.
So, I did not quite understand it.
Will there would be a meeting in April and then prior to April, there is another meeting.
So I was wondering if she could elaborate to me on that.
I apologize if I did not come across clearly enough.
This month, on March 24th to the 28th, 2003, in Baker Lake, there will be a training program by the Canadian Coastguard.
The Emergency Measures office will be partaking in this program.
And also, Mr. Speaker, on April 16th to the 18th, 2003, there will be a conference held in Rankin Inlet, organized by Nunavut Territorial Search and Rescue.
Oral Questions Supplementary.
Because the written and oral forms are different things, I understood her response.
Perhaps in her Ministers’ Statement, it seems like April comes first before March, so maybe there is a mistake in there?
The Inuktitut version is the same as the English that the Rankin Inlet Search and Rescue Conference will be held from April 16th to the 18th, 2003, and from March 24th to the 28th, 2003, in Baker Lake.
That is what it says.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Yes, I have to use up all of my supplementary questions.
I know that this document will be used.
Perhaps if she can change the paragraph there, make March go first.
It says March 24th to the 28th in Baker Lake.
Then I can understand it better.
So for the sake of clarity, I was wondering if the Minister is willing to make that switch?
Yes, this is now one of my major concerns, because why I put April 16th, and put March second, when I should be putting March ahead before April.
If this is going to cause confusion, March usually comes first before April so we will make that clear to the communities.
Question 430 – 1(6): Benefits and Subsidies for Transient and Permanent Employees
I would like to direct my question to the Human Resources Minister as follow-up to my Member’s Statement.
First of all, I would like to ask, in the communities, the nurses, or the teachers, or some other professionals at the community level, I think that they voluntarily pay for their power or for their heating without any subsidy providing that they live in a community.
My question is about the transient people, who come here from down south to work in the communities, are they given any benefits or subsidies that are outside of the Government of Nunavut benefits and subsidies?
I understand my colleague and what his question is geared towards, but in regards to subsidies for rent, my colleague is responsible for the housing subsidy, so I can redirect his question to the appropriate Minister.
As the Minister responsible for Human Resources, and I am sure you are aware of what kind of programs, benefits, and subsidies are provided for the staff, if I am correct.
If I make a mistake, I’m sure you’ll let me know Mr. Speaker.
The permanent residents have no form of subsidies.
The transient people have better subsidies and benefits and this is not fair.
Therefore I would like to ask a question if that’s the case.
Yes, although I know where the staff comes from and who their Minister is, and I also know the staff for the benefits and for subsidies, I know they each have Ministers.
I know I cannot respond to the question on behalf of another Minister.
As I have stated before, Mr. Speaker, he can redirect his question to the appropriate Minister.
I believe the Minister that would best answer that question for you is not in the House at present.
If you wish, you can direct your question to the premier but I believe it would be difficult for this Minister to answer that question in detail.
I know that for Inuit there will always be barriers.
Once the Minister arrives into the House, I’ll be asking the question at that time.
Question 431 – 1(6): Received Letter for Legal Opinion from Francophone
Mr. Speaker, my question if for the Minister responsible for Education.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I received a copy of a legal opinion from the Francophone District Education Authority with a cc sent to the Minister.
I’d just like to ask the Minister at this time if he’s received and reviewed that opinion.
I do get copies of letters that have been sent and any type of correspondence or letters that are received would be in my office.
The Minister had indicated that he gets them so the other part of my question is has he reviewed that opinion in the letter from the Francophone District Education Authority.
I do know that my staff have had contact with the Francophone District Education Authority and I know that there have been responses to their letters.
The District Education Authorities are also the main entities doing the review and they can make the recommendations for changes on the Education Act.
If I am correct interpreting the Minister of the response and that he is indicating that the department, he through his department officials have responded to reviews and responded to the District Education Authorities on that opinion.
Can the Minister indicate when that happens?
I am not indicating at this time that I have responded to the letter because I want to make it very clear that, at this time, it is still a matter of discussion with the District Education Authorities, the Francophone DEA and also the department of Education.
That is still under review.
Oral Questions?
Mr. Speaker, then, I guess the Minister has not responded, that he has not responded to the FDEA on that opinion, on that letter and if the Minister has indicated that his staff are working closely with the FDEA, can he indicate, because I know that they are waiting for that response and when they can expect to get it?
I know the matter that we are discussing is a great concern to both parties involved and it would be premature for me to indicate a time as to when I will be presenting my response to the Francophone District Education Authority.
