EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
That alternative is to move forward on an RFP program to put a facility in Cambridge Bay, about 5,000 square feet, that will facilitate not only the Millwright Training Program but some of the other training programs for mine and mine developments specifically for the Kitikmeot region. And this will be in partnership with some of the other programs that we will be running out of the trade school in Rankin as well as in Iqaluit at the smaller facility here.
At the same time, the project would look like receiving the tendered documents early in 2009, with the sealift and barge bringing the material in, in the summer of 2009, for construction, and to look at opening in late 2010.
So hopefully that helps clarify the timeline as well as the infrastructure that we’re talking about.
I thank the minister for clarifying that information. I’m sure the people of Cambridge Bay and Kitikmeot look forward to a new facility in 2010.
Mr. Speaker, two and one half years ago, the minister and I met with several mining companies in Cambridge Bay during the Nunavut Mining Symposium. We talked about the types of jobs and careers that the Nunavut Arctic College could train people for to help them find careers in the mining industry.
My question for the minister: can the minister update the House today on what specific training programs the Nunavut Arctic College currently offers to people who are interested careers in mining in the Kitikmeot?
We have a variety of programs being run specifically in the Kitikmeot region and indeed in the House where we have talked about the MOU that we recently signed off with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, as well as KDC and some of the mining companies, Miramar for example, in the region.
What that is going to do and in conjunction with some of the programs that we’re doing, we’re doing pre-trade programs in the region, some pre-mines training programs in the region, and we have also introduced some associated programs at the high school level, for example, in Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, we have been advocating in the Kitikmeot for many years that training is important and that we have to get it going. Some people are ready for the jobs.
The Newmont mine will be opening next year and there’s a possibility that some more mines will be opening within the next five to eight years, so we have to put a lot of emphasis on training people for those careers. I’m not talking about pick and shovel type jobs; I’m talking about jobs as engineers, geologists, and computer engineers.
Mr. Speaker, income support is decreasing in the Kitikmeot, clearly indicating that the people are finding meaningful employment within their communities. This could be due to a number of factors, including employment at the mine, as I mentioned.
Mr. Speaker, my question for the minister: I’m wondering if the minister could tell the House if his department conducts community surveys that determines the type of sector-by-sector employment opportunities, including mining, that are available in each community.
As the members know, I think we’re quite proud of the fact that our Nunavut Community Skills Inventory program, or NCSIS, which has won national awards, is in place and indeed in the Kitikmeot.
What that system does is probably brings in line a lot of the information that the member is asking for.
It gives us the job skill inventory of people on the ground but also tries to match that with employers and indeed what are the opportunities for different programs in the community. When I say programs, Mr. Speaker, I don’t just mean academics but also vocational programs and indeed job opportunities at a given community level.
We don’t do some of the detail that the member talks about and indeed that would be done in most provincial jurisdictions by our federal government through usually HRDC.
What we have tried to do, through the NCSIS program, is do a better inventory at the local level so that we can match employers and indeed employees with the opportunities and available job opportunities, but also vocational and other opportunities for upgrading and OJT, which is on-the-job training.
Question 669 – 2(4): Help for Homeowners with Home Heating Costs (Kattuk)
Indeed, I’m unsure as to who to direct this question towards, the Minister responsible for the Petroleum Products Division or perhaps the Minister of Energy, so I will leave it to them to respond to my question.
This is in respect to an issue which I believe is under the mandate of the Minister of Energy, especially since he is the one most affected by the increased cost of oil.
Back a short while ago, prior to the increase in the price of gasoline and heating fuel, two private homeowners have come forward expressing their inability to meet these increased costs and who, as a result of the rising costs, have sold their homes. Due to the rising cost of heating fuel, these two homeowners in Sanikiluaq and I also know that there may be more people in that situation, it causes stress to many homeowners and it’s harder during the winter months when it’s extremely cold.
However, I feel that the unilateral price increase was too high and perhaps if I can ask this question: did the government fully take into consideration all of the parameters of government operations and see where they could conserve costs?
If the government had given more foresight into the price increase and how to cut costs, then perhaps it wasn’t necessary to increase the price of gasoline.
This is a very relevant question.
We did indeed take our time to take into consideration all of the factors because we, too, were concerned about the impacts of the rising costs. We also had some of the same concerns expressed by the member.
With respect to the matter of our private homeowners, we have to provide more assistance to ensure that they are able to make ends meet. We took quite a while to determine our course of action.
However, most of the government operations depend on fuel, as well as private homeowners and our harvesters.
