EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Bill 9 - An Act to Facilitate the Transfer of Employees from the Northwest Territories Power Corporation to the Nunavut Power Corporation
I am pleased to conclude the Fourth session of the First Legislative Assembly.
The Fifth session of the Legislative Assembly will commence on February 21, 2001.
At this time I wish all of you a joyous holiday as we approach the Christmas season.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Commissioner.
Orders of the Day for Wednesday February 21, 2001;
This House stands adjourned until Wednesday February 21, 2001 at 1.30.
I wish you all a safe trip back home and hope to see you again.
>>House adjourned at 4.17 p.m.
5th Session  1st Assembly
Wednesday February 21, 2001
Pages 1 - 33
Premier; Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs;
Minister of Education  Hon. Jack Anawak
Minister of Community Government and Transportation
Minister Responsible for Nunavut Housing Corporation; Minister of Public Works and Services
Rebecca Williams
(Quttiktuq)  Officers
Simon Sigyareak  Hansard Production
Opening Prayer 4
Commissioner’s Opening Address 4
Ministers’ Statements 4
Members’ Statements 4
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4
Oral Questions 4
Petitions 4
Orders of the Day 4
Wednesday February 21, 2001 4
001 - 1(5): Minister Absent from the House (Okalik) 4
002 - 1(5): Welcoming New Member (Okalik) 4
003 – 1(5): Suicide Prevention Campaign Launched (Picco) 4
004 – 1(5): Interdepartmental Meeting on Suicide Prevention (Kilabuk) 4
001 – 1(5): Quttiktuq Constituency Concerns & Issues (Williams) 4
002 – 1(5): Health Professionals & Need for Facilities (Havioyak) 4
003– 1(5): Former & New Quttiktuq Members (Iqaqrialu) 4
004 – 1(5): Tribute to Judas Ullulaq & Final Carving (Puqiqnak) 4
005 - 1(5): Budget Deliberation & Nunavut Needs (Tootoo) 4
006 – 1(4): Meeting Nunavummiut' Expectations (Anawak) 4
007 – 1(5): Nanook School Volunteers & Education Council (Picco) 4
008 – 1(5): Polar Bear Cup Hockey Tournament (Thompson) 4
001 - 1(5): Update on the Education Act Review (Tootoo) 4
002 - 1(5): Status of Regional Health Centres (Havioyak) 4
003 – 1(5): Training for Homeowners (Williams) 4
004 – 1(5): Assistance for DEAs During Education Act Review (Tootoo) 4
005 – 1(5): New Aircraft Required (Puqiqnak) 4
006 - 1(5): Update on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee (Williams) 4
007 - 1(5): Income Support Regulations (Alakannuark) 4
008 - 1(5): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee Membership (Irqittuq) 4
009 - 1(5): Update on Number of NDAP Clients (Tootoo) 4
001 - 1(5): Gjoa Haven Time Zone (Puqiqnak) 4
Wednesday February 21, 2001  Nunavut Hansard
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Honourable Jack Anawak, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
Speaker (Mr. O'Brien): I would like to call on Bishop Idlout to say the opening prayer.
Speaker: Thank you, Bishop.
Please remain standing. I’d like to ask the Aqsarniit Middle School Choir to sing the national anthem.
>>National anthem.
Speaker: I would like to thank the choir for their fine work and also Ms. Inuapik Sagiaktuk for lighting of the Kudlik.
Before we get started I would like to welcome the Premier back to the House and all the members, it’s been a while since we sat around in this chamber together.
You’ll notice that there are a number of new prints that are hanging in the foyer.
These prints are from the 2000 Germaine Arnatauyak collection, you’ll notice them in the great hall.
The Legislative Assembly of Nunavut is very fortunate to have the opportunity to be the first location to display this collection.
You’ll also notice the sculpture to my right, this was the very last piece carved by Judas Ullulaq, a very famous carver from Gjoa Haven who passed away in 1999.
