EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
“Mr. Speaker, on June 9, 2014, the 2014-16 Nunavut Food Strategy Action Plan was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
This action plan indicates that the Department of Family Services is the lead for the Niqittiavak Committee, whose purpose is ‘to explore the factors that influence the cost, quality and accessibility of food in Nunavut, and to make policy and program recommendations with the ultimate goal of improving access to market food for Nunavummiut.’
Can the minister describe who sits on the Niqittiavak Committee and can he indicate how often the committee meets?”
The Niqittiavak Committee was established in 2013 as an interdepartmental committee with membership from various Government of Nunavut departments, including the Department of Family Services, as well as representatives from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the three regional Inuit organizations.
The purpose of the committee was to review the factors that impact the cost, quality, and accessibility of food in Nunavut.
The committee’s mandate has now been taken on by the Nunavut Food Security Coalition, a working group of the Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction.
The coalition is co-chaired by the Department of Family Services and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and further membership consists of other GN departments, Inuit organizations, community-based organizations, and the private sector.
The coalition meets on a monthly basis.
Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Peter Taptuna.
The government liaison offices are a public, central point of contact for our government. The government liaison office ensures government programs and services are easily accessible to every Nunavummiuq.
This week, they have met in Iqaluit to attend a workshop.
Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please help me welcome all the Government of Nunavut liaison officers from throughout Nunavut.
Like I mentioned in my Member’s Statement today, I would like to formally recognize Mr. Arnold Witzig and Mr. Chris Côte to the legislature here today.
I had the opportunity to attend in person the Arctic Inspiration Prize presentation this year.
I got to see first hand the impact that it has on people across the north.
I just commend Mr. Witzig for co-founding the Arctic Inspiration Prize and look forward to many years of hearing great news out of it.
The GLOs have been recognized, but there are some individuals here from my community. Johnny Kublu used to be called Malaya a long time ago.
Johnny Kublu is the (interpretation ends) GLO (interpretation) in Igloolik. Although Abraham Qammaniq is not from Igloolik, I would like to recognize him.
I ask my colleagues to acknowledge and welcome them to the gallery.
I would also like to recognize some individuals from my constituency who were acknowledged earlier. I wish to recognize today a fellow resident of my community, Morris Kuniliusee, and my constituent from Clyde River, Janet Joanas.
It is obvious to see their participation and I am grateful for that.
Furthermore, I wish to also acknowledge another visitor, my son Adamee Keyootak. My son Adamee is named after the late Adamee Nookiguak, who was instrumental in our community during the land selection process, so he is named after that elder.
Additionally, on another related issue, this selfsame son I am acknowledging was one of the last Inuit born in the 20th century, when we were still in the 1990s, as he was amongst the last babies born in the Baffin region and perhaps in all of Nunavut. He would be the youngest person in that century as he was born just before we moved to the year 2000, shortly before midnight, as he was born just as the 1900s were coming to an end.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I would like to recognize and welcome my constituent, Mr. David Akoak. Welcome. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Rankin Inlet and Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
I would like to recognize my niece, Doriana Sammurtok, who is here for a meeting.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. Tony Akoak.
I stand up to recognize visitors in the gallery.
I would like to recognize a constituent from Gjoa Haven who is the GLO, Ms. Lena Tiriraniaq, and I know he has been recognized already, my brother, David Akoak.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak.
My colleague said that he doesn’t get up very often to recognize individuals, but this time around, I would like to recognize and welcome our (interpretation ends) next door neighbour. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, she is one of my relatives and I would like to welcome Marianne Uqayuittuq.
From one of the most picturesque communities, (interpretation ends) from beautiful Pond Inlet, (interpretation ends) I also wish to recognize a fellow resident, Rebecca Qulitalik. Welcome to the gallery.
From one of the outstanding communities with the most economic development...
...I would like to recognize my constituent, Eena Alivaktuk.
Mr. Speaker, it’s not too often I get to stand and recognize my constituents in the gallery, but today I get the opportunity to welcome the GLO from Sanikiluaq who is not only the GLO; she’s also very active in the search and rescue program in our community.
I would like to welcome Christine Ekidlak to the gallery.
I would like to recognize a constituent from beautiful Cambridge Bay…
…in western Nunavut.  My constituent is actually from the Baffin, but she went over to the Kitikmeot.
I guess she really likes it there. She has been there for many years. She was a community corrections officer for a long time, so she is quite busy.
She is now the government liaison for our area.
