EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
A real honour for all those participated.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congradulate some Iqaluit residents by name coming from myself and the other 2 members from Iqaluit, Mr.Okalik and Mr.Picco.
We would like to recognize Lucassie Peter, Kyle St.Laurent, Peter Gilhuly, Nick Nauyuk, Silver Ulu winners in the 2000 meter speed skating.
Billy Atagoyuk and Jonathan Flaherty , Bronze Ulu winners in Bantam hockey.
Lucassie Peter again, a bronze Ulu winner for speed skating.
And to the coaches, officials and volunteers who accompanied their team.
Patrick Tagoona, Tommy Bruce, Mike Rafter and Danise Hutchins.
Mr.Speaker, I can name many more.
Their hard work and commitment to our youth helped to ensure the success of Team Nunavut.
Mr.Speaker, in closing I would like to say that Iqaluit is already working towards the 2002 Winter Games when the games come here.
The success in Whitehorse will build upon our confident in the next games.
We'll put on a world class show.
Speaker (interpretation) Thank you Mr.Tootoo.
Members’ Statements Mr.O'Brien.
Member’s Statement 179 - 1(3): Arctic Winter Games
Mr. McLean: I rise today to commend the young people from Baker Lake for their hardwork and sportsmenship at the recent Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse.
Trevor Atungalak, Edwin Paturmiraqtuq, Jeffery Hart, Devon Killarlark, Patrick Angujuak and their coach Brian Putankas.
And, for those that stood out at the games were Larry Nakoolak who received a gold wrestling. Jason Paturmiraqtuq, who received a silver Ulu in Airplane, and Richard Iyago who received a bronze in hockey.
And I eaggerly await the 2002 where the medal count for Baker Lake will increase.
Mattna Uqatti.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr.Mclean.
Mr.Ng.
Member’s Statement 180 - 1(3): Maya Elise Kristen Aliguknaluk Niptanatiak
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you Mr.Speaker.
Mr.Speaker on Tuesday March 14th Maya Elise Kristen Aliguknaluk Niptanatiak was born at the Stanton Regional Hospital in Yellowknife.
Maya came into the world at 11:43 pm approximately 10 weeks premature weighing in at 4 pounds 5 ounces.
Shortly after her birth, she was sent to the neonatal intensive care unit at the University Hospital in Edmonton for an extensive examination.
I am happy to report, Mr.Speaker, that baby Maya was given a complete clean Bill of health and arrived back in Yellowknife this past Monday. Once she gains enough weight she'll become the newest edition to the population in Cambridge Bay.
Mr.Speaker, members may be wondering about the significance of my newest constituent.
I'm happy to report that baby Maya is the first grandchild of Nora Kelly Niptanatiak and just as importantly the first grandchild of my wife Susie and I.
In closing, I wish to acknowledge Dr. Mansouri and the staff at the Stanton Regional Hospital for a safe delivery and also thank the doctors and nurses at the University Hospital in Edmonton who attended to baby Maya.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr.Ng.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation). Thank you Mr.Speaker.
I can hear Inuktitut and Inuinaqtun in my reciever.
I would like to get this technical problem resolved.
>>Audio Unavailable
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Irqittuq
Member’s Statement 181 - 1(3): Appreciation to People of Rankin Inlet
Member’s Statement 182 - 1(3): Temporary Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Office
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu
Member’s Statement 183 - 1(3): Tribute to Athletes in Constituency
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): …plus this could also help to improve our lives in our territory and I would also encourage young people to attend school so they can become better representatives in the future.
Then we will go back to our orders of the day.
Return to OQ 195 - 1(3) LHO Funding
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker, and if my parents are watching I am smiling at them.
I have 4 Returns to Oral Questions, Mr. Speaker.
The first return is to an oral question that was asked by Mr. Tootoo on February 22, 2000.
Mr. Speaker I rise today to provide a response to that question posed to me by Mr. Tootoo.
The member asked if my deputy minister had any plans to make a submission to reallocate funds to the local level of housing association.
Local housing organizations are formula funded.
The formula is based on objective and measurable criteria including the number of units managed by the local housing organisation's portfolio and the economic condition of the community.
This is determined by the potential revenue and the costs to operate in the particular geographic location
Mr. Speaker at the end of each fiscal year a public audit firm completes an audit to determine the financial status of each local housing organization. Until this audit is complete we cannot determine the actual financial position of the local housing organizations.
Therefore, we cannot consider reallocations of the government surplus.
(interpretation ends)As stated in the Bathurst Mandate any surplus funds obtained to improve the current housing staff would be a positive step towards addressing Nunavut's current housing situation.
Return to OQ 151 - 1(3) Price of Previous Years Fuel Purchase
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Another return to oral questions posed by Mr. McLean on February 17, 2000.
I rise today to provide a response to Mr. McLean's oral question.
