EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker in addition to these facility expansions, the community of Arviat will see the construction of a new 25 thousand square foot Northern Store this summer.
Mr. Speaker these are exciting times in my community and these facility expansions are only some of the improvements taking place in order to be ready for the decentralized jobs that will be coming to my community in the future.
Return to OQ 295 - 1(3): Francophone School
I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Kattuk on March 27, 2000, yesterday, he asked how many students were expected in the French school should it be built in this fiscal year.
I indicated that I took notice of that question.
At this time we have absolutely no data as to the numbers.
Prior to the actual staffing of the positions, although they are estimated to be around thirty-five.
Orders of the day Item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
In case Mr. Picco overrides me again this time because he knows some of my constituents I would like to recognize student Martha Gibbons and also from my constituency of Igloolik Mr. Tapardjuk and Lazerie Uttak.
Also a daughter of my good friend Peter Kanayuk from Pangnirtung is here as well but I’m sorry I forgot her name, if you would stand up please.
Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize from my community Daniel Jaypoody.
Also there is Iga Etuangat and Josie Enuarak .
There seems to be a good number of people from my constituency here today for a change.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): I would like to recognize members form my constituency who live in the highest area of Grise Fiord, Levi Killiktee SAO who is here for educational purposes and my old friend Jose Enuarak.
Item number 5 recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize some people and also people that work for my department in Rankin.
The two ladies over there, the first is Julia Fequet and the second is Mary Graham who both work for Public Works and would they both stand up.
You all know Peter Itinnuar who is sitting over there.
Roy Green, who everybody is aware of, from the questions and answers on fuel pricing.
Susan Mukpah who is in charge of PPD Nunavut.
Also I have quite a few relatives in the Baffin and I’m pleased to recognize my cousin Martha Gibbons.
Welcome to the House.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize my two friends that I used to work with.
From Igloolik, Lazarus Uttak and from Taloyoak Michael Tuktoo.
When you have more than one riding in a community like Iqaluit or Rankin Inlet it becomes difficult as to which one MLA represents them.
I would like to recognize constituent Susan Makpak who is relative of mine.
Mr. O'Brien: I would like to recognize a friend of mine originally form Rankin Inlet, Peter Itinnuar who is also the new assistant deputy minister of Sustainable Development.
Although Mr. Itinnuar is living in Iqaluit he is still a Keewatin boy.
Mr. Picco: Officially I would like to recognize students form the Nunavut Arctic College in the Management Studies and Community Development Program.
Mr. Speaker they are from all over Nunavut and at least one of them was a former student of mine so I would like to take this opportunity to welcome them.
From Pond Inlet Nimon Killiktee, from Clyde River Daniel Jaypoody, from Grise Fiord Levi Killiktee and an old friend of mine who used to work for me for several years, Lazarie Uttak from Igloolik.
An old student of mine Martha Gibbons from Hall Beach.
Junior Tapardjuk from Igloolik Mona Dialla from Pangnirtung Marlene Arnakak from Pangnirtung, Ross Benette from Iqaluit and another person from Iqaluit who used to work in the Northern Store Paul Atagoyuk, Michael Tuktoo from Taloyoak.
The instructor is Dr. Steven.
I don’t see Madeline D’Argencourt from Kimmirut and Guy D’Argencourt from Iqaluit and Lelania Flaherty form Kimmirut.
Mr. Speaker at time I would like to take the time to welcome someone who is well known throughout Nunavut as an entertainer and he performed for in Rankin Inlet, our answer to Elvis Presly and a good friend of mine Mr. Jimmy Echo.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you and welcome to the house.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery, Mr. Havioyak.
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker I would like to recognize a constituent from Kugluktuk Mary Jane Anulak.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the house.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker I didn’t get a chance to get some visitors from my constituency and so I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Interpreters Henry and James Paniuyak from Cambridge Bay here in our legislature.
Please feel welcome to our legislature.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Speaker with all these recognition’s I would feel left out if I didn’t add my name to the list.
So I would also like to recognise in the interpreters booth who are both from Cambridge Bay, Inuinnaqtun translators Henry Ohokannoak and James Paniuyak.
I would also like to recognize my executive secretary Susie Alainga and also on behalf of Mr. Anawak who has already done his recognition’s, his executive secretary Mina Nashalik.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Welcome to the gallery and the Legislature of Nunavut.
There is nobody for me to have recognized so I would like to recognize members that aren’t actually here.
These Qamutiks were made by a craftsman from Pond Inlet Mr. Sianak Attagutak.