I would like to welcome and recognize Miali Dimitruk.
I would like to recognize two individuals from my constituency.
First is Kitty Barrieau from Kimmirut and the other person is Elisapee Qaumagiaq from Cape Dorset.
I would also like to recognize the pages who I am very proud of. They did an excellent job during the session.
They are Pauloosie Ningeongan, Gooteliak Ekho, and Moses Pitseolak.
I have no more names on my list. I apologize.
I want to recognize a person from Kugaaruk, which is also one of the most scenic communities in my opinion.
I would like to recognize this person from Kugaaruk, Alex Ningark, who is working as the government liaison officer in our community.
He is also John Ningark’s son, a former MLA from our constituency.
I would like to have him acknowledged and welcomed to the gallery and I am happy he is visiting us today.
Question 288 – 4(3): Collective Bargaining (Angnakak)
As the minister is well aware, a significant number of my constituents in Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu work for the Government of Nunavut.
Last week, the minister was asked for an update on the status of the GN’s collective bargaining with the Nunavut Employees Union. At that time, the minister indicated that the government and the union may be going to mediation.
For the benefit of Nunavummiut who are watching our televised proceedings today, could the minister provide a brief but clear explanation of the difference between “mediation” and “arbitration”?
I don’t even like talking about collective bargaining in a public setting.
I’m not at the bargaining table, but this is just one of those things where either party can apply to have an independent mediator sit down with the two parties and see if we can work out an amicable agreement to certain terms and conditions.
I didn’t hear a very good definition for “arbitration,” but I’ll go on to my next question.
Last year, we went through a difficult time when workers at the Qulliq Energy Corporation went on strike, following what I recall were unsuccessful attempts at mediation.
I do recognize that the strike was ultimately resolved, but many of my constituents have told me that we should not be in those situations to begin with.
For the benefit of Nunavummiut who are watching on TV and are listening on the radio, can the minister provide a brief but clear explanation as to why we do not have a system of binding arbitration here in Nunavut?
I can’t provide a clear and concise explanation.
Is the minister open to reconsidering this issue?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my first answer, I don’t even like talking about collective bargaining in a public venue. We have the Qulliq Energy Corporation we settled last summer.
Currently, we have the Government of Nunavut employees who are in negotiations now and we’ve got the Nunavut Teachers Association coming up.
I really don’t want to jump in and start talking about collective bargaining or whether we will consider this or consider that. It’s just something I don’t want to talk about here in a public venue.
Question 289 – 4(3): Funding for Arena Upgrades and Repairs (Mikkungwak)
As the minister will recall, Baker Lake’s mayor, Joedee Joedee, addressed a letter to the minister on February 25, 2016 concerning the municipal council’s request for funding to install thermosiphons in the community’s arena.
Can the minister indicate if he has sent a formal reply to this correspondence as of today?
Yes, a reply was sent.
Earlier during this sitting, my colleague, the Member for Hudson Bay, asked the minister a number of questions concerning the government’s recent announcement that Nunavut will be receiving funding under the New Building Canada Fund’s Small Capital Fund for a number of projects, including a project involving community arena repairs and upgrades.
In response, the minister indicated that specific arena repairs and upgrades would be determined according to community requests.
Can the minister describe the specific steps that a municipality must take to formally request approval for projects under this funding?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Savikataaq.
As I said in that statement, we said that this is from small community funds for arena upgrades and we have budgets.
We’re hoping to do nine, but it depends on the work that has to be done on each arena.
We haven’t formalized which communities will get the upgrades and renovations yet, but there will be grading criteria. As in all projects, safety ranks high up in the reason for renovations.
There will be an application and a proposal process that will have to be done.
Each project for each community will be judged on its own merit and there will be a criteria rating system.
We know that there will be more requests than the funds will allow for. We are hoping it will be the neediest communities, but some communities will get the funding. I can tell the member right now that the requests will certainly outweigh the demand.
As the minister is aware, many communities in the territory can benefit from receiving funding to repair and upgrade community arenas.
Can the minister explain how his department will prioritize which communities will receive this funding for arena repairs and upgrades?
Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I just told the member, there will be rating criteria and one of the highest criteria in any project is always safety.
If there is a safety concern in any facility, then that rates higher than aesthetics, just the way it looks.
Each proposal will be judged on its own merit. Like I just informed the member, safety will be very high on the rating criteria and aesthetics will be lower.
I can’t give the members the exact rating criteria right now, but safety will be on top of the list.