I would like to thank Uriash Puqiqnak and the Mayor of Gjoa Haven, Joseph Aglukkaq, for making it possible for us to have this carving displayed here on a temporary basis.
Finally, on behalf of the entire Assembly, I’d like to pass on our best wishes to Simon Nattaq, our first Sergeant-At-Arms, who is currently recovering after an incident on the land.
We wish him speedy recovery.
Moving on to Item 2.
Mr. Clerk, can you ascertain if the Commissioner is prepared to enter the chambers.
>>Commissioner Irniq enters the chambers.
Item 2: Commissioner’s Opening Address
Commissioner Irniq (interpretation): Elders, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Premier, MLAs and invited guests.
I am pleased to welcome you to the opening of the Fifth Session of the First Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
This brief opening address lays out the agenda of this sitting and details of some of the items members will be addressing in the sitting. (interpretation ends) As we open the session, together we approach the conclusion of our 2nd year as a government.
Today, members of this Assembly will resume the public dialogue surrounding the Government of Nunavut.
Continuing this dialogue and bringing forward the views and opinions of Nunavummiut, thus ensuring a broad and active participation in government.
Members will see Nunavut’s first set of public accounts presenting our fiscal performance in 1999-2000.
(interpretation) The Assembly will also see tabled the first report of Maliganik Qimirujiit, who have been given the task of reviewing the laws inherited when our territory came into existence.
They were also mandated to identify those laws that may be inconsistent with community needs and our traditional ways.
Members will also take on the task of addressing the 10-year review of the Official Languages Act.
(interpretation ends) Six months into the life of Nunavut our government laid out a clear statement and vision through the Bathurst Mandate as to its goals and directions.
In the past 16 months, our Government, through a range of activities has worked to realize those goals and in doing so has obtained a clearer picture of our strengths and the challenges we face in realizing those goals.
After almost two years, members, ministers, and departments have an enhanced understanding of both the scope of their mandates and the resources available.
There is a fuller understanding of the costs of running a government and of providing services to our citizens using actual figures, which were not available two years ago.
(interpretation) During this sitting, the Minister of Finance will be presenting our Government’s budget for the fiscal year 2001/2002.
He will also be addressing the financial prospects of Nunavut and the allocation of resources available to meet the diverse needs of our people.
(interpretation ends) Members of this Assembly will be active participants in this process.
The ongoing debates and discussions that surround the budget are the key elements in determining the allocation of public moneys and the effective operation of government programs and services.
(interpretation) In the coming months the financial and program experience gathered in the first two years of Nunavut operations will be examined.
The integrity of our programs and expenditures will be tested against the expressed concerns of this Assembly and the people of Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Through a process of program review, this review will bring together our stated priorities with the financial and programs experience of our first years.
Our goal will be to use this knowledge to effectively reshape our institutions and activities to better respond to the needs of Nunavummiut.
(interpretation) During this session, members will be asked to review and consider a number of Acts.
Our government will be introducing the Appropriations Act 2001/2002; the Supplementary Appropriations Act No. 2, 2000/2001 and the Loan Authorization Act 2001/2002.
As well, there will be government Bills to create a “Utility Rate Review Council” and to amend the Nunavut Power Utility Act consistent with the transfer of electrical generating responsibility to the Nunavut Power Corporation on April 1 of this year.
I recommend a timely passage of each these bills.
There will be House sponsored legislation to address the conflict of interest provisions of the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council Act, which reflects the members’ desire for greater openness and appropriate standards.
Following in the tradition initiated with the sitting in Rankin Inlet last year, the government anticipates sitting in Cambridge Bay.
The process of taking the lawmakers to locations across Nunavut is designed to ensure the connection to all people of Nunavut as this Assembly conducts its important business.
(interpretation ends) The spirit of inclusion and commitment to community should inform your debates in this House.
I look forward to hearing your decisions.
