EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) We have a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable. (interpretation) All in favour of the motion. (interpretation ends) All those opposed.
I will now rise to report progress. (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the minister and her officials out.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 20.
Report of the Committee of the Whole. (interpretation) Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Your committee has been considering Bill 2 and the main estimates, and would like to report progress.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 3 – 4(2), this House stands adjourned until Thursday, June 5, at 10:00 a.m.
Pages 549 – 620
Opening Prayer 549
Ministers’ Statements 549
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 553  Oral Questions 553
Tabling of Documents 568
Notices of Motions 568
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 569  Chairman’s Ruling 569
Orders of the Day 619
Thursday, June 5, 2014 549
034 – 4(2): Arctic Bay’s Rex Willie Named Outstanding Adult Educator (Quassa) 549
035 – 4(2): Council of Federation Literacy Award Nomination (Taptuna) 550
036 – 4(2): Tribute to Fallen RCMP Officers of Moncton, NB (Okalik) 550
081 – 4(2): 2014 High School Graduates of Iqaluit (Angnakak) 550
082 – 4(2): Pangnirtung Fishing Derby (Mike) 551
083 – 4(2): Congratulations to Rankin Inlet Boys Soccer Team (Sammurtok) 551
084 – 4(2): 2014 NTEP Graduates of Pond Inlet (Enook) 552
126 – 4(2): Iqaluit Air Quality (Hickes) 553
127 – 4(2): Nursing in Nunavut (Angnakak) 555
128 – 4(2): Nunavut Food Price Survey and Security (Akoak) 557
129 – 4(2): NNI Policy (Mapsalak) 558
130 – 4(2): RFI – Incinerators and Land Fills (Savikataaq) 559
131 – 4(2): Response to Proposal from Nunavut Seniors Society (Sammurtok) 560
132 – 4(2): Baffin Island Caribou Survey (Joanasie) 562
133 – 4(2): Disposal of Old Sanikiluaq Airport (Rumbolt) 563
134 – 4(2): Monitoring Air Quality in Nunavut (Hickes) 564
135 – 4(2): Incinerators for Nunavut Communities (Savikataaq) 566
136 – 4(2): Financial Support for Adult Students (Angnakak) 566
137 – 4(2): Minimum Wage Rate (Hickes) 567
022 – 4(2): Correspondence to the Ministers of Family Services and Justice (Enook) 568
005 – 4(2): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Mikkungwak) 568
Bill 02 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2014-2015 – Family Services – Consideration in Committee 570
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Monica Ell, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Hon. George Kuksuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Hon. Tom Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Hon. Peter Taptuna, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Can you say the opening prayer, please, Ms. Ell.
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, Nunavummiut, Members, and Ministers. Welcome.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 034 – 4(2): Arctic Bay’s Rex Willie Named Outstanding Adult Educator (Quassa)
Good day to the people of Igloolik and Nunavut, as well as my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, Adult educators perform a vital role in the north, providing adults with an opportunity to improve their literacy, numeracy, and essential skills levels as they work toward employment or pursue further educational opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce in the House that one instructor from each of Canada’s territorial colleges was named outstanding adult educator.
The outstanding adult educator awards were sponsored by the Canadian Association for Studies in Adult Education. Founded in 1981, the organization promotes the study of adult education and networking among adult educators in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s recipient was Rex Willie, Adult Educator at Nunavut Arctic College’s Arctic Bay Community Learning Centre, and I would like to acknowledge his dedication and hard work today in the House.
Mr. Speaker, as an outstanding educator, Rex has forged partnerships with organizations, such as the Inuit Heritage Trust, Nunavut Youth Consulting, and Carleton University.
In particular, he helped develop a community-based mapping project using current technologies familiar to youth in everyday life to maintain and foster valuable cultural ties.
This process of active learning through identifying and mapping places of cultural importance not only engaged youth, but elders and cultural knowledge experts.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending our congratulations to Adult Educator Rex Willy and his very commendable accomplishment.
Minister’s Statement 035 – 4(2): Council of Federation Literacy Award Nomination (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Ullaakkut, colleagues, Nunavummiut, and the people of Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Council of Federation, I’m seeking nominations for the 2014 Council of Federation Literacy Award. One award is presented each year to someone who has made significant contributions to literacy in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues and Nunavummiut to nominate a person who has supported and encouraged others to develop their literacy skills. It can be a teacher, a student, an elder, or a community volunteer.
The deadline for nomination is June 27, 2014. The nomination forms can be found on the Government of Nunavut’s website.
Minister’s Statement 036 – 4(2): Tribute to Fallen RCMP Officers of Moncton, NB (Okalik)
I rise today to acknowledge the Royal Canadian Mounted Police members who have passed away down south.
