EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Also when we are listening to the news and there are negative comments through the media about our mistakes, we should not feel hurt, because we are a new government and this is the first Legislative Assembly of Nunavut and I think we need to be forgiven for our mistakes.
Even when people say we are the opposition of the cabinet, we are all friends here.
Members' Statements. Mr. Kilabuk.
Members' Statement 57 - 1 (2): Apologies to Constituents, Safe Journey to Travelling Members
I stand up today to say that I envy the people that will be going home today.
When I was first elected I used to think that my home community is nearby and I would be able to go home from time to time, but that was a misperception.
Also to my constituents in Pangnirtung, I would like to apologize that I will not be able to go home on the weekend because of airline schedules.
For those members who will be travelling home today, have a safe journey home.
Back to the Orders of the Day. Item 4, Returns to Oral Questions.
Return 5 - 1 (2): Question 48 - 1 (2) Consulting Contract, Department of Health
Mr. Speaker I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. O'Brien on May 18th on the Board transition implementation Co-ordinator.
Mr. David Ramsden has been assigned to my department from the department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Mr. Ramsden is currently a doctoral student at Queen's University in Kingston Ontario, studying organizational design.
He is a former Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services and a formal Deputy Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs for the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Ramsden is actually with the department of the Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and they have assigned him several projects during the summer, including his work for my department.
He is working closely with my Deputy Minister and the department.
He is travelling to several communities to consult with managers and employees of the regional boards in order to develop a strong and comprehensive plan to implement the amalgamation of the boards within the department.
Mr. Speaker I don't often have an opportunity to recognize people from Cambridge Bay but today I have in the gallery with us Mr. Albert Ehaloak from Cambridge Bay and I would also like to recognize in the interpreter booth, that has provided the Inuinnaqtun translation, Mr. John Komak of Cambridge Bay too.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Welcome to our session.
I don't believe we have recognized this person from Iqaluit.
I remember way back in the 1970's when I first started working with CBC and prior to that I was trained by Jonah Kelly and Whit Fraser.
Those were my instructors way back when, when we used to work up at the federal building.
I would like to recognize Mr. Whit Fraser.
Mr. Speaker continuing with the tradition of recognizing three residents from Iqaluit each day, I would like to recognize Mr. Tom Sammurtok who is a senior official with the Nunavut Government.
Mr. Peter Scott a resident of Iqaluit East with Community Government, Housing & Transportation.
And myself and Peter Kilabuk would like to welcome to the gallery Rosemary Keenainak, who is originally from Pangnirtung and living in Iqaluit on senior assignment with the Nunavut Government.
I would like to recognize a long time resident of Iqaluit, and who used to be a long time resident of Arctic Bay, Carmen Levi, now with the Department of Education. (interpretation) Also all of the people who were not mentioned, I would like to welcome everyone to the gallery.
Item 6, Oral Questions.
Question 67 - 1 (2): Translation of Legislation
This morning in caucus we were dealing with proposed bills.
I have a question for Mr. Ng. If we are going to be proposing bills, I would suggest that all the proposed bills be in both Inuktitut and English.
My problem was there were some things missing in Inuktitut.
I would suggest that everything be properly translated, if they are going to be done into Inuktitut.
That is for a clarification.
Mr. Speaker, I don't know if there was a question there but I would like to respond.
The government is cognizant of the fact that legislation must be understood before we pass legislation.
I think it is just the logistics right now, the logistics and the significant expertise to actually draft legislation and whether that is able to be done in syllabics in its' entirety.
I think what the government would propose probably is that the intent of the bill, the legislation summaries, would certainly be available in syllabics, but right now it is the logistics of working out that process.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral questions.
Question 68 - 1 (2): Business Incentive Policy
Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister responsible for Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services.
In reference to the BIP, the Business Incentive Policy, I wonder if the Minister can tell the members whether there have been any changes to that policy.
I understand that it has been transferred from the GNWT into the Nunavut Government, whether or not any changes have been made to the old policy and if companies in Nunavut have copies of it?