(interpretation) I now declare open the Fifth Session of the First Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
Following the conduct of relevent business, members and the public are invited to join the Speaker and myself in the Assembly foyer for refreshments.
Qujannamiik, Nakomik, Koana, Ma’na, Merci, Thank you.
Speaker: I would like to say thank you to Commissioner Irniq.
We are moving on to the Orders of the Day.
Minister’s Statement 001 - 1(5): Minister Absent from the House
It is nice to be back in the House and see a lot of people here.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise the House that the Honourable Kelvin Ng will be absent from the House today.
Minister’s Statement 002 - 1(5): Welcoming New Member
I would like to welcome to her first sitting of the Legislative Assembly the member for Quttiktuq – Rebekah Williams (interpretation ends)
Many of us have worked with Rebekah during her tenure with the Department of Justice and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Her commitment and vision to those positions and to the success of the government is unquestioned and I know that she will bring her considerable talents to bear in this Assembly.
(interpretation) To the people of the communities of Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, and Grise Fiord, we would like to thank them for sending us such an excellent representative and I know she will defend your interests with passion and dedication.
Minister’s Statement 003 – 1(5): Suicide Prevention Campaign Launched
Mr. Speaker may I also take this opportunity to welcome Ms. Williams to the Legislative Assembly and welcome the members back to Iqaluit, you also Mr. Speaker and your wonderful suit and tie.
Thank you Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to tell you that on February 19, the Department of Health and Social Services launched a unique suicide prevention campaign called “Strength from our Past, Strength from Each Other”.
Mr. Speaker, as Nunavummiut we have to speak up and speak out about suicide - a tragedy that touches all of us.
As a government, we have to give people the tools they need to take action against suicide.
It is only through the active participation of individuals, families and communities that we will conquer suicide in Nunavut.
Over the past year, I have informed this House of a series of community level workshops and training sessions aimed at providing the skills and techniques to help people mobilize to prevent suicide and also to support each other.
Mr. Speaker we have been able to offer training to a range of professionals and community residents all across Nunavut.
Now the department is launching this multi-media campaign as another aspect of our on-going suicide prevention work.
We designed this campaign through direct consultations, Mr. Speaker, with suicide prevention professionals, volunteers, and of course our elders, and many other community activists in Nunavut who also spoke about this idea.
These people told us that the silence must be broken and that is what the “Strength from our Past, Strength from Each Other” campaign is trying to do.
Mr. Speaker, over the next few months, Nunavummiut will be seeing and hearing messages on TV and on the radio, reading them in the newspapers, and seeing them on posters in every community.
Messages rooted in Inuit cultural values.
Messages aimed at affirming the value of every person’s life and reinforcing how precious everyone is to their family, friends, community – and to all of Nunavut.
Our people will hear and read that:
Everyone matters.
Everyone is important;
Inuit Values and Beliefs are the key to survival;
You can and will survive your problems;
There IS help;
Your family and community need you;
We all need to reach out to those at risk.
Mr. Speaker, my department hopes to continue to provide resources for this valuable suicide prevention work, to build, Mr. Speaker, on the momentum established now, and yes Mr. Speaker, to continue to provide our people with the tools they need to break the silence and take action against suicide.
Minister’s Statement 004 – 1(5): Interdepartmental Meeting on Suicide Prevention
I would like to also welcome the new member of the legislature.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform members that the Department of Education in collaboration with Minister Picco’s Department of Health and Social Services will be hosting an interdepartmental meeting this week on suicide prevention.
This meeting is to take place in Iqaluit February 20th to the 23rd.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut-wide suicide prevention meeting was introduced by two interdepartmental groups, the Children’s First Secretariat and the Interdepartmental Wellness and Community Developmental Committee.
The Meeting is designed to develop a strategic plan for the Government of Nunavut.
The Government of Nunavut is one of the lead partners of one of Health Canada’s five Centres of Excellence for Children’s Well Being.