The member wanted to know the price of fuel purchased last year.
Mr. Speaker the per litre price of fuel products purchased in 1998/99 and 1999/00: for 98/99 diesel was 18 cents per litre; Gasoline was 21 cents per litre; and Jet A1 was 18 cents per litre.
In 1999/00 diesel was 27 cents per litre; gasoline was 28 cents per litre; and Jet A1was 22 cents per litre.
The overall average price increase for 1999/00 was as follows diesel increase of 9 cents per litre.
Gasoline increase of 7 cents per litre and Jet A1 was up 4 cents per litre.
Return to OQ 152 - 1(3) Transportation Costs of Fuel Products
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): I rise today to answer another question posed to myself by Mr. Tootoo, on February 17, 2000.
That question was what was the transportation costs of fuel products this year over last year.
Mr. Speaker the per litre transportation costs for fuel products in 1998/99 and 1999/00 was 1998/99 diesel was18 cents.
Gasoline was 18 cents.
Jet A1 was 9 cents. 1999/00 diesel 19 cents.
Gasoline 19 cents.
Jet A1 9 cents.
Mr. Speaker, the overall average increase in per litre transportation costs for fuel products this year over last year; diesel was 1 cent, gasoline was 1 cent and Jet A1 was no change.
Return to OQ 160 - 1(3) Fuel Purchase Process
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): There was another question asked by Mr. Tootoo on February 17, 2000.
Mr. Speaker I rise today to provide a response to the question posed to me.
The member wanted to know what process is used when there is purchases for petroleum products for Nunavut.
PPD has signed a 3 year contract with NTCL to purchase and transport fuel for Nunavut.
This contract expires on October 15, 2001, with a renewal option for a further 2 years.
The transportation costs will remain fixed for the duration of the contract.
Product purchases are based on the Imperial Oil Ltd./ Esso's posting as published in Bloomberg's Oil Buyers Guide for Canadian rate pricing, basing Edmonton as the point of delivery.
Return to OQ 248 - 1(3) Income Support Program
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to reply to the question that was asked by Mr. Iqaqrialu, the MLA for Clyde River, on February 28, 2000.
Regarding to the Income Support Program, the Income Support Program operates on the principals that we need to provide financial support to those individuals in need.
Also, we need to encourage as many people as possible to maintain and enhance their independence.
The main way that income support clients maintain and enhance their independence is through productive choices.
There are three types of productive choices for income support clients where safety and worker injuries could be involved.
Those three types are where the client is enrolled in secondary or post secondary training program including work experience.
The client is engaged in hunting, fishing or trapping as their major source of income.
Also, the third one is if the client is doing volunteer work for an agency or institution in the community.
In the specific interest of volunteer work we understand each agency or institution the volunteer works with is responsible for applying to the Worker's Compensation Board to cover this type of unpaid worker.
An information bulletin in English and Inuktitut has been sent to our regional offices for distribution to income support workers.
We have already distributed to the income support workers and the workers have been advised to verify whether the volunteer agencies have applied for coverage to the Worker's Compensation Board.
As income support clients are not employees of the program.
I believe the other aspects of the question can be better dealt with the minister responsible for the Worker's Compensation Board.
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you, first of all I would like to welcome to the gallery an old family friend and adult educator, Ms. Maureen Doherty and the lady sitting beside her that is up here conducting workshops for Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Speaker, during the earlier break when we had those technical difficulties we had a very honoured guest in the gallery and I would like to put the recognition on the record.
It was Noel Noric is the president of the Northern Social Workers Association, which includes Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
This is the first time she has come to Nunavut and I had an opportunity to talk with her.
Also, over here is Mr. Jerry Ell who I usually try to recognize when he is in the gallery.
This is the guy I need to beat during Toonik Tyme at the ptarmigan and rabbit contest.
I can't beat him at the seal hunting contest but I think I will beat him at the others this year.
Next to Jerry is Gilbert Normandeau the Chairperson of the Arctic Winter Games 2002.
I also cannot forget Mr. Robert Stanbury.
Mr. Stanbury is a long serving public servant and a lawyer that served with me for five years on the Nunavut Arbitration Board.
Another role he has been performing is a former federal cabinet minister and a good friend Mr. Robert Stanbury.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you and welcome to the legislative assembly.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize some individuals that were in Whitehorse at the Arctic Winter Games with me, Mr. Jerry Ell, Mr. Gilbert Normandeau.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker I rise today to recognize my constituency worker George.
I would like to welcome him to the house.
I don't mind having many staff because I would like to create many job opportunities for Nunavummiut.
So I'm very proud of the fact that he arrived here to attend this session, and I would like to welcome him and also be proud of him.
Item number 5 in our orders of the day.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a person from my home community.