Speaker: Thank you. Two questions.
The Business Incentive Policy of the government is ongoing until we have come up, as a government, with a new policy for this government.
So it is continuing until we come up with something else, including Article 24, we have to work with that policy for this government.
Speaker: Thank you Ms. Thompson.
Mr. Speaker from those comments I assume that there have been no changes in the old BIP.
So, therefore can I assume that the BIP as it stands today will be used for the projects that will be carried out this summer?
I understand that the Cabinet, I know we have approved an interim Nunavut BIP and contract procedures which will not be disrupting any projects that are ongoing for this summer.
We will have to be talking with our stakeholders with Article 24, NTI, so we have to develop a new policy but for the projects that are going for this summer they will be proceeding.
Just for clarification then, the projects this summer are under BIP?
Speaker: Ms. Thompson.
Yes, the projects that have been awarded already, are under the old system and those are not being disrupted.
Oral questions Mr. Puqiqnak.
Question 69 - 1 (2): Transfer of Staff from GNWT to Nunavut Government
The transferring from the Government of the Northwest Territories to the Nunavut Government.
The teachers, there are quite a number of teachers out there in the Nunavut Territories.
Were hoping to increase the number of teachers, to keep up with the student ratio.
Education is very important to our young people and the teachers in the Nunavut Territory are concerned about their salary deductions.
That’s the question I’ve been hearing and I direct this question to Minister of Education.
Speaker: Mr. Arvaluk, Minister of Education.
I’m very happy to respond to this question.
On April 1st for the teachers and the staff at the schools, deductions were transferred to the Nunavut Government, from the Government of the Northwest Territories.
We have grandfathered the system from the GNWT, during the transfer from the GNWT and there are not going to be any changes.
Speaker: Mr. Puqiqnak
I would also like to thank the Minister of Education for responding to my question, but I have another question to the same Minister, because there's some employees out there who are confused.
I would like to ask the Minister, if the teachers have had correspondence in regards to the deductions.
For example in Uqsuqtuuq, I would like to see letters sent to the teachers and the employees of the schools on what system they're using, whether they're using the same system that was used by the GNWT.
I will be talking to my staff and make sure that the information goes out accordingly.
We can tell the teachers union, we can give the documents to the teachers union so they can be distributed, because of course if we write to every individual teacher, it’s going to take too long and what I can do is give this to the Minister of Human Resources, so that the information could be distributed to the teachers.
Third question Mr. Puqiqnak.
While we don’t have to send those letters individually, to each teacher, I would suggest that at least the correspondence can be sent to each school, then they could be distributed to their employees.
Speaker: Qujannamiik Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Arvaluk I hear no question, but if you would like to answer.
Mr. Arvaluk Minister of Education.
I understand your statement and I can respond by saying that we can write to the school principals and the letters will be distributed to their staffs.
Speaker: Qujannamiik Mr. Arvaluk.
Question 70 - 1 (2): Eligibility for Nunavut Government Staff Housing
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources, responsible for staff housing.
This is an issue that I have been asking quite a number of questions and comments on over the last couple of days.
I’m wondering if the Minister could inform us or if he is aware of any government employees, the government of Nunavut employees, that are not eligible for any of government staff housing.
Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not entirely sure about that answer, I’ll have to take that question as notice in order to provide the proper information.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng, question is taken as notice.
Oral questions, Mr. Tootoo.
Another question to Minister of responsible for staff housing, he's mentioned over the last couple of days that his department is working on a new policy for staff housing.
I’m just wondering Mr. Speaker if you could provide us with time frame for when we can expect to have a new comprehensive policy for staff housing.
Minister of Human Resources, Mr. Ng
Mr. Speaker I believe the member raised this earlier.
I said that we have to develop a policy and bring it to Cabinet for adoption and I don’t know the exact time frame, as soon as possible, I know the specific needs that are out there, demands out there, and I will try to address that as soon as I can.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral questions Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Mr. Iqaqrialu: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker, this question is for the Minister of Public Works.
