EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
112 – 4(2): 2014 High School Graduates of Coral Harbour (Mapsalak) 999
113 – 4(2): Constituency Activities in Tununiq (Enook) 1000
114 – 4(2): 2014 High School Graduates of Arctic Bay (Shooyook) 1001
115 – 4(2): Review of the Education Act (Hickes) 1001
Return to Oral Question 160 – 4(2): Food Security (Clerk) 1002
Return to Oral Question 172 – 4(2): Support for “Feeding My Family” (Clerk) 1002
176 – 4(2): Plebiscite on Retail Sales of Beer and Wine (Angnakak) 1002
177 – 4(2): Dust Control in Nunavut Communities (Sammurtok) 1003
178 – 4(2): Search and Rescue (Mikkungwak) 1005
179 – 4(2): Office of the Fire Marshal (Enook) 1006
180 – 4(2): Cabinet Priority-setting (Savikataaq) 1007
181 – 4(2): Homeowner Fuel Rebate Program (Hickes) 1008
182 – 4(2): Appointment of Ethics Officer (Angnakak) 1009
183 – 4(2): Fuel Price Announcement (Hickes) 1011
Return to Written Question 002 – 4(2): Implementation of the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan (Clerk) 1013
Response to Petition 001 – 4(2): Cape Dorset Power Plant Capacity (Clerk) 1013
033 – 4(2): Response to Report 1 – 4(2): Report on the Review of the 2013 Reports of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on Education in Nunavut and Safety of Schools and Childcare Facilities in Nunavut (Quassa) 1013
034 – 4(2): QEC Contract Activity Report 2011-2012 (Okalik) 1013
035 – 4(2): QEC Procurement Activity Report 2011-2012 (Okalik) 1013
036 – 4(2): QEC Leasing Activity Report 2011-2012 (Okalik) 1013
037 – 4(2): QEC Contract Activity Report 2012-2013 (Okalik) 1013
038 – 4(2): QEC Procurement Activity Report 2012-2013 (Okalik) 1014
039 – 4(2): QEC Leasing Activity Report 2012-2013 (Okalik) 1014
040 – 4(2): Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council’s 2013-2014 Annual Report (Ugyuk) 1014
007 – 4(2): Appointments to Standing Committees – Notice (Hickes) 1014
008 – 4(2): Censure of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Baffin – Notice (Hickes) 1014
007 – 4(2): Appointments to Standing Committees (Hickes) 1016  008 – 4(2): Censure of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Baffin (Hickes) 1016
009 – 4(2): Adjournment for the Day (Rumbolt) 1019
Bill 04 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2013-2014 – Notice 1015
Bill 05 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2013-2014 – Notice 1015
Bill 06 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2014-2015 – Notice 1015
Bill 07 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2014-2015 – Notice 1015
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Notice 1015
Bill 09 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 5, 2013-2014 – Notice 1015
Bill 10 – An Act to Provide for an Assistant Chief Electoral Officer – Notice 1015
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – First Reading 1019
Bill 08 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016 – Second Reading 1019
Ms. Pat Angnakak, Mr. Joe Enook, Mr. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Hon. George Kuksuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Hon. Tom Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna, Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Good afternoon.
Before we start the session, I ask that Mr. Mikkungwak lead us in prayer.
Welcome back to the legislature.
Before we proceed to the orders of the day, I wish to read the following letter that I have received from the Commissioner of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise the House that I recommend to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut the passage of the following bills during the Second Session of the Fourth Legislative Assembly:
Bill 4, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 4, 2013-2014;
Bill 6, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2014-2015;
Bill 7, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2014-2015;
Bill 8, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2015-2016; and
Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 5, 2013-2014
Item 2. (interpretation) Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Member Mr. Sammurtok.
Minister’s Statement 044 – 4(2): Fuel Price to Remain the Same in 2014-15 (Sammurtok)
I am very pleased to be at the Legislative Assembly. Before I make my Minister’s Statement, I would like to send my greetings to Nunavummiut and the people of Rankin Inlet. I feel for you as we’re going through difficult times.
Mr. Speaker, I will make my statement in English. (interpretation ends) I would like to update the legislature on the status of fuel prices in Nunavut. (interpretation) I’m sure you are aware that there was an increase in fuel prices last year.
(interpretation ends) High fuel production and inventory levels on the international market have resulted in stable and moderate fuel prices worldwide.
Despite increasing costs in maintaining and upgrading infrastructure and fuel distribution systems, the Petroleum Products Division (PPD) of the Department of Community and Government Services (CGS) has implemented operational efficiencies and cost-saving measures to offset costs that would otherwise impact the price of fuel, and this is for Nunavut.
As such, I am pleased to inform the legislature today that fuel prices in Nunavut will not increase this year.  An Hon. Member: Hear, hear!
