EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I believe, when looking at the ex-officio Hansard, the member, when we follow-up in the Hansard, as the member has indicated, the minister did admit and said yes, he agreed with the statement made by the member.
So I would ask, Mr. Speaker, on the ruling, that when we look at our Rule 19(1) that, indeed, there would be no Point of Privilege.
Speaker: Order, please.
Just bear with us for one brief second, members.
I would like to thank the minister for his clarification.
I will take the question of the Point of Privilege to my office and I will return to the members after a review.
We will now go back to the Orders of the Day. Item 2. Ministers’ Statements.
Minister responsible for Finance, Minister Tapardjuk.
Minister’s Statement 193 – 2(4): Nunavut Household Allowance - Update (Tapardjuk)
In my Budget Address, I announced a new housing allowance for members of the public service.
I am pleased to provide an update to members on the success of this allowance.
As of the middle of May, we have 572 households receiving the allowance.
I believe that this program is an important way that we are recognizing employees who are making a commitment to our territory by supporting a strong private sector housing market.
Mr. Speaker, most applicants received their first allowance payment at the beginning of April, the first month that it was available.
I am sure that you will join me in thanking my staff at the Department of Finance for their hard work in rolling out this allowance.
I woud like to note to our visitors in the Gallery, (interpretation ends) just a notice to our visitors, headsets are available outside of the Chambers if you want to listen to proceedings in the House.
(interpretation) Item 2. Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 194 – 2(4): Coastal Resource Inventory Continues to Develop (Akesuk)
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the development of a Community-based Coastal Resource Inventory for Nunavut.
A pilot project, supported by my department has now been completed in the community of Igloolik. Additional support for this project was provided by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
Coastal Resource Inventories involve collecting information on the species found in and around Nunavut waters and how they are used.
This information is mapped to assist in resource development, management and conservation.
Data is collected from community interviews, reports, research and maps, and integrates Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and science.
Inventories of coastal resources allow government and communities to better understand and plan for coastal activities.
Nunavut is lacking in this type of data and it was identified as a need in the 2005 Nunavut Fisheries Strategy.
To date, feedback on this project has been very positive and next month, department staff are returning to Igloolik to present final results back to the community. We will be expanding this program to additional communities in the years ahead.
Member’s Statement 468 – 2(4): Congratulations to John Hickes (Simailak)
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say hello to my constituents in Baker Lake, especially my father, who had his birthday last weekend and he is now 76 years old.
Thank you, my colleagues. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a well-known Kivalliq resident, John Hickes, for being named Nunavut’s Businessperson of the Year.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Business Achievement Awards were announced last month at the 2008 Nunavut Trades Show.
Nominations for these awards were sought from across the territory. This award was for an individual who has achieved something out of the ordinary during 2007 and who has a positive influence in the business community.
Mr. Speaker, John Hickes needs little introduction to Members of this House.
His entrepreneurial spirit is legendary in the Kivalliq, as is his dedication to public service.
John is the former President of the Nunavut Development Corporation, whose Baker Lake subsidiary, Jesse Oonark Limited, is an important part of the Baker Lake community and economy.
I have known John for many years and I can attest to his strength of character and passion for success.
His vision of his community and Nunavut as a whole is one based on healthy and prosperous communities, shared success, and meeting the challenges of tomorrow.
So, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all the employees of the Jesse Oonark Centre in Baker Lake, I ask all members to join me in congratulating John Hickes on his achievement. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 469 – 2(4): Concerns Regarding the Rising Cost of Fuel (Alagalak)
I rise today to express my constituents’ concern over the continual increase over the last few years in the price of fuel.
Mr. Speaker, every day, our people see through the media that fuel prices are rising around the globe.
Private homeowners are becoming very worried. Many doubt that they will have enough resources to keep their houses warm in the months to come.
Mr. Speaker, this concern is especially high among those people who have limited incomes.
They have already been struggling in the past few years to buy enough fuel for their houses and they know that it will not be any easier this coming winter.
Mr. Speaker, I know that the government does provide support such as the elders’ fuel subsidy program. However, many homeowners are not elders and they will not qualify for assistance under these programs.
Mr. Speaker, a lot of people in Arviat are not elders and own their own homes, so they have to pay for fuel costs themselves and this is causing financial hardships for them.
Mr. Speaker, this government needs to find alternative ways to heat homes. There are a number of possible ideas out there.
For example, we can use firewood or coal from within Nunavut. There are others forms of energy besides oil that this government can explore, identify, and utilize.