Last year he started taking on the healing program and this winter he did a healing program for 2 weeks and he is now visiting the communities of Nunavut to talk about suicide prevention.
He is supposed to be going home but he has been asked to go to another community in the Kitikmeot.
Also I would like to recognize another person from Pond Inlet.
He is the chairperson of the Divisional Education Council David Kunuk.
Welcome to the legislative assembly.
Mr. McLean: I rise today to recognize a respected elder of Baker Lake, Lucy Tuupik Iyago and her son formerly a resident of Baker Lake and now of Iqaluit Steven Iyago and former resident of Rankin Inlet Emily Illniq.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. McLean welcome.
Recognition of visitors to the assembly.
Although that person was already recognized I would like to recognize her again.
She was the chairperson of the Education Council in Rankin Inlet before she moved to Iqaluit.
She is a hard worker and I'm very proud of her.
Her name is Emily Illniq and I would like her to be recognized again.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome again.
Although this person has already been recognized I worked with him for quite a number of years and although he came from a different community we took workshops and training courses together.
At the same time he was a constituent worker for Mr. Iqaqrialu, George.
Speaker (interpretation): welcome again the legislative assembly.
Question 257 - 1(3): Office Space for Decentralization
My question, I'm not sure if it should be directed to the Premier or the Minister for Education.
About three weeks ago I posed some questions to the Premier I believe in reference to the decentralization of Arctic College jobs to my community of Arviat.
There was concern that there wasn't enough office space available to accommodate these thirteen positions and that it may take somewhat longer to provide that office space.
Mr. Speaker the following day the mayor and hamlet council forwarded a letter to the premier and the minister of education indicating that they did indeed find eighteen office spaces that could be available to accommodate these decentralised jobs.
I would like to ask the minister or the Premier about this letter they received about three weeks ago and if there is any progress in this area.
Hon. James Arvaluk: As the member knows the department is committed to decentralization of all activities.
Cabinet has decided that Nunavut Arctic College would change location from Rankin to Arviat in support of the cabinet restructured decentralisation plan.
The exact details on the Nunavut Arctic College move to Arviat is still with cabinet and the department cannot and should not comment until cabinet releases this information publicly.
Over 50% of all Education headquarters positions are to be located outside of Iqaluit.
Yes, the Government of Nunavut is planning to decentralize employees this year.
Until the budgets are approved no final decision as to numbers and destination is practical.
We have committed to some but other places we are still working on.
I am not opposed to a letter from the Mayor, it is just that I will need cabinet approval for a final decision as to when and to what type of accommodation or office space is available.
As soon as those are available I am confident that the government will be making a decision soon.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Minister, Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Speaker, I am certainly not questioning the commitment on behalf of the government.
I think we have all heard in this House both the Premier and the Minister of Education make very firm commitments to decentralising positions to my home community.
I am sure the Ministers can understand that there is some interest as to when these jobs will be decentralized.
There was commitment by the Premier in the House this past February that if there was office space available then there would be no difficulty in reassigning these jobs, or transferring these jobs to Arviat.
So I would ask the Minister if he could confirm when, a timetable when the people might expect an answer as to your decision on the timing of these decentralized jobs.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Mr. Speaker, I just told the member already that we are working on this.
We have stated that it will be in 2001 for mainly two reasons.
One, because the office space was designed for work stations, when the Department of Education’s 30 positions that were to accommodate the floor of that office, required a resource centre, that took away quite a bit of space for work stations for 11 – 13 PY’s.
That has to be confirmed by Arctic College.
It has been committed to Arviat, it is just that we have not yet determined what kind of office space or workstations will be available in Arviat.
The letter from the Mayor in support of the member is one of the considerations that this government will be looking at.
We are looking at different options as to what is the best and cheapest way possible that we will be able to transfer the Arctic College to Arviat.
Secondly, we also have to consider that the employees effected are the people of the community of Iqaluit and they have their families here, they have property here, all these specifics have to be dealt with before the government can say exactly when the decentralization will take place.
But I can assure the members that we have already committed within the year 2001 and this is our timetable.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Minister Arvaluk.
Member for Arviat, Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker, I seem to be getting some conflicting responses to my question.
I raised this issue in the House in February in reference to the timing of the transferring of these positions.
I raised the issue many, many months ago and had the Minister of Education confirm in this House that these 13 positions would be in place in Arviat by July 1st, 2000.
I since then heard that there were some difficulties in securing office space and it was not available.
I posed the question in February to the Premier and the Premier indicated to me that if office space were available it shouldn’t be a problem in relocating these positions to Arviat.
Now the Minister is indicating that it will be in the year 2001.
Mr. Speaker, I am trying to get a clear-cut answer to this question that I am posing here.
The issue is very important to the people of Arviat.
It was committed in this House in February by the Premier on behalf of the Department of Education that if office space were indeed to be found that there shouldn’t be any difficulty in moving these positions.