I think that everyone is done with this item and there is someone that I want to recognize someone from constituency Michael Tucktoo.
At this time we will return to the orders of the day, Oral Questions.
Item 5: Oral Questions
Question 301 - 1(3): Icebreaker Testing
I would like to direct this question to the Minister responsible for Transportation.
Near my community is a place we call Arvaatuuk, we are told that there is going to be an icebreaker going through there.
I don’t know how that is going to be conducted, but it is a test to see how much pressure the ship can withhold when going through ice packs.
My question is, will the government be held responsible if anything should happen.
Minister for Community Government and Transportation.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): This is an American Icebreaker named Haley that will be going through the Davis Straight area.
There will be dialogue with the Department of Transportation and the Coast Guard when the ship is going through.
The people of Broughton Island and Clyde River will be asked if they could select a hunter that will help this icebreaker while it is on its voyage so there is no environmental impact of the two communities.
Question 302 - 1(3): Luggage for Medical Escorts
There was an individual that was escorted down here and of course, when they stay in the community for a long time they tend to accumulate materials.
This person has accumulated quite a lot of materials.
My question is what kind of help could this person have financially if he or she would like to transport her stuff back home.
Mr. Speaker, under the present policy when someone is sent to the south or in this case, to Iqaluit for hospital services, they are provided with accommodations and the ticket is usually encompassing that you are allowed two pieces of luggage of course and I think up to eighty pounds.
If there is anything extra that the person has purchased, under the current policy of the government we don't pay to move those things with the person who came here or for example from the south with material goods that they had purchased.
Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Barnabas.
Question 303 - 1(3): Benefits for Smaller Communities
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday during question period I was listening to the proceedings and there was one question that I didn't quite get.
For clarification I would like to direct my question to the Deputy Premier.
This question was asked by Mr. Alakannuark about what kind of support or benefits the smaller communities that are not receiving decentralized positions would get.
Having read the documents, there are smaller communities where they have put in one position for a one year term only.
What kind of support or what kind of programs will come up in these smaller communities in Nunavut.
What kind of support, or how will the smaller communities benefit from the decentralization plan.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Barnabas. Deputy Premier, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, I can't speak specifically under the decentralization plans, as you know that is the responsibility of the Premier.
I can say from a broader government perspective, from all programs and services that we provide throughout the distribution of the budgets and for all departments, all communities will benefit.
From a capital perspective again, from a longer range perspective in trying to balance out the capital requirements over the course of our term in developing and finalizing a five year capital plan we will try and identify and address some of the needs of all the communities.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Deputy Premier, Mr. Ng. Oral Questions.
Question 304 - 1(3): Day Care Review
I asked this question yesterday.
There are a lot of things that we will have to review as we are a new government.
There are a lot of things that the government had stated they would have to do a review first before anything gets done.
There is also the issue of day cares.
Are we going to be looking at the results or is there going to be anything done after the review process is completed.
Mr. Deputy Premier, Mr. Ng. I believe that question was directed to the Deputy Premier.
Mr. Speaker, there is a review being undertaken by the Department of Education who has the responsibility for that area.
I will ask the Honourable James Arvaluk to respond to that in more detail.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. Akesuk.
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): I apologize maybe I wasn't clear enough.
All the departments I believe have policies.
My question is, are you going to be reviewing all the policies of each of the departments.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Deputy Premier.
Mr. Speaker, I think I understand the question a bit better and he can correct me if I'm wrong.
In respect to work that had been undertaken by the GNWT, the programs and some reviews of policies.
This government as you know will undertake and has indicated that we are going to undertake reviews and are in the process of undertaking some reviews as well of different programs and policies.
Obviously some of the work that had been done by other jurisdictions, there was some substantive input from whether it is Nunavut Municipalities or organizations, depending on what the policies were.
Those will be taken into consideration as we develop our new programs and policies and obviously there would be another round of consultation by our government officials and our representatives as we try to work towards finalizing some of these policies and programs.
Question 305 - 1(3): Improved Programs for Elders
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
My question is what improved programs or services are you going to provide to the elders.
Thank you for your question Mr. Alakannuark, I will try and answer.
The programs that we are going to bring out for elders and youth are not only coming from my department but from other departments as well.
The kind of programs that we are going to be putting out for the elders, the first priority we are looking at right now is the program that we have been working on for the youth in regards to the language issues.
As of today we are still working on the policies that we could use for the elders and youth.
The policies that we are working on right now are just about in their final stages.
