EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I suggest that members are responsible for asking your detailed questions during the page-by-page review of the departmental estimates. (interpretation) Any general comments?
I would like to welcome the minister and his staff here for the second Assembly’s first capital budget presentation.
Maybe because the minister is saying I got to go first; all the older guys pulled rank on him and told him he had to go first, first one up.
I would like to ask a question in general overall, and I know that there had been, in the past, quite a few projects that were carried over for different reasons, and I know a lot of them had to deal with a lot of different Inuit Impact Benefit Agreements not being signed and that.
I am wondering if the minister could give us an update on if they anticipate having many projects be delayed for things like Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement signings or if it looks like we are going to have some smooth sailing from hereon in.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. (interpretation ends) We are into general comments, questions will be forthcoming, so is that a general comment or a question?
Mr. Tootoo: A general question.
Chairperson: I am sorry.
I will not allow that right now.
We are in general comments right now.
In regards to the statement that I made in the House, I would like to re-emphasize that we do have a lot of concerns in regards to environment up here in Nunavut and in the North in general, today.
Looking at the conditions, we have a lot of concerns and we see lower tides in the islands, and as I said in my statement a couple of days ago, there were shellfish or sea cucumber that died due to unknown causes.
It seems like all the sea cucumbers are dying along the islands; we did not get any this year.
We have heard a lot about the climate change and global warming, and I know that today the tides are getting further and further away.
The shellfish and the sea cucumbers that we eat in the islands are being affected by these changes.
Usually the sea cucumber are in deeper water, and it’s going to have a heavy impact on them sometime in the near future.
Mr. Chairman, I do have a concern.
I would like the islands and Sanikiluaq to have a study done down there on the impact that is has on the animals.
Not only in the ocean but also on the land.
I can use an example where in Sanikiluaq, I was told just yesterday, the lakes that had been frozen are now thawing out again.
I think Sanikiluaq is a good location to have an impact study done because of the unusual changes that we are seeing especially this year.
As a member of the Legislative Assembly, and representing Sanikiluaq, I’m going to keep pushing to have an environmental impact study done.
I can use an example of where the minister stated that if any specimens have to be sent out, they will have to go to Igloolik.
And like I said earlier, we can’t send the specimens; they won’t be able to reach their destinations for a number of days.
There was also a case where seals were dying down there and because of the number days that it takes for the specimen to go from our community to its final destination; the specimen was spoiled by the time it got there to the laboratory.
It’s very obvious that we do need a laboratory here in Sanikiluaq or in Nunavut.
I’ll be asking additional questions.
There are a lot of assessments or environmental studies that have to be done in order to be prepared for the future.
Once my father told me about the routes they used to take during certain seasons, but today we can’t use those routes anymore because of the tidal change that has occurred in recent years.
I think it’s very important to have an environmental impact study done.
There are researchers available.
We are working very closely together with them.
The islands and Sanikiluaq have been working on environmental issues for many years.
I think Sanikiluaq would be an ideal location to conduct a pilot project down there.
We have to continue eating our traditional foods and we still use them today.
Those are my general comments, Mr. Chairman.
Chair (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kattuk.
I would like to welcome you, Mr. Minister and the deputy minister and also the director of Corporate Services.
When I was visiting the communities that I represent, there was a concern about climate change.
I can tell you that our lifestyle is totally different now and we also see changes in the animals.
The caribou in the High Arctic are moving from island to island and because of the global warming, they have to cross oceans or lakes in order to go to a different location.
Your department is going to be attending global warming conferences and I think that it is very crucial for representatives from Nunavut to attend this conference.
Mr. Arreak, my colleague who is the member for Uqqurmiut, stated that there are too many plastic bags flying around or abandoned in the environment.
We will have to make sure that we get rid of plastic bags and other debris that are not biodegradable.
I think that the Department of Environment has to look into these issues, and we have to make sure that we clean up the camps that we use, to bring back the material that you can’t burn and to burn the ones that you can.
