EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
There will be something put in place. We’re just not sure what it is right now.
Question 221 – 4(3): Infrastructure Funding Announcement (Qirngnuq)
Earlier this week, the minister announced new funding for recreational and cultural infrastructure in Nunavut.
As I noted in my Member’s Statement, we need to have adequate resources in place, including physical infrastructure, to help support healthy lifestyles for our youth and provide alternatives to unhealthy behaviours, such as vandalism and substance abuse.
Can the minister indicate whether or not his department is currently contacting municipalities, including the municipalities of Kugaaruk and Taloyoak, to provide them with information on how to apply for the new funding?
The announcement that was made is about the Small Communities Fund. There are different criteria on what these funds can be used for and the main criteria that will be going to the smaller communities will be playgrounds and arena upgrades.
The communities will be invited to put in proposals for what would they want for their arenas to be done to upgrade.
All proposals and submissions will be looked at and they will be prioritized.
Right now, there has not been a call order put out, but through the process here, there would be a call order put out for any communities that may want to have their arenas renovated or upgraded.
The integrated community infrastructure sustainability plans for both Kugaaruk and Taloyoak identify a number of needs in the area of recreational infrastructure.
Can the minister indicate how these plans will be considered by his department when reviewing applications for funding from municipalities?
The integrated community sustainability plans that each municipality has would be looked at in the normal process where each community makes a priority of what they want done for infrastructure in their community.
Once yearly, it’s looked at by the other committee. I can’t remember the name offhand, but it’s made up of municipalities and the government. Their recommendations go forward to CG&S as to what should be funded for infrastructure.
This list for the nine arenas is just for renovating.
There’s nothing in there about new structures. I believe these are two separate issues and they both are their own entity and they operate differently.
Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The announcement that the Minister of Community and Government Services made earlier this week indicated that new funding for the replacement of playgrounds is being provided to the Department of Education.
Can the minister clarify whether or not locally elected district education authorities can make applications for this funding?
As the member noted, it’s under the Department of Education and I cannot speak for the Minister of Education and he should direct his question to Education.
The Hon. Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Allan Rumbolt.
Question 222 – 4(3): Polar Bear Fur Sales and Pricing (Rumbolt)
As the minister is aware, the government is currently in a partnership with the Fur Harvesters Auction house in North Bay to sell and market furs that have been harvested in Nunavut.
I am aware of a number of hunters from my own community who still market their polar bear hides through the government’s program. I have also received concerns from my constituents that the auction house has not sold a lot of bear hides in the past two years.
Can the minister update the House today on the number of polar bear hides that are currently in storage at the Nunavut Fur Harvesters Auction house?
We know that there are approximately 300 polar bear hides that are currently in storage at the Fur Harvesters Auction house.
It is my understanding that untanned polar bear hides that are kept in storage for a period of time will age and discolour, turning yellow and rendering the hide worthless.
The process usually begins within two years. Further, when this discolouration occurs, it is irreversible, even with treatments such as bleach.
Can the minister specify how many of the 300 polar bear hides that are currently in storage are aged and discoloured to the point that they are no longer marketable to auction?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Yes, these polar bear hides I referred to are in that situation at the current time. This concern has been voiced about the lack of sales for polar bear hides recently. Mr. Speaker, what I want to state here is that with the market trending down, the future doesn’t look too bright.
With that kind of uncertainty and due to the fact these hides may degrade, we are looking at selling them at lower prices. If we can sell these hides, that is our only choice and with that uncertainty, it seems to be our only option at this time.
The intent of the government’s Fur Pricing Program is to allow hunters to receive compensation for their work and fur products in a timely and fair manner.
However, it is important that the Fur Pricing Program remains financially viable to ensure that it remains operational to help Nunavut hunters in the future.
Can the minister indicate the amount of funding that has been directed to fur pricing polar bear hides in Nunavut that have been stored and now lost market value and will no longer provide a return for the Government of Nunavut’s investment and what the department’s plan of action will be to account for the lost dollars?
Indeed, these factors as they stand are not pieces of good news, especially with the market for polar bears dropping.
With the fur prices dropping, we have started to review how to provide more assistance to our hunters. Due to that reason, the government has identified this month after cabinet approved the request that after that meeting, I will be able to provide an answer to the member’s question about options to resolve this issue.
Oral Questions. Member for South Baffin, Mr. David Joanasie.
Question 223 – 4(3): Work with Community and Government Services (Joanasie)
My question today is for the Minister of Education. It’s not about the school, but education in general.