Once we get the policies together, we will put them into one document and then later on we will start figuring out what kinds of programs that we will be putting out in order to serve the elders and youth in each community, Nunavut-wide.
Then we are going to be asking the Government of Nunavut for their assistance and as soon as we get all this put together then we will be attending a meeting in Ottawa on behalf of our department.
We are in the final stages of finishing off some of the policies that we are working on.
When are these policies and guidelines that you are producing going to be done.
Specifically to the policies that will be used for the elders and youth.
That's my question, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As I speak the department has been putting together these policies.
My staff are reviewing the policies and these documents will be put forward for the members and the public to see.
As we speak we are into the consultations to work towards the elders and youth.
I hope I answered your question.
Again to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
Regarding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, what are you doing in regards to this.
There is survival and also the making of Inuit clothing.
What types of programs, or what have you done to enhance the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Just the other day I rose to speak about the elders’ and youth initiatives.
Our goal is to finish and have funding put in place to assist the communities deal with elders’ and youth initiatives through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
The funding is there for that purpose.
Question 306 - 1(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in Schools
I think it was around December we went visiting communities in Nunavut.
During our visits there was a concern about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit being included in the school curriculum.
Has that been done by the Minister and his staff.
Mr. Speaker, it would be a lengthy response.
So Mr. Speaker, if you want me to respond just to the curriculum, I would be able to do so.
In Arviat they have a plan for the curriculum and the curriculum will be implemented in Arviat schools from kindergarten to grade 12.
As well we are doing the directives and doing the planning in this regard and it will be coming in conjunction with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Whenever we do planning for curriculum or for directives, or even when teaching the Teacher Education Program, we always try to make sure that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is there to guide us.
I expect that Culture, Language, Elders & Youth will be able to work with us on this.
If he is asking questions directly related to elders, I could also respond to him in a different way, because there are four people, four elders that have taken training and they will be making curriculum for the schools.
Just to make it clear that they have the same plan as well because we have asked a lot of questions of the Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth because it relates to their mandate.
Another question that I have is, the elders in our communities will they be utilized and will they be trained in regards to this.
Yes, we will be utilizing elders and the elders will be trained.
With the GNWT this was not done before and the elders will be used to develop curriculum to be used in schools.
As well we are also planning that we will be using the elders again, although they will not be using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit we will be using their knowledge in the communities to develop curriculum.
For the adults to be able to go to the schools and be able to teach their knowledge to the students.
The Baffin Divisional Board of Education use to develop curriculum at that time.
I also mentioned that there are quite a few curriculum that have already been developed for the elders to be able to produce curriculum to be used in the schools as well.
The minister stated that this is in the planning stages.
I just wondered whether there will be a teacher hired in every community who is unilingual.
I would like the member to know, and I realize that he knows that the schools from kindergarten to grade 12, there is a Teacher Education Program being taught right now and those teachers can be taught from kindergarten to grade 12 in both Inuktitut and English.
Whenever we have teachers in the schools, some cannot really teach other subjects.
If we are going to get a teacher for high schools that individual has to be trained in teaching the high school students.
As well we have to hire teachers that are qualified to teach different grades because all teachers are not knowledgeable in teaching all levels of grades.
So if we are going to get elders as teachers, they will have to be able to teach their own knowledge, just like we have shop teachers that know how to build igloos and kamotiks, and they know how to teach that area.
We cannot just ask somebody to teach a certain subject that they don't know how to teach.
So we are going to have to do those kinds of plans, we just can't hire somebody to teach those kinds of things.
Last question by Mr. Irqittuq.
Yes, I understand that Mr. Speaker.
But we have wanted to find out what is happening from the department and we know that we will have to get Inuit teachers, males and females.
Like the women can teach the students how to make clothing and the male teacher will teach hunting and going out on the land.
But the question that I have is that because we have elders that can teach many subjects can we utilize them more than we do today.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Irqittuq Mr. Arvaluk.
Yes, I said before that we had elders that are learning to teach in Arviat.
But for the elders that’s not the limit of their knowledge to do teaching in making qamutik and igloos and sewing.
They can do a lot more but what we are talking about is, Mr. Irqittuq is talking about the elders to be able to teach children about their knowledge in a traditional way.
To teach about family relationships and other types of knowledge known by elders.
That’s what he is talking about.
To be able to make clothing and to make qamutiks and igloos, those are the things that we are dealing with right now in Arviat.
As soon as we right down what the elders need to know to become teachers, then they will start teaching them.