Members’ Statements. Member for Kugluktuk Mr. Evyagotailak.
My questions are for the Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs...
Speaker (interpretation): I’m sorry, Member Evyagotailak. As soon as we get to the appropriate item in the agenda, I’ll let you ask your question.
Member’s Statement 470 – 2(4): Impact of Rising World Oil Prices on Small Nunavut Communities (Kattuk)
I would like to say Happy Birthday to the people in Sanikiluaq who are celebrating their birthdays with me today.
Mr. Speaker, I have served as a Minister for Petroleum Products and every morning when I wake up, I am grateful that I am not Minister for Petroleum Products anymore.
Mr. Speaker, the rising prices of oil is of great concern worldwide and the rising cost of gasoline and fuel is also of concern for my constituents as this government is tasked with having to purchase fuel.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I know that the government has three basic choices when this happens - we can either raise prices that the consumers pay, keep the prices the same and cut funding for other government programs, or hope for additional assistance from the federal government.
I know that these choices are difficult.
Mr. Speaker, people in the smaller communities need to be given clear information from the government on this issue, explaining the reasons how and why the government makes its decisions. I also want to say that the government needs to look very closely at fuel prices.
In my community of Sanikiluaq, not many people drive large trucks or cars, they use snowmobiles and ATVs for hunting.
I think we need to look very carefully at whether we should be subsidizing the price of gas for large trucks.
After all, we hear that these machines are contributing to global warming.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Member Kattuk. Member for Cambridge Bay, Member Peterson.
Member’s Statement 471 – 2(4): National Tourism Week (Peterson)
I rise today to inform the House that June 2 to 8 of this year is National Tourism Week in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, I had the privilege of visiting your community of Pangnirtung last weekend. During my all too brief time in the community, I was awestruck by the beauty of the fiords, the majesty of the mountains, and the warmth of your constituents.
I recommend a visit to Pangnirtung to everyone.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has many natural wonders that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet.
Our land, waters, and wildlife are among world-class destinations and attractions.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this opportunity to inform the House that the Bathurst Inlet Lodge was recently listed in the Fodor’s Green Travel Guide as one of the top 100 resorts around the world.
This is a tremendous achievement for them.
Mr. Speaker, the tourism sector in Canada is a $70 billion a year industry.
In Nunavut, it is estimated that tourism contributes around $30 million annually to our economy and creates a significant number of local jobs.
Mr. Speaker, our tourism industry association, Nunavut Tourism, promotes all of our communities in the global market and provides support services to tourist business in Nunavut.
It does so with limited resources and must compete with 12 other well financed provincial and territorial tourist associations to attract business to our territory.
It is a daunting challenge and they need the full support of our government.
Mr. Speaker, in the Economic Development and Transportation’s 2008-09 Main Estimates, the core funded organization, Nunavut Tourism, disappeared without a trace. The Nunavut Economic Forum, the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation, the Nunavut Economic Development Association, and the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association all remained clearly identified in the main estimates.
Nunavut Tourism, however, was replaced with the Tourism Development program.
Mr. Speaker, in its previous years’ main estimates, Economic Development and Transportation clearly identified Nunavut Tourism as being the recipient organization for the department’s $2,175,000 in annual funding.
Mr. Speaker, this change is worrisome. It implies that the Government of Nunavut does not support Nunavut Tourism as a core funded organization.
It suggests that the government may be looking at redirecting its tourism funding. It is important that all our core funded organizations receive strong government support.
Mr. Peterson: In the situation with Nunavut Tourism, we must fully support them to compete in the national and international stages to promote Nunavut’s tourist destinations.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that a strong Nunavut tourism sector will help us to weather the days when other sectors of our economy are experiencing downturns.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have some questions for the minister.
Member’s Statement 472 – 2(4): Inaugural Meeting of the Kitikmeot Chamber of Commerce (Aglukkaq)
Before I start with my Member’s Statement, I would like to wish my good friend, Jean Kusugak of Rankin Inlet, a Happy Birthday today. (interpretation) Jean, if you are listening, I send my love and best wishes today.
(interpretation ends) My Member’s Statement relates to the inaugural meeting of the Kitikmeot Chamber of Commerce.
I would like to offer my congratulations to the members that participated in a conference that was held in Gjoa Haven to re-establish the Kitikmeot Chamber of Commerce earlier this spring and members like Wilfred Wilcox, Christine Lyall, Gee Kakiarniut, and Mary Qayaqsaq were participating in the meetings, amongst other people.