As that’s the case, we have to take care of our environment. In Nunavut, there are a lot of explorations going on, which I’m very supportive of, because, of course, it’s going to generate revenue in my community and also to other communities in Nunavut.
It does have an impact on our wildlife; there are sea ice conditions that have become different and it also has an impact on the marine mammals.
There has to be an agreement between the communities and the developers to make sure that the communities benefit from these developments.
In the Quttiktuq area, in my riding, there have been two mine closures.
We have seen what can be caused by these mines and we are the ones who are going to live here, even after the camp has closed down.
We are going to be the ones who feel the effects of these closed mines, but we still have to hunt and eat the animals around there that have been impacted.
I wanted to make that as a general comment.
Very briefly, and also to supplement the concerns that we have about global warming and its effects... .
The communities are concerned about the animals and marine mammals around their communities that are too close to the communities.
There is a lot of non-biodegradable debris in the dumps in our communities and also hazardous wastes.
Usually the wildlife, if they are that close to the community, could go to the dumps and be affected.
I am also concerned about the plastic shopping bags and the plastics and oils in containers that are just thrown away and put in the dumps and blow away out into the ocean, where they are eaten or consumed by the marine mammals.
There is also the caribou and the fox that are affected by the debris that we leave around.
We have to make sure that we are environmentally conscious.
It has an effect on the people and the animals.
It is becoming urgent, and it has been an ongoing concern because the animals that we eat could be affected.
We also have to think about the lagoons or the waste that goes into the oceans.
Should anything happen to the lagoons, they would automatically drain into the ocean and it’s then consumed or has an effect on the marine mammals, which we eat.
We will have to make sure that we have proper sewage lagoons and dumps because it does have an effect on the marine life.
I have one name, Mr. Evyagotailak.
Welcome, Minister Akesuk and your staff.
I also wanted to comment on this matter as we live near the river.
As well, our community lies along the arctic coast and we survive with the animals that we catch from the ocean as well.
We are very concerned, as residents from Nunavut, because the animals that we catch, we depend on for food and survival.
There is evidence that the animals and the fish and the seals have illnesses.
It is very noticeable.
You can see sores on certain animals, even on the land when we hunt.
There are animals from the land that we depend on.
These animals are also noticeably touched by illnesses.
I also wanted to touch upon the parks.
You as a minister are probably aware of Bluenose Lake Part; this was supposed to be a park that the western arctic people wanted to create as a park.
In the past, as we know, this was the boundary between the western arctic and Kitikmeot, and for that reason, the negotiations have not been completed.
We have not created a park there because it’s still an ongoing process.
I will have a question on that matter, but that’s all for now.
Chair (interpretation): I have no more names on my list.
If we can go to our estimates.
Page I-5.
There is someone with their hand up.
I have a question on I-5 in regards to the minister’s responsibility.
They said that there are four divisions.
Could you give us an explanation about environmental protection?
What exactly are your responsibilities?
For example, if there is an oil spill Rankin Inlet, it just seems like it’s not your responsibility, and it’s getting worrisome.
It’s getting bigger.
The hamlets are in a difficult position.
There was an oil spill last summer in Rankin Inlet, and I had to wait for them.
I think there was a 250 litre oil spill, which is a little over a barrel, but it was huge.
You could see the oil spill in the water.
Do you help with the federal government in regards to those oil spills?
What is your responsibility, and where does your responsibility stop in regards to oil spills?
Chair (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curly.
If there was an oil spill in the water, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is responsible for that.
As for our responsibilities as a department with the Government of Nunavut, the wildlife officers in the communities have to do the monitoring.
If there was to be somebody from Iqaluit that goes to that place where there has been a spill, we have to find out, to make sure that there is a good monitoring of the environmental hazards that are happening in communities.
What we do is we do the monitoring part.
Chair (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister.
Yes, thank you for the explanation.
As part of your responsibilities, under wildlife management and the fisheries, such as sealing and fishing.
Are you talking about just the legislation part or do you deal with the commercial fishing?