I know that this is very difficult for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police today. Today provides a stark reminder that our Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers face difficult challenges.
We send our condolences and prayers to the families who have lost family members.
I regret that we have to go through this incident. We send our condolences and prayers to the families.
Going to orders of the day. Item 3.
Member’s Statement 081 – 4(2): 2014 High School Graduates of Iqaluit (Angnakak)
I rise today to offer my congratulations to all of the students graduating in Nunavut this month.
It is important to recognize the achievement and advancement of our young graduating population. I hope to see many of the high school graduates continue their journey of learning by attending colleges and universities in the upcoming years.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize some very important people from my family who are also graduating from high school this week. Kyra Flaherty and Rita Claire Mike who are graduating in Iqaluit. Etunaga Akeagok who is graduating in Grise Fiord and Jordan Mike who is graduating in Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to draw attention to another family member from Iqaluit who is graduating from the Nunavut Teachers Education Program. Nadia Mike is going to be a teacher.
I am very proud of her accomplishments and the hard work that she has dedicated her life to over the last few years in order to reach this goal.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in offering our congratulations to all of the graduates and I wish each and every one of them the very best.
Member’s Statement 082 – 4(2): Pangnirtung Fishing Derby (Mike)
Good morning to the people of Pangnirtung and to the people of Nunavut.
I thank my colleague for congratulating our family members.
This morning I was trying to consider whether I’m going to make a statement about our school graduates or the winners of the fishing derby. So I chose to rise and make a statement on the fishing derby in Pangnirtung.
Thank you for congratulating our family members for completing their school.
Mr. Speaker, in Pangnirtung, we set a fishing derby for arctic char and sculpin fishing.
I would like to announce the winners of sculpin fishing in Pangnirtung. For those who are no longer able to go out hunting, they’re given a competition.
The winners were Naomi Komoartok, who won $3,000, Peterloosie Kakkee, who won $1,500, Abraham Arnakak, who won $750, and Norman Mike, who won $500.
Those are the winners of the sculpin fishing derby.
The winners for the arctic fishing derby were Becky Akulujuk, who won $6,000. I’m talking about money.
Sandra Kilabuk won $4,000. Geetie Maniapik, Alice Mike, and Bobby Ishulutak won $1,000 each.
Jeannie Nakasuk won $750, Meena Kakkee won $500, Oleepeeka Kakkee won $300, Sheepa Nowyook won $200, and Jackie Maniapik won $100.
Those are the winners of our fishing derby last month for sculpin and arctic char.
Member’s Statement 083 – 4(2): Congratulations to Rankin Inlet Boys Soccer Team (Sammurtok)
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to congratulate Rankin Inlet’s boys soccer team for their participation in the Super Soccer tournament in Yellowknife and also for all the hard work and effort that they put in to get there.
Mr. Speaker, under the guidance of their coach, Paul Stroeder, at the Simon Alaittuq School in Rankin Inlet, (interpretation) and I apologize if I mispronounced his name, (interpretation ends) these young soccer players, aged between 10 and 12 years old volunteered throughout the school year to earn enough money for the team, their coach and two chaperones to go to Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the team members:
Scott Naukatsik
Tyler Naukatsik
Jason Panika
Braden Subgut
Israel Maktar
AJ Owlijoot
Tyrese Sammurtok
Xavier Kubluitok
Qilak Kaput
Leo Kaludjak
Randy Samgushak
Jean Marie Aokaut
Nolan Tatuinee
Wayne Pilakapsie
Luke Kusugak
I would also like to acknowledge their chaperones, Jason Pilakapsi and John Wallace.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to their training, these young soccer players volunteered at penny sales, flea markets, and raffle ticket sales during the school year. They volunteered at tournaments cleaning up the school and helping with the security.
They helped cook meals for the Under 19 Girls Arctic Winter Games tryout camp. They even hosted a carnival for the kids in town.
Mr. Speaker, the team raised enough money for their trip to attend the Super Soccer Tournament in Yellowknife, but they also gained something that may be much more valuable: they learned to work together as a team towards a common goal.
That is worth more than any medal.
Again, I congratulate the Rankin Inlet boys soccer team on their successful achievement.
Member’s Statement 084 – 4(2): 2014 NTEP Graduates of Pond Inlet (Enook)
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
Good morning to the people of Pond Inlet and our fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, education is very important and it’s very good that we can be educated all our lives.
There are a lot of people who have just graduated and I am very proud of those individuals who have graduated. It touches me too, especially when they’re my friends and relatives.
Today, if I’m not mistaken, there are graduates here in Iqaluit who took the Teacher Education Program.
We are very proud of the graduates. They will be looking after our young children and we are proud that they will be involved in the future of our children, educating them.
I am very proud that they will be looking after our children when some of us can’t be with our children.
