EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
So while we do have a Twitter account and things like that, unlike other jurisdictions where all departments have social media access, we don’t and it’s largely and, in fact, it’s almost totally because of restricted bandwidth.
So in terms of the Social Media Policy, it’s more for government departments and how the government will communicate information and communicate with the public on a daily basis.
Yes, that’s what we’re trying to do.
So in terms of employees, as the deputy minister had pointed out, there are a lot of GN employees who have a workstation with a computer, but now with cellphones, BlackBerrys, other tablets, and whatnot, GN employees would have access to social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, that they could access when they are at work.
Are there policies around that type of use of social media in the workplace?
We are still restricted, as Mr. Vandermeulen alluded to, because of bandwidth.
In terms of individuals who do work for the GN and let’s say they have a Twitter account, are there certain types of rules or guidelines for information that they can Tweet or that they can send over?
I notice a lot of individuals, especially within the media and whatnot, who will Tweet saying that this is a personal Twitter account of so-and-so.
In terms of employees being able to share information and communicate with friends, is that a concern for the Government of Nunavut?
If the member is asking whether we have a policy on personal accounts, we don’t as yet.
Chairman (Mr. Enook): Qujannamiik, Premier.
Mr. Elliott (interpretation): I’m done. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: You are done, Mr. Elliott. (interpretation) I’m sorry.
We’re on (interpretation ends) Directorate. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $7,115,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Go to the next page. (interpretation ends) Branch Summary. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Strategic Planning.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $2,567,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Turn the page. (interpretation ends) Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Branch Summary. Nunavut Cabinet.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,416,000. (interpretation) Do you agree?
Go to the next page. Branch Summary. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $299,000.
Sivumuaqatigiit.
I have a question while we’re under this. The public service annual reports… .
They need to be competent in speaking the official languages.
They can also go under the bilingual bonus. How are they determined… ?
For example, this person is able to speak two languages and, therefore, should be getting the bilingual bonus.
How do you determine that the person is competent and, therefore, should be getting a bilingual bonus?
What procedures or policies do they use when they’re going to be providing that bonus?
I will also ask Mr. Dan Vandermeulen to respond to this as he has that information.
I thank the member. The bilingual bonus currently is largely granted in those positions where the language is required for normal use. It is based on the recommendations of the deputy minister.
However the Department of Human Resources, recognizing some of the limitations of the bilingual bonus, has started developing a language incentive policy and program.
One of the ideas that’s included in that is to develop Inuktitut language proficiency assessment tools.
Some of those tools are available to us at Arctic College. So I think what you are going to see is a partnership between Sivumuaqatigiit and Arctic College in developing the language assessment tools, and then the language programs that Training and Development normally delivered.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you. Prior to this committee, the Legislative Assembly and standing committee, the government encouraged… . Perhaps I will state this part in English, the directive which is, and I quote, (interpretation ends) “work towards the design and implementation of objective and standardized tests for evaluating language proficiency within the public service.”
(interpretation) Under section 25 of the Inuit Language Protection Act, it states that these may be determined by the Inuit Language Authority as to whether they can be assisted with respect to whether the position requires English or Inuktitut language proficiency.
Is your department preparing a standardized policy on this language proficiency evaluation testing? For example, how do you test for Inuktitut language proficiency today?
Is there an existing test?
I would like to get some clarification on this matter, Mr. Chairman.
This will require that I look into that matter, but we can provide the information once we have it related to the duties under our department, which is a new position.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, (interpretation ends) Madam Premier.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): In the 2013-16 business plan, one of the priorities for 2013-14 is to “Develop the Language Incentive Program in partnership with Nunavut Arctic College.” What was the basis for this partnership to initiate this, Mr. Chairman?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. (interpretation ends) Madam Premier.
This too is currently being developed and it is starting to become defined.
Once the work has been completed, we will be able to speak to the issue. At this time, it is still under development.
Just to ensure my question is understood, I will be asking it in English. (interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, my question is that the priority is to “Develop the Language Incentive Program in partnership with Nunavut Arctic College.”
My question is: what are the main elements of this program?
With regard to the preparation of this program and its contents, I’ll have my deputy answer that with your permission, Mr. Chairman.
The member has really hit the core of the issue around the whole bilingual bonus as to what it really represented.
A bilingual bonus was being granted for people who spoke English in addition to Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, or French.
In terms of the Inuit language, Training and Development in HR had always been funding and providing language training for GN employees, but there was always a question about how proficient people were and so it was decided to try to develop those tools.
A specific answer to his question as to what the elements are, by and large, the language training programs themselves are in place and that’s the key element. What we now need is to have the proficiency tools, the assessment tools, which might give us some objective standard of language proficiency. They need to be developed in partnership with Arctic College and all of that, of course, has to go before the Inuit Language Authority.