As I had indicated earlier, this is still something that I am currently reviewing with my staff.
Question 432 – 1(6): Art Auction – Distribution of Funds
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I will direct my question to the Minister of Justice and in regards to the statement that he made. He stated that there are 43 carvings that were auctioned off at the event and that the amount totalling $14,000 was to donated to a local charity called the Illitiit Society of Nunavut, which is based out of Iqaluit.
And it also states that they will be donating funds to various organizations that need it.
How will you be disbursing this $14,000 and how do you divide the funds to those entities?
I cannot say at this point how this $14,000 will be distributed to those various entities, but they have local boards that control their operations, so I cannot tell you what this $14,000 will be spent on.
The usual procedure is to donate it to the Homeless Shelter and other needy foundations in the local community.
In regards to his Minister’s Statement, he stated that there will be other donations made to the other entities out of this $14,000.
I am sure that you know who you are referring to.
Is it possible for the Minister to indicate which organizations will be receiving a part of this donation?
I would like to make a response but I can’t at this point.
I will talk to this organization because they do their own organising and they do their own financial organising.
When I do get the information, I will give it to the member.
As everyone heard, $14 thousand dollars will be donated to a local charity and we do know that we have inmates in the southern provinces who are not just from Iqaluit.
We have numerous inmates from the Kivalliq, Kitikmeot and the Baffin and the reason why I’m asking this question is because the Ilitiit Society of Nunavut is from Iqaluit.
Is it possible to make donations to the other regions because not all inmates in the south are from Iqaluit?
The inmates themselves, were the ones who decided to donate it to Ilitiit Society of Nunavut.
They were the ones that made that decision, possibly because the Ilitiit Society of Nunavut might be a Nunavut-wide organization.
They are their own entity.
They make their own donations and they do their own financial matters.
Also, what I can do is direct my staff to find out if there’s a Nunavut-wide organization for victims and I think that it would be a great benefit to all Nunavummiut if the inmates considered donating to that body as well.
Question 433 – 1(6): Consideration of Ongoing Funding for Youth Facilities
I was waiting for my opportunity to ask a question.
I didn’t think I would get through.
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Sustainable Development in regards to my member’s statement earlier on regarding the youth facilities that they have right now and they’re barely operating right now.
I would like to ask the Minister at this time, the money that they have to use for operations and maintenance, is there going to be some sort of study undertaken for the funding that they are receiving right now.
Is there going to be any increase at all on a yearly basis?
The facilities that they have and the employees that they have, they don’t have enough funding to function and not enough money for operations and maintenance for their facilities.
In my statement I have talked about the ongoing funding for the Youth Centres.
Maybe I should try to ask the other way; if the Minister can bring to this House the kind of options that have been considered by the department to ensure the ongoing annual funding for Youth Centres.
We could do a review and we will work closely with the committees that deal with Culture, Language, Elders and Youth Council, to discuss this issue.
If there is room for an increase we can possibly look at options such as re-profiling the money from our department and possibly increasing the amount that is allocated for the youth.
We could take this into consideration to see if there is a possibility of increasing the amount in the following years?
I am not sure if I am getting across.
I don’t recall asking about increased funding for one of their programs.
I am just asking the Minister if they can consider ongoing funding for youth O&M operations.
I am not talking about an increase maybe to the Cabinet; you might want to add increased funding for that ongoing funding for the Youth Centres across Nunavut?
We could take this into consideration and during the Budget debate we can discuss it further.
We can take this into consideration when we go to the appropriate department.
Mr. Havioyak: Thank you for you answer, and I thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like a little more clarification because the concern that we have is the ongoing funding that we are asking for.
Today, the way that they are functioning right now is that they get a little bit of funding from the Federal Government.
I am trying to ask about is ongoing funding for the Youth Centres.
Before we start debating in this Budget Session here, what I’m trying to ask right now is that ongoing funding on a yearly basis, is there going to be some kind of review done on this ongoing funding for new youth facilities like for their offices and for their employees.
Is there going to be a review done on this ongoing funding?
We can review it to see what can be improved, but it won’t be possible to implement any changes at this point.
I will not be creating any initiatives in this regards within the department, but we commit to conducting a review if required to see what else can be improved for the funding of these youth facilities in the future.
Question 434 – 1(6): Court Case Intervention
I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs.
My colleague from Nattilik made a comment earlier about Land Claims and our rights and responsibilities.