You don’t have anything to do with deep sea fishing, or is it just lakes?
I know that Fisheries and Oceans have most of that responsibility, but do you look for things that could improve those things, like fisheries and sealing in Nunavut?
We have some funding available or money available to do a study on fishing quota studies.
The funding that we have deals with fishing quotas; I think there is 350 as a quota.
So, what we do is we do a study on the number of fish and the number of things that the people can utilize for commercial purposes, so part of it is to do with the Department of Economic Development.
The sealing and the fisheries have some money available to do a quota allocation of fish and seal for Kitikmeot and Kivalliq and Baffin.
Page I-6.
(interpretation ends) Environment.
Total, headquarters region, $228,000.
Chairman: I-7.
Total, Qikiqtaaluk region.
Total, $514,000.
Go to I-8.
Total, Kivalliq region, $840,000.
Chairman: I-9.
It’s not on I-9 it’s on I-6 that I had a question and would just like clarification on.
There is $75,000 for Sylvia Grinell Park for this year, and I understand there have been a few years in the waiting just to get all the work that was supposed to be done there.
I’m just wondering if it was the IIBA that caused that delay.
I know there was supposed to be a bridge being built there, and I’m just wondering if that money allocated in that budget is going to be for that bridge.
Part of it is IIBA, part of it is we are trying to work with the federal government to build the bridge and we are just waiting for them right now.
And we also have a working group that is working on the bridge.
So, we are trying our best to proceed with the bridge, and I believe we are in a better stage where we can probably, within a year or two, build the bridge.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. That’s it. Thank you.
We are on I-9. Mr. Peterson.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you.
Anything else? That’s it?
(interpretation ends) Thank you.
We are at I-9.
Thank you, minister and staff, for coming in today.
A question on Page I-9, since it pertains to the Kitikmeot: could the minister update us on the number of these proposed developments that will require Inuit Impact Benefit Agreements?
We are working on the IIBA.
The IIBAs are led by the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
We are still working on them and we hope to develop something in a timely manner in order for us to proceed with these capital projects that we have been carrying over for the past couple years.
I think that we should encourage them to settle the IIBAs so that we can work on our capital projects in the communities of Nunavut.
If I understand correctly, there are no IIBAs settled yet in the Kitikmeot?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: We have at least four of the six IIBAs done, but we still have not done the Kitikmeot part.
So, we will be working on that to make sure that we have the IIBAs done in a timely manner.
You referred twice to “timely manner.”
Could you put a more precise timeline on what you mean by timely manner?
Like I said, it is something that we have to work with the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and, of course, it takes a while for us to go through with the IIBAs and all of the legal implications that would be there.
So, it is really up to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement to come up with a timeline where we could finish the IIBAs.
All of these go through very slowly, so I think we will do our very best to make sure that we will have something in place before the end of the government’s term.
So that is what we will do: our very best.
Do you have any further questions, Mr. Peterson?
Mr. Peterson: No more questions, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, as well, Mr. Minister.
I have a question in regards to the Kugluktuk Bloody Falls Park.
Minister Simailak and I visited the falls this summer and as we know, some of the projects there have not been completed.
I would like to know when these would be completed, in terms of the park itself.
Yes, we would like to complete that park.
One of the reasons why it takes long, I stated earlier on.
Inuit impact agreements take a long time.
We want to do the impact review, and I can tell you the IIBA will have to be completed.
The parks require IIBA.
Yes, I will ask if we could complete this sooner.
Once all of the IIBAs have been signed, it will proceed faster; that is what we see.
In the previous government this was a concern, and it is still an ongoing concern.
We are still trying to continue the completion of the IIBAs.
Perhaps we can urge the negotiators of IIBA to complete sooner and ask them when they’ll be able to have the agreement, because usually it takes longer with the IIBA agreement.
Mr. Evyagotailak: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
That was just a question in regard to that because of the fact that tourists always come during the summer, and when they see incomplete work they wonder why is it that this is not completed.
We have tourists come down with canoes or we have tourists come into the community, and that’s the reason why I asked the question.