We can only find out the price when the bill is submitted to us for payment.
So with respect to the member’s comments, I completely understand where he is coming from and we are aware of those issues. As well, we have come to an agreement within the Executive Council that once we know of the final price of our fuel purchase for all the communities in Nunavut, we will look into the matter further, especially the impacts on private homeowners and harvesters.
I also thank the Premier, but perhaps if I were to rephrase this or add more details.
It was a spectacular month in Sanikiluaq. I believe that most of July’s weather was calm, the water was quite calm, but I didn’t see too many hunters out even though the conditions were perfect for hunting.
It was primarily due to the increased costs of gasoline, which is now out of reach for most hunters since it’s too expensive.
To cite an example, a five-gallon purchase will set you back $15 or more and if you buy ten gallons... hold on, I made an error, so let me correct it. A single jerry can holding five gallons is now over $20.
Due to the cost of the fuel being so high, many hunters are no longer hunting. In that entire month, I only saw two boats out there even though the weather was perfect for weeks on end.
In his response, did he say that the government’s operational requirements for the purchase of fuel required that the cost of gasoline be increased for the summer? Was that the only option the government had?
I would like to remind members that they should keep their supplementary questions short.
As I stated earlier, the free market sets the price of oil, which is outside of our purview as a government.
We really have no options to decrease the cost of oil as a government, but the price which we bandied about then is higher than it is today.
We do have subsidies to provide assistance, but if you look at other markets, their costs have been higher than in Nunavut.
We will know for certain of the actual costs once the fuel has been delivered to all of the communities and into their tank farms.
We will definitely know the actual landed costs at that time and if we have room to move, we will attempt to work within the parameters that we are given.
Our winter weather is coming and we are aware that any price increase in fuel will affect all of our constituents.
With respect to the issue of the harvesters, we are looking into the Gas Tax Rebate Program. We made this available for our harvesters so that they can access some assistance.
We know that with the increase in the gasoline price, this minor assistance is providing some benefits. However, should the price increase, the rebate will also increase for our harvesters whom we represent in our ridings.
As the Premier stated, outside forces set the price of fuel and if I understood it properly, the price of oil has fallen below $100 per barrel.
If that’s the case, then this event will occur prior to the formation of the new government. So can this government pass along their recommendation to lower the cost of gasoline and heating fuel?
As I confirmed, this will occur shortly around November when the last fuel tanker has offloaded their fuel to the communities and that is when we will know the true cost of our bulk fuel purchases.
To date, we have paid out approximately half of the costs with several communities yet to be visited.
We will know the total amount once all of the fuel has been delivered.
If we are informed of the total costs prior to that time, then we can deal with the matter.
However, I believe that this will be one of the first action items of the new government after the territorial elections.
We don’t have any control over it at this time.
Question 670 – 2(4): Update on New Health Centre for Repulse Bay (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, during the session in June, I asked the minister at that time whether the health centre will be built in Repulse Bay this winter. The minister stated that this would be the case. Our community then expected that the health centre would be constructed during the winter.
I would like the minister to state whether this will indeed be the case in Repulse Bay.
I will have to find out whether the materials for the health centres in Repulse Bay and Arctic Bay have been shipped as per the manifests and I will get back to the member.
Further, I recall that the Minister of Finance included the costs in his presentation on the capital projects.
Is the minister saying that the health centre construction will continue? Are the blueprints complete or are there other design issues that are delaying it? Is that what the minister is saying?
The blueprints for the three health centres are being worked on at this time and they would like to ensure that we don’t have any issues.
The design drawings for the three health centres are being reviewed for the three communities.
We heard from the government that they will continue on with the construction of the health centres and I just heard that the blueprints will be done.
When exactly is the timeframe for the construction of these community health centres? I believe that there are three centres planned for construction. Does the minister know the exact timing of these projects?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) The design phase will be completed in 2008-09 and they should be completed and available for use by 2011.
Question 671 – 2(4): Update on Broken Power Generator in Pond Inlet (Arvaluk)
I have a question for the Minister of Energy. First of all, I wish to thank him for his detailed response yesterday.
What is the status of the Pond Inlet power generator that is broken down as of today?
The residents of Pond Inlet would like to find out what the situation is with it.
Mr. Speaker, we had an issue arise yesterday in the power plant in Pond Inlet and indeed the power was off in the community.
Immediately, the operations command centre here in Iqaluit chartered a plane and had mechanics and several technicians go to Pond Inlet and within a matter of a few hours, we had the power back on in the community.