I was honoured to be at their meeting for a brief discussion with them just to stress the importance of forming collectively on issues that affect the private industry in the Kitikmeot, particularly when it comes to the impacts of decisions and the global issues that we deal with around the impact that it has in the private industry.
One good example is the cost of fuel in the north, and the impact that has on the private industry and the construction industry, and so on.
I would like to just offer my congratulations to the founding members to re-establish the chamber of commerce again for the Kitikmeot. From what I understand, this group will also be joining the Nunavut Chamber of Commerce, forming, for the first time ever, a Nunavut-based chamber of commerce.
So my congratulations go to all the individuals that have worked very hard over the last year or so on this initiative. At the same time, I would also like to thank the Baffin Chamber of Commerce for their support as well in forming this group.
Return to Oral Question 586 – 2(4): Suspension of a Government of Nunavut Employee for Pre-employment Criminal Charge (Barnabas)
A question was asked by Mr. Keith Peterson on Friday, May 30, 2008. (interpretation ends) I’m responding to the question raised by Mr. Peterson in the Legislative Assembly on May 30, 2008, regarding the suspension of a Government of Nunavut employee for a pre-employment criminal charge.
The following outlines the criteria used when a Government of Nunavut employee has been charged with a criminal offence. Firstly, the individual circumstances of the case are reviewed to determine the cause to discipline and whether the employee will be put on leave with or without pay pending investigation of the matter.
Factors considered include:
Length of employment;
Type of charge(s);
Condition of employment set on hire;
Type of employment (i.e. position of trust).
When the criminal offence is not directly related to employment with the Government of Nunavut, the case is reviewed to determine if there is a relationship between the charge and the employee’s employment with the Government of Nunavut.
As each case is considered individually, there is no Government of Nunavut-wide policy governing this issue.
However, the process used by the Department of Human Resources to review and evaluate situations as they arise is applied consistently.
The Department of Human Resources intends to document this process and include it as policy in its Human Resource Manual.
If there are none, Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Thank you.
I don’t think there are any, but... Someone is raising their hand. Premier Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are fortunate enough to have visitors, among who is our MP, Nancy Karetak-Lindell, is here. Welcome to her.
I would also like to welcome her committee member colleagues and their staff as they are here to seek what more economic development initiatives are needed with the cooperation of the federal government.
I will be meeting with them tonight.
I welcome all of you to the Gallery.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Premier. Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation) Item 6. Oral Questions.
Question 588 – 2(4): Contracting Process for Medical Travel Contract (Tootoo)
I know there have been a lot of questions raised in regard to the RFP and the contract that was awarded for medical travel.
Everyone seems to say it was the Department of Community and Government Services that did it all, so I would just like to ask the minister if she could walk us through the process her department used in advertising, receiving the award, opening the bids, evaluation, and the decision on it.
I thank my colleague for his question. (interpretation ends) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The role of CG&S’ Procurement Department is to ensure an open and fair contracting and procurement process is followed.
At any given time and in any give RFP process, the issuing body, in this case, the GN has a duty to be fair to all the proponents.
The courts have upheld the duty of fairness consistently in many past court examples for RFP process where they contain language that allow for our process to be cancelled or any other related process.
The notification of evaluation results were sent to our proponent.
Can the minister indicate whether it’s through the review that the department did the evaluation of proposals?
Was it her department that said, “Okay, this is the one that we’re going to choose,” or did they just put forward the options for whoever to make whatever sponsoring department to make that decision?
The process that was used for the medical travel contract at the time was that we had to be sure that the RFP included an NNI application directive, which outlined how the NNI Policy worked, and there was a committee and a group of people who were together at the time to review this.
Also, there was a Cabinet presentation and Cabinet approval.
She had indicated that there was a presentation made to Cabinet.
Was it her department or her officials that gave that presentation, or was it the sponsoring department?
Yes, indeed, our department was involved and helped assist to make the presentation along with our client department, the Department of Health.
I’m just wondering if, in that presentation… I know it’s been raised by the Minister of Health a lot of times that there were perks outlined in the proposal by one of the proponents and I’m just wondering if those perks were included in the presentation that was made to Cabinet.
I do not understand “perks.”
That language is not used within our procurement and contracting, I do not understand that line.
Question 589 – 2(4): Update on Suicide Prevention Strategy (Evyagotailak)
Mr. Evyagotailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apologize for being in a rush for questions. It’s been a good weekend and I’m all energized.
I can see the persons across this House are all energized, too, and I’m quite happy.