We are very proud and the parents are very proud.
We would like them to be involved in teaching our Nunavut children.
Mr. Speaker, today, there are two people I would like to recognize, Eleanor Arreak and Rita Ootoovak.
The people of Pond Inlet are very proud of them, as well as their relatives.
One of my friend’s wife, Lynn Kilabuk, we are very proud of her for taking her education seriously, even though she had problems. I would like to tell Lynn that her parents are proud of her, but they couldn’t be here today due to the weather.
I would like to say that while you are teachers now and we will have our relatives being taught properly.
I wish to inform (interpretation ends) members that our colleague, the Member for Quttiktuq is attending to a personal matter and hence, presently absent from the House. (interpretation) I would like everyone to note that.
I’m taking too long to write their names down.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize in the Gallery two individuals, the Mayor for Clyde River, Jerry Natanine, and Deputy Mayor of Qikiqtarjuaq, Steve Aulakiak.
Mr. Enook beat me to it, but I would like to recognize and welcome Steve Kisak Aulakiak, who is my relative, and Gerry Natanine, who is my nephew. I would like them given a warm welcome in the House today.
Question 126 – 4(2): Iqaluit Air Quality (Hickes)
As promised, Mr. Speaker, I am continuing my line of questioning to do with the health hazard possibilities of the “dumpcano” that we are currently experiencing here in Iqaluit.
I have gone through a couple of ministers already on this line of questioning.
Yesterday, I was informed by the Minister of Health that the Department of Environment actually has the responsibility of monitoring outdoor air quality.
I’m sure that his staff was listening to my line of questioning yesterday, and in the answer from the Minister of Health that there is currently no timeline information on when this will be measured.
I would like to ask the minister today if that timeline has been firmed up with my line of questioning yesterday.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister for Environment, Mr. Mike.
The Department of Environment has the air quality equipment.
However, this equipment is intended to monitor only urban pollution, such as dust/particulate levels, and not potential toxins from garbage fire.
I can state that at this time.
In addition to the actions being taken with the dump fire, the Department of Environment is working with Health Canada at the present time to see so that the air quality at the dump can be measured.
Right now, we are awaiting the proper equipment that will be able to measure the smoke spewing from the dump from Health Canada.
That is what I can report at this time in the House, Mr. Speaker.
I thank Minister Mike for that update, although I do have a question from his response. He states that they’re currently waiting for officials from the Department of Health at the federal level.
I can’t stress enough to the minister to encourage him to get those people up here as soon as possible. Can the minister inform me when those officials are expected to arrive in Iqaluit?
With respect to the fire at the dump here in Iqaluit, I am thankful that the wind direction is generally blowing from both the north and south and not directly to Iqaluit. The wind is naturally blowing the smoke and few times, it comes toward the city.
I mentioned earlier that we will find out about the air quality testing equipment this week and I too want to see the air quality determined. We expect Health Canada officials to come here this week as well. I am expecting news on that later on.
I look forward to getting further information from the minister on the timeline of those officials’ arrival so that I can assure my constituents that the air they’re breathing is not posing a hazard to their health.
Mr. Speaker, also in one of my responses yesterday, it was advised to me that it is difficult logistically to set up this type of equipment.
I would like to ask the minister: is that equipment currently in possession of the Department of Environment of the Nunavut government and what is so difficult about setting this equipment up?
As I just stated, Health Canada officials deal with air quality and we are working with them to make sure that the people of Iqaluit are not at risk.
With regard to the equipment that I mentioned earlier, I will have more details on that later on this week to answer the member’s question.
Question 127 – 4(2): Nursing in Nunavut (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, the need for full-time nursing and other health professionals is a challenge facing many jurisdictions across Canada.
I believe that to attract nurses to come and live in Nunavut, we need to make that extra effort.
Can the minister provide an update on the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy and describe what new kinds of supports and incentives are being considered to recruit nurses to work in Nunavut and to commit to staying here?
I also thank the Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu for that question.
What we have in place is a strategy that expired in 2012 and it was in place since 2008 to recruit and retain nurses.
We have reviewed the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy and it’s being worked on at this time.
Thank you, minister, for your answer.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that there have been various initiatives in the past which made significant investments into hiring full-time, long-term nurses for Nunavut.
Can the minister provide an update on the numbers of full-time nurses, casual nurses, and agency nurses currently working in Nunavut?
Currently, nursing staff is at an occupancy rate of 69.7 percent.
In total there are 279 full-time nursing positions, with 193 full time positions filled, and casuals are at 79, other agency nurses are at 39. These numbers are the way they are.
I am also happy that two nurses will be graduating soon, this afternoon.
Diane Iyago and Darcy Mason will be graduating from the nursing program.