Question 307 - 1(3): Housing Corporation Tender
Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, I was looking in the paper the other day and noticed an invitation to tender in there for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
I would like to ask the Minister why the reference in that tender is to be done through the NWT Housing Corporation and not the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr Tootoo.
Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Ms. Thompson.
The question by the member is perhaps there is a typo or mistake in the tender.
I’m not really sure exactly which tender he is talking about so perhaps I will have to look to it and find exactly what the mistake was.
So I will get back to the member.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, the Minister has taken the question as notice.
Question 308 - 1(3): O&M Funding for Youth Centres
The Minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth has identified in his budget 500 thousand for youth centres and 500 thousand dollars for heritage centres.
Has the minister identified some O & M money in his O&M budget to run the existing centres in Nunavut now.
Minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, Mr. Havioyak
Under that capital identified for youth facilities, in that is for example for renovations there is going to be some O&M budgeted for that specific project.
Right now while we’re doing that, as soon as we have a better figure to work with, it will be put forward to the cabinet for review, how much funding will be required for each facilities in different communities.
Speaker (interpretation): Member for Baker Lake, Mr McLean.
That is good news to hear again, that the minister is looking to funding O&M for heritage centres and youth drop in centres that we all know we need very much.
When can the Minister have this policy in place because I’m sure there is every community in Nunavut looking at O&M money for their drop in and heritage centres in Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr McLean.
Minister for Culture Language Elders and Youth, Mr. Havioyak.
We now have the consultations done and the reports in from the meetings that they had, as I told you last time when we were in Rankin Inlet.
As we speak now the policy has been drafted, having some input from those conferences, and incorporating them into the policies.
Again as we speak, the policy is being drafted.
As soon as they’re done, for your review or for consultation, you will get a copy.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr Havioyak. Supplementary, Mr McLean.
Like I say that is great news to my ears and I’m sure to the rest of the members in here, because we hear that this is a priority.
It is a much needed thing – youth centres.
But can the Minister be more direct on when we will know when this funding will become available for these heritage and drop in centres, so we can start preparing our communities to apply for this funding.
For the project and also for the projects going under the youth facilities, and some policies we are working on, we want to make sure we know the exact figure, or at least an estimate how much it will cost to fund or to put O&M into each facility.
Again as soon as we get all those numbers together we will hear that.
And also to the policy, there is again consultation on these and we will be incorporating all those.
Hopefully that will assist us to better help our youth that need the facilities.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr Havioyak.
Question 309 - 1(3): Nunavut Power Corporation Plans
Prior to my question, members of the Qikiqtarjuaq Youth group are in the building.
Please welcome them.
Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister of the Nunavut Power Corporation.
I found out that the operations information is now going to be available.
What is the plan for the Nunavut Power Corporation.
Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the member, as always, for questions on the Power Corporation.
The member asked about what plans are there for the Power Corporation.
Hopefully, over the next two weeks, Mr Speaker, we will be announcing the name of the person that has been selected as the new President of the Nunavut Power Corporation.
Once that person is in place, there is a line item in the budget, which the members know, that will help us set up the Secretariat, to start implementing the report that we debated in Rankin Inlet which outlines the next processes and steps for the Power Corporation.
The first step will be, Mr Speaker, will be to have that person in place and then we will be looking at the President, who will be hiring staff.
As Mr McLean said, looking at Baker Lake as the headquarters and hopefully looking at a timeline and a time frame to start staffing positions there.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr Picco, Minister responsible for the Nunavut Power Corporation.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the answer to my question.
If they will be staffing Baker Lake, then I don’t foresee a major problem with that but, in the community of Clyde River we will be having an issue with this as to why the staff were placed into that community.
Mr. Speaker, as the member knows I went to Clyde River last summer, met with the Mayor and the Council and indeed with the member, we discussed the opportunities and that presented themselves with the new Power Corporation being set up.
A commitment was made to Baker Lake after decentralization numbers came out last June in Apex.
Mr Speaker, the community of Baker Lake has the necessary infrastructure, have the logistics, have the administrative capacity.
We think Mr Speaker, that they have the ability to staff those positions directly from Baker Lake.
Mr Speaker, after saying that, there is an opportunity, as the Premier has indicated, as the Deputy Premier talked about today, how we can bring jobs to our smaller communities.
Mr Speaker, there is no one in this Government forgetting about the smaller communities.
We are looking at that and trying to move forward, Mr Speaker.
Clyde River was not selected as the Power Corporation headquarters, because we are replacing the jobs of decentralized communities.
In that case, Mr Speaker, it was Baker Lake.
I understand very well their response.
Clyde River was not selected.