There was a concern with one of the generators and indeed it seemed that some of the batteries that are associated with the generators themselves had failed. It is my understanding now that that has been rectified.
So it is my understanding that the power is back on.
We do have an extra person on the ground in Pond Inlet that we had brought in from Iqaluit to ensure the continuity and continuous operation of the plant.
Is the minister stating that the problems have all been resolved, that the generators will not experience any failures after this point since your technical people have identified all of the problems?
Can you pass along this information to the residents of Pond Inlet?
Minister of Energy, Minister Picco. Minister Picco.
Sorry, I know you want to respond quickly, but you should wait for your microphone to light up before responding so that everyone can hear your comments.
I will recognize you again so that you can respond.
Hon. Ed. Picco: Well, that’s a first, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you and thank you to the member, Mr. Speaker.
And I said earlier, the power was restored to the community last night around nine o’clock.
It’s my understanding right now that we have four engines in the community of Pond Inlet. Two of them are actually up and running right now, they’re fine. The third will have a camshaft on it replaced this week and that will give us the three engines in the community, so there won’t be any more issues.
My understanding is that, by the end of this week, everything will be back to normal and indeed be in place for the community.
Question 672 – 2(4): Was Premier Invited to Greenland Meeting of Arctic Nations (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, a few weeks ago, Canada and other Arctic Council members met to discuss issues that have some relevance to Nunavummiut.
I would like to direct my question to our Government House Leader.
In particular, it seems that the international community is gearing up for meetings over the undersea mapping issues. We heard that there was a meeting in Greenland in May where the agenda items included ownership of the undersea resources around the North Pole, especially in relation to the undersea mapping of the continental shelves.
My question to the Premier is: was the Premier invited to Greenland to ascertain whether countries such as Denmark and Russia have their sovereignty claims affirmed over their continental shelves?
I also know that Norway was also included in the meetings.
I would like to ask the Premier if he was informed about these meetings.
First of all, was he invited to Greenland to attend the meetings revolving around the undersea mapping and Arctic sovereignty?
I don’t recall any particular invitation either to my office or to the government to attend this meeting.
However, we continue to support our federal government in their endeavour to claim these waters. We, as Nunavummiut, have the biggest concerns with respect to our offshore, which is why we work with our federal counterparts on various issues of common concern. We continue to explore our options as it relates to these issues affecting us.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is a matter of utmost importance, so we must stop listening to the discussions and demand that we be part of any talks debating this issue when Canada is defending its ownership of the rich arctic resources, especially in the High Arctic. Many countries were asking the question of ownership of resources around the North Pole and which country would own it.
The world, including Canada, raised the question of the ownership of the Arctic.
In reference to the Northwest Passage, we feel that it’s an internal water body, although it may be a navigable waterway.
However, many outsiders feel that this is an international shipping route and therefore, not part of Canada. When issues in our backyard such as this are being debated, perhaps the Premier ought to stop listening to the debate and voice our position on the matters.
Can the Premier inform the Prime Minister that, with respect to matters pertaining to Nunavut, Nunavummiut ought to be involved, especially when maps are being drawn out? As we saw, Russia has made her declaration of ownership of the undersea resources surrounding the North Pole.
The ocean bottom is being annexed all over the world.
We urge and support the Premier to speak on behalf of Nunavummiut at these meetings and if not at the table, to just listen to the proceedings. At a minimum, the Premier ought to task someone to attend the meetings. Can the Premier try this option?
If the Premier is unwilling or unable to undertake this, perhaps he can report to this House on the reasons why he is unable to do so. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
This meeting was an international forum and as such, under the purview of the federal Department of Foreign Affairs, but we will continue to support them in their efforts to deal with the challenges from the international community.
However, with respect to our internal waters, we view this as a very important issue and we continue to encourage the federal government to devolve the management of waters to Nunavut because we can show the outside world that these waters belong to Canada. If we are responsible for the resources in our own backyard, we are better able to argue that these are our lands.
We have never wavered from this position and we will harden our position as it relates to our historical lands and waters.
As Inuit and Canadians, we view these waters as our own and we will reiterate our position to the federal government, and I doubt that will ever change here in Nunavut.
We will continue to support the federal government in their efforts to repel the international ignorance of the fact that all waters within Nunavut belong to the sovereign nation of Canada.
I have continued to express our position on this matter to the ambassador and leadership of the United States that if they are going to open up our internal waters as an international waterway, then the entire territory will lose its borders and be split, and anyone who can afford to undertake this passage would do so openly.