Mr. Speaker, thank you. I would like to ask my questions to the Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
In June of last year, the government announced its new Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Last week, the Minister of Health and Social Services indicated that the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs is taking the lead on implementing this strategy.
Mr. Speaker, can the Premier provide an update on when he will be tabling the government’s implementation plan for the new Suicide Prevention Strategy?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) There has been some activity taking place, not just over the last year. The government has been active in making sure that the frontline workers get the best training possible in suicide prevention. That has taking place over the last number of years.
In addition, we have been coordinating activities as a department with other departments. And right now, we hired a coordinator to coordinate all government activities within EIA and that was at the end of May.
They will not just examine what’s taking place in Nunavut, but outside, what are the best practices available to other jurisdictions elsewhere. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Evyagotailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Premier.
Earlier this month, I had a constituency meeting in Kugluktuk. People had told me that suicide prevention is a major priority for the community.
Can the minister update me today on what plans the government has for specific suicide prevention initiatives in Kugluktuk?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I said, we will be looking to other jurisdictions as well on seeing what they have been doing and working with communities throughout Nunavut and making sure that we have the most effective plan that can be implemented for all of Nunavut.
Suicide is a Nunavut-wide problem that we have to tackle with every resource available to us. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Can the minister update this House on how the government is working with the Embrace Life Council?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Of course, we will be working with the Embrace Life Council and communities that bear the burden of the important responsibilities sometimes and carry a lot of the workload in these unfortunate cases.
So we will work with as many partners as possible because it’s a responsibility shared by all organizations and government, as well as citizens. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 590 – 2(4): Update on Baffin Bay Polar Bear Population (Arreak)
Before I proceed with my question, I would like to say hello to the people in Qikiqtarjuaq. Please live together in harmony.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Environment, even though he is right beside me.
The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board held public hearings in Pond Inlet on April 22 and 23 of this year to consider proposed modifications to the levels of the total allowable harvest for the Baffin Bay polar bear population.
The Government of Nunavut has requested that a decision be made on this matter in sufficient time for a management response to be implemented by July 1, 2008.
My question to the minister is: can the minister update the House today on whether the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board has forwarded a decision to the minister for acceptance or rejection?
Has the minister accepted or rejected their recommendation?
We have not received a recommendation from the board yet and they have deferred that issue until September 2008, but they have sent a letter outlining their reasons for the deferral to my office.
In its submission to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, the Department of Environment proposed four options. All of these options proposed reductions from the current total allowable harvest of Baffin Bay polar bears.
Can the minister clearly explain why his department believes that a reduction is necessary for the Baffin Bay population?
Yes, once we get the information from NWMB, the issue will become clearer as to which option we would look at. But at this time, I cannot explain to the member as to which option I would follow prior to receiving a submission of the decision made by the NWMB.
We will have to take into consideration all of the population estimates, as well as the recommendations made by the NWMB and by September, we will have a better idea as to which direction we are going and whether there would be a reduction in the quota or if we will keep the status quo for the total allowable harvest of polar bears in the Baffin Bay population.
The question was: can the minister clearly explain why his department believes that a reduction is necessary?
I would like the answer to that question, please.
I think it’s really up to the minister and the NWMB to decide whether we should reduce the quota up there.
And I do believe that, unless I got the proper numbers from my staff or from NWMB’s recommendation to my department, I think it’s important that I, myself, make a decision that comes from NWMB and also my staff.
If a recommendation comes in from the NWMB, I would have to think of whether to reduce or to keep it where the quotas are.
Again, we want to work very closely with the Greenland government to make sure that the population in Baffin Bay is stable for us to have those quotas and the quotas will come from... we’re waiting for the recommendation from NWMB on whether we should reduce the quota or not.
His response seems to be suggesting that there might not be a reduction in the number of bears that can be harvested in that population.
Every time we bring up the issue of the Baffin Bay population, the government keeps highlighting the Greenland effect. The issue of Greenland hunters harvesting polar bears in the Baffin Bay population continues to be a major concern. Can the minister update the House today on the status of his talks with the Greenlandic government on the issue of polar bear management?
We have been trying to make an appointment to meet with the Greenland Home Rule Government, but we still haven’t had an answer from them.
Again, it’s an international issue. We have to work closely with the federal government to try and meet with them and if we can get a meeting before we start the session again in September, we will be happy to meet with them to make sure that we have good communication between us and the Home Rule Government of Greenland to make sure that the polar bears in Nunavut and Greenland are stable in the future.
Question 591 – 2(4): Update on the Implementation of the Remainder of the Small Crafts Harbours Strategy (Arvaluk)