Hon. Tom Sammurtok: This is a direct result of our government’s efforts to keep fuel affordable for all Nunavummiut.
This exemplifies our government’s commitment to support families and communities in being economically viable and resilient in the face of an ever-increasing cost of living. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 108 – 4(2): Support for Plebiscite on Retail Sales of Beer and Wine (Angnakak)
I rise today to address an issue that has been the subject of extensive discussion in recent months in the community of Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, as the House is very much aware, the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Finance has been undertaking consultations on the question of whether or not a beer and wine retail store should be opened in this community.
This question was the subject of a recent public meeting in Iqaluit that was attended by a significant number of community residents.
Mr. Speaker, as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the constituency of Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, I attended this public meeting and listened very carefully to the many heartfelt comments that were offered by residents.
Mr. Speaker, the issues of regulating access to alcohol, providing support for substance abuse programs, and respecting personal choice are complex.
I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank and acknowledge every member of the community who took the time to attend the recent public meeting in Iqaluit.
As one of Iqaluit’s four Members of the Legislative Assembly, I want to say that I fully respect and appreciate the diverse range of views that residents of this community hold on these challenging issues.
Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, the idea of allowing retail sales of beer and wine was formally brought to the attention of the government in the final report by the recent Ministerial Task Force to Review the Liquor Act.
Mr. Speaker, many constituents have shared their views directly with me on this issue.
Some constituents agree that allowing the retail sale of beer and wine could be an effective way to fight bootlegging, reduce the harm caused by binge drinking of hard liquor, and address the concerns of responsible social drinkers.
Other constituents believe that the scale of substance abuse in the territory and the current lack of resources to address substance abuse mean that liberalizing access to alcohol would be irresponsible.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, this is a difficult choice and there is no guarantee that either approach is the correct one.
As an MLA, I have spoken strongly in favour of programs and services to help our residents address substance abuse, and I have spoken strongly in favour of fighting bootlegging through such measures as the introduction of civil forfeiture legislation.
At the same time, I respect the concerns of responsible social drinkers who feel penalized by the current system, and I recognize that it is unrealistic to go back to a time before alcohol was a reality for us and our communities.
However, it is essential that the choice that we make is one which is based on the will of the people.
Although holding public meetings and conducting surveys provides a useful insight into the views of the public, our residents cannot feel as though a decision of this magnitude has been imposed on them from above.
Mr. Speaker, that is why I am formally calling on the government to hold a plebiscite on this issue in the community of Iqaluit within the first six months of the new year.
It is important that a clear and straightforward question be put to a general public vote to determine whether a majority of residents support, in principle, the opening of controlled retail sales of beer and wine within the community or not.
Mr. Speaker, it is also important that we have the same residency rules in place for this plebiscite that we use for elections to our Legislative Assembly, and it is important that the government take voter turnout into account when it considers the next steps.
Mr. Speaker, I will be seeking a commitment from the minister on this issue at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 109 – 4(2): Congratulations to Tagak Curley, C.M. (Sammurtok)
I rise today to congratulate Mr. Tagak Curley on receiving the Governor General’s Northern Medal.
Mr. Curley, who is no stranger to this House, was honoured for his many contributions to the economic and political development of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Governor General’s Northern Medal was created in 2005 and is awarded annually to citizens of Canada who have made outstanding contributions to Canada’s North.
Previous recipients of this medal include Sheila Watt-Cloutier and Zacharias Kunuk.
Mr. Speaker, Tagak Curley has been recognized on numerous occasions for his outstanding achievements and contributions to Canada.
In addition to the Governor General’s Northern Medal, he is the past recipient of the Order of Canada, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to state that Mr. Curley’s lifelong dedication to Inuit and Nunavutmiut will always be appreciated.
I pay tribute to Mr. Curley on his tireless efforts and for paving the way for a better Nunavut.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating Mr. Tagak Curley on receiving the Governor General’s Northern Medal.
Member’s Statement 110 – 4(2): Tribute to Sergeant Yvonne Niego (Mikkungwak)
I rise today (interpretation ends) to pay tribute to Sergeant Yvonne Hakitnaq Niego, this year’s recipient of the International Association of Women Police Community Service Award.
Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Niego was born and raised in Baker Lake.
She has dedicated her career to serving Nunavutmiut.
She first dreamt of being a Mountie in her youth, began working with the RCMP in 1989, and was the first female Nunavut Inuk to become a full regular member of the force.
She is now the second Canadian and the first Inuk to ever receive this prestigious international award.
Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Niego has been particularly active in initiatives related to firearms safety, family violence, child abuse, suicide prevention, cultural orientation, and conflict resolution.
She merges law enforcement with Inuit societal values to ensure that RCMP services are relevant in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, Sergeant Niego sets an example of excellence and is a role model to our youth.