We are under Sivumuaqatigiit.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $8,261,000.
Turn to the next page.
In Inuktitut, we often refer to the department as intergovernmental affairs.
Under this item, Mr. Rumbolt.
In Mr. Elliott’s opening comments on page 4, he talked about two transboundary issues, one being with Manitoba and the other one with Sanikiluaq. However, the department’s proposed 2013-16 business plan does not address these important transboundary issues.
Can the minister explain why these issues were taken out the business plan?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. (interpretation ends) Premier Aariak.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The transboundary issues with the western provinces, if that’s the question, the issue is out-of-court settlement negotiations between Canada, NTI, the Kivalliq Inuit Association, and Manitoba and Athabaskan Denesuline in the southern Kivalliq.
There are confidentiality agreements related to negotiations that restrict what the Government of Nunavut can communicate.
This relates to certain portions of the NLCA, parts 4 and 5, Article 40, if that’s what he is referring to.
If I did not properly address his question, he can clarify that.
That was part of my question, but the other part of the question was the transboundary issues with Sanikiluaq, Northern Quebec, and Ontario.
I’m just wondering why these issues are no longer in the government’s business plan.
The Hudson Bay Awareness Summit, if that is it, the meeting did not occur because the required funding had not been captured. The Hudson Bay Awareness Summit was always part of the multiyear plan called the Hudson Bay Inland Sea Initiative.
Because the summit has been met with funding difficulties, the work plan has changed to start with more of grassroots activities and work up to a larger summit. So that is the case.
The NTK working group is still active as an ad hoc working group. I believe the NTK chair and other board members are still in place. They are also part of the Hudson Bay Inland Sea Initiative Advisory Committee chaired by the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Last June, the Premier sent a letter to the standing committee concerning the issue of GN’s support of the Hudson Bay Interagency Working Group, which is also known as NTK. In her letter, the Premier indicated that the GN works with NTK, and then the feds recommend directors.
I think one of the directors on there is an EIA representative. Is this EIA representative required to report back to the Premier on the affairs of NTK? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
As there has been no activity to date, there have been no reports produced. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I wonder if the Premier can indicate when she anticipates any activity on this committee.
As I had mentioned earlier, the committee, I believe, has not met. If there are any new further developments, I will surely inform the member of such. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Using my discretion as the Chair, I would like to recognize the Mayor of Pangnirtung, Sakiasie Sowdluapik.
Welcome to the House and please welcome him.
I have a question to EIA officials.
In 2011, at the Legislative Assembly, on more than one occasion, there were hearings on the federal government’s Nutrition North program.
Can the Premier update us about Nutrition North issues here in Nunavut?
It’s under Economic Development and Transportation.
The Anti-Poverty Secretariat is dealing with the strategy.
At this time, there’s nothing new under EIA.
Thank you, Madam Premier, for the response. So I will ask at that time.
(interpretation ends) Your department’s draft 2013-16 business plan indicates that one your priorities for 2013-14 is to “Work with the governments of the Northwest Territories and Yukon, Inuit Circumpolar Council,” this is an Indian word here I guess, “Gwich’in Council International and the Arctic Athabascan Council to provide a northern voice to Canada’s 2013-15 chairmanship of the Arctic Council.”
What specific priorities does the Government of Nunavut have with respect to activities of the Arctic Council?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) There are three main areas that we have been discussing.
This is oil spill preparedness and response, pan-arctic suicide prevention, and arctic shipping.
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) On April 14, 2009, you publicly announced your opposition to giving observer status to the European Union at the meeting of the Arctic Council because of the EU ban on the import of seal products.
Is this still your position to date and has the council made a decision on this matter?
Thank you, Issivautaq.
The final decision, of course, is with the Government of Canada as to how they would present it to the Arctic Council.
At the time, I raised the issue in regard to the sealing ban and so on, which is still a very important issue for people in Nunavut.
When it comes to the final decision from Canada to the Arctic Council, it will be the federal government.
The questions being raised are very important, but it is doubtful we can complete them as per our rules. I move to report progress.
There is a motion to report progress and the motion is not debatable.
I will now rise and report to the Speaker.
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses out of the Chambers.
Just a reminder of meetings on Monday: at nine o’clock, the Standing Committee on Legislation, followed by a meeting at 10:30 of the Regular Caucus. Both meetings are taking place in the Tuktu Room.
Members, before I adjourn today’s sitting, I would like to ask you all to join me in thanking our pages this week.
They are Amy Alainga-Portier, Emma Inookie, and from Arviat, Jolene Manik and Ceporah Thompson, along with their chaperone, Susan Johnson.
I would like to thank you all very much for your help this week and hopefully you found it enjoyable and educational as well. I wish you a safe trip home.