We are working with Lakehead University on the centre whose focus is special needs of children and youth in rural, remote and Northern Canada.
The suicide prevention meeting will also include representation from the NSDC, the Federation of Nunavut Teachers and from groups who have worked in this area of suicide prevention across our territory.
Presentations will be made by members of the Crisis Line, from the past president of the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention who will share plans for another suicide conference in Nunavut and from Meeka and Abraham Arnaquq who have traveled to several communities introducing the idea of doing healing circles.
Mr. Speaker, the participants at this suicide prevention meeting will collaborate on a joint visioning process to determine what can be done that will make a difference.
The report of the meeting will be sent to each member of the legislature.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish this group well as they take on these important deliberations.
We’ll move on to Item 4.
First I’d like to recognize our newest member of the House, Rebekah Williams.
Welcome Rebekah, I’m sure you’ll have a very busy and successful term here for the next two and a half years.
Member’s Statement 001 – 1(5): Quttiktuq Constituency Concerns & Issues
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to arrive today to make my first statement in this House as the MLA for Quttiktuq.
Mr. Speaker, as the newest member of the Legislative Assembly, it will undoubtedly take me a while to master the rules and procedures of the Legislative Assembly, and I would ask for my colleagues’ indulgence if I could speak a little longer than the allotted two minutes just for today.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by conveying the gratitude of my constituency to Mr. Akesuk who made himself available during the last session for concerns and questions from the residents of Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord during the time when they had no member.
Mr. Akesuk’s efforts were much appreciated.
(interpretation ends) During the last month I have quickly developed an understanding of how challenging it is to be the only member to represent four communities in this Assembly.
I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with the residents of Arctic Bay and Resolute in the past two weeks and hear their concerns and to hear their expectations for me as their representative.
I will be speaking later in more detail about the aspirations of these communities.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to add that I have committed to the people of Grise Fiord and Nanisivik that I will meet with them in their community as soon as possible.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the members of the Standing Committees that I have joined for their genuine patience with me over the past several weeks of meetings.
I have been looking at the departments’ business plans and budgets and I have appreciated the advice of experienced members.
I would also like to thank the ministers for answering my questions during our meetings.
It doesn’t seem like so long ago they were asking me questions as a department official.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity today to list some of the priorities that I intend to focus on in this House.
These priorities reflect not only what the constituents of Quttiktuq told me during the election campaign, but issues which I care about very much.
(interpretation ends) The first thing we need to do is develop a strategy for non-decentralized communities in Nunavut.
During my time in the communities people told me that smaller communities are falling behind.
Mr. Speaker, the regional centres have experienced tremendous growth over the past three years.
(interpretation) Decentralization is providing great opprotunities in many of our other communities, but there is a very clear perception that non-decentralized communities have been forgotten.
(interpretation ends) I can assure my constituents and Members of this House that I will not forget them and that I will be vigilant in the upcoming budget process about pushing to meet the needs of the smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, the state of infrastructure in the smaller communities is a disgrace.
In Arctic Bay the building in which I was attending school is now a government office.
It was built in 1962.
Mr. Speaker, it needs to be replaced.
In fact Mr. Speaker, I believe it is older than some of the Members of this Assembly.
(interpretation) In Grise Fiord the major government office consists of trailers which were shipped up from Pangnirtung several decades ago to serve as a nursing station.
This temporary set up has experienced numerous problems over the past few years.
It is extremely expensive to maintain.
(interpretation ends) It is an investment in our young people that cannot be delayed or put off forever.
I will be pushing to see these priorities realized in the government’s Five Year Capital Plan.
Mr. Speaker, I realize that buildings alone cannot solve the problems facing our communities.
There is a need in Arctic Bay for a permanent social worker.
There is a need to provide proper care in managing the significant number of foster children that are in care brought in from other communities.