I thank the minister for that answer. I also congratulate the 2 students who are graduating from the nursing program.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that times have changed.
These days we pay huge sums of money to head hunting companies to go out and recruit professionals.
Maybe we need to step back in time and find simpler solutions.
I recall my mother telling me that when she came to Nunavut in the 1950’s to Pangnirtung to go work at the hospital, somebody from the community, Minister Mike’s grandmother, actually came up to my mother and said, “I’m going to look after you. You are new to this community and I’m going to look after you.”
So she was made to feel very welcome and was drawn into the personal and social life of the community.
She has remained in Nunavut ever since.
Can the minister clarify whether her department supports any initiatives whereby individuals or organizations from each community make it a point to welcome new nurses and to introduce them to the life of the community outside of the health centre?
I thank the member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu.
In the work schedule, in terms of recommendations from 2007 to 2012.
Those recommendations the employment situation was reviewed and the nurses, the hiring group was directed to look at nurses that could work full time in the North.
So that they would begin to use less of the agency nurses and to review the costs associated with agency nurses. Also, if the nurses would not move around so much because moving around so much costs the government money.
That is the direction that we wish to move forward towards, that are referred to as the recommendations.
We are still looking to see how we can improve the situation so that nurses can remain in the North longer. We are still working on that.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, recommendations being considered included improvements to hiring and human resources practices as well as improving orientation, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
At this time Health is still considering the recommendations from the evaluation of the Nunavut Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy.
We will be able to report on that later.
Question 128 – 4(2): Nunavut Food Price Survey and Security (Akoak)
Good morning to all members, Nunavummiut, and to Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Family Services.
As the minister will recall, she announced on Tuesday that the government recently completed the second food price survey. In her statement the minister indicated that the prices of 133 items in every store in every community in Nunavut were recorded.
As the minister is aware, there are two main retailers in almost every community in Nunavut; the Northwest Company and the Co-Op.
In addition to these main stores, are communities are serviced by smaller locally owned stores. In some cases, food prices are lower in these small stores.
Can the minister clarify whether the stores that were surveyed for the recent Nunavut Food Price Survey included stores that are not owned by the Northwest Company or the Arctic Cooperatives?
The Minister for Family Services, Ms. Ugyuk.
The member from Gjoa Haven in relation to the food costs.
Our department is not doing the actual counting ourselves. We are providing funding. The survey group in Nunavut, Nunavut Statistics is not doing it.
They are reviewing every place where food is sold.
As the minister will recall, I raised concerns regarding the Nutrition North Canada Program during out recent winter sitting in March of this year.
In addition, many concerns about the effectiveness of the program were raised in a previous Legislative Assembly.
As the minister is aware, the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board is holding a public meeting in Rankin Inlet next week. The purpose of which is to receive feedback on how to improve Nutrition North Canada.
Can the minister indicate if her department will represent the government’s concerns at next week’s meeting of the Nutrition North Canada Advisory Board?
I thank the member for Gjoa Haven who wanted to understand more about Nutrition North Canada, which is a federal organization. It is not run by the Government of Nunavut.
In time we should be able to hear when all of the surveys are completed from Statistics Canada as to what the Nutrition North Canada has found.
That is the way I can answer the hon. member.
I recognize that food security and affordability is an issue across Nunavut. However, food prices and average household income can differ by community.
For example, as the minister will recall, during our recent winter sitting, I noted that the Nunavut Food Price Survey results from 2013 indicated that Gjoa Haven had the highest food prices in Nunavut.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that the government’s actions to address food security focus on those communities where food prices are significantly above average?
I thank the Member for Gjoa Haven for that question.
The survey results from last year will be available online. I would like him to understand that those results will be regularly updated.
As a government, we will make full use of these results and to determine if food prices are acceptable or not.
That is the way I could answer him.
Question 129 – 4(2): NNI Policy (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
I want to follow up on some of the issues that I raised yesterday in the House.
In September of last year, the report on the 2012 joint Government of Nunavut and NTI review of the NNI Policy was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
What is the status of the government’s work to develop a new NNI policy?
Good morning to my fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, in reference to the question, there’s ongoing work on the subject. We’re still working closely with the Inuit organizations on the innards of the NNI policy and the areas that need updating will be addressed.
The government has been undertaking a review of its procurement practices. One of the recommendations that were made last year in relation to the NNI Policy was that the Department of Community and Government Services should work with the Nunavut Housing Corporation, NTI, and the business community to “discuss current Inuit labour availability and skill set and the planned project in the community and surrounding communities.”
Can the minister indicate if the government will follow these recommendations?
I mentioned previously that my department is taking the lead role with the implementation of changes to the NNI policy.
Mr. Speaker, as far as NTI, our government, and various departments are concerned, we are working closely on these issues.