With that, I hope everybody has a good weekend.
This House stands adjourned until Monday, March 11, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 15:10
Monday, March 11, 2013
Pages 3880 – 3902
Opening Prayer 3880
Ministers’ Statements 3880
Members’ Statements 3882
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3888
Oral Questions 3889
Orders of the Day 3901
Monday, March 11, 2013 3880
254 – 3(3): Minister Absent from the House (Kusugak) 3880
255 – 3(3): Search and Rescue and Land Safety (Kusugak) 3880
256 – 3(3): 2013 Nunavut Mining Symposium (Taptuna) 3881
257 – 3(3): Launch of Online Land Registration System (Shewchuk) 3882
426 – 3(3): Help for Homeowners (Ningark) 3882
427 – 3(3): Successful Heavy Equipment Operator Training Course in Arctic Bay (Elliott) 3883
428 – 3(3): Search and Rescue in Pond Inlet (Enook) 3884
429 – 3(3): Tribute to Martha Michael (Ell) 3885
430 – 3(3): A Canadian Success to Defeat the Up-listing of Polar Bears under CITES (Curley) 3885
550 – 3(3): Budget Address Announcement Concerning Sustainable Development Committee (Aupaluktuq) 3889
551 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Intervention Respecting Senate Reform Reference Questions (Elliott) 3891
552 – 3(3): Status of Gjoa Haven Sewage Lagoon (Ugyuk) 3892
553 – 3(3): Communications with DEAs (Ningeongan) 3894
554 – 3(3): Help for Homeowners under Age 60 (Ningark) 3894
555 – 3(3): Status of Kimmirut Airport (Schell) 3895
556 – 3(3): Update on the Resolute Bay Utilidor System (Elliott) 3896
557 – 3(3): Expediting the GN Hiring Process (Enook) 3898
558 – 3(3): High Arctic Transportation Strategy Update (Elliott) 3900
045 – 3(3): Adjournment for the Day (Rumbolt) 3901
Honourable Eva Aariak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, Honourable Monica Ell, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Joe Enook, Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Ningeongan, Mr. Hezakiah Oshutapik, Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk.
Before we proceed with today’s sitting, I would like to ask Ms. Ugyuk to lead us off in a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation ends) Moving on with our orders of the day.
Minister’s Statement 254 – 3(3): Minister Absent from the House (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I say “good day” to the people of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove. I wish to advise members that the Hon. James Arreak will be absent from the House today.
Ministers’ Statements. Minister responsible for the Department of Community and Government Services, Minister Kusugak.
Minister’s Statement 255 – 3(3): Search and Rescue and Land Safety (Kusugak)
I rise today to remind all Nunavummiut to be prepared when they go out on the land.
Last year, our officials responded to 178 requests for search and rescue assistance. Of the total number of searches, 53 of these were SPOT tracking device activations.
We have documented cases where individuals would have perished without the use of the SPOT tracking units.
This underscores the importance of taking a tracking communications device like a SPOT device when going out on the land. Carrying a SPOT device can often be the difference between life and death.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut has supplied 500 SPOT devices to communities throughout the territory. They are free for anyone to use and can be signed out by contacting the local hamlet offices or HTOs.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to remind Nunavummiut to be prepared when travelling out on the land.
Forty of our searches occurred as a result of people not taking enough fuel when they travelled. An additional 49 searches were the result of mechanical breakdowns.
Being prepared with extra fuel and a few critical snowmobile parts can save lives.
Mr. Speaker, we are currently working closely with the RCMP to develop a new policy on search and rescue that clarifies and strengthens the roles of government, communities, and our partners in search and rescue activities.
(interpretation) Our Protection Services Division is also working with Environment Canada to have 1-800 numbers available for communities to call for weather updates.
Once this program is in place, I will be asking my colleague, the Minister responsible for the Department of Culture and Heritage, to assist us in having the automated reports translated into Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun.
We are also committed to continue with our training efforts for local volunteers in search and rescue techniques and personal safety while assisting citizens in need.
Mr. Speaker, each search puts volunteer search and rescue personnel at risk, yet they undertake their mission without question.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to remind all Nunavummiut of these land safety principals:
Before you go, let someone know – tell others of your travel plans and when you expect to return.
Always be prepared for 72 hours on land – take additional food, shelter, and equipment, even on short day trips, in case of emergencies.
Take a communications signalling device like a satellite phone or SPOT device – SPOT devices can be signed out for free.
Mr. Speaker, let’s improve our preparation and take responsibility for safe travels on the land.
Minister’s Statement 256 – 3(3): 2013 Nunavut Mining Symposium (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind everyone of the 16th Nunavut Mining Symposium which will be taking place here in Iqaluit in April.