This issue, which I think is contentious, came up when there was a bowhead whale harvested in the Igloolik area without previous approval.
They were almost charged and put into a court to be tried on wildlife charges.
I do not know the exact processes required undertaking these kinds of cases, but perhaps as a government, we can assist with legal aid workers.
(interpretation end) As a government, if we have a court case that’s going on in Taloyoak, can we as a government be interveners?
We have been interveners in the past.
We’re doing that right now with the gun legislation because we feel that the land claims was not being respected by the Federal Government.
So, depending on each case, and which particular group requests our support, on an initiative that relates to aboriginal rights and the land claims agreement that we respect and expect to be honoured, we’ll do that.
In this particular instance, I’m not aware; I haven’t been contacted on this particular case.
Supplementary, Mr. Anawak.
As an Inuk, it’s not very often that we know about specific pieces of legislation, the rules and the proper procedures and policies and so on.
I think that might be a little intimidating at times to be undergoing the court process.
If we are able to be interveners especially since we were created by the Inuit and if we are asked, as the government to do so by the people out there, will the Premier agree to be interveners in this case?
I cannot indicate approval right now without looking into the matter especially without being asked to intervene, but there is every possibility that we might act as interveners if requested because we are here to protect the rights of the majority of the people of Nunavut.
Inuit are the majority of the people here so we have to protect their rights as well.
We have to make sure that the agreement is respected by our signatories.
Speaker: Supplementary, Mr. Anawak.
We feel for the people who are exercising their rights but who have been threatened to be taken to court when they haven’t done anything that would damage the environment or are charged with the wasting of meats when they have not wasted any meat.
That is why I brought up this question and the reason why I am asking this question is that we are talking about hunters who go hunting for sustenance, who are exercising their culture.
And I believe that we have to make some adaptations so that it would be more culturally relevant and not to be threatened by the courts for every infraction that is against their culture or their livelihood and looking at the possibility of having this brought up in the House so that we can debate on the issue and that we are working for the protection and behalf of the people of Nunavut.
Yes, we will help, but we are a public Government and the Inuit have their own birthright organizations or associations that are there for them.
But, we will give our support, but of course, there was the Gun Legislation, where we were interveners as a Government and we are willing to entertain any other causes of support or any other asking for support.
Question 435 – 1(6): Youth Help Line – Policy for Maintaining Confidentiality
You caught me by surprise.
I have a question for the Minister of Health regarding the Crisis Line organizations that are there to provide support to people who are experiencing problems.
It is regarding the Crisis Line where youth can call from all over Nunavut and I am sure they provide Inuktitut services from the Crisis Line.
Is there a Policy that the staff maintain confidentiality?
Mr. Speaker, the Help Line does have a policy in place for confidentiality and indeed, it provided through a bilingual service there.
For example, Mr. Speaker, Member Anawak is one of the people who volunteer on that line to provide counselling help and service.
It deals with issues around suicide, but it also deals with issues around that mental health problems, inter-marriage problems, large problems, relationship problems, and so on.
So, the Help Line runs the whole gambit for help, Mr. Speaker, and it does provide confidential nature that the Member talked about and it is also a toll-free anywhere in Nunavut.
Thank you, for his response.
I think there is mainly one Help Line in Nunavut that is based out of Iqaluit and there is none available in the communities.
And I am sure it is hard to access the phone services for some people in the communities.
Have you considered, in the communities, that the Elders be providers for counselling services within those communities within Nunavut?
Has there been any consideration in that matter?
Mr. Speaker, if there was an initial initiative by individual hamlets in communities to look at having some type of counselling service available by a phone in, in a particular community, then that’s something that we would be supportive of.
Mr. Speaker, you may remember that in Kugluktuk, I believe, there was a line set up and it was running for a while and then the people that were running it left town and there was some concern around that line.
That’s something Mr. Speaker that we’d be willing to entertain to help out with the help of the member and I believe there are some meetings going on over the next couple of days with some people interested in forming a help-line, where elders would be available on that line.
Mr. Speaker, when people are going through mental health problems, life is hard and it can affect everybody around them.
When people are having problems with their lives, it can be very hard to deal with for some people.
Can the Minister state that in the communities, whether they be a smaller community within Nunavut, that he would fully support a program within the communities whether it be a toll-free line or any counselling service in support of these problems.
Is he committed Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, one way for communities to be able to set up this type of program is through the Community Wellness Fund dollars that we have available to each hamlet.