Mr. Speaker, I was asking questions yesterday about the school that burned down and of the need to move the students to another school. Nonetheless, there was also a daycare that was housed at the Peter Pitseolak School.
The minister is well aware of the benefits of daycare spaces in the communities, so I would like to first ask him a question. I apologize. I would like to ask the minister if he has started consultations with his colleague from CGS, as per his past statement about meetings held in December prior to Christmas about plans for the future.
I would like to ask him if he has had planning discussions with his colleague. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for requesting further information on this matter.
Absolutely, the member is correct in his assumption about the importance of our daycares, as they are crucial to success and communities require daycare spaces, particularly for our student bodies, as some students require daycare to continue their education.
To date and based on what I am aware of, the DEA and the manager of the old daycare have met with the municipality to discuss this issue and to come up with alternatives, such as the sewing facility.
I believe the member knows which building I am referring to.
To date, this is the facility they are discussing to replace that space.
Whenever we need to deal with these types of issues, we have to involve the Department of Community and Government Services, so we collaborate on these issues. However, the decision lies with the local government on how to resolve this challenge.
I am just waiting for their decision. Once the decision is made, we can move forward with providing the operational funding and resources. Once a daycare space has been identified, this would move forward immediately.
The second question I direct to the minister about this matter is if he is aware of any student whose child was in that daycare in the higher grades.
Is the minister aware of any student dropping out to date due to not having daycare space for their child?
I believe it was yesterday when I partially answered or tried to answer a similar question.
At this time, the Department of Education is reviewing the Peter Pitseolak School student records after the student body was moved to the other school. January, February, and up to March… .
Oh, I apologize. I meant November, December, and up to January is what we have reviewed as to whether a decrease has occurred in the numbers, but it is still being researched.
Nonetheless, I haven’t heard personally if this has been the case nor did I receive any correspondence about the question he just raised about students who may have dropped out due to that reason. I haven’t heard anything related to that up to now. However, I do know that the Department of Education officials are reviewing the data to see if a decrease has occurred.
Since this is still being researched, I haven’t received any definite numbers related to that question.
I am sure the minister will look into the lack of daycare facilities and whether there was anyone dropping out of school.
For my last supplementary question, he did mention the sewing class that is being administered by the hamlet. I’m sure the minister can work with the community or with his colleagues about the space at the community learning centre.
They said that it’s available and maybe we can reconfigure it so that it can become a daycare centre. Can the minister look into it?
In Cape Dorset, there’s another daycare centre. I’m not sure what the name is, but we are working with them and they are available.
There used to be a daycare centre before the school burned down.
They said that they have placements available. We are looking at how many spaces they have. That’s the understanding I got today.
Yes, having daycare facilities available is very important.
We will look at how we can make additional spaces prior to the new high school being built.
We’re looking at different options, but the sewing class space is available and they are looking at that again.
We’re working with the Department of Community and Government Services.
Question 224 – 4(3): Western Canada Lottery and Nunavut Sports (Sammurtok, A)
Mr. Alexander Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My question today is for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
On November 4, 2015, the minister at that time tabled the government’s 2014-15 financial statements for the Nunavut Lottery.
According to these statements, the government’s revenue after expenses from the Nunavut Lottery in 2015 was over $490,000.
Mr. Speaker, section 4 of the Western Canada Lottery Act provides that “profits accruing to the Government of Nunavut from the Western Canada Lottery shall be used for the purpose of promoting sport and recreational opportunities for Nunavummiut.”
Can the minister indicate what specific initiatives his department plans to direct this $490,000 in profits towards?
It almost sounds like a question I know of that a general used to ask.
For the member, the profits are for sports.
I can’t tell the member offhand right now exactly where it goes, but this year, we are helping Greenland run the Arctic Winter Games. We are hosting the hockey here in Iqaluit, plus we have to send a bunch of athletes over to Greenland.
I imagine a good chunk of that would be taken for the Arctic Winter Games.
As for specifics as to exactly where every bit of it went, I can’t tell the member right now because I don’t have that information in front of me. If the member wants it, I can get it.
I thank the minister. We would be grateful if we could get that information.
Mr. Speaker, sports and recreation is an important program that provides many Nunavut residents, specifically youth, with the opportunity to participate in activities that promote confidence, travel and volunteer experience, and healthy living.