When we were still under the government of the NWT some of the staff housing were sold and bought privately, but these staff houses that were bought were not renovated.
Are there any plans to renovate the existing staff houses, that were bought by the public.
It caused quite a concern and some of the people who bought these old staff houses, had some problems, because the houses that were bought were very old.
The people who bought those houses knew that these houses were old.
Once they bought them they are no longer our responsibility and they become the responsibility of the people who bought them.
If they wanted to get some funding to renovate the housing, they could’ve approached the CMHC for funds, but when they bought them they knew that they were old and once they are bought, they are no longer our responsibility.
When the old staff houses were put up for sale, they should have been renovated, before they were sold.
I don’t know why they didn’t do that and of course when they were bought, they were no longer the responsibility of the government.
I would suggest that if we're going to be selling the staff housing and any of the assets that we hold, I would suggest that we renovate the housing or what ever assets that we're going to be selling.
If we sell old buildings, some of the people who buy these houses are not rich and it causes a problem, it caused a problem.
Thank you Mr. Speaker, I would like this to be considered.
Minister of Public Works, Ms. Thompson.
The staff housing that were put up for sale were very cheap.
When you are buying housing, you're talking about $250 thousand dollars to buy a house.
The staff housing we sold were going much cheaper.
For the smaller communities that don’t have private homes, I’m sure the price tag seemed very high and if we're going to be selling staff housing after they’ve been renovated, I don’t think that’s a very good idea.
We sold them as is.
If we're going to be renovating before we sell them, we're going to be using a lot more money out of our budget.
The people who bought those houses now own those and they are no longer our responsibility.
Item # 7 written questions, written questions.
Item 8, returns to written questions.
Item 9, Replies to opening address.
Item # 10 Replies to budget address.
Reports of standing Committees and Special committees # 12.
Item # 13, Reports of committees on the review of bills.
Item # 14 tabling of documents.
Tabled Document 12 - 1 (2): Inuit Educators
Tabled Document 13 - 1 (2): Adult Education Building Baker Lake
Tabled Document 14 - 1 (2): Inuit Heritage Centre Baker Lake
I’d like to table three documents today, two to the Minister of Education, one regarding Inuit Educators, the second one the condition of the Adult Education Building in Baker Lake and the third one to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, regarding the Inuit Heritage Centre in Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker: Thank you Mr. McLean.
Tabling of documents. Item # 15 notice of motions.
Number16, notice of motions for first reading of bills.
Item 17 motions. Motions.
Number 18 first reading of bills.
Item number 19, Second Reading of Bills.
Item 19: Second Reading of Bills
Mr. Speaker I move, seconded by the member for Pangnirtung, Bill 2, the Boards of Management Dissolution Act be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker today I’m introducing a piece of Legislation entitled the Boards of Management Dissolution act.
This Legislation allows the government to ensure a smooth transition over the next year as we work with boards towards the new Health and Social Services for the people of Nunavut.
When the members of this government accepted the recommendation to eliminate both the Regional Health and Social Services Boards and Education Boards, they were guided by Footprints 1 and 2 as well as several other studies and consultations over the past 4 years.
Before I continue Mr. Speaker I would like to take this opportunity to commend the trustees of our Health and Social Services Boards for their service over the years.
The Boards ensured that the people of Nunavut played a role in their own affairs during the time as a minority in the Northwest Territories.
But this is a new territory and a new day, we have our own government now, and we as residents of Nunavut are well represented by the 19 MLAs in this house.
The decision to take a different approach in providing health and social services to Nunavummiut, has been guided by two important principles.
First, we want to be accountable, we want to ensure that this government is responsible and responsive to the people of Nunavut.
We want to bring this government closer to the people we all represent and work directly with all our communities.
Second, we want to be efficient.
As we have already discussed publicly, estimates show that we will be able to re-direct significant monies, Mr. Speaker, into programs and services as a result of the impending decision.
In short, we want to ensure a Nunavut based approach, taking advantage of what our communities have in common, while still taking into account their uniqueness.