Question 290 – 4(3): Government Presence in Non-decentralized Communities (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, I worked very hard for a long time as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in my first term and this term.
The smaller communities in Nunavut have no jobs available, especially with no government decentralization.
That being the case, jobs are very difficult to come by in the smaller communities.
I have asked this question before more than once. Does the government have any vision, as a government with two more years in their term, on how government can have capital projects that can create jobs in the smaller communities?
Does our government not have anything in the future for these kinds of projects?
I also thank the Member for Aivilik for asking me about this issue. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated in the past, we do have corporations that try to assist non-decentralized communities, the smaller communities in the arts and crafts and other projects that the communities are hoping to do within their own communities.
One of the corporations we do have is the Nunavut Development Corporation.
I know that we can’t assist some of these smaller communities in better ways and again, when it comes to capital infrastructure building, it’s based on a five-year capital plan.
For the most part, although we are aware of some of these economic deficiencies in the smaller communities, it’s very difficult at times to get more employment into the smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, there are opportunities for the smaller communities to create projects through their economic development officers that the hamlets have.
Mr. Speaker, again, with requests from these smaller communities in whatever project that they may want to be assisted in, we do have Economic Development and Transportation that has many programs, including CanNor, that can assist small communities as per their applications or even proposals of what projects they may want to do in their smaller communities.
I keep hearing that issue in all the responses to date that he mentioned. However, what I want to state here and I want to be clearly understood that when you live in a smaller community, economic development opportunities don’t exist at all.
With the lack of job opportunities exacerbating this in our smaller communities, the economic programs offered through the CEDO rarely get off the ground. In smaller communities, the majority of residents have no job prospects.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to make the following statement. We heard an announcement earlier about the lack of addictions programs within Nunavut.
With that kind of basic need, does this government have any visions or plans for creating such a facility?
Mr. Speaker, in the Department of Health, there’s action taking place to try to come up with a strategy that’s in place and come up with action items to ensure that these facilities that Nunavummiut want are looked at very carefully.
Through the departments of Health and Family Services, that work is ongoing.
The member is absolutely right, Mr. Speaker. In these smaller communities, it’s very difficult to have any kind of economic activity happening within them.
Again, as the member is absolutely right, they do have economic development officers to try to do what the community wants for economic development and employment.
Again, it’s very difficult if we do not get any indication from the communities on exactly what they want when it comes to possible economic funding both not only from this government, even from the federal government, there are many programs that are accessible.
I know that some smaller communities have accessed federal funding for youth initiatives or elders initiatives through the federal Department of Justice. There are many other programs.
Mr. Speaker, this government funds hamlets in getting economic development officers within these communities so that they can help their small communities access funds not just from this government but also from the federal government and outside sources.
Mr. Speaker, there are many programs that are out there. At times, we may have to assist our economic development officers in ensuring that they’re putting applications out there on behalf of the communities that they represent.
Let me ask the Premier this question. There is a definite need to have a treatment facility for either alcohol or drug addictions in Nunavut.
Has the government ever considered establishing such a facility?
Perhaps if the government was going to establish such a facility, they could locate it in a smaller community that is non-decentralized.
Last week, we released the action plans for suicide and mental health. Mr. Speaker, we released that document last week and within that, there are initiatives that we can look at.
Mr. Speaker, the smaller communities have to be part of this whole process and we will certainly look into how best we can serve Nunavummiut when it comes to that.
On the one hand, the member is talking about economic development and how to assist in employment.
I’m sure we could tie the two in together, but as the action items are taking place, there are still some key components that have to be included into the action plan. Of course, the smaller communities will be taken into consideration.
Mr. Speaker, the member is well aware that I have been making efforts to try to find ways to increase the economic activity within the smaller communities and that doesn’t mean we have stopped trying to find ways. We still continue to try to find ways to ensure that these smaller communities have economic means and employment within their smaller communities.
It is very difficult at times, but this government is not going to stop trying to find ways to ensure that these smaller communities are economically viable with good employment within their communities.
Question 291 – 4(3): Meeting with DEA of Cape Dorset (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, you probably recall that I asked the minister earlier on in this winter sitting about the Peter Pitseolak School schedule and the difficulties faced by the students, teachers, and the wider community to accommodate the semester schedule.
Can the minister indicate what options the department has developed and will present to the district education authority when the minister meets with them in the near future?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for that question. Education is important.