Can the minister indicate how his department raises public awareness of its Traditional Activities Grant program and Inuit Games Support Contributions program under its Sport and Recreation Grants and Contributions Policy?
CG&S funds the hamlets to have recreational coordinators. These recreational coordinators work for the hamlets.
They are knowledgeable of where to get funding. I know that they have Inuit traditional summer games on in the summers. These recreational coordinators, I believe that’s what they are called, can apply for funding and get that funding.
How else can I put this? The recreational coordinators are knowledgeable about their jobs.
When they start, there can be orientation courses on where they can apply for funding.
There are many sources of funding that can be applied for, not just from the territorial aspect but from the federal aspect too.
We encourage the recreational coordinators to apply for funding when they need it from as many sources as they can.
Like the member stated, recreation and fitness is important.
Fit people don’t get sick as often and we know how bad our health care is in terms of it’s always over budget.
I encourage Nunavummiut to stay fit.
If getting money to stay fit helps, then by all means do it.
The department is responsible for the government’s sports and recreation administration, which develops and facilitates programs “designed to promote opportunities in Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity for Nunavummiut at the community, regional, territorial, national and international level.”
Can the minister indicate what, if any, programs his department has developed to promote Inuit games?
Yes, we promote all forms of activities and all games, anything that will make people more active and more fit.
Like I stated earlier, they have the summer games. They also have Inuit arctic sports in the Arctic Winter Games and we have participants going over to Greenland for that sport.
We do fund part of the Arctic Winter Games when it is on or when we are co-hosting or when we are hosting it. We do fund Inuit traditional games.
Question 225 – 4(3): Status of Proposed Amendments to Nunavut’s Education Act (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, the Legislative Assembly’s Special Committee to Review the Education Act presented its final report, containing 23 recommendations, to the Assembly on November 5, 2015.
Although the special committee was dissolved immediately after its review, members appreciated receiving a comprehensive response to the report from the Department of Education this past December. I note from the response that it is the department’s intention to bring forward a legislative proposal for amendments to the Act.
Can the minister provide an update on his department’s proposed timeline to introduce amendments to Nunavut’s Education Act within the term of this Assembly?
I thank the member for asking that excellent question. This is a very important aspect as, obviously, expectations can develop whenever a new program is being started and how it will be set up.
Maybe firstly we should remember that the Education Act contains clear language stating that every five years, the legislation has to be reviewed.
December 2015 is when this process started, this (interpretation ends) legislative proposal, (interpretation) as the review started in December 2015 up to January 2016.
The departments that were consulted were the Department of Justice, including others such as (interpretation ends) Culture and Heritage, (interpretation) where we reviewed all the documentation and language. It included the (interpretation ends) Inuit Language Protection Act (interpretation) amongst others that were part of this review.
Just recently in February extending up to March, the different departments will be meeting to draft the new legislation, as an example, within the various jurisdictions that need to be involved, as well as the IQ committee and the policy division.
These are the types of issues being reviewed currently.
Reaching to the middle of April, the (interpretation ends) cabinet (interpretation) legislation review committee has to review this. This process will run to mid-April. We expect that we can submit it to cabinet in the middle of April.
From that point, we still need to consult outside agencies and organizations, such as (interpretation ends) NTI, (interpretation) the local district education authorities, the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities, (interpretation ends) CSFN, (interpretation) and the regional Inuit organizations.
I imagine this will take until the end of April for this work.
For May/June, we envision that consultation process will continue and we are thinking of picking June to consult the regional organizations for these (interpretation ends) consultations (interpretation) with the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, and Qikiqtaaluk regions.
Actually, in the Baffin region, we envision a sub-regional approach where North and South Baffin would be separate.
From that point forward, that reaches about July, so the period up to October is when we expect to complete the process. In November 2016, we hope to submit the draft legislation to the House.
That is how the consultation process will play out, with the various groups I spoke to.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, the three key areas of the Education Act which have been identified as priority areas for legislative amendment are inclusive education, language of instruction, and the roles and responsibilities of DEAs.
Can the minister confirm that any proposed amendments to the Education Act will also address these areas of concern?
Yes, that is the plan as laid out, but it is primarily the three options we have reviewed stemming from the legislative review group and we followed their recommendations. Obviously, we had to review various options, such as the Auditor General’s recommendations that we had to include as well, including the (interpretation ends) special Education Act review committee.