She has worked very hard to achieve her dreams as she strives to better the lives of Nunavutmiut.
As the MLA for Baker Lake, I recognize her commitment and dedication. I am honoured to recognize this milestone in her career.
We, in Baker Lake and throughout Nunavut, are very proud of her.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating Sergeant Yvonne Hakitnaq Niego.
Member’s Statement 111 – 4(2): Congratulations to Gord Billard (Savikataaq)
I rise today to recognize the achievements of a long-time resident of my community of Arviat.
On October 7, 2014, Mr. Gord Billard was honoured with the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.
Mr. Speaker, Gord Billard has been a high school teacher and community volunteer in Arviat for many years.
I believe that this is a well-deserved award and I extend my sincerest congratulations to Mr. Billard.
Mr. Speaker, a common challenge for today’s educators is to capture the curiosity of students and inspire them to contribute to their own education and careers.
Mr. Billard has successfully overcome this challenge and continues to provide inspiring and innovative learning opportunities for his students through his own contributions to Arviat’s theatre productions, film society, and additional volunteering activities in the community and in the high school.
Mr. Billard has demonstrated that he is committed to the success of his students and continues to motivate them to explore new ways to develop their skills and knowledge.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating Mr. Gord Billard for his achievements as an educator.
Member’s Statement 112 – 4(2): 2014 High School Graduates of Coral Harbour (Mapsalak)
I rise today to talk about the grade 12 graduates in Coral Harbour.
I congratulate them and I would like to thank Minister Quassa for attending the ceremony when they were having the grade 12 ceremony.
I would like to recognize these students who graduated from Coral Harbour:
Jackie Angootealuk,
Amy Pameolik,
May Ningeongan,
Loraine Ningeocheak, and
Jeffrey Natakok.
I would like my fellow MLAs to join me in congratulating the grade 12 graduates from the high school in Coral Harbour.
Member’s Statement 113 – 4(2): Constituency Activities in Tununiq (Enook)
Good afternoon, people of Pond Inlet and fellow residents of Nunavut. Welcome.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update the Legislative Assembly on what has been an exciting summer for the community of Pond Inlet and my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, this past summer, Pond Inlet was very proud to host the Prime Minister of Canada on the occasion of his annual northern tour. He was able to come to Pond Inlet and we were really happy about that.
Mr. Speaker, as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Tununiq, I was pleased to participate in an important round-table discussion with the Prime Minister, our Member of Parliament, our Senator, and the Pond Inlet mayor.
I was very pleased to be able to get involved with their discussions.
Mr. Speaker, during his visit to Pond Inlet, the Prime Minister was able to see first hand the opportunities and challenges facing the community of Pond Inlet, including, I’m sure, Mr. Speaker, our ongoing lack of modern marine infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I want to publicly express the community’s appreciation to the Prime Minister, Minister Aglukkaq, and Senator Patterson, and to extend an open invitation for them to feel warmly welcome in Pond Inlet at any time.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, one of the things that we dealt with this summer, the Mary River project, continues to move forward.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his Member’s Statement.
Thank you, my fellow MLAs.
This past summer, I was able to take part in a tour to the Mary River project and I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank Baffinland President Tom Paddon for having hosted me, Premier Taptuna, and Minister Kuksuk during our recent site visit to Mary River.
This visit was an excellent opportunity to discuss such issues as employment and training initiatives, infrastructure development, and transportation issues.
Mr. Speaker, ensuring that my constituents share in the benefits that projects such as Mary River bring to our territory is a responsibility that I take very seriously. I look forward to continuing to advocate on their behalf when it comes to the Mary River project because they have to be involved in a real way.
Member’s Statement 114 – 4(2): 2014 High School Graduates of Arctic Bay (Shooyook)
I would like to express my pride also. On October 17, our precious students held a graduation ceremony as well.
This was a beautiful event, many people attended, and we had a feast afterwards.
We were very proud of this event. The students realized how proud we were of them and they were so happy.
The graduates were:
Cherita Kalluk,
Sheena Kilabuk,
Kilabuk Veevee,
April Eecheak,
Johnny Boo Qaqqasiq,
Cora Natanine,
Elisapee Aola, and I have a hard time with this one; I may not pronounce this one properly,
Siurulai Pauloosie.
It’s in English.
We are very proud of their accomplishments and they have completed their high school, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 115 – 4(2): Review of the Education Act (Hickes)
I would like to take this opportunity to rise today and remind Nunavummiut that the Legislative Assembly’s Special Committee to Review Nunavut’s Education Act welcomes thoughts and comments from the public on the effectiveness of Nunavut’s education legislation which came into force just over five years ago.
Mr. Speaker, the special committee has written to a number of key stakeholders, such as NTI, the coalition of DEAs, the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut, and every community-based DEA as well as other entities across Nunavut to ask for their input.