So I ask the minister once again, the fact that the office space is available, can be available, will the minister move quickly when this office space is refurbished or made to accommodate these staff, would he then put these positions in Arviat as was committed by both himself and the Premier and this government.
We had a plan for July 2000, the member is correct.
I indicated earlier, because of the office space situation we realized that we would not have a space in the designated office that was built for workstations because there was a resource centre requirement for the Department of Education.
It becomes a problem in trying to move in July 2000.
I asked the government if I could have a little bit more time until I work with Public Works, Decentralization Secretariat and the Department of Education to determine what would be the best space available.
The government responded and instructed me not to go beyond December 2001.
If we can move earlier that will be great, I am not telling the member that our plan is now 2001 but the plan is up to this time.
I hope I will need less than that but any kind of consideration for alternate office space to accommodate Arctic College will be considered by this government seriously.
Of course, because this building would be owned by the government, then evaluations have to be done by the government before we can make the decision as to when and where we can move the Arctic College.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Arvaluk. Member for Arviat, Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t hesitate for a minute to say to the minister that I do understand and I believe that the commitment is there.
I think that was made very clear by the minister and the Premier.
But on the other hand there was a commitment made to myself by the minister and his office, also in this House and also by the Premier that the problem was office space.
That’s the issue here.
We have now provided an option for office space, so to me I think it is very simple.
That was the issue, you have confirmed that was the issue in February in the House in Rankin Inlet.
We have now come forward with an option that is viable.
So I suggest to the Minister that there shouldn’t be any difficulty or roadblocks in transferring these positions.
I am not sure how many are coming from this area, how many are moving from the east, I don’t think all the positions are transfers from other areas.
So I would ask the minister once again is he going to honour his commitment that he has made to me and also that the Premier made in the House, that if the office space were found, that the jobs would be transferred as soon as possible.
We have been in discussion with Public Works.
I have not yet been advised about the recommendations that have been made about the accommodations that we will be moving in to.
That is being analyzed by the people over there.
As soon as we receive the letter from Arviat, I will ultimately have to discuss it with Cabinet when the recommendation has been given to me by the department.
So I would advise the member to give me more time to give the recommendation to Public Works and the Department of Education and I will have a paper prepared to go to the Cabinet and I will advise the member.
Member for Baker Lake.
Question 258 - 1(3): Decentralization Plans to Baker Lake
Mr. Speaker, the office building in Baker Lake is going to be completed on April 4th with the grand opening and it is eagerly awaited.
My question today is to the Minister of Education in regards to the Education decentralization plans for Baker Lake.
Could the minister inform me when they expect to hire the Manager of Library Policy for Baker Lake.
Minister for Education, Mr. Arvaluk.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Yes, Mr. Speaker. We have advertised this and we had the interviews and the person changed their mind and we will be proceeding with that again, hopefully we’ll get it done soon.
I don’t know what is taking place right now but I have instructed my staff to do this again and hopefully that will happen and we will interview another person for hiring to that position.
Member for Baker Lake, Mr. McLean.
Eventually, Mr. Speaker, we will find somebody that will wish to relocate.
My supplementary question to the minister is, does the minister have any kind of training program planned for the remaining four positions for the Nunavut Library and if he has, when is he going to implement this training program.
I cannot really answer the question until the budget address has been made.
Member for Pond Inlet, Mr. Nutarak.
Question 259 - 1(3): Decentralization to Pond Inlet
I read in the Nunatsiaq Newspaper that in Pond Inlet if we were to move some positions to communities it would be too costly.
I took it that this particular person didn’t want to move to Pond Inlet.
Somebody will have to relocate to my community.
I am just wondering if we could get some kind of training program in place for those people in my community.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Mr. Speaker, we have made a commitment to decentralization and the internal operations as to who will move and who will not move has not been finalized, except for the Divisional Board.
If the member is talking about the Divisional Board that has been finalized but for the other positions respecting about the money matter that will also have to wait until the budget is read.
I think it was last fall when I questioned the Minister of Public Works to see if they were going to have teacher training programs in Pond Inlet and she indicated that there would be a training program set up in Pond Inlet.
However I want to ask the Minister of Education if he would commit to setting up a training program, whether we have the funding as yet.
First of all I apologize, I was being questioned in English earlier and I responded in English again.
However, I want to indicate that all the positions that will be relocated to communities will be given great consideration, however I cannot represent the Minister for Public Works in saying whether there is going to be space for training in communities such as the one we are talking about.
The Human Resources Department also has taken a part in this relocation of positions.
Mr. Irqittuq, Member for Amittuq.
Question 260 - 1(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Training
I guess we have to be really looking at our time here.
During out last session in Rankin Inlet, I asked the Minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth whether they are planning to do a training program on the traditional way of life and survivors skills.