(interpretation) Yes, it is absolutely truthful that (interpretation ends) the amendments with respect to inclusive education, language of instruction, DEA roles and responsibilities within the mandate (interpretation) will formulate the main objectives under this process here. That is how it is set up.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, one of the key issues identified by the special committee was the need to promote greater understanding of different roles, responsibilities, and accountabilities identified in the legislation.
Can the minister describe what steps have been taken to date to articulate and publicize these aspects of Nunavut’s education system for everyone concerned?
As per my earlier remarks about the various action items still needing work, such as consultations, this process to date has been used for the review of the draft legislation as we are consulting with many groups.
Further, with respect to the groups the member referenced, it is only after we get feedback from these bodies in order to have a comprehensive list, perhaps it would take up to the middle of April before it goes to cabinet as a (interpretation ends) legislative proposal (interpretation) that we hope to present at that time.
However, we will review all applicable information. I want all my colleagues to understand that all the recommendations and options, if necessary, compose the majority of our upcoming work.
I want my colleagues to expect this draft legislation in November 2016 when we hope to table it in the House.
Question 226 – 4(3): Development Partnership Agreements (Enook)
Mr. Joe Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As our government has stated, their development partnership agreement is presently being looked at and they will decide whether or not to make changes.
Let me first ask: what is the reasoning behind the need to review that agreement?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for asking this question again.
We have one main agreement presently with Agnico Eagle.
The funding that is identified is the fuel tax rebate. They were able to return some funds. We want to look at other types of agreements on cooperation that we can decide on.
I will base my question on the statement by the minister.
The minister stated that it is presently being reviewed on how they can have agreements in other areas.
I was listening to the English channel. I didn’t quite understand.
What is he asking about?
Can my colleague clarify his question?
Speaker: Hon. Member for Tununiq, (interpretation) please clarify your question.
It was clear earlier, so I don’t know how to make it any clearer.
I will just restate it.
The (interpretation ends) hon. minister (interpretation) stated that they will be looking at other areas for partnership agreements.
My question is: what does her statement mean by other partnership agreements?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member asking questions. I was listening to his question directly and now I understand what his question entails.
My department and the Department of Finance agreed on the process related to the (interpretation ends) Fuel Tax Rebate Program (interpretation) that is paid as a tax every time someone pays for fuel. Even if the mine project has started to operate and can finance their own needs, they are still eligible for this program, so they get rebates from the Nunavut government.
We expect in the future or hope to come up with an agreement in the future where only mineral exploration companies or junior partners starting up would qualify for these rebates.
Can the minister indicate when this review will be complete and when a new one will be tabled?
Speaker: The Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Yes, they are presently working on it. The Department of Finance staff and our staff have to work together with the companies that have agreements with us.
We need to have clear discussions. This is not a simple matter. I can’t say exactly when the agreements will be in place.
Item7.
Tabled Document 087 – 4(3): Correspondence from the Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization (Mikkungwak)
I wish to table today a letter from the Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization that has been provided to me.
Mr. Speaker, I will also have detailed questions on this issue for the Minister of Environment before the end of our winter sitting.
Tabled Document 088 – 4(3): Letters of Support for Sailivik Society (Angnakak)
In my Member’s Statement yesterday, I referred to the wonderful support that the Sailivik Society has received with respect to establishing an elders facility in Iqaluit.
I would like to table copies of these letters of support that have been received to date.
Again I extend my warm thanks and appreciation for the ongoing contributions made by organizations such as these and by many individuals and community residents.
>>House recessed at 15:34 and Committee resumed at 15:58
Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Order. Thank you.
Chairman: Thank you. Are we in agreement that we continue with the main estimates for the Department of Community and Government Services?
Chairman: Iqsuqtii, please assist the staff to the witness table.
To my right, I have Ms. Lori Kimball. She’s the DM. To my left is Darren Flynn, the ADM. Thank you.
Chairman: Thank you. We were on page J-7.
I won’t be asking a question related to the figures but rather just for clarification, if you will allow me, Mr. Chairman.
It is in this tab speaking to (interpretation ends) Property and Asset Management, (interpretation) which I believe is the subject of my question. As the minister is aware, I have raised questions about these old buildings previously owned by the government that have sat unused for many years and are becoming a safety hazard.
I have raised questions on how to transfer the assets to the hamlet or even to any organization, but every time I ask a question related to this matter, it seems like I get different responses, especially in how they can be disposed of.
I am sincere in my statement that I believe they pose safety hazards, and youth just wander in and do all sorts of things, such as vandalizing them, yet the buildings are just left as they stand.