The Americans’ concerns about its borders and homeland security are well known, but when they are pushing another sovereign country to change its borders. It doesn’t make sense.
I have continued to press our position at every opportunity to the American diplomats and their government and that we will continue to fight for resources in our backyard here in Nunavut.
Mr, Speaker, as per your position, that argument would only work if the federal government fulfills their fiduciary obligations.
However, many in the international community question that leadership. In a Toronto Star article on August 7, 2008, there’s a story about the ownership of the undersea resources near the North Pole and most of the Executive have copies of this article. Who owns the resources at the North Pole?
If we glance at any map, it shows the Nunavut boundaries extending all the way to the top of the world. Therefore, we assume that we own those areas.
However, several countries don’t accept our argument. Countries such as Russia, Norway, and Denmark don’t accept our claims.
Although we maintain our ownership with the sea ice usage by our people, once the sea ice melts, then their position is that it’s not ours just because it freezes all the way.
Due to those reasons, I would like to pose a question to the Premier.
I urge the Premier to no longer just take note of these discussions but insert himself into the discussion before we find that our territorial boundaries have been changed without our participation. This is my reason, Mr. Speaker.
Apparently 13 percent of the world’s remaining undiscovered oil deposits are underneath ice, which is currently stopping developers from exploring those areas.
The figures included an estimate that upwards of 30 percent of the undiscovered gas fields in the world may be held in the continental shelf.
That’s why the whole world is now asking, “Whose resources are these?”
That’s the reason why I urge the Premier with utmost urgency that if we want the responsibility for our resources to be devolved, then we have to be included in any talks to discuss the changes in our territorial integrity.
That has to be undertaken on behalf of Nunavummiut, to raise questions and issues to the committee responsible for the underwater mapping project in the Arctic, because we may find ourselves in an entirely different world overnight.
That area we are discussing is our land, we use those areas and we will keep using them.
As well, Inuit have rights and lands in those areas as per provisions in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
This shows to the outside world that Inuit continue to utilize those areas and will continue to use them.
We are proud Canadians and we used the international laws to change the map of Canada.
All waters and islands are a part of Nunavut and therefore, by our partnership with Canada, they are a part of Canada.
We have to be treated as part of Canada if we are a part of Canada and we have to control our lands and waters as a government.
That’s our strong point and we will continue to go down this path.
We have urged the federal government to follow through with the devolution agreement.
I’m glad that our federal government recognizes what it is that Inuit require and they are slowly moving to meet our needs. I was extremely gratified to present that piece of news to the House previously.
We think along that same vein and we wholeheartedly support those types of initiatives as we assume that we own those areas.
However, with respect to the petroleum resources in the High Arctic, along with those areas with permanent ice today, that is not necessarily the case.
A number of academia, especially one from London, England stated that they sympathize with the Inuit on a personal level.
As the Premier stated though, ice acts like a bridge.
But based on the legal arguments, there are no legal claims to this area immediately offshore of the High Arctic islands, which is outside of both Nunavut’s and Canada’s sphere of influence.
That’s the reason why I’m pushing for Nunavut to be included in any and all talks pertaining to the ownership of the areas in the High Arctic. According to the report, all areas within the Arctic Circle are being focused on for future development.
I would request that the Premier raise questions to the parties involved in the May meeting as to what transpired and the conclusions reached by the participants. I would ask that you investigate this and report on the matter to Nunavummiut. Can you do that?
This is completely out of our mandate, but we offer our unqualified support to the federal government with respect to this matter. It’s their fiduciary responsibility and they represent us as Canadians.
We, as a government, cannot just insert ourselves into the discussions.
However, we will continue to urge the federal government to relate our historic and current land usage on these lands and waters, and relay our current goals along with our future aspirations as a self-governing entity and if all of this is included, it makes the land and seas come alive.  We also want them to complete the presentation of Inuit and their historic usage and future aspirations as a new territory so that the entire global community may know of our rich history, culture, and utilization of all lands, inland waters, and marine areas, both between the islands and our internal seas, which are indeed a part of Canada.
Further, for the long-term inhabitants, those who have the longest history and land use, once they are given the ownership of these resources, then this will showcase the Inuit and their ownership and clarify that to the outside world. This is how strong our claim to these lands is and it’s a very strong case when you can prove that the High Arctic has been in Inuit hands for millennia.
Question 673 – 2(4): Polar Bear Management (Kattuk)
As many here are aware, many Nunavummiut have concerns about the animals we depend on, especially in relation to polar bears.
Most, if not all, communities in Nunavut have concerns about polar bears in their adjacent hunting areas.