I want to point out Mr. Speaker, phasing out the boards will not affect the day to day delivery of programs and services to our clients in Nunavut.
The services provided by all health and social services workers in each Region will continue to serve the public.
I would like to express my appreciation to all the health and social services care providers, administrative and support staff in our communities in Nunavut.
These people are the heart for health and social services in Nunavut.
We all rely on them and I want to promise them that over the coming year I will devote myself to ensuring a stable and smooth transition.
Mr. Speaker I have instructed my officials at the department that we will work collaboratively with the boards as we develop an implementation plan.
I’ve also committed to the standing committee on Culture, Education and Health, that they will have an implementation plan completed by September of this year.
As the Minister of Health and Social services I’m committing to improving the health and well being of everyone in Nunavut and I look forward to working with the members of the Assembly and the people of Nunavut to achieve that goal, that this legislation will bring us one step closer to.
Mr. Speaker, to adopt a new direction for Health and Social Services in Nunavut.
Qujannamiik Mr. Speaker .
Speaker: Qujannamiik Mr. Picco.
To the principle of the bill, question has been called.
Those in favour.
Bill 2 has had second reading.
Item # 19 second reading of bills, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 67 (2) and have Bill 2, Boards of Management Dissolution Act ordered into the Committee of the Whole today.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Mr. Picco.
The Minister of Health is seeking unanimous consent to waive 67 (2) to move bill 2 to committee.
Bill 2 stands referred to the Committee of the Whole for today.
Item # 19 second reading of bills.
I will be speaking in Inuktitut, but your interpreters have a copy.
Mr. Speaker it gives me a great deal of pleasure to stand before you today to introduce this piece of legislation entitled Divisional Education Councils Dissolution Act.
In keeping with the vision we have identified to guide the Government of Nunavut, this legislation will enable us to truly place people first and to operate in a manner which is accountable and fair to the people of Nunavut.
The school boards in Nunavut now known as the Divisional Education Councils were originally created to give the residents of the eastern arctic a voice in the government of the NWT.
With Nunavut that concern no longer exists.
After consultations with the Inuit organizations, Municipal governments, Community groups, Health care professionals, and educators, a recommendation was made to the Nunavut Cabinet to eliminate both education and health and social services boards.
Cabinet accepted that recommendation and similarly it was endorsed by the Caucus.
The responsibility for the delivery of these services will now be transferred to the elected leaders of the people of Nunavut.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all those individuals both current and past who have served as members of the Divisional Education Councils and whom have contributed to the education of our children across Nunavut.
In the past we all experienced the challenges of having to deal with and provide government services at a distance.
Although the physical distances between the communities remains the same, we will now have to operate across a lesser distance in terms of government bureaucracies.
By providing the most efficient structure to government, we are assuring the most expedient service to our people.
For the Department of Education, this means we will be closer to the children, closer to the family and closer to the communities, whose needs we aim to serve.
It means that the Minister of Education will be more directly accountable for the education services provided in Nunavut Communities.
This is a very exciting prospect for our new department, we look forward to the challenges implicit in this legislation and to benefiting from the vision therein.
Mr. Speaker, in closing I would like to inform this legislature and also inform the people of Nunavut that in the months and years ahead, the department of education will seek to strengthen the role of the parent, the role of the family, the community and the community district education authority.
All of us have a role in the important social function of educating our children.
We envision an environment in which responsibilities and accountabilities, are clearly defined, beginning with a positive partnership between the student, the parent and the teachers supported by a motivated and challenged community and district education authority.
Mr. Speaker, education is a fundamental and important to the success of Nunavut and this piece of legislation is a first step in building our new future in Nunavut.
To the principle of the bill.
. Opposed?
Bill 3 has had second reading.
I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 67 (2) and have bill 3, Divisional Education Councils Dissolution Act ordered into the Committee of the Whole today.
The Minister is requesting to waive 67 (2) .
Do we have unanimous consent for bill 3 to be considered in Committee of the Whole.
Bill 3 stands referred to Committee of the Whole for today.
Qujannamiik.