The symposium is one of the largest and longest running annual events in Nunavut with 500 delegates in attendance.
Delegates represent all major exploration and mining companies, Nunavut organizations, agencies and NGOs, service providers, and many of our communities.
This year’s agenda includes 60 technical and general talks covering topics such as exploration and development updates, training, service sector businesses, and regulatory affairs.
As always, the tradeshow is a good opportunity to meet with some of the mining companies and other businesses active in the sector.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is a founding and regular sponsor of the Nunavut Mining Symposium, which has become the main annual event for operators and all stakeholders in Nunavut to come together, share information, do business, or else reach an agreement.
The symposium will be held April 8 to 11 and this year’s theme is “Making Connections,” which is a good summary of the busy and energetic week of the symposium.
Mr. Speaker, we are entering into an exciting and challenging period of growth in Nunavut, with a number of projects approaching commercial viability and mine development.
I encourage all persons with an interest in any aspect of the industry to attend the upcoming Nunavut Mining Symposium.
Minister’s Statement 257 – 3(3): Launch of Online Land Registration System (Shewchuk)
As Minister of Justice, it gives me great pleasure to announce that on Monday, April 8, 2013, Nunavut’s new Parcelized Online Land Registration system (POLAR) will become available online to real estate practitioners.
For the last few years, Nunavut has been leading the territories in the development of land registration systems.
In the first phase, the Land Titles Office allowed submission of electronic documents in PDF format.
This had the effect of drastically reducing registration times from several weeks to our well-established standard of 48 hours.
On April 8, Nunavut will again take a dramatic step forward. On that date, our new parcelized online land registration system will be available to our professional users and land titles paper submissions will become a thing of the past.
POLAR boasts a host of features long awaited by real estate practitioners, such as real-time searches, automatic registration notification, and online billing.
It is a system second to none and the first introduced in the north. It can be accessed from anywhere via a web browser and will serve Nunavut well by encouraging speedier real estate transactions that stimulate our economic growth.
Parcelized online land registration will enhance Nunavut’s recognition in Canada and the world.
Member’s Statement 426 – 3(3): Help for Homeowners (Ningark)
I rise today to talk about the importance of providing help for Nunavut homeowners.
Mr. Speaker, for many years, the government has encouraged Nunavummiut to consider purchasing their own homes. Homeownership is a good goal.
Owning one’s own home provides a sense of pride and self-reliance. However, it is well known that the cost of owning and operating a home in Nunavut can be very expensive.
Mr. Speaker, the high cost of living in the north is especially evident when we pay our monthly heating fuel and power bills.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the government does provide support to homeowners.  The Nunavut Electricity Subsidy Program, which is administered by the Department of Finance, helps small businesses and residential consumers with respect to their power bills.
The Senior Fuel Subsidy Program, which has been administered by the Department of Education and which will be taken over by the new Department of Family Services, provides assistance to Nunavummiut aged 60 or over who own their own homes.
Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, the Department of Finance provided a one-time Homeowner Fuel Rebate Program. Eligible applicants could apply for a $400 rebate.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage the government to regularly review its programs that are intended to help homeowners keep pace with the high cost of living.
Member’s Statement 427 – 3(3): Successful Heavy Equipment Operator Training Course in Arctic Bay (Elliott)
I rise today to again highlight the good work that is being done by a number of Nunavut organizations to deliver training initiatives to the residents of the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, last summer saw 13 residents of Arctic Bay participate in a locally delivered pilot project to provide Class 3/Airbrakes certification and heavy equipment operator training on loaders, graders, and gravel screeners.
Mr. Speaker, the training was delivered by the Municipal Training Organization in partnership with the Kakivak Association, the Arctic Bay Community Learning Centre, and the Municipality of Arctic Bay.
This is yet another example of the success that can be achieved when organizations focus their efforts and resources in delivering training to our residents in their home communities.
Mr. Speaker, this pilot project was a win-win situation for the entire community.
As part of their training, students completed an important community road project. This element of the course contributed greatly to the participants’ well-justified sense of pride and accomplishment. The municipality itself has strengthened its capacity to deliver services and has more skilled workers to draw on.
Mr. Speaker, as I noted last week, Arctic Bay is one of the point-of-hire communities for the Mary River Project. Courses such as the one that was delivered in Arctic Bay are helping to build a skilled local workforce for this major economic development.
Mr. Speaker, the participants in this course were:
Kenny Allurut;
Kenneth Barnabas;
Richard Bohlender;
Terry Ejangiaq;
Darcy Enoogoo;
Salmo Inutiq;
Daniel Iqaqrialu;
Benjamin Issuqagituq;
Joseph Kalluk;
Boisey Kilukishak;
Joanna Koonoo;
Sandra Qamanirq; and
Valerie Taqtu.