I would encourage the minister to try and speed up the process to complete the park itself, because when you have a project that is incomplete it’s not very good to see.
I’m sure that we’ll need that.
Under Coral Harbour, it seems that there’s a mistake in that.
I’ll just alert you to that.
Park development, is that what you’re talking about?
Yes, the spelling is wrong, if you read it carefully.
I’m sure they’ll fix the typo.
Mr. Minister, we’re asking you fix the typo under Coral Harbour.
Page I-9.
Environment detail of capital tangible assets.
Total, Kitikmeot region, $290,000.
Chairman: Total, tangible assets, $1,856,000.
Chairman: Back to I-4.
Say “bingo,” at least.
Environment detail summary.
Detail of expenditures. Total, capital expenditures, $1,856,000.
Chairman: Do you agree that the Department of Environment is concluded?
I would like to thank the minister and his officials for participating in this process.
What is the wish of the committee, Mr. Evyagotailak?
Mr. Evyagotailak (interpretation): We would like to report progress.
Chairman (interpretation): We have a motion on the floor to report progress.
Thank you. One opposed.
Your committee has been considering Bill 4 and the capital estimates and would like to report progress.
The Orders of the Day, Mr. Clerk.
Orders of the day for Friday, November 19:
This House stands adjourned until Friday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 16:38  Nunavut Canada
Friday November 19, 2004
Pages 137 – 187
Opening Prayer 137
Ministers’ Statements 137
Members' Statements 141
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 149
Oral Questions 151
Point of Order 172
Written Questions 173
Tabled Documents 174
Notices of Motions 175
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 175
First Reading of Bills 177
Second Reading of Bills 178
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 181
Report of the Committee of the Whole 186
Orders of the Day 186
Friday November 19, 2004 137
011 – 2(2): Working to Develop Nunavut’s Economy (Simailak) 137
012 – 2(2): Safe and Sustainable Travel in Nunavut Partnership (Akesuk) 138
013 – 2(2): National Child Day – 2004 (Picco) 139
014 – 2(2): Sivuliqtiksat Program Graduates (Tapardjuk) 139
015 – 2(2): Implementation of Nunavut’s Human Rights Act (Okalik) 140
021 – 2(2): Economic Development in Nunavut (Peterson) 141
022 – 2(2): Recognition of Peter Kunilieusie (Arreak) 142
023 – 2(2): Life Issues in the High Arctic (Barnabas) 143
024 – 2(2): School Program Funding (Netser) 144
025 – 2(2): Acknowledgement of Family Members (Kilabuk) 145
026 – 2(2): Dog Team Steering (Kattuk) 145
027 – 2(2): Whale Cove Daycare Opening (Brown) 146
028 – 2(2): Trip to Igloolik (Picco) 147
029 – 2(2): Congratulate Lorne Kusugak (Curley) 148
030 – 2(2): Passing of a Respected Elder (Alagalak) 148
031 – 2(2): Anniversary Wish to Sister (Aglukkaq) 149
038 – 2(2): Human Rights Tribunal Location in Coral Harbour (Curley) 151
039 – 2(2): Southern Legal Services Contract (Tootoo) 153
040 – 2(2): School Program Funding Cut (Netser) 154
041 – 2(2): Reassigned Position in Arviat (Alagalak) 156
042 – 2(2): Delay of Resupply of Fuel (Mapsalak) 158
043 – 2(2): Containment Conference (Evyagotailak) 159
044 – 2(2): Increase Seniors Fuel Subsidy (Barnabas) 160
045 – 2(2): Written Questions to the Ministers (Peterson) 162
046 – 2(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Appointment of Position (Curley) 164
047 – 2(2): Power Bill Payment Agency (Kattuk) 166
048 – 2(2): Amount of Funding to the Nunavut Power Corporation (Tootoo) 169
013 – 2(2): Status of Nanisivik File 173
014 – 2(2): Human Resources Statistics 173
016 – 2(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation Request For Proposals (Tootoo) 174
017 – 2(2): Concern on Public Housing (Kattuk) 174
018 – 2(2): Nunatsiaq News Article, “Gossip Leads to Firing of GN Worker” (Tootoo) 175
Bill 5 – An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act – Notice (Okalik) 175
Bill 6 – Electronic Commerce Act – Notice (Okalik) 175
Bill 7 – An Act to Amend the Evidence Act – Notice (Okalik) 175
001 – 2(2): Acceptance of the Report and Recommendations of the Integrity Commissioner of Nunavut (Tootoo) 176
Bill 5 – An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act – First Reading 177
Bill 6 – Electronic Commerce Act – First Reading 177
Bill 7 – Act to Amend the Evidence Act – First Reading 178
Bill 5 – An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act – Second Reading 178
Bill 6 – Electronic Commerce Act – Second Reading 179
Bill 7 – Act to Amend the Evidence Act – Second Reading 180
Friday, November 19, 2004
Speaker (interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Evyagotailak to say the opening prayer.