Item # 20 Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters.
Bill 1 Appropriation Act 1999/2000, Bill 2 Boards of Management Dissolution Act, Bill 3 Divisional Education Councils Dissolution Act, committee reports 1-1 (2), 2-1 (2), 3 – 1 (2) and 4-1 (2) with Mr. Iqaqrialu as the Chairperson.
Chairperson (Mr. Iqaqrialu) (interpretation): Please be seated.
Some members will be leaving to their home communities over the weekend.
I don't know if we can complete this department today but at this time I am going to ask for a short 15 minute break before we proceed.
>>Committee recessed 11.02 and resumed 11.23 am.
Mr. O'Brien: Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that we report progress.
Chairperson (interpretation): Okay, Mr. O'Brien would like to make a motion to report progress.
There is a lot on our agenda items, maybe if we adjourn now we can deal with them after the long weekend.
Please raise your hands if you agree to defer this committee report.
All those opposed.
We will adjourn this committee of the whole.
We will report progress.
Item 21, Report of the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Mr. Speaker your committee has been considering Bill 1, and committee report 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Bill 2 and 3, and would like to report progress.
Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Iqaqrialu, is there a seconder for the motion?
Mr. Nutarak has seconded the motion.
Orders of the Day, number 22.
Number 23, Orders of the Day, Mr. Clerk.
Tuesday May 25, 9.00 am, meeting of full caucus, Cadet Hall followed by a meeting of the regular caucus, also meeting of the Management Services Board after the adjournment of the House.
Orders of the Day, Tuesday, May 25, 1999
Bill 3 - Divisional Education Council Dissolution Act
I now adjourn the session and the next session of the House will be at the Cadet Hall.
Sergeant At Arms.
>>Assembly adjourned 11.28 am.
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1999
Pages 278 - 326
Members’ Statements 28
Replies to Budget Address 28
Notices of Motions 28
Motions 28  28
Tuesday May 25, 1999 28
15 - 1 (2): Weekend Fire In Iqaluit (Anawak) 28
16 - 1 (2): Decentralization (Okalik) 28
17 - 1 (2): Western Premiers Conference (Okalik) 28
58 - 1 (2): Appreciation of Premier's Statement on Decentralization (O'Brien) 28
59 - 1 (2): Weekend Fire in Iqaluit (Tootoo) 28
71 - 1 (2): Secondary School Design for Baker Lake (McLean) 28
72 - 1 (2): Western Premiers Conference (O'Brien) 28
73 - 1 (2): Government Response to Fire in Iqaluit (Tootoo) 28
74 - 1 (2): Repatriation of Artefacts (Iqaqrialu) 28
75 - 1 (2): Status of Nurse Recruitment (Alakannuark) 28
76 - 1 (2): Capital Plan for Qikiqtarjuaq (Iqaqrialu) 28
77 - 1 (2): Leave and Replacement Policy for Nurses (Nutarak) 28
78 - 1 (2): Contract for Transitional Plans on Health and Education Boards (O'Brien) 28
79 - 1 (2): Status of Negotiations on James Bay Islands (Kattuk) 28
80 - 1 (2): Use of Government Facilities by Contractors (Irqittuq) 28
81 - 1 (2): Recruitment of Social Workers (Nutarak) 28
82 - 1 (2): Staff Housing Buy-Back Policy (McLean) 28
83 - 1 (2): School Buses in Iqaluit (Tootoo) 28
3 - 1 (2): Runway Extension for Clyde River (Iqaqrialu) 28
5 - 1 (2): Release of Juda Taqtu from Baffin Correctional Centre (Nutarak) 28
14 – 1 (2): Board Review of Housing Issues in Nunavut (Puqiqnak) 28
15 – 1 (2): Mid Year Progress Report (Puqiqnak) 28
FORMAL MOTIONS
1 - 1 (2): Sitting Hours (Ng) 28  Tuesday May 25, 1999
Tuesday May 25, 1999
Speaker (Mr. Levi Barnabas): Mr. Iqaqrialu please begin with the opening prayer.