We have waited and my colleague knows that. We are going to be meeting with the district education authority in Cape Dorset on Friday or Saturday. We are trying to schedule it for one of those days, but we haven’t heard back from them yet.
I expect to hear from them though.
We don’t have anything new to report, but we have said that we are going to bring five portable classrooms to the community and that is going to proceed. That’s what I can say. In addition, there are two classrooms being used at Nunavut Arctic College by the grade 11 and 12 students, so there are those.
My colleague is aware that we were looking for other classroom spaces, but we could not find any.
We’ve had to continue with split shift classrooms and we’re going to have to stay with that system until the end of the school year.
However, at the beginning of the new school year, when the very first sealift ship comes in to Cape Dorset, the five portable classrooms will be brought in.
We expect that and the split shift schedule where they share classroom space will stop at that time.
I had also asked the minister about school attendance and whether that has changed since implementing what he called the split shift schedule this semester.
What has the attendance rate been in the last two months? I would like to know what has happened with the attendance rate.
I believe I reported on this previously.
We have been monitoring the schedules and attendance.
From the information I have received, it has not really changed. I don’t know what information my colleague has, but school has continued and students are going to school. I know that all students’ attendance is recorded and we have been keeping track of it.
We know that students are going to school and our records show that since November, the school attendance numbers haven’t really changed.
I wanted the figures or the statistics, but he probably doesn’t have them.
My final question to the minister is: can the minister indicate if the schedule where they start at 12:40 in the afternoon to 7:30 at night will be adjusted to better meet the needs of the students, teachers, and the community or if that changes, will the world end?
Firstly, I don’t want the world to end as well.
As I stated earlier, I am just waiting for the local district education authority and I know that will be discussed and we want to give them options when we meet with them.
My colleague, the member for Cape Dorset and Kimmirut, will be the first to know when the date has been set for the meeting.
I expect to hear from them and we can look at different options at our meeting in Cape Dorset with the local district education authority.
I would like to know if we can go back to Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. We are still on Oral Questions.
I don’t really understand your request.
I will go on to the next name on the list.
Question 292 – 4(3): Alternative Energy Solutions (Okalik)
Our present federal government has stated that they want to help us look for energy alternatives other than fossil fuels. I would like to know what we’re going to do along those lines.
Firstly, looking at what they have done in the NWT and Yukon, they used to get many energy subsidies and they were able to make hydro dams through the federal government, but we were too late for that in Nunavut.
That’s why the federal government really hasn’t helped us.
We can use the example of the precedents set in the Yukon and NWT to urge the federal government to help us with alternative energy programs.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. George Hickes.
Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the member bringing this issue to light, as you could say.
In ongoing discussions that I’ve had with my federal counterparts and my peers at the cabinet table, we recognize that Nunavut doesn’t have the capital capacity to do a large-scale project such as hydro development.
It is a continuing discussion that I have brought up with my federal counterparts that there has to be some recognition that Nunavut has not been able to participate in large-scale alternative energy solutions.
That being said, we also have a dire need to replace our existing infrastructure for more efficient generation plants across the territory.
We have 17 plants that are already exceeding their lifespan. We need to make sure that we have stable, reliable power for our communities in as efficient a model as possible.
That being said, I will continue to work towards dealing with not just the federal government but with other stakeholders and potential partnerships that can be explored to look at larger scale alternative energy solutions.
As the member is very much aware, this is something I have brought up myself over the years. I can assure the member this is very high on my list.
In Manitoba, I used to meet with representatives of the power line extension proponents, who want to extend their provincial hydropower lines to Nunavut. The studies related to this project are ongoing and are not quite finished. I would urge the minister to look at pushing for the completion of these studies and preparatory plans so that this project can move forward in the future.
This goes back to just recent discussions at the Hudson Bay round-table meeting that was held in Churchill in early February where they did pass a resolution to identify and source dollars to work more towards the feasibility study and to identify the path of the potential project and to help identify funding to complete such project.
Again, like I stated in my first response regarding hydro development, this is a very costly capital investment that Nunavut alone cannot do, but I can assure member again that there is a lot of will to further a project such as this to offset a lot of the carbon fuel that is being burned in the Kivalliq region.
Yes, our session will be wrapping up today and the next session is in the spring.
I would like an update on these issues in particular. It would be nice to be provided an update on this at our next session. I wonder: can that information be made available by that time?
I can assure the member that I will keep this House up to date with any potential progress and any major infrastructure development that could be used by Nunavummiut.