(interpretation) There is a need for drug and alcohol programs in Nunavut that help people throughout the course of the long healing journey; a healing journey that can help to address the hidden tragedy of family violence.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I have had people tell me that the increased fuel price has meant they can no longer afford their own homes and they want to return to public housing.
The direction we should be going is to reduce dependency and not to cause more of it.
Mr. Speaker, we are making good progress in the area of our own justice system reflective of and responsive to the nature of Nunavummiut, but we can we do more in the areas of providing training and support to community justice committees.
We can do more in bringing together the courts, the RCMP and the communities.
As a government, we have given important tasks to many local bodies not only in the areas of justice, but also in health and education.
We cannot assign responsibilities without also ensuring they have the tools to do what we have asked them to accomplish.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I have spoken at some length about the needs of my communities.
I recognize that each and every member here today should do the same for their communities.
The needs are so many that they can seem overwhelming at times.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I believe that we will do well if we focus on ensuring that the needs of our most vulnerable are met first.
I believe that we will do well if we provide accountable leadership that sets high standards of personal conduct. These are the criteria by which I will represent my constituents.
Speaker: Thank you for that statement.
Congratulations on your first statement in the House.
Just to remind members that this was an exception, as you know the rules are that you ask permission to continue your statement prior to the end of your statement.
Again, this was an exception.
Member’s Statement 002 – 1(5): Health Professionals & Need for Facilities
It's good to be back and I welcome all the members and our newest member, even when we are out of this House we are able to talk.
Today, I stand to speak in support of health centres in Nunavut.
Last year we discussed the three health centres that are to be built by the Nunavut Government: Qikiqtaaluk, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot, in all the regions.
Our constituents, they need good hospital facilities, because once they get old they get worrisome in terms of operations and they need a good facility to go to.
I want to express my great concern on this.
Mr. Speaker, I talked about my concerns in terms of the hospitals, nurses, and doctors. It becomes difficult when one goes to the hospital as they are so overworked.
It can be very difficult in the communities for the sick and those that we represent within Nunavut.
I am wondering if it is appropriate in the Kitikmeot region; if a hospital would be appropriate or not for those in Kugluktuk, because our constituents go to Yellowknife or Edmonton for medical reasons.
A new facility should be built in the Kitikmeot and consider locations like Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven.
I ask my fellow members for consent to conclude my statement.
Speaker: The member is asking for unanimous consent to complete his statement.
This is a concern to me, where are the funds going to come from.
It becomes a difficult situation.
For instance would the funds come from the Federal Government.
Where will that hospital be built.
For instance where will that hospital be located.
I will be asking questions concerning how these things will be dealt with in terms of the hospital.
Member’s Statement 003– 1(5): Former & New Quttiktuq Members
I am not sure what words I will be using for this subject, but I would like to proceed following my knowledge of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
It is about recognition and expressing appreciation.
I am grateful to our former colleague Levi Barnabas.
He was one of the first Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut and he taught us a lot about the procedures in the House.
I would like to thank the former member for the High Arctic as we looked to him in many ways for advice.
He had to be replaced and the person that replaced him just made a good statement.
It is good to see how capable she is going to be in her new field of work.
I would like to welcome her to the Legislative Assembly.
Member’s Statement 004 – 1(5): Tribute to Judas Ullulaq & Final Carving
I rise today as a member and I am also a sculptor.
I know the person who made this sculpture.
He was one of three brothers who were all carvers.
He was the youngest member of the family and he died in 1999. I saw him do his last piece of work, which was this particular carving. He was well known throughout the world.
When the Government of Nunavut came about in 1999, he carved this piece in remembrance. He made that drum to be included with the art we have here. He was very sick when he made this carving, we was wearing a caribou coat and worked on this piece as much as he could.
This was his last work to commemorate the creation of Nunavut. It is depicted in the Nunavut emblem, the drum. I’d like to thank the mayor of our community Mr. Speaker.
Today, I rise to say that we as members often travel away from our home communities.