Minister’s Statement 011 – 2(2): Working to Develop Nunavut’s Economy
At the caucus retreat in September, caucus established the goal of developing Nunavut’s economy, private sector, and job market by aggressively implementing the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy’s focus on mining and other key sectoral areas, including arts and crafts and tourism.
Without jobs, Nunavummiut must increasingly look to the Government of Nunavut to help meet their most basic needs.
I am very pleased that members of this Assembly have chosen to actively take action on reversing this trend.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut is rich in resources.
Over the last several years we have learned that mining, fishing, and tourism offer the best prospects for economic growth and that resource harvesting, sealing, and arts and crafts offer communities a means to develop their economies using more traditional skills.
My department, Mr. Speaker, is leading the development of an overall economic plan together with our partners in the Nunavut Economic Forum.
We are learning that in order to achieve economic success, we will need to make significant investments in infrastructure.
Earlier this year the federal government announced a $90 million northern economic development fund to be shared over five years by the three territories.
The federal government is proposing to manage the program and keep $9 million for administration.
It is my belief that we do not need the federal government setting our priorities or using this fund to feed their own bureaucracies.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that we must invest what we can to develop our economy.
We must lever all available funding sources and encourage partnerships with industry and business to support the development of all economic sectors.
We must ensure that investing in our economy to reduce dependence is a key consideration in creating opportunities for Nunavummiut.
We must also continue to work with stakeholders to develop realistic priorities and plans for each sector so that we are ready to implement plans as and when funds are available.
Mr. Speaker, I will need the advice and support of all my colleagues in these efforts.
Our success in meeting our Assembly’s commitment depends on a strong consensus.
Minister’s Statement 012 – 2(2): Safe and Sustainable Travel in Nunavut Partnership
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation ): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I want the members of this House to be aware of a couple of cooperative initiatives that my department has developed with the goal of providing territorial park users with critical information on the protection of natural and cultural resources and safe travel in Nunavut.
Officials from the Division of Parks and Conservation Areas have collaborated with Parks Canada and Search and Rescue Canada on the development of a video that focuses on safe and sustainable travel in territorial and national parks within Nunavut.
The video, which is currently being distributed to each community in Nunavut as well as nationally and internationally, provides visitors with important pre-trip planning information on the beautiful but extreme environments found in parks in Nunavut.
Although still in the production phase, the Department of Environment is also partnering with the Safety in Bear Country Society on a polar bear safety video aimed at reducing the number of negative human encounters with polar bears.
The video provides critical Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and scientific polar bear information to visitors and Nunavummiut alike.
Other partners of this project include Parks Canada, Environment Canada, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, respected elders and some private energy and mining companies.
These informational pieces are crucial to the safe and sustainable operation of our territorial parks and we look forward to working on other partnership projects with the goal of promoting and encouraging the protection and management of our natural and cultural heritage, while supporting positive recreation and tourism experiences within Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 013 – 2(2): National Child Day – 2004
Tomorrow, November 20, is National Child Day.