If there was a proposal that came forward, for example, from the member’s community, where they’d like to use community wellness, then that’s something Mr. Speaker, that would be looked at, through that proposal stage and through that proposal process.
Thank you, very much for his support and willingness.
Correct me if I’m wrong, Mr. Speaker. Social work I think is a part of that, although in a different manner, can he inform me whether or not that work is separate, that counselling service, whether that be separate work from the social worker, for the betterment of lives in the communities.
I don’t know if it would be separate.
I think it would be constructive to have something like that in the parallel course or vein.
I would suggest to you Mr. Speaker, that with other people that we have on the ground in communities, whether it be the mental health worker, alcohol and drug workers, social workers, the member indicated, I think there’s an opportunity here to look at the ability with both groups to and professions to work side by side providing the type of counselling programs that the member is talking about.
And that is happening right now in communities.
It may not be happening directly by a phone line, but that’s something that if a community wanted to bring it forward, then again, I think there would be support for that through the community wellness program and dollars that are available.
Motions. Item 18.
Consideration to the Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters.
Bill 22, Bill 30, Minister’s Statement 126-1(6) with Mr. Puqiqnak in the Chair.
Before we proceed to Committee of the Whole, we will take a twenty minute break.
Sergeant-of-Arms.
>>House recessed at 15:16 p.m. and resumed at 15:45 p.m.
Chairperson (Mr. Puqiqnak)(interpretation): Thank you.
This is continuation of the Committee of the Whole. We have Bill 22, Bill 30, Minister’s Statement 126-1(6).
We wish to continue with the review of Bill 30, and the Main Estimates for the Department of Education.
After Education, we will proceed to the review of the Main Estimates for the Department of Justice.
Once that is completed, if time allows, we wish to review Bill 22 with the Minister of Justice.
Minister Kilabuk if you are ready to go down to the Witness Table.
Are you going to bring any Officials?
Welcome to the Minister of Education.
Could you can introduce your Officials for the record.
To my immediate left is Tom Rich, my Deputy Minister, and also to my right is Ian Rose, the Director of Policy and Planning.
Welcome to the Witness Table.
We are on the Main Estimates, Page 9-8 where we left off.
We will just continue on with Page 9-8.
The Information Technology, I do not know if this will be brought up again on the other Branch summaries.
We have heard a few days that they have set aside some funding for Aboriginal people for the use of Information Technology or for Internet Services.
Will we be paying for part of this through here?
I apologize, I do not know if I should be asking that question in regards to that.
The entities at the local level would be applying for funding through this Program.
Are we on Page 9-8?
Grants and Contribution for this funding of $20 thousand dollars to provide Programs for 2002-2003, it was $44 thousand under Grants and Contribution and it has decreased.
Is this geared toward the Information Technology, or is that geared towards the Grants and Contributions for the staff?
This is geared towards existing computers so that they can be enhanced.
On Page 9-9, the page continues onto Page 9-9 for Youth.
For Community Access Program, this $5 thousand dollars that is geared towards employment opportunities, it seems like we are talking about two things for existing computers and also for youth employment with this $20 thousand dollars program.
This $20 thousand Line Item is geared towards just for Nunavut’s Community Internet Access Program for Youth.
There is no employment created in this part, Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): It states here that is why in the explanations on Page 9-9, it also says Youth Employment.
Why do you have Youth Employment when it provides Community Internet Access and Information Services?
Perhaps we have to correct the details here.
There might be a mistake here but we will make sure on the next Main Estimates that this wording be deleted.
Chairperson (interpretation): Page 9-8.
My question is on Page 9-8.
Under Contract Services, there was a huge increase.
It was $54 thousand, and now in the Main Estimates it is $103 thousand.
I was wondering of the Minister can tell me if there is an increase with Contract Services this coming Fiscal Year?
Yes, although this was asked.
At that time I stated that we have transferred some funding for photocopying.
They were transferred to this Line Item for photocopying, and etc.
Just to get clarification. Materials and Supplies, there is a reduction on that.
Why did they put it to Contract Services?
For those leases and their details, I cannot go into the particulars, but I will ask my Deputy Minister to respond to the question.
That reflects the fact that we are doing more leasing of services like photocopy machines, etc…, as opposed to purchasing machines outright, particularly for photocopy machines, it has been more advantageous to do that because of the type of repair that is needed if you are doing high volumes of copying.