We look forward to receiving their submissions in due course.
Mr. Speaker, the special committee has also placed ads on community television and radio stations, on the Assembly website, and in newspapers to encourage all Nunavummiut to share their views on the Education Act with us.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to make it clear that the purpose of our review is to look at the law itself, not to examine how the Department of Education implements the law nor to criticize its day-to-day operations.
Mr. Speaker, we would like to encourage members of the public, including those with children in the school system, to let us know whether the legislation is effective in meeting their needs and aspirations.
Individuals can drop off submissions at their local MLA’s constituency office to be forwarded to us.
I would like to thank my colleagues for their support in this initiative.
I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Number 4.
Return to Oral Question 160 – 4(2): Food Security (Clerk)
Return to Oral Question 172 – 4(2): Support for “Feeding My Family” (Clerk)
I am tabling the returns to oral questions No. 160 and 172 that were taken as notice during the spring 2014 sitting of the House.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Number 5.
I wish to recognize Pauloosie Akeeagok, who is my nephew and also a constituent of mine.
*See Appendix for full text of Returns to Oral Questions 160 – 4(2) and 172 – 4(2).
Question 176 – 4(2): Plebiscite on Retail Sales of Beer and Wine (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Finance.
In my Member’s Statement today, I spoke in favour of holding a formal plebiscite within the first six months of the new year to determine the views of the residents of this community on the question of whether or not they support, in principle, the idea of allowing retail sales of beer and wine.
Will the government do this, yes or no?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you.  Thank you.
Sorry about that. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Finance, the Hon. Keith Peterson.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon to Nunavummiut, my constituents in Cambridge Bay, and my colleagues and all members.
I listened with great interest to Ms. Angnakak’s Member’s Statement.
There was a good consultation meeting, as she mentioned, and I have been doing my own informal consultations here in Iqaluit, hearing from a lot of people.
We, as the Department of Finance, have made a commitment to do extensive consultations through social media, public meetings, and surveys, and we are going to continue to do that.
This is a very important decision that we will have to make when all the information is provided to us.
At that time, I will discuss it with my colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your first supplementary, Ms. Angnakak.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think the minister really answered my question, so I would like to ask him again. Would the government be willing to have a plebiscite to decide on this issue, yes or no?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minster of Finance, Hon. Peterson.
Yes, I did hear the question quite well and I understood it, but as the member knows, it is very difficult to stand up and just answer yes or no. There is a lot of work that has to be done into this and we have not completed that work.
My officials in my Department of Finance are talking to the chief electoral officer of Elections Nunavut regarding a plebiscite and what it all entails. It is too early for me to say yes or no, but at some point, I will be able to provide that information.
Your second supplementary, Ms. Angnakak.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps the minister can inform us then when he expects to come up with a decision whether or not a plebiscite could be held on this matter.
Speaker: Minister of Finance, the Hon. Keith Peterson.
As I have indicated already, there is extensive work, consultations, and surveys underway. I believe we have been given a timeline until the end of November to gather as much information as possible, then that information will be compiled for me and I will share it with my colleagues.
Again, we have to talk to Elections Nunavut about what it all entails.
I don’t want to put any pressure or timelines on what their capacity is, but I would hope that if there was a decision, it would be something we could do within the next six months.
Speaker: Thank you. Before I proceed, I wish to tell all of the MLAs that my hearing aid had been broken and I’m sorry about the delays I have been causing this afternoon. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 177 – 4(2): Dust Control in Nunavut Communities (Sammurtok)
Mr. Speaker, on May 22, 2014, I asked the minister a number of questions related to dust control in Nunavut communities.
At that time, the minister indicated that there was “no funding to pave the roads in each community.”
I recognize that paving all roads in all communities is not realistic.
However, many municipalities are struggling to undertake adequate dust control initiatives with the resources that are currently available to them.
Can the minister indicate what actions his department is currently taking to provide funding and support to the municipalities as they work to implement dust control methods in the communities?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, the Hon. Tom Sammurtok.
That is the question that comes up almost everywhere I go over the summer in my visits to different regions and to different communities.
As I indicated before, what we had done as a department is that we have provided information that is accessible through computer on different types of dust control methods that communities can access.
We are prepared to work with the communities to ensure that dust control does take place in the communities that would like to have it done in their communities.
On May, 22, 2014, the minister also indicated that his department had provided all municipalities with “information on how to lessen dust on roads in each community.”
Can the minister indicate how his department is currently monitoring which dust control methods are being employed by each municipality?
We’ve had discussions with some of the hamlets that have requested some assistance regarding dust control and we are prepared to assist them in the proper application of the dust control agent.
However, we found that there have been very few communities that have actually requested this over the last summer.
Your second supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok.