Nunavut Canada

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT

2nd Session 5th Assembly

HANSARD

Official Report

DAY 15

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Pages 884 – 999

Iqaluit

Speaker: The Honourable Joe Enook, M.L.A.

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

Speaker Hon. Joe Enook (Tununiq)

Hon. David Akeeagok Mila Kamingoak Patterk Netser (Quttiktuq) (Kugluktuk) (Aivilik) Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Management Board; Minister responsible for Pauloosie Keyootak Emiliano Qirngnuq the Workers’ Safety and Compensation (Uqqummiut) (Netsilik) Commission Hon. Lorne Kusugak Hon. Paul Quassa Tony Akoak (Rankin Inlet South) (Aggu) (Gjoa Haven) Minister of Community and Premier; Minister of Executive and Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Government Services; Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister responsible Minister responsible for the for Aboriginal Affairs; Minister responsible for Hon. Pat Angnakak Nunavut Housing Seniors; Minister responsible for the Utility (Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu) Corporation Rates Review Council Minister of Health; Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention Adam Lightstone Allan Rumbolt (Iqaluit-Manirajak) (Hudson Bay) Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole (Cambridge Bay) John Main Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for (Arviat North-Whale Cove) Hon. Joe Savikataaq the Qulliq Energy Corporation; Minister (Arviat South) responsible for Labour Simeon Mikkungwak Deputy Premier; Minister of Economic (Baker Lake) Development and Transportation; Minister of George Hickes Deputy Speaker and Chair of Energy; Minister of Environment (Iqaluit-Tasiluk) the Committee of the Whole Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik Hon. David Joanasie Margaret Nakashuk (Iqaluit-Sinaa) (South Baffin) (Pangnirtung) Government House Leader; Minister of Family Minister of Culture and Heritage; Minister Services; Minister responsible for Homelessness; of Education; Minister of Languages; Minister responsible for Immigration; Minister Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic responsible for the Status of Women College Cathy Towtongie Joelie Kaernerk (Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet) (Amittuq) Officers Clerk John Quirke

Clerk Assistant Law Clerk Sergeant-at-Arms Hansard Production Stephen Innuksuk Michael Chandler Charlie Audlakiak Innirvik Support Services

Box 1200 Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0 Tel (867) 975-5000 Fax (867) 975-5190 Toll-Free (877) 334-7266 Website: www.assembly.nu.ca

Table of Contents

Opening Prayer ...... 884

Notices of Motions ...... 884

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ...... 885

Report of the Committee of the Whole ...... 998

Orders of the Day ...... 998

A. Daily References

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 ...... 884

B. Motions

009 – 5(2): Removal of the Member for Aggu from the Executive Council of Nunavut – Notice

(Main) ...... 884

C. Bills

Bill 04 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2018-2019 – Economic Development

and Transportation – Consideration in Committee ...... 885

Bill 04 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2018-2019 – Nunavut Arctic College –

Consideration in Committee ...... 945

Bill 04 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2018-2019 – Executive and

Intergovernmental Affairs – Consideration in Committee ...... 966

Bill 04 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2018-2019 – Environment –

Consideration in Committee ...... 975

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 884

Iqaluit, Nunavut Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Tuesday, June 12, 2018 The member is seeking unanimous Members Present: consent to proceed directly to Item 14. Hon. David Akeeagok, Mr. Tony Akoak, Are there any nays? There are no nays. Hon. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak, Hon. Joe Enook, Mr. George We will proceed directly to Item 14. Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, Mr. Joelie Notices of Motions. Member for Arviat Kaernerk, Ms. Mila Kamingoak, Mr. North-Whale Cove, Mr. Main. Pauloosie Keyootak, Hon. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Adam Lightstone, Mr. Item 14: Notices of Motions John Main, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Ms. Margaret Nakashuk, Mr. Patterk Motion 009 – 5(2): Removal of the Netser, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq, Hon. Member for Aggu from the Paul Quassa, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Hon. Executive Council of Nunavut – Joe Savikataaq, Ms. Cathy Towtongie. Notice (Main)

>>House commenced at 10:01 Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give Item 1: Opening Prayer notice that on Thursday, June 14, 2018, I will move the following motion: Speaker (Hon. Joe Enook) (interpretation): Mr. Mikkungwak, can NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded you say the opening prayer, please. by the Hon. Member for Gjoa Haven, that the Member for Aggu be removed >>Prayer from the Executive Council of Nunavut.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Mikkungwak. (interpretation ends) Premier (interpretation) and members, Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. good morning. Nunavummiut who are Notices of Motions. Moving on. Notices listening to the radio broadcast and of Motions for First Reading of Bills. watching the televised proceedings, Motions. First Reading of Bills. Second welcome to your Legislative Assembly. Reading of Bills. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Let’s proceed directly to the orders of Other Matters. Bills 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 with the day. Mr. Main. Mr. Akoak in the Chair.

Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, In accordance with the authority Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my provided to me by Motion 4 – 5(2), the colleagues, (interpretation ends) committee will stay in session until it Premier, and ministers. reports itself out.

(interpretation) At this time I request I ask that you remain in your seats as unanimous consent to go to Item 14, Mr. you will proceed directly into Speaker. Thank you. Committee of the Whole once the documents are ready.

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Sergeant-at-Arms. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I would. Thank you. Item 19: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Chairman: Thank you. Does the Matters committee agree to let the minister and his officials go to the witness table? Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Good morning, Agreed? colleagues. I would like to call the committee meeting to order. Welcome to Some Members: Agreed. Nunavummiut watching and listening to the radio. In Committee of the Whole we Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- have the following items to deal with: Arms, please escort the witnesses in. Bills 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Rumbolt. For the record, Minister Savikataaq, please introduce your officials. Minister Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. Chairman. Good morning, members. Mr. Chairman, we wish to continue with the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. review of Bill 4 and the Department of Chairman. To my right is Udlu Hanson. Economic Development and She’s the DM of Economic Transportation, followed by the Development and Transportation, and to following: Nunavut Arctic College, my left is the ADM of Economic Executive and Intergovernmental Development and Transportation, Bernie Affairs, Environment, Culture and MacIsaac. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Heritage, and the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Yesterday you did your opening comments. We are on Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. page K-4. Economic Development and Are we in agreement that we first deal Transportation. Corporate Management. with Bill 4? Any questions? Mr. Mikkungwak.

Some Members: Agreed. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning to the people Bill 04 – Appropriation (Operations & of Baker Lake and Nunavut. Minister Maintenance) Act, 2018-2019 – and officials, welcome. Economic Development and Transportation – Consideration in Your department administers a number Committee of different policies. Your department’s Small Business Support Program Policy Chairman: Thank you. Yesterday we expired on March 31, 2011. Information did our opening comments. I would now that is on your department’s website like to ask Minister Savikataaq: do you indicates that the policy is currently have officials that you would like to “under review.” What is the timeline for appear before the committee? Mr. completing this review and what specific Savikataaq. changes to the small support program are being considered? Thank you, Mr.

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Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess the minister is right Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. on the ball this morning. He led right Chairman. I’m aware that we have a into my next question. The minister is number of policies that are outdated and well aware I asked about this in question we are working on all of them. It’s one period. When we’re looking at aftercare, of the priorities and the specific policy is that more in the lines of consulting that the member is asking about, our with a small business firm that might be goal is to have it updated by the end of struggling or when you’re talking about the year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. aftercare, is that more on a consultation basis or are you looking at financial Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. support to sustain the small business? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for his Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. response. Under this small support program I’m presuming it’s for people Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. who are just starting up a small business. Chairman. All this is under review. We What specific changes do you see don’t know exactly what aftercare will occurring? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. look like. All of that stuff will be considered because we want the business Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. to succeed, but we don’t want to fund projects that are unsustainable and just Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. keep putting money into them. We want Chairman. These programs are being to make sure that we come up with a updated right now and I’m not familiar policy that is fair both to the client and with exactly all the workings of it and to the government. On a side note, the the end goal of it, so I can, with your NBCC also is reviewing their procedures permission… . The program provides so that they too will have aftercare if any contribution to Nunavut individuals and one of their clients needs it. Thank you, businesses for start-up, expansion, Mr. Chairman. training, and aftercare and support for outfitters and commercial harvesters. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak.

Related to this, one of the things that we Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. want to do too is to have more support Chairman. I thank the minister for his for these small businesses once they get response. Just a comment on this before either be it a loan or a grant from the I proceed onto my next question. People department so that we can have aftercare who are trying to become private delivered so that they have a better businesspeople are only human and have chance of succeeding in the projects that their families. Sometimes they go out for they are doing. Thank you, Mr. medical and in a way that sort of affects Chairman. their business operations, but maybe that’s something that can be taken into

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 887 consideration. That’s just a comment. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Earlier I was referring to You department administers a number of small business that might be struggling. different policies. Your department’s If this budget is approved, can that Policy on Program Partnerships expired particular small business approach on March 31, 2011. This policy governs Economic Development to maybe get your department’s Community Capacity their feet back on the ground and prosper Building Program, which provides a in their small business endeavour? contribution to every Nunavut Thank you, Mr. Chairman. municipality to allow each to employ a qualified economic development officer. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. The program also supports community economic development projects and the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. creation and implementation of Chairman. Yes, my answer will be the community economic development same as when you asked it in question plans. Your department’s draft 2018-19 period. First, have this business owner main estimates include $4,454,000 in go see the economic development officer proposed funding for this program. and we will go from there. In that situation that you described, it’s very What is the timeline for reviewing the hard because if someone is sick or can’t Policy on Program Partnerships and do their work, then that’s a different what specific changes to the Community issue than economics of the business. Capacity Building Program are being There are personnel issues involved considered? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. there, but go to that business, if they’re struggling, they can go to the economic Chairman: Thank you. Minister development officer and they can talk Savikataaq. together and find out how to help this business. We’re here to help the business Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. because small businesses in Nunavut are Chairman. The drafting should be a huge employer and it gives people self- completed by the end of this summer on reliance to have their business and be the policy and it should be completely their own boss. Talk to the EDO. The updated on the same timeline as I said EDO can direct this person on exactly earlier. Everything should be done on where this business can get help on what that by the end of this year. Like the type of help it needs. Thank you, Mr. member said, it’s part of the funding that Chairman. we get for EDOs to each community. It’s very important and it’s very beneficial to Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. the communities. This is one of the priorities too and our goal is to have it Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. updated by the end of summer. As you Chairman. My next question here would stated, it’s long overdue; it expired back be maybe on a consultation basis or to in 2011. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. support a small business in communities. Does your department or any other Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. government department consider financial accounting systems that could

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 888 be taken into consideration or suggest it years ago. It is now June of 2018. What to the individual who’s wanting to specific factors account for the delays in sustain a small business opportunity? If updating the strategy? Thank you, Mr. I’m making sense, in order sustain your Chairman. small business, you need an accounting structure. Would that be taken into Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. consideration? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The strategy has been worked Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. on for a while and it was pretty well complete, but my department went back Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. and looked at it and decided that there Chairman. Yes, that would be taken into was not enough community input. consideration. I have known in the past, Consultation was done again with all the this is quite a while ago now, but they communities to get the communities’ used to offer a Simply Accounting input on the strategy. Thank you, Mr. course. I don’t know if that program is Chairman. still available, but if there were such programs, if an individual needs help on Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. what type of accounting program would best suit their needs, then yes, all that Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. can be discussed with the EDOs because Chairman. I thank the minister for his that’s what they’re there for. They’re response. When we look at the Nunavut flexible and they may be able to just say, Economic Development Strategy, what “Okay this accounting type of program does the department anticipate to be would work very well in your situation different from the current Nunavut and your size of business.” Thank you, Economic Development Strategy? Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you. I’ll Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. move on here. Your department’s draft Chairman. We’re focusing on trying to 2018-19 business plan indicates that one create more jobs and getting more jobs of its priorities for the 2018-19 fiscal out, but in terms of the overall strategy, year is to “Update the Nunavut it wouldn’t change that much other than Economic Development Strategy based technology is going ahead by leaps and on prior community consultations and bounds. All that would have to be the Turaaqtavut mandate.” I do know considered because, in the old one, there that they did come to Baker Lake and we might not have been too much emphasis were welcoming them. on Internet business or opportunities on the Internet. All that would be brought The first Nunavut Economic into there too. It’s just to update it so that Development Strategy was released in we’re caught up with the rest of the June of 2003 and reached the end of its world and so that we can come up with 10-year life in the spring of 2013, five the best strategy for Nunavut so that we

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 889 can get full economic benefits from any that is being considered and will be businesses or any opportunities that we considered. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. have in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Next name on the list, Mr. Hickes. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. I just have a couple of questions here. Chairman. When I look at the Nunavut I’m just going to step into the NNI Economic Development Strategy and Policy for a moment. In the business when we look at Nunavut, as we all plan on page 225 when it speaks to the know as MLAs, we’ve got the mining NNI Secretariat, it states that industry within our territory and we’ve “…promoting long-term economic got fisheries going on in some development…by maximizing the communities, and then tourism could participation of Inuit and Nunavut also be expanding. When you look at residents in the Government of renewable energy and stuff like that, it is Nunavut’s procurement activities.” the reason why I’m asking these questions. When I was asking questions to the Minister responsible for Nunavut I see Economic Development and Housing Corporation, he stated clearly at Transportation as the leading department the end that they do have conditions in in creating these strategies as we’re their contracting to promote local hiring moving on. My question here would be: in general, not just for Inuit. Like I stated when you take those into consideration, the other day, just for the background, like what I have just mentioned, are there are a lot of non-Inuit that live in those taken into consideration with the the territory that support Inuit families. I strategy that is currently being think it’s very important that long-term formulated? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nunavut residents gain the benefit of hiring after the Inuit labour force is Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. exhausted. I just want the details of how NNI supports local hiring and Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. contracting across the territory. Thank Chairman. All that is being considered you, Mr. Chairman. because I forgot to mention earlier that back in 2011 mining was not as big in Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Nunavut as it is now, so that’s definitely a factor. With the strategy, you want to Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. make sure that there’s no competing Chairman. I’m not 100 percent familiar interest, whether it be the federal with the NNI Policy, every part of it, but strategy on what they want to do or what I do believe that there is a section for we want to do. We want to make sure northern hires. There’s more emphasis everything is in line so that it will run on Inuit hire, but there’s also a section smoothly, but all the stuff that the on northern hires because we want member mentioned, all the different people in Nunavut to work or to do sectors of the economy there, yes, all business. It makes way more sense to get

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 890 someone who is in Nunavut hired or to Mr. MacIsaac: Thank you, Mr. do business with the government as Chairman. Yes, that commitment dated opposed to someone from the south back to a relationship that we had coming up to work or a business coming developed with the Department of up from the south to work and bringing Family Services where we actually went their own workers. We do have to every community in Nunavut to ask emphasis on Inuit hire and Inuit them and talk to them about economic businesses, but there’s also the development and also on income secondary interest of northerners. Thank assistance reform. One of the big you, Mr. Chairman. takeaways from that consultation was the need to remove barriers for Chairman: Mr. Hickes. employment for people in the territory.

Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At that time we contemplated a pilot for I thank the minister for clarifying that daycare centres somewhere in Nunavut. for me. I’m going to go back to a Unfortunately we haven’t gotten there document, Reducing dependence. yet. We were still working out the details Supporting communities, in June of 2016 because it’s more departments than just and it was tabled on June 6, 2016. It’s a the Department of Family Services and report on the review and reform of EDT that would be involved in that. We income assistance and economic were in discussions and at this point we development. On page 14 of that have not completed that yet, but we did document in Pillar 4: Invest in job explore the idea of barriers to creation and reducing barriers to work, employment. That’s going to become a in Reform 15 it states that “EDT will real focus on this policy renewal that the build on this work by exploring a pilot minister mentioned earlier. Thank you, project to provide capital for the creation Mr. Chairman. of new private daycare spaces in one community.” I don’t see anywhere in the Chairman: Mr. Hickes. business plan that this is being worked on. I’m just wondering what the status of Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. that Reform 15 is, working in I came across it in our briefings with collaboration with Family Services. Family Services and I highlighted that Thank you, Mr. Chairman. point where I thought it was quite an interesting idea. I didn’t recall it when it Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. came out. I thought what an intriguing concept and I would like to hear how it Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. develops as this policy review takes Chairman. With your permission, if Mr. place and how this project comes to life. MacIsaac can answer that because It’s just a comment. Thank you, Mr. anything to do with from a long time Chairman. ago, he has the corporate knowledge. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. It’s just a comment. Next name on the list, Mr. Chairman: Mr. MacIsaac. Main.

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Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. Good morning, minister (interpretation ends) and your officials. Chairman: Mr. Main.

I’ll try not to use too much time here, Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, recognizing that we do have other Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) departments to go through. I think Thank you, minister. In terms of ED&T is a very important department in streamlining, again, what is that priority terms of what we need in Nunavut. We referring to when it says “streamline the have a huge need for more jobs. We process”? What is the existing process have hundreds if not thousands of people right now? What are the issues with the willing to work without opportunity. I existing process? (interpretation) Thank think, when you look at it from a labour you, Mr. Chairman. force perspective, our resources are stranded in terms of the labour, that Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. people who want to work are not mobile because they don’t have a lot of money Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. sitting in their bank account. Chairman. We’re hoping to get that administrative portion of it down. Some In terms of a department-wide business or some clients or individuals perspective, it’s mentioned in one of that apply for SIP find it quite an your priorities under the SIP program to encumbered process. It’s very paper streamline applications. Has there been intensive, to put it simply. We are trying recognition within the department that to make it so that it’s not such a burden the process is too cumbersome? What is on the person applying for funds. Thank that priority trying to address? you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Savikataaq. I would like to remind my Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. colleagues to refrain from using acronyms. Thank you. Mr. Main. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s one of the policies that’s Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, being looked at and reviewed again. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) My We’re looking to streamline the apologies, Strategic Investments application process where it’s just one, Program. but at the same time to be more accountable to it. If a business says I think it’s good to hear the minister they’re going to do X, Y, and Z, then we acknowledge that the process is want to make sure that X, Y, and Z gets cumbersome. This is just a comment. It done. It’s all part of the review. I’m would be useful to take that same lens sorry to say, but a lot of our programs and look at all of your grants and are overdue. The policies are expired contributions policies because, speaking and we’re working on that. We just want from experience, there was a big shift to make sure that the policies reflect about 10 years ago and my what Turaaqtavut wants us to do too. understanding is that it was driven by the

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 892

Department of Finance at the time. They they don’t come or they give up. We wanted greater accountability and also want to make sure that the funding whatnot, but the result was that at the is transparent and all accountable. Thank end of the day, for a carver, for example, you, Mr. Chairman. to receive a grant when it comes to carving tools, you’re talking 15 pages of Chairman: Mr. Main. forms and things to go through and initial and sign, and it’s very Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, cumbersome. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Thank you, minister. Again, a suggestion I think, if that initiative was broadened and maybe you have already looked at it, out to the different programs, it could but in terms of the those small amounts, save you some money and allow you to say it’s for carving tools or whatnot, the put more money out on the ground. department could consider delegating When it comes to efficiency, and I asked authority to EDOs in the community and this same question in the committee, say, for example, “Here you go. Here is does the department track your own $10,000 to support the artists in your administrative costs? Let’s say, to community. You choose who is going to deliver $100 to a carver in Whale Cove, get $500 here; you choose who is going how much does it cost the department in to get $1,500 there. We’re going to give administrative workings? (interpretation) you kind of a block and maybe there are Thank you, Mr. Chairman. eight carvers that you want to support. Go ahead and give us a report once Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. you’re done.” It’s just a suggestion.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. In terms of the priorities that you have in Chairman. We don’t track that, but just your business plan there… . I just have from my common knowledge, the to steal from my colleague here. There is amount of paperwork to give out $100 one that jumped out at me. In terms of might not be much different than to give the potential for mining and out $10,000. employment, it says here, “Build on the signing of a Memorandum of I get your point to it where, if under one Understanding with Agnico-Eagle of the grants and contribution, if you’re Mines…” I have representatives from applying for a $100 grant to buy a that excellent company here today, carving tool, it shouldn’t be that hard. It “…and pursue similar MOUs should be straightforward and simple with…active mining companies.” like a one-page document, who you are, how much you want, what you want it I thank the minister for providing a copy for, and where you’re buying it from, of that MOU. When I was going through something as simple as that. We are it, it’s very broad. In terms of those looking at all the programs to try to MOUs, what are the key focus areas for streamline them because we are a service the department that you’re trying to department. We’re here to service our collaborate on? I understand that there clients that are coming here and we are many different factors, but what are don’t want to make it such a burden that the top three that you want to work with,

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 893 with the mining companies? lots of good quality, high-paying jobs, (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. and we’re all in support of that. Chairman. One of the things that we’re working Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. with is the budget is not huge, but the budget we’re talking about now is Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. $200,000 for mine training. We work Chairman. The three key areas that we with communities to get specific training would like to hear about would be that they may want in that community to employment, training, and education. get their citizens ready to be employed Those are the three top areas that we or employable. We work with the would like to build on and build up that hamlets if they come up with a proposal capacity. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. and send it and it seems like a good idea.

Chairman: Mr. Main. One example that we will bring up, both myself and the member are fully aware Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, of because we’re both from Arviat, is the Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) work readiness programs that the hamlet That’s good to hear because I think I runs in Arviat. It gets potential would probably agree that those are the employees for Agnico Eagle ready to be key areas where we stand to benefit as a employed. Even if they don’t work there, territory. it’s broad enough too that it helps them get employment elsewhere. Thank you, I understand that for mine training, the Mr. Chairman. longer term goal may be for a Nunavut- wide mine training organization. In Chairman: Mr. Main. terms of the short term, the very immediate potential, the potential is Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, there at the Meliadine project in Rankin Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The Inlet. In terms of short-term minister mentioned $200,000 that is “achievables,” what is the department under one of your policies there, and I doing to mobilize resources to make sure understand more money has gone that Nunavummiut are getting on board towards mine training through SIP, the before the ship sails, so to speak, and Strategic Investments Program. Do you production starts? What are we doing to have an estimate of how much your ramp up our efforts to train department will be putting towards mine Nunavummiut? (interpretation) Thank training in this fiscal year? you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The mining industry is Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. getting bigger in Nunavut. It’s in all Chairman. We have $500,000 slotted for three regions now. We’re absolutely this year under the Strategic Investments aware that the mining industry brings Program. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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Chairman: Mr. Main. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Main.

Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’ll Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’ll just comment that in terms of return on go back and thank the minister for his investment, I feel that it’s a very good comment. When it comes to mine investment and I encourage you to direct training, who is the lead? I know it as much funding into this area as you involves Nunavut Arctic College, can because my experience is that ED&T, and possibly the Department of typically it’s leveraged by the private Education. Who is the lead department sector and/or the federal government. If and how does that work within the you have your ducks in a row, you put government goal? (interpretation) Thank one dollar into mine training, you might you, Mr. Chairman. end up with three. It’s just a comment and I think it’s a very important area, Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. especially given the timing of the Meliadine project. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would say that Arctic My last question on this one is regarding College would have to be the lead in the Nunavut Economic Development terms of mine training. Thank you, Mr. Strategy. Historically that was a very Chairman. useful tool to pull in federal investment in different areas. I think that we have Chairman: Mr. Main. been without that strategy for too long. In terms of the actual rolling out of the Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, new strategy, when can we expect to see Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) How that? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. can I say this nicely? I find that a bit Chairman. worrying if Nunavut Arctic College is the lead on mine training because they Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. have a lot of other things on their plate. With all due respect to the college, they Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. have a lot of other things on their plate, Chairman. We should have the and do you know they’re dealing with framework done by the fall of this year. everything from adult basic education to Just a comment on the member about training teachers. I think a sector council mine training, yes, we agree that mine approach similar to what the Nunavut training is very important and we also Fisheries folks are doing would be the realize that the longer we wait, the more best. I don’t expect the minister to jobs we will lose to people from the commit to anything, but has there been south. We need to get people trained any discussion of putting ED&T in a right now in the mining sector so that lead role in terms of the mine training when the jobs open up, they are there file within the government? and trained enough to work at the mines (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. when it’s done. The program that you Chairman. just talked about should be done this fall. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman, at this time. Thank you. Chairman. There has been some discussion, and we work with Arctic Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Next College and Family Services. We’re name on my list, Ms. Towtongie. looking at the big picture. The reason I said that Arctic college would play the Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank lead role is they are the college. They you, Mr. Speaker. On June 8, 2016 the have many different programs that they government’s Report on the Review and put out and this would be one. They Reform of Income Assistance and have the Nursing Program, they have the Economic Development was tabled. The teachers program, they have all these report stated that they’re reviewing what other programs, and they are set up to further work needs to be done by train Nunavummiut. We work with them Economic Development and and there have been some discussions, Transportation. but we are in charge of mines, so we will work with them. We realized that we My question is, the Government of have to get as much training as we can Nunavut’s most recent annual report on have done if we want to get the benefits grants and contributions spending from the mines that are here and that indicates that your department provided probably will be opening up. Thank you, a total of $23,665,937 in contribution Mr. Chairman. funding to organizations and individuals during the 2016-17 fiscal year. How Chairman: Mr. Main. many full-time and part-time jobs were created? (interpretation ends) My Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, question is: how many full-time and Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The part-time jobs were created or sustained reason I was interested in if your by the spending of $23 million? department could be in a lead role is (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. when you look at we’re trying to train a Chairman. large number of people in a short period of time, say, to respond to industry Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. development, you want to have more Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. than one go-to for that service. It may be Chairman. If I understood the member a very specialized type of training that correctly, the jobs created were the you need. We as a government, as a community economic development territory, we need to have that freedom officers in each community and the core to pull in outside expertise. It could be funding for them and the jobs that are utilizing other educational institutions created by the projects they have done with the understanding that yes, Nunavut are roughly about 45. If I can just get, Arctic College is absolutely important with your permission, Ms. Udlu to and in the long term, yes, we need to supplement my knowledge. Thank you, build capacity within Nunavut Arctic Mr. Chairman. College.

Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Hanson. It’s just a comment; it’s not really a question. (interpretation) I am finished,

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 896

Ms. Hanson (interpretation): Thank you. designated by the federal government. (interpretation ends) The jobs that the What the member is talking about there minister is referring to are in relation to is the oil and gas potential that it has. We funding that the department provides in work with the feds and they check to see total, not specific to the report that was what the oil and gas potential is in that mentioned in collaboration with Family area there. I believe that has been done Services. There are 25 community and it has been designated a marine economic development officers, one in protected area now. Thank you, Mr. each community, plus we provide core Chairman. funding to organizations in Nunavut which also create jobs, about 10 jobs, Chairman: Ms. Towtongie. and then we also have project funding, as members know, that would provide at Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank least 10 jobs as well. We’re looking at you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) about 45 jobs specifically from My last question, looking at page 241 of Economic Development and the business plan, third bullet, Alianait. Transportation funding throughout Earlier in the week I questioned the programs. (interpretation) Thank you. minister about traditional drum dance festivals that are held each year. They Chairman: Ms. Towtongie. are authentic and I believe they keep the true ancient songs of the Inuit tradition. Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank The Alianait festival receives a line item you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister of $175,000 every year. Why is it that and his deputy minister for their proper there are no line items for traditional responses. One of the priorities on page drum dance festivals, which have been 229 states in the fourth bullet that the ongoing for the last 15 years? How did Department of Economic Development this line item get into the government will “Continue working with partners budget? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. and stakeholders on the Strategic That’s my final question. Environmental Assessment in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait.” I was wondering Chairman: Thank you. Minister what that is. (interpretation ends) So that Savikataaq. I can be very clear in my own mind, reading the business plan page 225, Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. fourth bullet, “Continue working with Chairman. I thank the member for the partners and stakeholders on the good question. The reason Alianait has a Strategic Environmental Assessment in line item is, and I’ll explain it as best Baffin Bay and Davis Strait.” Mr. that I can, they cater to many areas in Chairman, that’s my question. Thank terms of the cultural and tourism you. industry and it’s because they’re Nunavut-based. It’s broad, they bring in Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. singers, they bring in artists, and it’s a wide range. It deals with more than just Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. one small thing. For example, what the Chairman. Tallurutiup Imanga is a member brought up, they just deal with marine protected area that has been drum dancing and it’s just one item that

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 897 is done. This one deals with singers, can apply for attendance at these various artists, and performers. It’s because it’s festivals or for training or for support of broad and they have a mandate and they any kind that relates to their particular have been doing it for a long time now. field, whether it’s drum dancing or singing or any kind of music. We have I remember clearly the member’s supported many in that regard. We have question there. The drum dance group or supported over 300 different committee can apply to ED&T for the opportunities in the territory for culture and tourism funding. There is economic development like this. money for that. They can apply for it. They can go see their community In terms of intellectual property, that economic development officers and they largely remains the responsibility of the can be guided as to where they can apply particular artists. For example, if they for a funding source if they fit within the were to put out a CD or they were to put guidelines. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. out a movie or something like that, then the intellectual property would belong to Chairman: Ms. Towtongie, you said them. They would copyright that that was your last question. I’ll give you presumably along the way. one more. Thank you. At the same time there is a federal Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. program. I believe it still exists. I think Chairman. I appreciate that. Thank you it’s call the Igloo Tag Program where so much. My question is: looking at the there is a certification process in place entire business plan for arts, tourism, and where Nunavut art can be certified and traditional, how does the department once it is certified, there is a tag attached protect intellectual property rights? How to it, and then that certifies that that is the department dealing with that? particular piece of art came from Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you. Next name on my list, Mr. Kaernerk. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I really don’t know how to Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank answer that question, how we protect you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, that. With your permission, if Mr. minister and your officials. MacIsaac can elaborate on that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now, within your proposed business plan, the Department of Transportation Chairman: Mr. MacIsaac. has a program related to policy development and funds are disbursed Mr. MacIsaac: Thank you, Mr. with a maximum contribution of Chairman. We strive to, as a department $300,000. Has the Department of through our funding programs, and we Transportation ever considered have a number of funding programs increasing this amount? That is my first which address and give opportunity to question. Thank you. what the member described. Anybody Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

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Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): historical experience, as in the 1980s Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Can the Hall Beach had jet plane services. member elaborate where the $300,000 is in the business plan so that we can find The reason why I spoke about that is it? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. because our community is constantly looking for development. As part of my Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. platform, I pushed for economic development which would benefit the Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank smaller communities. If more you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) consideration can be given to this option The department’s Community to incorporate larger plane services, it Transportation Initiatives Program would provide tangible benefits, such as currently provides a maximum increased employment, increased contribution for a specific project of tourism. $300,000. Is the division planning to increase that amount? (interpretation) The opportunities available to smaller Thank you, Mr. Chairman. communities should be mentioned in policies. Is it even mentioned in your Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. policies? Let me start off with that question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the member for Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. clarifying what funding source he is talking about. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This At the moment no, we’re not looking at particular policy, entitled and let me say increasing the amounts and that is due it in English, (interpretation ends) to, if we increase the amounts, then that Community Transportation Initiatives decreases the number of communities (interpretation) fund currently for 2018- that will get approved funding. This 19 is set at $1,500,000 for the whole of program is very popular. It’s very much Nunavut. Also, within this program, it oversubscribed, meaning we have X outlines the criteria for applying for the amount of dollars and it’s usually double fund. Communities can use the funds, or triple the amount available that is put which is quite popular, for community in for applications. We are not looking at access roads along with marine increasing the maximum of $300,000 per infrastructure improvements, as long as applicant at the moment. Thank you, Mr. it is within the specified parameters. Chairman. Last year the fund received a one-time Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. increase to $4 million. The $4 million fund we set was used entirely by the Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank communities. It is one of the most you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the popular programs of the communities, minister for the clarification. That’s and is used almost exclusively by them. discouraging to hear. The reason why I Currently we’re not looking to increase say I am disappointed is to speak to our it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. communities have submitted proposals.

Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank To add an addendum, next year the you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the residents of (interpretation ends) Oceans Protection Hall Beach also apply for that fund, as program, no acronyms, (interpretation) you mentioned, from that $4 million was created specifically for small fund for our small craft harbour or dock. harbours or docks where there is a sealift Perhaps if you look at the hamlets from a laydown area adjacent to the facility. community perspective, they can make Those will be reviewed next year. There one application to conduct a feasibility is $93 million that has been set aside study for a dock, conceivably by this over five years for Nunavut related to summer. Can a community apply just for the small craft harbours, and it would be this type of preparatory project from this a good addition to the existing policy, fund? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. but it won’t go ahead this summer. It will be, however, ready for next year. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. We will conduct a study of every Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): community and meet with the hamlets as Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Presently the well as the shipping companies to call for applications from this fund was determine the priority status of each sent on March 12 to the hamlets. Now, community. This is especially where the the communities that have applied have communities may incur safety issues or already submitted their proposals. The dangerous conditions, so this would be applications are currently being under the (interpretation ends) Ocean reviewed and the determination as to Protections program (interpretation) as which proposal is approved and for the the aim is quite similar. Thank you, Mr. totals is underway. The deadline has Chairman. already passed for applications, although I am unsure if Hall Beach submitted an Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. application or if they applied. However, if they applied, the application would be Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank reviewed as all applications are in that you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the phase. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. minister for providing more details on that program. Indeed, every community Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. is continually looking for development. As I indicated to our local hamlet Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank council, I would search for every you, Mr. Chairman. To reiterate, how opportunity. When I had my meeting many communities put in a proposal with the hamlet council, we started to from that funding? Thank you, Mr. search for economic development Chairman. opportunities specific to the transportation sector. I certainly hope Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. they approved this funding request.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Another matter you mentioned is the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To date, 16 section related to community access

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 900 roads. Hall Beach is located on the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. mainland while Igloolik is an island community and I represent parts of Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. Igloolik. Now for this program, what if both communities submitted a proposal? Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank As per my previous reference, $300,000 you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for is the maximum contribution which you elaborating on that. This is why I may not increase. I wonder if the MOU, mentioned this potential type of project. or (interpretation ends) memorandum of Personally people, including myself, understanding, (interpretation) could be don’t want to spend their limited funds used by a community to work on an on a ticket from Hall Beach to Igloolik, access road over several years. which is a 15-minute flight. I don’t like to spend my money on such a short In looking at the Amittuq riding, if flight, as I prefer to spend it on Igloolik felt that they wanted to build a necessities. It is unfortunate that there is bridge connecting to the mainland and no vision or foresight in the department the Hamlet of Hall Beach wanted to for this type of project. intersect with their project by building a road up to that point, if such a plan were Now, let me try another tack. My developed jointly, would it receive constituents of Amittuq, who live in approval or would it be too expensive? Igloolik, and in light of the prohibitive Thank you, Mr. Chairman. cost of this type of project, could look at different program options. For example, Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. to use the costs of sealift as reasoning, again in looking at cost differences from Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Igloolik to the mainland, would this type Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since of project still be too expensive? Thank Igloolik is an island, it would involve a you, Mr. Chairman. long span bridge and a bridge that long would be exorbitant in cost. That would Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. obviously be expensive. Whether it would even qualify under this program is Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): hard to say. It most likely would not be Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This possible, as the limit of this annual (interpretation ends) Community program is only $1.5 million which is for Transportation Initiatives (interpretation) all of Nunavut. Program isn’t for highway types of projects, as it is slated for community Nonetheless, an application could be access roads. The program for access submitted to the federal government roads is specifically for reaching hunting program called (interpretation ends) areas or to areas near multiple cabins or National Trade Corridors Fund, to make improvements in existing (interpretation) which has funding for marine infrastructure. this type of larger project and this could be reviewed through those lens. This What you are referencing is more of a type of project would surpass the total project that may be suitable for private funding of $1.5 million that is provided. businesses. If someone wanted to

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 901 establish a business that ships between Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): The past communities and they wanted to include year, the year that just passed. Thank Hall Beach and Igloolik, I am not sure you, Mr. Chairman. which program would be suitable for that type of project. However, this Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. program isn’t for this type of huge construction project. Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll count them first. I counted a little over 30 Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. proposals that were approved for 2017- 18. As I stated earlier, in 2016-17 there Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank was a one-time increase of $4 million so you, Mr. Chairman. My questions are that more projects were approved. flying everywhere and I appreciate your Eighteen communities were approved, responses. but some of them had two proposals. Some of the communities applied for Now, development opportunities are access roads, some for small craft something I stated I would focus on for harbours and dust suppression. Thank both communities. This type of project you, Mr. Chairman. would allow for equal benefits in Amittuq for my fellow residents there, as Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. a conjoined road would allow for increased tourism, to reiterate that Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank reason. Employment opportunities you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I would like would open. Perhaps even though it isn’t that to be further reviewed under under your mandate, it would also policies. That would be a benefit to improve safety in looking at search and tourism. rescue, as maybe it would allow easier searches at least in my estimation. Now I will turn to community freezers. How is that running to date? Thank you, With that being the case, those who Mr. Chairman. applied under the community access roads program, how many projects have Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. been approved or denied in Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe the Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. member can clarify his question. He’s asking how it’s running. I don’t fully Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): understand what his question is on. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Perhaps my Thank you, Mr. Chairman. colleague can clarify if he’s talking about 2017-18 or the present year, 2018- Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. 19. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe I’ll elaborate on community freezers. It’s probably

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 902 proposal-driven when communities Beach is because it’s not in my apply for freezer funding. We are all documents, but if it’s quite old, you can aware that Hall Beach has the best submit a request for a new community igunaq. I’m asking this question: how freezer, possibly through the hamlet or many communities have put in proposals the hunters and trappers organization. under the community freezer program? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe that’s clearer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you for that response. I’m sure they now Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): understand. Going to another subject, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s in two our carvers in Nunavut work very hard parts. Some are proposal-based, some is for a living, they carve every day to feed purchase of freezers, and some is set for their families and house them, and so on. operations and maintenance. The Are there any programs available for community freezer for Pond Inlet was carvers or art? Thank you, Mr. just completed. Taloyoak’s freezer was Chairman. just finished. Arctic Bay’s freezer will be started. The freezers for Arviat and Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Sanikiluaq are completed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. further clarification on the member’s question. Is it tools for the carvers or are Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you looking at display of carvings? you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the minister for his responses. Maybe I’m finally making sense. Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk.

I indicated earlier that I feel old when I Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank talk about the 1900s. The freezer in our you, Mr. Chairman. For carvers’ community is getting very old. It’s very benefits, do you have any funding close to the beach and it’s getting eroded available that they can access? I was by salt water. The HTO in Hall Beach is disappointed to hear about an individual responsible for the community freezer. I who made a carving and it was would support them if they submitted a destroyed. Is there any financial support proposal. With that, is it possible to available from your department for access funds so we can get a new carvers? I hope that clarified it. Thank freezer? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I don’t Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I understand know how the community freezer in Hall your question. For the program that he’s

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 903 referring to, (interpretation ends) Thank you. Members, we will now take Community Tourism and Cultural a break for lunch and report back at Industries Program, (interpretation) if 1:30. I ask that all members remain at the budget is approved for 2018-19, their desks for a special presentation. there’s $1,380,000 that’s available. Thank you. There are four programs. There is funding for initial start-up and training Speaker (interpretation): Thank you for starting from $1,000 up to $35,000 that being here. As Speaker of the is available. I’ll say the rest in English. Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, it is (interpretation ends) Product my great pleasure to preside over today’s development and marketing, minimum ceremony in honour of our recently of $5,000 and maximum of $100,000; retired Sergeant-at-Arms, Simanek infrastructure improvements Kilabuk. (interpretation) for housing and other infrastructure, (interpretation ends) a Simanek is no stranger to the Members minimum of $25,000 and a maximum of of the House. For over 15 years, $100,000. (interpretation) All applicants Simanek provided loyal service to this must provide in-kind contributions. institution as its Sergeant-at-Arms. (interpretation ends) All applicants must Simanek’s service spans four contribute in-kind cash to the projects. Assemblies, several Speakers, and (interpretation) I hope I was dozens of members. He has truly heard understandable. I’ll say the first project and seen it all. this time in English. (interpretation ends) Getting started, curation, and training, Simanek first carried the Mace into this minimum of $1,000 and maximum of Chamber on the occasion of the $35,000. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. November 14, 2001 sitting of the House. Chairman. Over 15 years and 575 sitting days later, he officially retired from service at the Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. dissolution of the Fourth Legislative Assembly. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the Outside of this place, Simanek is well minister for elaborating on that. This is known in the community as a well- my last one and it’s just a comment. I’m respected elder, hunter, and former looking for some of the programs that elected member of Iqaluit’s city council. are available. We don’t know that some of the programs that are available from On behalf of all Members of the the Nunavut government. When we’re Legislative Assembly, I will now invite looking at the communities, we have to Simanek to come forward to receive a put more monies into community commemorative gift in appreciation for programs. This is just a comment and his service. not a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am particularly pleased to note that the gift incorporates a miniature rendition of Chairman: Thank you. It’s just a our Assembly’s Mace, which is made by comment. Next name on the list… . one of my constituents, master artist

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Josie Pitseolak of Pond Inlet. want to make life easier for the Kitikmeot people. I would like to first Simanek, this Mace is a little lighter than recognize Paul Emingak, the executive the one that you carried on our behalf. I director… hope that it reminds you of our institution’s gratitude. >>Applause

>>Applause …and President of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, Mr. Stanley Anablak. Now, Simanek, I invite you to say a few words. >>Applause

Mr. Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank Welcome to the House. you. I have nothing to provide other than gratitude. We prayed for our Legislative We’re on page K-4. Corporate Assembly in Nunavut and I pray for it. Management. First I would like to say, Nunavut MLAs have spoken the truth use your 10 minutes wisely. If you don’t that they want to keep up Nunavut. use all of it, we’re scratching your name off the list and it will stay off on that I used to love working in the Legislative page. If you do say you’re finished and Assembly and I listened to your words. that’s your last question of that page, I’m grateful to the staff of the your name will be scratched off. Thank Legislative Assembly, and John has a you. Next name on the list is Mr. very good set-up of staff and also Lightstone. administers the elected members, so I say “thank you.” Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, Mr. >>Applause Savikataaq, Ms. Hanson, and Mr. MacIsaac. Before I get into my Speaker (interpretation): Simanek, questioning, I just want to let Mr. thank you very much. MLAs, thank you MacIsaac know that whenever my son for being here and taking part in this sees you at the grocery store, he always celebration recognizing Mr. Kilabuk. I smiles at you. I think he loves your thank all members for joining us today. moustache or something. I’m not sure, Have a good day. Thank you. but I just thought I would point that out.

>>Applause My first question is about the priorities in 2018-19 at the top of page 230, the >>House recessed at 11:34 and first bullet states, “Collaborate with Committee resumed at 13:30 other GN departments and industry to develop strategies aimed at lowering the Chairman: Thank you. Good afternoon cost of air transportation in Nunavut.” and welcome back. I would like to call It’s obvious that the high cost of the committee meeting back to order, but transportation has effects on every before I do, I would like to recognize the aspect of life in the territory, and I think good folks from the Kitikmeot that look this should be a priority, but I was just after our own Inuit in the Kitikmeot and

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 905 curious as to what sort of strategies summer and it says here who will run the would the department be looking at. operational plans for marine Thank you, Mr. Chairman. development. I think that talks about actually who will run it once it’s Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. completed. Will it go to an RFP and maybe private running or will the city Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. take it or will there be like a port board? Chairman. What this alludes to is the That’s looking at all the options of who study that the GN is doing with will run it because somebody will have Lufthansa in terms of the duty travel and to run it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. medical travel. Within that, we’re looking at all travel within Nunavut and Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. once this study is done and recommendations are made, it will talk Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. about all the pros and cons of one system Chairman. Thank you for that response. to another or different types of schedules My next question will be on page 231 of and stuff. the business plan, on the fourth bullet, “…development of a Nunavut position I can’t tell you exactly what’s going to on the Oil and Gas moratorium…” Can come out of it, but that’s what that is the minister please provide a little bit alluding to, the Lufthansa study of more detail on that priority? Thank you, government travel within Nunavut. Mr. Chairman. We’re all aware that the government is the biggest traveller in Nunavut both for Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. duty travel and medical. We would like to work with the airlines because some Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. routes in Nunavut are extremely Chairman. I am going to let Ms. Hanson expensive and work with them and see answer that, please. Thank you. what we can do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Ms. Hanson.

Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Ms. Hanson (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The department is Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. involved in the consultations with the Chairman. The second bullet on the top federal government with regard to the of page 230 is “Develop operational strategic environmental assessment. In plans” for the Iqaluit and Pond Inlet reference to that specific bullet, our marine developments. Would the input through those consultations will minister be kind enough to explain a help us have a unified Nunavut position little bit more about what that priority on that study. (interpretation) Thank includes? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The project will start this

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Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Development and Transportation. I Chairman. Thank you for that response. would just like to point out the fact that My next question is going to be EDT is exceeding the government regarding the statement in the chair of averages across every employment the standing committee’s opening category, from paraprofessional up to comments about the Nunavut Business executive positions. I would like to Credit Corporation. The previous applaud the department in having a Assembly had requested increased higher level of Inuit employment transparency in how the Nunavut amongst the department. Business Credit Corporation loans out our public funds. The previous My next question is going to be on page government also denied this request. I 251 of the business plan. The last bullet was wondering: what is the current is “Review our use of the Summer government’s position on increasing the Student Employment Program and how Nunavut Business Credit Corporation’s it feeds into full time positions. Explore transparency? Thank you, Mr. partnership opportunities with Nunavut Chairman. Arctic College and the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. (FANS) program in identifying high potential Inuit students in relevant Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. programs.” Once again I would like to Chairman. I have instructed the NBCC applaud the department in taking the that for their next annual report to be initiative in this area. Thank you very more transparent, names and amounts of much for that. I’m sure that Nunavut people who get money from the NBCC students will appreciate that very much. be part of their report, and their report is tabled here on an annual basis. I can’t My first question is: with regard to say if it’s going to be the next one Economic Development and because I may have been too late, but if Transportation, what sort of relevant it’s not the one coming, it will be the one programs would they be targeting? after, but they have been instructed to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. publicize that list. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We target students that have Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. any interest in any aspect of the Chairman. Thank you, Minister economic development jobs. That would Savikataaq. I would like to applaud you be targeting anyone. There are many in moving the government towards different sectors that we have in increasing our transparency, so thank economic development within the you very much for that. government and with entities outside, but it would be business, tourism, the My next line of questioning is going to hospitality trade, or any other jobs that be about the Inuit Employment Plan for we have within the department itself. the Department of Economic Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. was represented. We will be re-striking that committee. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My next question is going to Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. be about, in several of the bullets in the Inuit Employment Plan, there was Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. reference to a departmental training and Chairman. Thank you for that response. development committee aiming at My last question is regarding education several initiatives. Under the status of leave. Education requirements and other each, it states that several key members qualifications is a major barrier facing have left this committee and prevented many Inuit in the territory in achieving them from achieving their priorities. I gainful employment and moving up the was wondering: what sort of positions corporate ladder and whatnot. are in this committee? Yes, that’s my question. What types of positions are In my written question, the Department included in this committee? Thank you, of EDT, as of March 31, 2018, only had Mr. Chairman. one employee taking part in education leave. Does the Department of Economic Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Development and Transportation encourage their employees to take Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. education leave and further their career Chairman. This committee has to be potential? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. restarted and revitalized because it’s non-functional right now. In terms of Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. exactly who it was or is going to be on this committee, if I can get Ms. Udlu to Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. answer that with your permission, Mr. Chairman. Short answer is yes, we Chairman. Thank you. encourage them to come up the ladder, so to speak there, and if they need the Chairman: Ms. Hanson. training or educational leave, we encourage them to do so. Thank you, Ms. Hanson (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We have an Inuit skills and development training officer Chairman: Thank you. Next name on in our department who has helped with the list, Mr. Netser. obviously keeping these numbers at above average and we’re striving, Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, obviously, to increase those numbers. As Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) On the minister has stated, we have yet to page 227 of the business plan, priorities restrike that committee. The committee under 2017-18 on the fourth bullet it was struck before my time, but as I says, “Continue working with partners understand it, it was on a volunteer basis and stakeholders on the Strategic to see who is interested, and then also Environmental Assessment to address targeting certain divisions to ensure that petroleum exploration and development there was inclusivity that the entire in Baffin Bay and Davis Strait.” The department regionally and territorially status says, “The GN has been an active

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 908 member of the Nunavut Impact Review Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Board-led working group on the Strategic Environmental Assessment. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Departmental staff attended two tours in Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There are the ten identified communities affected two alluded to it this morning in regard by the Assessment - the first in the to Lancaster Sound. It will become a spring and the second in the fall of 2017. marine protected area. This one is The final scope of activities has been talking about oil and mineral exploration released.” Mr. Chairman, I would like to outside of Lancaster Sound in know which communities they are. (interpretation ends) Baffin Bay and (interpretation) Thank you. Davis Strait. (interpretation) It is exploration and development in Baffin Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Bay and Davis Strait, not in Lancaster Sound. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don’t have the list of the Chairman: Mr. Netser. communities right now, but they’re the 10 communities within the North Baffin Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, area up and down to the south end coast Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) My there. I don’t have the list. I can try to question is: will there be any mineral or name them all, but it would just be a oil exploration in this area? Thank you, guess. I don’t have the list in front of Mr. Chairman. me, but it would be like Clyde River, Qikiqtarjuaq, Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, and Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. probably Pangnirtung. It would be 10 communities that are affected by that Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. area. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. No, there will be no drilling because the federal government about a Chairman: Mr. Netser year ago said there is a moratorium and any oil and gas exploration in arctic Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, waters, but this is just to see what is Mr. Chairman. Are we talking about there. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Lancaster Sound? Thank you. Chairman: Mr. Netser. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Netser (interpretation): Okay, I Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): understand now. Thank you. I want to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, we’re ask about Lancaster Sound, Mr. talking about a different one. Thank you, Chairman. This is a rather large area that Mr. Chairman. was handed over to the federal government. Apparently there is a lot of Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Netser. oil in the area where seismic tests were conducted. As a government, we could Mr. Netser (interpretation): I did not have benefitted greatly from that in the understand. What is he talking about? way of housing and that hamlets are Thank you. always short of money and we have to

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 909 keep asking for funding from the any type of royalties from this? It government. We would have benefited appears we lost a huge chunk of greatly from the exploration of Lancaster potential for petroleum development Sound. What’s the government’s with the identification of this marine position on that? Did they request that area for a moratorium. If they had kept moratorium be lifted? Thank you, Mr. the possibility of opening it up in the Chairman. future, we may have had future opportunities to develop our territory, Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. perhaps several generations down the road. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The With respect to devolution negotiations Lancaster Sound marine conservation which appear to be ongoing and the area was approved and our government places that hold the potential in Nunavut, was one of the parties to approve it. The part of the reason why Nunavut was Qikiqtani Inuit Association is currently created was to have the opportunity to working on developing an Inuit impact develop petroleum and mineral and benefits agreement. Through that set development to benefit us, which are of negotiations, the funding for the constantly being frozen. management, employment opportunities, and perhaps even for major marine This government depends on handouts infrastructure may be acquired. from the federal government. Has any type of royalty accrued from this area However, the Qikiqtani Inuit that is under this moratorium in Association, as we were told not to use Lancaster Sound? Thank you, Mr. (interpretation ends) acronyms, Chairman. (interpretation) is the body that is a party to the talks with the federal government Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. on what will accrue to the communities when the marine conservation area is Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): formally created, as presently an oil Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, we didn’t moratorium exists there. Thank you, Mr. receive any royalties from the marine Chairman. area under the moratorium. As well, when the moratorium on petroleum Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Netser. development was announced, we as a government were not informed Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, beforehand, only that the federal Mr. Chairman. Yes, I understood that government had announced a freeze, so response from the minister. Now, we we had to accept that. Related to that could have received quite a bit of process, the Government of Nunavut royalties from petroleum development will not get ownership within that area. from the waters off Lancaster Sound, but Thank you, Mr. Chairman. it was placed under a moratorium to block oil development. Chairman: Mr. Netser.

Will the Government of Nunavut receive Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you,

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Mr. Chairman. That is rather unfortunate. Let me now ask the minister Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): this question. Our colleague, Ms. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is slated Towtongie, kind of touched up on it in for Inuit country food and some of it can her question related to the (interpretation be utilized for community freezers. ends) water protection area. What groups Sometimes it’s used for when they receive money from ED&T for water purchase caribou meat from other protection, if any? (interpretation) Thank communities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Keyootak. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the Chairman. I don’t quite understand the minister for his response. Obviously our question, but I can try to. If it’s to do hunters require additional assistance, with the Oceans Protection Plan, then we which everyone is aware of, particularly will be receiving money. There was an communities that can’t access wildlife announcement made. It’s $93 million adjacent to their community. Some over five years for Nunavut, $93.4 hunters have to travel long distances to million or $93.3 million over five harvest some species, and the cost to years…sorry, for the three territories. purchase supplies is ever increasing. We will be looking at projects that the communities want. We’re doing Fuel, ammunition, and equipment used consultations with the communities and by our hunters are increasing in price with the shippers to see what is needed constantly, and here our hunters are so that offloading of ships and docks and faced with no form of assistance. I facilities like that can be safer and made wonder if this type of assistance has more efficient. Thank you, Mr. been considered. I do know that in order Chairman. to sell any wildlife commercially, it has to first be inspected and after inspection, Chairman: Thank you. Next name on they can be sold commercially. the list, Mr. Keyootak. Nonetheless, in comparison to what Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank some of us have experienced, across the you, Mr. Chairman. It states here on bay in Greenland, it is very enviable to page 234 of the business plan in see the hunters who arrive into the dock Inuktitut on the third bullet, selling of and begin selling their harvests country food. The funding that was set immediately. Once their harvest has aside was to be used for selling country been bought out, they leave again to food. Is that for present retailers or can it commence hunting. They are being be used for start-up for those who want supported by their government to benefit to sell food? Is it for existing retailers? economically from wildlife harvested That’s my first question. Thank you, Mr. that they can sell commercially. Chairman. It seems rather obvious, since many Inuit Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. are hunters, not every Inuk will be

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 911 satisfied by having employment and not impossible to repurpose some of the all the youth growing up will also have funds here to have them available job opportunities. Many Inuit still through proposals, for example, if a depend entirely on the byproducts of hunter wanted to sell their harvests or their harvested animals, which they use country food? Thank you, Mr. to support their activities, and we are Chairman. leaving them in the cold. This is true when talking about our Inuit full-time Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. hunters especially. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Has any consideration been given to this Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I didn’t quite in our future, to kind of emulate the understand the member’s question. Greenland government approach in Perhaps I will answer wrongly due to supporting our hunters? It would be this lack of understanding, but if I do, he incumbent on us to provide assistance is welcome to ask again. here in Nunavut to our full-time hunters. Is this anywhere in the plans currently? As of now, the fund in the budget for Thank you, Mr. Chairman. this purpose for 2018-19 is $1,576,000 and it is to be used for community hunts Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. or for ordering caribou meat from another community. However, to Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): repurpose the fund to meet the member’s Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The suggestion of allowing hunters to sell Department of Environment provides their harvests upon arrival can’t work, as assistance to harvesters. We as the this fund isn’t for these types of harvests. Department of Economic Development The funds are specifically for ordering and Transportation don’t provide that caribou meat by the majority of assistance, but if the hunters want to sell communities and quite a few orders are their meat, caribou, seal, and maktaaq, made by them. they can. If they want to sell from their boats, it’s possible already. As long as However, any hunter has the ability to the hunter’s harvest isn’t exported create a commercial harvesting business outside of Nunavut, they can sell their if they wish and they can approach the country food to anyone. Thank you, Mr. (interpretation ends) Nunavut Business Chairman. Credit Corporation (interpretation) to submit a business plan on the business Chairman: Mr. Keyootak. they wish to establish and which country foods they wish to sell commercially. Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank They can submit a funding request to the you, Mr. Chairman. I also appreciate the corporation for this purpose, but the response from the minister as it was a funds would have to be repaid. The complete response which is very clear. (interpretation ends) Nunavut Business Now, in looking at the budget line items Credit Corporation (interpretation) has within your appropriation request, are their own funding budget. Thank you, there any funds that could be earmarked Mr. Chairman. towards this purpose or is it completely

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Chairman: Thank you. Next name on >>Laughter my list, Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Minister, you, Mr. Chairman. Good day, ministers welcome along with your officials. and my fellow Nunavummiut. The first question I want to ask relates to I’ll go back to transportation. In your your opening comments, specifically on business plan you increased the page 3. This relates to the development Community Transportation Initiatives of Nunavut’s mineral sector or mineral Program only once. Underneath it, it exploration. This is in relation to the says that “The contribution agreements increase in mineral exploration projects were issued for the full $4 million and approvals. It can increase direct allotment.” Last year, in economic benefits to communities from the development, the funds were proposal- mineral exploration companies within driven. With the $4 million, how many Nunavut and it can lead to “A territory proposals were there that you have that’s more attractive for mining.” approved this year? That’s my first question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Can the minister clarify what is meant in those statements and how these positions Chairman: Thank you. Minister were reached by his department, Mr. Savikataaq. Chairman? Thank you.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe I answered this question this morning as it Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): seems exactly the same. Last year it was Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That funding increased to $4 million, but it was a one- is for mineral exploration (interpretation time increase. Right now it’s back to ends) and junior companies. $1.5 million if the appropriations for (interpretation) They would receive 2018-19 are approved. funding to go to communities to do a report on what they want to do, what Further, as I stated this morning, there they are doing, and to find out whether are 18 communities that received $4,000 the community can support their each. Each community had a different projects. proposal, some for access roads, some for ports, and some for dust suppression. We’re thinking that once this program Thank you, Mr. Chairman. starts up, mineral and oil and gas explorers will benefit from this. Once Chairman: Thank you. My apologies to the communities are more informed the committee. I already recognized Mr. about what’s happening and what those Kaernerk this morning, so therefore I companies are looking for, the will go to my next name on the list. Mr. community can benefit from it as well Qirngnuq. because they will have more knowledge of what possible jobs can be created in An Hon. Member: Fair enough. the community. Thank you, Mr.

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Chairman. is roughly how it works. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq. Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank for the response. Generally, as Inuit, you, Mr. Chairman. Is this program still we’re not very knowledgeable about continuing today? Have Inuit geology and rocks presently. Will there prospectors been active in Nunavut? be training money included with this to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. train Inuit or will the money just be for mining and exploration companies? Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In response to my colleague’s question, this started Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): in 1999 and is still being offered. It has a Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This fund for budget of $150,000 per year and Inuit which we are seeking approval is can apply for up to $8,000 in grants for primarily for the companies engaged in prospecting. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. mineral exploration, as they will be presenting reports to the impacted Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq. communities to report on their exploration plans and their proposed Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank work. The communities will better be you, Mr. Chairman. With that program able to understand the plans and know in the amount $150,000 per year, are what the plans of these exploration there any plans to increase that amount companies are. in the future or is it going to remain at the same level? Thank you, Mr. The other issue the member referenced, Chairman. for local Inuit prospecting training and whether it will be offered, this program Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. is called (interpretation ends) Nunavut prospectors grant (interpretation) and Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): many Inuit have been trained about Thank you Mr. Chairman. Right now the prospecting. Since the inception of this $150,000 seems enough to meet our program, although I can’t quote an exact needs, so we have no plans to increase number, numbers over 1,000 Inuit who that amount. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. have received this training for prospecting to become what we call in Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq. English (interpretation ends) a prospector. (interpretation) This allows Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank Inuit to continue their tradition of you, Mr. Chairman. Let me move on to walking on the tundra, but with an eye something else. In your business plan on for discovering mineral samples, to take page 225, at the top, under samples and to also get it assayed. That Transportation Policy and Planning, it

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 914 mentions about expanding markets work transportation better. Right now we overseas and to work to expand that. rarely get ships coming from overseas, What does this refer to specifically? Can but cruise ships are increasing in number you explain it so I can understand it all the time. We want to include the clearly? Hopefully I am understandable cruise ships from overseas. Thank you, here, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank Chairman. I would like my associate you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank you. I deputy minister, Mr. MacIsaac, to will have questions on this matter at the respond to that. Thank you, Mr. appropriate time later. Chairman. I’ll move on to something else right now Chairman: Mr. MacIsaac. that touches on what Mr. Kaernerk was asking about. I’ll say the second item in Mr. MacIsaac: Thank you, Mr. English for clarity, (interpretation ends) Chairman. This funding is for the Community Transportation Initiatives. implementation of the Nunavut (interpretation) In the plan it also states Transportation Strategy, so that’s that it “supports communities to develop looking at long-term and short-term local transportation facilities and strategies related to the transportation infrastructure to connect communities to system here in Nunavut. It relates to air each other…” Can the minister please travel, sea travel, road infrastructure, that explain that further? Thank you, Mr. type of thing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. I hope I was understandable.

Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): you, Mr. Chairman. The sea travel part Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That talks of it, I’ll read it in English so you can about communities, like the hamlets understand me correctly, (interpretation generally build roads, and if two ends) “…infrastructure, and overseas communities are quite close to each implementation…” (interpretation) Is it other and they want to get connected to for picking up things from overseas? I each other, each community can build want to understand this better and that’s their end of the road and eventually get why I’m asking about it. I hope I was connected. It’s not a whole lot of money clear, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. for that kind of project, but communities generally build their own roads and Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. some build access roads to hunting areas or to rivers. If two communities are very Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): close to each other and they wanted to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In English, get joined by a road in between, then the (interpretation ends) transportation they can apply for the $1.5 million that strategy, (interpretation) it’s how we can is available for all of Nunavut. Thank

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 915 you, Mr. Chairman. means? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): you, Mr. Chairman. That is not much Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will refer money and so many communities have this question to my deputy minister if to use it. If they wanted to do that every you would allow me, Mr. Chairman. year, if they want to connect two communities on an annual basis, will Chairman: Ms. Hanson. this money be available every year from now on or is it just a one-time proposal Ms. Hanson (interpretation): Thank you. basis right now? Thank you, Mr. (interpretation ends) We have a small Chairman. secretariat within the division, within Economic Development and Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Transportation to oversee the government’s role in ensuring that Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Article 24 of the Nunavut Agreement is Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I implemented. The role that our small understood correctly, the member is secretariat plays is providing advice as to asking about the communities making how much contracts should have for proposals every year. The communities Inuit employment and Inuit contracting. that make those proposals can only Most recently we helped with the access the funds once a year, but they renewal of the policy. It is in its second can apply every year if they choose to do phase of its implementation with this so. They usually access the funds and renewal of the policy. (interpretation) build the access roads in the summer and Thank you. gradually make it farther and farther. Just a few communities usually make Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq. those access roads, but so far there are hardly any roads that are connecting Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank communities to another. Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. When are we going Chairman. to see a renewal of the NNI Policy? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for that Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): response. My next question is on the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It has been same page and it’s on the third bullet, renewed. I think it was revised about a the NNI Policy, and I’ll read it in year ago or a little over a year ago, but English. (interpretation ends) “The NNI the vision is still there and it’s going to Regulations are mandated by Article 24 stay like that for quite some time. Thank of the Nunavut Agreement…” you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Could the minister elaborate further on exactly what that Chairman: Mr. Qirngnuq.

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Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank page 229 of your business plan under you, Mr. Chairman. I do apologize. My Priorities 2018-19, under the tenth minutes are going fast, Mr. Chairman. Is bullet. It identifies that your department the NNI Policy fully applied and does it will “Collaborate with the private sector apply to all the companies that are and other stakeholders to find ways to working up here in Nunavut? Thank increase employment and training you, Mr. Chairman. opportunities in Nunavut.” What trades are you guys focusing on under this Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. particular bullet? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, from Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. what I know, it is well applied. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Nunavut government work together on Chairman. The two areas that we’re the NNI Policy. The NNI Policy applies focusing a lot on is in mine training to the businesses and NTI has a list of because the mining industry is growing businesses that are Inuit-owned and and, like I have stated many times, there there are different categories of are many good well-paying jobs in the businesses. mining industry. The other one is tourism. Those are the two main focuses. In English, (interpretation ends) 51 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. percent Inuit-owned, 75 percent Inuit- owned, and 100 percent Inuit-owned are Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. the categories that are there. Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated is the one that Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. puts these businesses on the list, and Chairman. Which leads right into my then we at the GN get the list and we next question. A copy of the work with whatever category that development partnership agreement business is in, and that is what is applied between the Government of Nunavut in on the policy. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. relation to the Meadowbank mine, north of my community, was tabled in the Chairman: Thank you. We’re on Legislative Assembly on March 12, Economic Development and 2008. Transportation. Corporate Management. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Your department’s Development Voted. $18,665,000. Agreed? Partnership Agreement Policy expired on March 31, 2016. Your department’s Some Members: Agreed. draft 2018-2021 business plan indicates that one of its priorities for the 2018-19 Chairman: Thank you. On page K-5. fiscal year is to “Build on the signing of Branch Summary. Economic a Memorandum of Understanding with Development. Mr. Mikkungwak. Agnico-Eagle Mines and pursue similar MOUs with other active mining Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. companies.” With which mining Chairman. My first question will be on company is your department currently in

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 917 negotiations? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. with Baffinland and it’s quite the big operation. We will deal with that one Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. first; it’s just one at a time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The current mine we’re Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. speaking with right now on a memorandum of understanding is Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Baffinland Iron Mines. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What are expected to be the Chairman. main elements of the new memorandum of understanding between the Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Government of Nunavut and participating mining companies? Thank Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Are there any other mines that you guys are also going to be Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. negotiating with that are currently operating in Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. This is one of the questions that I answered earlier this morning Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. when we talked about the MOUs on what are the three top priorities, one of Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. the other MLAs asked, and it’s still the Chairman. We will be talking with any same. It is employment, training, and mine that is coming up. I imagine the education. Those are the top three next one might be TMAC and then priorities that we would like to include Sabina, but we will strive to get an MOU in the MOU. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. with any mine that comes in operation within Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman. I thank the minister for his response. Moving on to your business Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. plan page 231, priorities 2020-21, the Chairman. I guess you sort of led into very first bullet indicates that “Monitor my next question. TMAC and Sabina, changes in federal infrastructure has TMAC not been operating for a programs and determine applicable while now? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. projects for infrastructure priorities.” When I look at that and when I did a Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. glance on your business plans, that is only referencing 2020-21. In the next Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. few years, do you have that also in Chairman. Yes, correct, it has been consideration for infrastructure projects operating for about a year, but we will within Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. just go one mine at a time and we will go Chairman. from there. Right now, we’re talking

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Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just to clear up a little bit of Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. facts here, the Iqaluit International Chairman. That section is in there so we Airport did not go through the National can qualify for any federal infrastructure Trade Corridors Fund. It was a 3P programs that come out. For example, project, so that’s a different source of the NTCF is out there and we did put funding. In terms of if Baker Lake has some projects forward. Some were any proposals that have been put through rejected and one has so far passed the since it’s in the middle of Nunavut to first hurdle. There are other programs extend their runway, no, not so far, Mr. that come out, like we talked about the Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Oceans Protection Plan, that’s another one. We’re out there to see whatever Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. infrastructure programs the federal government is offering, and there are Mr. Mikkungwak: I guess the next set always guidelines on what you can of questions will be related to tourism, qualify for on that program. We have our which I sort of alluded to in my last stuff that we want to get done and we try question here. When we look at tourism, to fit them into one of their programs so a lot of it revolves around airlines, float we can access their funding. Thank you, planes; some come in on commercial Mr. Chairman. flights and whatnot. Has your department ever discussed with the Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. airlines that are associated within our territory to start looking at particular Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. flights? For example, my colleague from Chairman. I believe the minister used an Uqsuqtuuq is north of Baker Lake, but acronym and, if I’m correct, the National he has to fly all the way through Trade Corridors Fund. When I look at Yellowknife and then to Gjoa Haven that and the minister and the officials whereas from Baker Lake, part of the will be very much aware, I have never tourism strategy could be from Baker lobbied for a port whatsoever. I leave Lake straight north to Gjoa Haven or that to the other MLAs, but for my Repulse Bay in promoting tourism community being the only inland within our territory. Thank you, Mr. community and the minister is very Chairman. much aware, under the National Trade Corridors Fund, I know the Iqaluit Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. International Airport is taking a bulk of the money here. My question here is: Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. when we look at that, have there been Chairman. As I alluded to earlier about any submissions for the expansion of the the Lufthansa study that’s being done for Baker Lake runway, considering that it’s the medical and duty travel, that’s part of in the centre of Nunavut communities? the big picture to look at all that to see Thank you, Mr. Chairman. what routes are economical because the airlines will only do a route if it’s Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. economical. They have done some flights between certain areas and they

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 919 have tried it. If they don’t make money, they might be able to get clientele and then they don’t do it anymore. An contact points. Thank you, Mr. example I can come up with is one of the Chairman. airlines quite a few years ago used to have a flight between Kugaaruk and Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Naujaat. That went for a while and then it was not profitable, so they stopped it. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. If the business is there, the airlines will Chairman. If I’m hearing the minister pick up the slack and make the route. correctly, for tourism, what I have seen Thank you, Mr. Chairman. before being elected as MLA are canoeists, either coming from United Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. States or from Europe. Would the tourist established outfitter within my Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. community be privileged to that Chairman. On your business plan page information as to how they can contact 234, bullet No. 5 from the top, “Update them or connect with them so that these the Outfitter Regulations and Tourist people from United States or from Establishment Regulations under the Europe can actually know the tourist Tourism Act.” I know there have been outfitters within my community? Thank some outfitters in the past in Baker Lake. you, Mr. Chairman. If that were to grow again within the community of Baker Lake and if the Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. outfitters wanted to restart their outfitter businesses, how would this particular Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Tourism Act impact them and what Chairman. What the member is changes would they have to see or would describing, I think, is if someone in they be facing? Thank you, Mr. Baker Lake wants to be a tourist Chairman. outfitter, an example I guess is, like you said, a canoeist. A canoeist tourist Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. outfitter would probably rent canoes or have a place to stay for when the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. canoeists come in. My suggestion would Chairman. That section is in regard to be that they get in contact with a tourism outfitters. There are also big booking agent that does stuff like this. game outfitters which are under the Nunavut Tourism would probably be the Department of Environment’s mandate. ideal mode to get contacts. In terms of This deals only with tourism outfitters. these canoeists, a lot of them don’t go I’m not sure what regulations they will through outfitters either. They just hire be updating, but if they want to start up a an airplane to drop them and their canoe tourism business or restart one in Baker off and then paddle to wherever they Lake, then they can go visit their want. In your instance it’s to Baker economic development officers and they Lake. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. can be led on the regulations or on ways that they can start their business, plus Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. they can work with Nunavut Tourism in terms of the insurance part of it or where Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 920

Chairman. The reason why I asked that Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. is you sort of answered the question. We Chairman. No, this is just to do with have seen canoeists being dropped off territorial parks. If there is going to be an maybe at the very end of the Thelon Inuit impact and benefit agreement with River at the very top end and when a Heritage River, then that would be they’re coming down or from the Kazan worked on separately, as Heritage Rivers River, but sometimes they start falling and territorial parks are different. Thank short of their days and require a pick up you, Mr. Chairman. as part of their tourism. Does that fall under this particular regulation? Thank Chairman: Thank you. Next name on you, Mr. Chairman. my list, Mr. Hickes.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have a couple of questions here, I Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. believe. Chairman. No, this does not address what you’re referring to. There would Mr. Chairman, on September 22, 2016 probably be no regulations to address the Government of Nunavut announced that. If someone is not getting to where that the Department of Economic they are going in time and they ask for a Development and Transportation’s pickup, it’s usually just a business Tourism and Cultural Industries Division arrangement between the canoeist and would be assuming “responsibility for whoever is going to pick them up. There tourism development, marketing and is no regulation addressing that. It’s just research, visitor experience and visitor between the canoeist and the person who centre operations.” And that Nunavut is going to do a service for them. Thank Tourism would “continue as a you, Mr. Chairman. membership-based association that will focus on supporting its members.” Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Mr. Chairman, the question I have there Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. is: how has that transition worked out? I Chairman. My last 14 seconds; I’ll make know there were a number of sure it counts. Page 234 again, under responsibilities that were previously your priorities 2019-2020, I believe I overlapped between Nunavut Tourism have two Heritage Rivers under 2019- and the department. A little over a year 2020 priorities. Third bullet, your and a half in to this arrangement, I’m department indicates, “Implement just wondering: how is everything Article 4 of the IIBA for territorial flowing out now? Thank you, Mr. parks.” Does that make any changes to Chairman. the Thelon River and Kazan River being Heritage Rivers? What changes would Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. be coming forth for Baker Lake people? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll ask Mr. MacIsaac to Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. answer that as he has been part of that process from the beginning to today, so

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 921 he would have more knowledge on that. Mr. Chairman, we have a list, but it’s a Thank you, Mr. Chairman. list of the whole department, so we would have to go through it. We could Chairman: Mr. MacIsaac. give it to you, but it would take a long time. For expediency’s sake, we can give Mr. MacIsaac: Thank you, Mr. you that list later if that’s okay. Thank Chairman. We’ve had our ups and you, Mr. Chairman. downs, but I think for the most part the relationship has worked well. There is a Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Hickes. clear distinction between what are the functions of Nunavut Tourism and what Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. are the functions of our department. Absolutely. I would like to go to page 233 in the business plan and the second One of the highlights within our and fourth bullets specifically from the department relates to the promotion of 2017-18 priorities to “Undertake tourism promotion within and exterior to targeted initiatives to market and Nunavut with the creation of Destination leverage all art sectors including music, Nunavut. There is a lot of interest in the film, video performance, as well as the territory and we’re able to provide that visual arts, across Canada and service across the territory with no internationally,” and the fourth bullet, to allegiance, if you would like, to “Monitor the delivery of new economic particular members as what Nunavut development initiatives that build on and Tourism is. It’s a membership add value to the arts and tourism, to organization. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. create local employment opportunities in Nunavut.” Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Mr. Chairman, I have been made aware Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. of some communication with I remember seeing that branding departmental officials from the campaign and it was pretty good. Qaggiavuut Society requesting consideration of a cultural infrastructure At the same time the number of steering committee being created. As positions in the department’s Tourism I’m sure all members are aware, there and Cultural Industries Division are different initiatives from the cultural increased from 9 PYs in 2016-17 to 19 arts and artefacts proponents out there PYs during the 2017-18 fiscal year. As and some seem to be conflicting, yet of today, how many of these positions others seem to me that they can kind of are filled with indeterminate employees? mesh together in some ways. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to echo the request of Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. having a cultural infrastructure steering committee created and I would Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. encourage the minister to follow up with Chairman. If you just give us a minute, the idea with the Qaggiavuut Society at we will see if we can come up with the their earliest convenience. Hopefully all numbers. parties can be brought together to a

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 922 steering committee and, with on last year, the status says, government involvement, decide what “…Community Tourism and Cultural infrastructure would best suit the needs Industries program injected $1.3 million of its mandate and the population to in tourism and cultural industries…” But recognize the arts, crafts, and all arts then I look on the opposing page on page across the territory, Mr. Chairman. I’ll 232 and the budget for the year was just leave that as a comment. Thank you, $933,000. I wonder if the minister could Mr. Chairman. explain: was there a top-up that was put into this program or does that refer to a Chairman: Thank you. It’s just a different $1.3 million? (interpretation) comment. Mr. Main. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Before I go on to tourism, I would just Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. like to comment on page 229 regarding Chairman. The reason that is we moved the Nunavut Economic Development the two programs into one. If you look Strategy. The third bullet there says, on that page, 232, just on the bottom of “Update the Nunavut Economic the Community Tourism and Cultural Development Strategy based on prior Industries, $933,000, the Arts community consultations and the Development Program is $395,000. If Turaaqtavut mandate.” I don’t really you combine the two, that’s where you want to ask for a response on it. If you get your $1,328,000. Thank you, Mr. look at the term of the Turaaqtavut Chairman. mandate, it is four years. The Nunavut Economic Development Strategy is a Chairman: Mr. Main. ten-year strategy. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, In my mind, an economic development Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) strategy should be as much as possible Thank you, minister, for clarifying that. I separated from the politics of the day obviously haven’t been reading this that and it should be based on the actual closely. I’m very supportive of your fifth consultations. My understanding is that priority for this year in terms of there has been tons of work put this into streamlining the territory’s tourism this economic development strategy permitting process. I would encourage already in terms of consultations. It just the department to further streamline its jumped out at me as being a bit odd and own internal processes in terms of I would question any efforts to really tourism operators who want to secure ram that four-year, politically oriented government funding. strategy into what should be a strategic, longer term kind of document. That’s There are two key issues that I have seen just a comment. and that I have heard from operators. The number one thing that I think needs When it comes to your business plan to be recognized is that tourism jobs tend under tourism on page 233, the fourth to be seasonal. When you have bullet in terms of the priorities that went application processes that are asking for

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 923 how many full-time jobs will be created someone has a boat tourism business, and you can only say, “Well, it’s only he’s not going to have any jobs or going to create a job for three months employment in the winter. Everyone out of the year,” I think that can be a should know that. In there they can say stumbling block. I’m interested to hear if they are going to create X number of the minister has encountered that. full-time jobs for the duration that he’s in operation, and I would think that The second thing I think that could be would be acceptable. looked at is if you had the ability to waive the requirement for a business As for the business plan, I fully plan for an existing business because understand and I have heard that where there are tourism operators out there that if… . We do give money to do a my colleague from Baker Lake business plan for a business, but it mentioned. There are operators out there doesn’t make sense, like you said, if a who have been operating for years and guy is applying for $20,000 and then it they don’t have a business plan. They costs $15,000 to do a business plan. It may come to you looking for $15,000 makes sense if he’s applying for multi for a small boat to get tourists out to hundred thousand and you do a $15,000 their big boat. They’re looking for a little business plan. We just have to look at assistance and then they’re told, “You that and use a bit of common sense and need to put together a business plan.” put that into our strategies. Thank you, Well, a business plan can cost about Mr. Chairman. $15,000 if you do a real complicated one. What’s the business owner going to Chairman: Mr. Main. do there? Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, If you have the ability to waive that Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I business plan requirement, I think it wonder if the minister could commit to might streamline things. It’s your making sure that recognition of the decision, but in terms of seasonality of seasonal nature of tourism jobs, if he tourism, the minister would like to could commit to making sure that that’s comment on that and whether his the understanding at the program department recognizes that most tourism delivery level within the department, or jobs in Nunavut are seasonal for the maybe that’s something that’s already in purpose of getting funding from the place. I really don’t know. government. (interpretation) Thank you, (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I agree with the member, yes, Chairman. I can commit to make sure most jobs are seasonal, but they can just that is done because if tourism is put in their application that these are seasonal in the summer, then obviously full-time seasonal jobs. In my mind, that there are only going to be jobs while would be perfectly acceptable because if he’s operating. That just makes common

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 924 sense to me. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the prospector’s grant has gone up. It’s up to $8,000 now. In special Chairman: Mr. Main. circumstances, if they can justify it, we can tack on another $8,000 onto the first Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, $8,000. A total of $16,000 could be had Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) under special circumstances if it’s Thank you, minister. I would just like to justified. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. put in a good word for the folks at Nunavut Tourism because I think that Chairman: Mr. Main. they have done a lot in terms of developing tourism in Nunavut over the Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, years. It’s the kind of thing you don’t see Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Just immediate results, but you have to keep a suggestion or a comment, there are developing that base of services and some prospectors out there that are businesses that will benefit us in the long locked out of the program because they term. have received money from it in the past and did not complete their reports. If Moving along to minerals and petroleum there was consideration given to maybe resources, first of all mention that there forgiving some of those existing folks, is a small office in Arviat, my you might have greater uptake because community. I was actually an employee some of them are great with rocks, not there for a short time, about a year. I great with numbers. Go figure, right? It’s would like to recognize the excellent just a comment. work that they are doing there. Part of their work involves prospectors. I’m interested in the devolution on page 237, “Support formal negotiations on a I noticed that the Nunavut Prospectors devolution agreement with Canada.” Program is $150,000 and it has been like What is the department’s involvement in that for a long time. If you figure in this priority? What does it mean? inflation over time, it’s actually (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. shrinking in real terms because the cost Chairman. of everything is going up. Are there any plans to revamp this program or maybe Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. increase the amount that the prospectors can apply for? I think it is $8,000. I Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. myself have received funding from it in Chairman. Right now our department, the past. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. with that, is minimal right now. I’ll put it Chairman. that way. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Mr. Main.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman. The $150,000 budget Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I currently seems adequate, even though it note that for this current fiscal year, has been the same budget. It’s never supporting EIA with devolution is not on been oversubscribed, but the amount that there. Does that mean that the

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 925 department’s work in this area is done? to do for economic development. This Why is it on there? It says status on page seems to suggest that there will be a top- 237, “The division continues to work down application of the Nunavut with Executive and Intergovernmental Economic Development Strategy to the Affairs in supporting devolution.” Then communities. you look into the priorities for this year and it’s not there. Will this still be going I note that it has been carried over to this on? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. fiscal year, so it’s now worded, “Work Chairman. with partners to develop a strategy to ensure that community economic Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. development plans align with the Turaaqtavut mandate.” Are we now Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. taking our mandate and enforcing it on Chairman. The devolution talks are to the communities? This is my last EIA’s mandate and they do it. If question anyway. I would like a sense of Economic Development and how those community economic Transportation is asked to assist or asked development plans are going to be for information, then we would be enabled by the department. engaged. As of now, we have not been (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. asked to partake in anything right now, Chairman. so that’s why it’s the way it is. If we’re asked to, then things would change. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Currently right now devolution is with Savikataaq. EIA and they’re driving the ship. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We work with the Chairman: Mr. Main. communities to see what the communities want in terms of their Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, development plan because it only makes Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) sense. They know the communities. Skipping ahead to page 241, I would like They know what they want. We take that to thank the department for their support and then we have the Nunavut strategy for construction of a community freezer that we’re working on and make sure in Whale Cove. The old freezer is not they mix together. much to look at, so it was badly needed; much appreciated. I guess where the Turaaqtavut mandate comes in is the Turaaqtavut mandate is In terms of that first bullet there, where the government’s priorities are “Review community economic and where the government’s priorities of development plans to ensure they reflect spending will be. That’s why the objectives contained in the new Nunavut Turaaqtavut is in there because in the Economic Development Strategy,” my mandate, they say, “This is what we understanding of community economic want to get done,” and that’s the priority development plans is that they belong to that the government has come up with. If the community, so those are the you have a program and it fits in within communities’ goals and what they want that priority, the chance of you getting

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 926 funding is greater than if what you want Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank to do does not fit in with the priority. I you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the think that’s the simplest way I can minister for the very clear response. explain it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now, if Arviat is too blizzardy, then Chesterfield Inlet may be a good place to Chairman: Thank you. Next name on move the pilot project to. I would be my list, Ms. Towtongie. grateful if it was just moved to Chesterfield Inlet. Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Within the 2018- It also states here that they will look for 2021 plans, it speaks to the RCMP other ways of how Inuit can get driver’s transferral of the driver testing to others. licences and ID cards. Where is your The classes listed are class 7 and class 5 department in that regard? Thank you, driver’s licences. However, the Mr. Chairman. Government of Nunavut has announced that testing will apply for all driving Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. classes in Nunavut. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): However, prior to this eventuality, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are still Arviat will receive a pilot project to working on driver training and determine a driver’s ability to drive in examinations. We think that if we can the community. What I would like to hire people to work in the communities know is: what are the results of the pilot or work with a business in the project, if any, and what is the status of communities, it can help us with that, the project? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. but we’re not quite sure how we’re going to run it yet. We’re still reviewing Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. it. We haven’t decided as to where we’re going to move about that for driver’s Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): licences, but we know that more and Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The pilot more people need driver’s licences, project in Arviat that occurred there is especially today when the RCMP is no partially completed with some areas longer doing examinations. There is a needing completion as we require more waiting list of people for examinations. funding to complete it. The pilot project Thank you, Mr. Chairman. in Arviat ran into weather-related barriers, as blizzards kept coming and Chairman: Thank you. We’re on page the instructors who were to conduct this K-5. I think your questions are on page driver’s testing ended up clearing snow K-6. Ms. Towtongie. within the community. There were weather-related problems that caused a Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. delay, so the pilot project in Arviat isn’t Chairman. I just noticed that, but looking completed yet. Thank you, Mr. at page 235 of the business plan, fifth Chairman. bullet, “Implement the Cultural Industry Strategy,” and also develop a plan to Chairman: Ms. Towtongie. “increase Nunavut artists’ sales,” my concern is a lot of unilingual artists don’t

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 927 know how to use the Internet and they elaborate a bit more on that. Thank you, also need support to market their sales Mr. Chairman. on the Internet, such as the Iqaluit Auction Sales. What does the Chairman: Mr. MacIsaac. department mean when they’re saying, “Implement the Cultural Industry Mr. MacIsaac: Thank you, Mr. Strategy”? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. With the recent 150th That’s my final question. anniversary of Canada and the various celebrations that were related to that, we Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. developed a pretty significant and effective network for these types of Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. celebrations. I don’t want to presuppose Chairman. With your permission, I because it will be developed this year, would like Mr. MacIsaac to answer that. but I suspect it will be something very Thank you. similar to the stakeholder group, if you like, that formed with the Canada 150 Chairman: Mr. MacIsaac. celebrations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. MacIsaac: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. Thank you, minister. One of the priorities for this fiscal year is to Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. actually develop the cultural industry Chairman. I just want to confirm that the strategy, so that priority is this year, and development of these plans will occur in then the priority for 2019-2020 is to the 2019-2020 fiscal year as it would be actually implement that strategy. Thank a little bit difficult to plan and host the you, Mr. Chairman. anniversary celebrations simultaneously. I think that priority would have been Chairman: Thank you. Next name on much more suitable in the 2018-19 fiscal my list, Mr. Lightstone. year, but I’m glad that it’s on the horizon. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On page 234 of the business My next question is: what is the plan, the priorities under 2019-2020 department’s stance on municipal include “Develop and deploy a accommodation tax? Thank you, Mr. marketing campaign for the 20th Chairman. Anniversary of Nunavut.” First I would like to ask: what sort of plans does the Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. department have to mark this 20-year anniversary? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We don’t have a stance on Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. I know we’re working and speaking with Nunavut Tunngavik Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Incorporated, but I’ll have Mr. MacIsaac Chairman. I know that our hotels are

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 928 fairly expensive, but these hotel taxes you, Mr. Chairman. are a great revenue generation stream and are generally intended to boost Chairman: Thank you. Next name on destination marketing and would be a my list, Mr. Netser. great avenue for exploration. Has the department looked into the issue at all? Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. In our communities, especially in Coral Harbour, we have a Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. number of people who take sport hunters out polar bear hunting. What kinds of Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. programs does the Department of Chairman. No, we have looked into it, Economic Development and but as I said, we don’t have a stance on Transportation have available for sport it. We’re also aware that the GN is one hunting outfitters? Thank you, Mr. of the biggest users of hotels too. Thank Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. They would Chairman. If I’m correct, I believe that have to request money from the most municipalities across the country (interpretation ends) Community do have some sort of hotel tax in place Tourism and Cultural Industries Program as is now, so the GN is paying these (interpretation) for sport hunting taxes in other jurisdictions. I think it outfitters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. would only be appropriate if the municipalities wanted to incorporate the Chairman: Mr. Netser. tax in their jurisdictions that the government would support them. Thank Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. Can you repeat that? There are people who attend Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. (interpretation ends) international sportsmen’s shows (interpretation) and Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. outfitters go attend these shows. That’s Chairman. If the municipalities put in a where they get their big clients. Can the proposal, then it would be looked at. outfitters get support from your office to Economic Development and do that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Transportation is not a municipal tax authority. I guess Community and Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Government Services would be more inclined to work with the municipalities Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): on that level, same with the Department Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, they can of Finance. I wouldn’t say we’re an get assistance to attend (interpretation innocent bystander, but we’re more on ends) sportsmen shows. (interpretation) the sideline in terms of municipal tax They can request funding from the than those other two departments. Thank (interpretation ends) Community

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 929

Tourism and Cultural Industries again, but we give each community Program. (interpretation) They can $190,000 to hire a community request money from that for travel development officer and to run the purposes to those kinds of shows. Thank programs that they have. Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.

Chairman: Mr. Netser. Chairman: Mr. Netser.

Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Thank you, When does this policy expire and when minister. (interpretation) The next are they coming up with a new one? question I would like to ask, in our (interpretation) Thank you. communities we have economic development officers. Are the Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. community economic development officers under contract to the hamlets? Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Thank you. Chairman. We’re kind of in an overhold situation. It expired back in 2011 and Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. we’re working on it right now. It should be renewed and completed by the end of Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): this year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the community economic development Chairman: Mr. Netser. officers work for the hamlets, but they get paid by the Department of Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Economic (interpretation ends) Thank you for the Development and Transportation information. Now, for territorial parks, is (interpretation) for their travel and the department responsible for training. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. establishing territorial parks in our territory? (interpretation) Thank you. Chairman: Mr. Netser. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You have a contract with the hamlets in Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. terms of delivering the economic Chairman. No, we are not. The development portion to each community. Department of Environment is I wonder if this contract will be expiring responsible for territorial parks. Thank soon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Thank you. Next name on my list, Mr. Kaernerk. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s not a contract per se. It Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank doesn’t have an end date. We just have you, Mr. Chairman. I shall remain on an agreement with the hamlets. It is part this subject, I believe. This is just a of our policy that has to be updated preamble commentary based on what I

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 930 heard during my colleague from Arviat I personally stated that I will search for and towards (interpretation ends) ways. Smaller communities should be Chesterfield Inlet (interpretation) when the focus, as I spoke to that long ago. I he commented on the mine training will look for ways and if barriers exist, program you fund. I take joy from this then yes, I will sidestep the barriers and and am happy to hear that since it is look for alternatives. The barriers we run good news for Nunavummiut as it can into shouldn’t force us to abandon the provide real benefits in my opinion. Part work, so I will recommit myself to this of why I take joy from that statement is end. This is what I said I would do. I due to Hall Beach being a smaller also believe that you don’t always have community, which you are aware of. to depend solely on the government When mining development occurs in when you are a smaller community. We Nunavut, it provides economic can stand on our own. opportunities. The mines which are being developed in With respect to programs, there should Nunavut are also looking to provide be more effort to disseminate the some benefits for Inuit. Our agreement information due to the reason that when speaks to Inuit ownership of lands. If a training program is completed, the mining occurs on Inuit lands, yes, it can participants can apply for up to $8,000 benefit some communities. We have from ED&T. Potentially, if this is Inuit organizations as well. If an expanded in the future with residents agreement were to appear for impacts on taking this prospector’s course, then it Inuit such as the agreements for a mine, can have exponential benefits as then I believe that as Inuit we can gain residents look to develop their self-sufficiency as the purpose was to community as well. I believe that the provide such an opening for community would benefit if a deposit opportunities. was found. Those who request training programs Now, in the business plans, what are the such as the prospector’s course, of ways of how communities can try to course I am proud of them. I thank you develop their own initiatives? In for that as you, as economic developers, thinking of ways, I believe we can try to provide economic opportunities expand our thinking. With your role as through this avenue. As I speak to these economic developers, I believe that real issues, especially in looking at ways to benefits can accrue to communities. To increase opportunities to become more use myself as an example, let’s say I self-independent, we have to deliberate took the prospector’s course. Now, on these issues. When you try to perhaps if my application was approved brainstorm, as Inuit or even as residents by the government, I could have this of Nunavut, the programs offered can claim owned. If I owned the land, this open up more opportunities. would provide an opportunity to work on developing it. The people who take these In your business plan, you speak about courses, I believe, have this in mind to the mining sector. When speaking about expand their opportunities. economic opportunities, we have to make plans when talking about

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 931 prospectors who are Inuit. There should program funding. We should also look at be a development plan for the other benefits that can assist them to prospectors, especially in identifying become more economically self- further courses they can take, sufficient. I believe it needs more particularly how to claim a mineral stake components in this program. As the on your own, all by yourselves, not Nunavut government, this should be singular. The reason why I say it isn’t carefully monitored that yes, we are singular is because the entire community doing that. We too, as regular Inuit, are can benefit. searching for opportunities by planning development around our communities. This too can actually perhaps impact the When you have a low-level education, it social assistance program, as it can is very difficult to figure out to whom lessen the welfare recipients possibly. It we should be requesting assistance. As I would elevate tourism and open up stated before, to whom shall we turn? further opportunities in the prospecting sector. This is the reason why we want I think there needs to be more to clarify our rights. We can run into components added to our programs that barriers when accessing programming. are subjected to applications or Even with that challenge, if the proposals from local Inuit. “If you department could offer more courses by complete this program, then you can telling people, “Yes, if you take the take this next course.” Maybe in this course, you may use your right to manner you as the economic developers prospect.” However, this too isn’t can provide more program elements without barriers, as Nunavummiut, due within the prospector’s course materials. to the fact if I go anywhere, I will run There are many Inuit who take the into various types of ownership. If I go course who never progress past it since to either level of government, I may they don’t know which department or receive approval. person to turn to, so they abandon their work. This is where it is unfortunate. When Inuit who don’t have formal Perhaps you can add more elements to education backgrounds pass these the course, including identifying the prospector’s courses, obviously we are work that “Yes, there are more programs proud of their accomplishment. Now, I I can apply for at ED&T.” want this completely considered for people who take the prospector’s course. This is what I wanted to make a small Whose land is their claim on? Although comment on, as many of these programs the territory is entirely Nunavut, I were queried about by my colleagues. I believe there are three types of am shaking now. Yes, this is true. We ownership. Inuit owned lands and are living it. As residents of the smaller federal Crown lands amongst others. communities, we too are looking for potential opportunities. This will have With plans being prepared in the future, actual benefits in the future, not just for I want to see the funding equal the one community but for all of Nunavut. amount, in my mind, or in other words, That is what I wanted to rant about, so larger. It can lead to further thank you for listening. That is all. opportunities, not just to the training

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Chairman: Thank you for the comment. Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. We’re on Branch Summary. Economic Chairman. Several of my questions were Development. Total Operations and asked when Ms. Towtongie was asking, Maintenance, to be Voted. $23 million. but I just want to ask some more Agreed? questions on motor vehicles. One of your priorities on page 243 says, Some Members: Agreed. “Complete the Motor Vehicles Information System project to ensure Chairman: Thank you. Before we go on increased community capacity.” What is to the next page, we will take a 10- the status of this line item? Thank you, minute break. Thank you. Mr. Chairman.

>>Committee recessed at 15:26 and Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. resumed at 15:46 Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Welcome back. I would like Chairman. We’re still working on it. I to call the committee meeting back to remember when I was sitting not too far order. Minister Savikataaq. from where you were sitting and I was asking those questions. We have gone a Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. little bit further from then, but we’re still Chairman. With your permission, I working on it; there are way more issues would like to trade a witness. than was anticipated. Just to give you exactly where we are in that, I can have Chairman: Thank you. Does the Mr. Hawkins answer that. Thank you, committee agree to let a different Mr. Chairman. witness go to the table? Chairman: Mr. Hawkins. Some Members: Agreed. Mr. Hawkins: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- Chairman. The program is being built. It Arms, please let the new official in. will be completed by the end of this year. We anticipate that now. It’s in Thank you. For the record, please acceptance testing right now. All of the introduce your official, Minister modules are coming together on it and Savikataaq. we expect it to be completed by the end of 2018. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is the new witness, Chairman: Mr. Rumbolt. Mr. John Hawkins. He’s the ADM for Transportation. Thank you. Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Over the last ten years I have Chairman: Thank you. We’re now on been bringing up the issues with the page K-6. Economic Development and issuing of driver’s licence and ID cards Transportation. Transportation. Mr. in our communities and the slow process Rumbolt. that it takes to get it from the time it starts to the time it’s back to our

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 933 constituents. It seems that this system is Chairman: Mr. Rumbolt. no better today than it was eight to ten years ago. Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Using the mail system is one I just had an email last week where of the biggest issues that we have with somebody in February had lost their the driver’s licence other than the wallet and has no ID and it was put in picture-taking, but you’re still going to for a replacement, but that was in rely on the mail system. How is this February and as of a week ago, still has going to make it quicker? Thank you, no ID. She even had to cancel a trip out Mr. Chairman. of the community because she didn’t have photo ID. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

With this new Motor Vehicles Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Information System, how do you Chairman. I guess one of the ways where anticipate that this is going to improve it will make it better is because the the processes in our communities? photographs should be of good enough Thank you, Mr. Chairman. quality that you don’t have to back and forth if the photo is no good. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Another thing that I’m looking at is I Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. would like to get the driver’s licence so Chairman. Once we have the system that we have a ten-year expiry. That itself up and running and the cameras are means that we only have to renew half all in place, that part of it will be the licence half the time. As I said, quicker. renew every five years; renew every ten years so that takes the burden off. The part that’s not going to change is the driver’s licence will still be issued out of Even when the system is up and running, territory. They still will be mailed. we anticipate that it will still be slow That’s due to security issues. In this day because there is going to be a backlog of and age that we live in, security is a big licences and general IDs that need to be concern for all the travellers and this is issued. Once the entire backlog is clear the photo ID that can be used on air and this is running good, we’re hoping carriers. That is why it still has to be and we do believe that the system will mailed. It has to be for security reasons work better and quicker when it’s fully and all the security features that are built operational. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. into the driver’s licence. Chairman: Mr. Rumbolt. In term of the communities, we anticipate that once everyone is trained Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. and once the equipment is fully Chairman. The minister stated that one operational, that part of the process will of the improvements is better photo be quicker and more streamlined. Thank quality. Currently we are mailing these you, Mr. Chairman. photos on USBs back and forth to Iqaluit. Will this new system have the

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 934 ability to email these photos? Thank or standby airport. We see it as either you, Mr. Chairman. more office space or more space that can be rented out to the community. As it is Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. right now, it’s not a very nice place to work. It’s very rundown. We want to Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. improve it for the people who are Chairman. That’s due to Internet working there right now, plus also use capacity right now. We are anticipating the unused space because we’re paying in the future that once we have better to heat that place anyway and we’re broadband service, which is supposed to paying all the costs and everything. be in 2019, that we won’t have to do that NAV CANADA is in there and they’re anymore. It’s just too much data in the not going to move out. They need to be photograph because we need good able to be where they are. Thank you, quality photographs. Therefore there are Mr. Chairman. a lot of megapixels in there. Chairman: Mr. Rumbolt. On a side note here, we’re not the only jurisdiction that has to mail out our Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. driver’s licence and get it printed Chairman. With the refurbishing of the elsewhere. Other jurisdictions do that old air terminal building, is there any too. Like I just said, once we have better, kind of dollar value attached to those faster Internet, then that should be one of renovations? I know I’m talking about the steps where there’s no more mailing capital, but because it’s in the business of a USB. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. plan, I can ask such a question. Do we have any idea of how much this Chairman: Mr. Rumbolt. refurbishing is going to cost us? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To change the subject, on Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. page 248 of your business plan it states one of your priorities is to “Refurbish Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. the (yellow) Iqaluit Air Terminal Chairman. Just a bit over $4 million. Building.” My question is: if we have a Thank you, Mr. Chairman. brand-new airport here in Iqaluit that cost us $300 million, why are we Chairman: Thank you. Next name on spending money to refurbish the old my list, Mr. Mikkungwak. one? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. I’ll ask more on what my colleague was asking about. I do recall Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. in Committee of the Whole there was a Chairman. It’s a government asset and commitment that Baker Lake would also there are still offices in there that are be taken into consideration for the pilot going to stay in there. It’s going to be project regarding class 5 driver’s licence refurbished for different purposes; it’s and general ID cards. My first question not going to be refurbished as an airport is: where does that stand today? Thank

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 935 you, Mr. Chairman. they’re not printed in Rankin Inlet. They’re processed in Rankin Inlet, but Chairman: Oh. Minister Savikataaq. there is no driver’s licence or general IDs printed in Rankin Inlet. To the best >>Laughter of my knowledge, they’re all done out of Ottawa, the driver’s licence for sure and Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. I think even all the general Chairman. I know it has been a long day. identification. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can inform the member that we’re talking with the SAO and it’s still on our Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. radar to do it. Like I told him when a question was asked in question period, Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. we want to make sure we work out all Chairman. When they are processed, the kinks. When you have a pilot project, made in Ottawa, they get to Rankin if something doesn’t work to well on Inlet, then why are they sitting in Rankin one, then you figure out how to make it Inlet so long when it’s just a 40-minute better the next time you do it because flight from Rankin Inlet to Baker Lake? you don’t want to repeat the same What’s the holdup? process. We had a few hiccups. It’s still in the plans to do it in Baker Lake, but I An Hon. Member: Weather in Baker can’t tell the member exactly when it Lake. will be. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman.

Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. When you look at delivery options for driver’s licence and general Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. identification cards, I do know that they Chairman. We’re looking at all of those are made in Rankin Inlet, which is a 40- processes, but there should be no reason minute flight away. My constituents why they hold them once they’re there have been very frustrated when the cards and be there ready to be shipped to the are made and they’re sitting there in the rightful owners. We’re looking at that. office, some of them end up waiting They shouldn’t sit anywhere, whether it three to six months when it’s just a 40- be Rankin Inlet or Ottawa or Iqaluit. minute flight away. My question here is: They shouldn’t be sitting there just when they’re completed, could they not waiting. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. be sent in bulk, counter to counter from Rankin Inlet to Baker Lake? Thank you, Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman. When we look at the pilot project, when do you anticipate the new Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. equipment to be arriving to Baker Lake Chairman. Just to correct the member, regarding that pilot project? Thank you,

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Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Hawkins.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Hawkins: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The regulations require on a Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. three-year cycle that every airport is Chairman. Just to clarify for the audited for their compliance with the member, the pilot project and issuance standards and with the operational of identification and driver’s licence are requirements of the regulations. The two different issues. The pilot project is airports that were named there are just to do driver’s licence examinations scheduled for this year to be audited, so and testing both written and driven. As they will be measured, audited against for the driver’s licence and photo ID, all the standards as far as the lighting that’s not a pilot project. That’s being systems, as far as their compliance, all rolled out in all the communities and we the slopes that are around them, and that hope the system will be up and running will all be documented and then any in every community. There’s no pilot things that are out of standard will be project to do with the issuing or the corrected through a series of corrective making of a driver’s licence or photo ID. action plans. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can attest it was during the Chairman. I thank the minister for his Fourth Assembly I think I have done response. I’ll move on. Your every possible angle regarding the Baker department’s draft 2018-2021 business Lake Airport, every possible way. When plan indicates that one of its priorities I look at Baker Lake and you do the for the 2018-19 fiscal year is to scope and audit, what are you targeting “Complete Quality Assurance Audits of at? What work are you really targeting? airport facilities and operations at Extension of the runway? Widening? airports in Pond Inlet, Resolute, The slope? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Qikiqtarjuaq, Pangnirtung, Kugaaruk, Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Baker Lake, Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. and Whale Cove.” What is the scope of these audits and what criteria were used Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. to prioritize the order in which airports Chairman. When these audits are done, will be audited? Thank you, Mr. they’re to make sure they conform to the Chairman. regulations. It has nothing to do with extending the runway, longer, wider, or Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. changing the slope. It’s just Transport Canada has certain regulations that if Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. your airstrip is this long, you might have Chairman. That was a mouthful and a lot to have a slope of this, it has to be so far of communities, so I would like Mr. from here, the lighting has to be so Hawkins to answer that. Thank you, Mr. much, they all have to work. It’s just an Chairman. audit to make sure that the airport

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 937 conforms to the regulations to make sure by a private contractor was conducted at it’s safe. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the Baker Lake Airport, which was submitted to the federal government, Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. territorial government, and the Hamlet of Baker Lake at the time did obtain a copy Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. of the consultant’s entire report of how it Chairman. You can rule me out of order could be expanded and the necessary on this particular next question if you work. The federal government at the want. time was in support of the proposal, but I just wanted to know why the GN Back in the Third Assembly, a complete Department of Economic Development audit and assessment was completed by and Transportation was not supporting a private consultant in Baker Lake who the project. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. was flown to Baker Lake to do a complete assessment and audit of the Chairman: Thank you. I realize you Baker Lake runway and airport can’t answer for the Third Assembly, but expansion, which was submitted to the Minister Savikataaq. federal government, which was also obtained by the Hamlet of Baker Lake. It Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. was actually approved by the federal Chairman. We can look into it, but as I government but did not get GN support. stated earlier, I asked the member when Would the department be able to the federal government supported it, elaborate as to why the GN did not does he mean the federal government support the Building Canada Fund at that said, “Yes, we will pay for it”? Was that particular time? Thank you, Mr. the kind of support or is it support in Chairman. terms of “Yes, we think it’s a good idea,” but never threw in any money? Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. We can look into it, but the Third Assembly is quite a while ago. I don’t Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. think we’re going to get anywhere Chairman. If the member can just clarify talking back and forth, but if the member if the federal government approved it, could clearly state, “Yes, the federal like they approved the funding or they government was going to fund the approved the design. If he can just project.” Thank you, Mr. Chairman. explain a bit better. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak.

Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the federal was going to Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. fund the program, but the Government Chairman. I’ll try to say this a little bit of Nunavut did not approve the Building slower. Canada Fund. I’m not trying to go back to the Third Assembly, but I do believe During the Third Assembly, I was documents are obtained and archived in deputy mayor of the Hamlet of Baker the government system. That’s why I’m Lake. A complete assessment and audit asking that question. Thank you, Mr.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 938

Chairman. under ACAP, let me get the abbreviation, Airport Capital Assistance Chairman: That was no question. Mr. Program. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Mr. Mikkungwak: Okay, I’ll rephrase Mikkungwak. my question. The Government of Nunavut does archive documents and Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. when they are archived, they are Chairman. I understand that work is still archived for five to ten years. I’m just going to be done. Do you guys also take asking if they have obtained a copy of into consideration the volume of traffic that complete assessment and audit of at these airports in prioritizing the scope the Baker Lake expansion of work? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. runway/airport. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

Chairman: Thank you. This forum is Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. not prepared to answer that kind of Chairman. Not in these audits. These question, way back; if you can ask in a audits just look to make sure that the certain way that this forum can do that. airport safety standards conform to the Thank you. Mr. Mikkungwak. regulations. We’re not looking at passenger numbers. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Okay, I’ll rephrase my question. When you look at this audit, Chairman: Thank you. Next name on my question here is: when the audit is my list, Mr. Hickes. complete, will the Department of Economic Development and Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Transportation do submissions to the I would just like to go back to the federal government for funds so that driver’s licensing topic. I know right these airports that are identified could now we have our driver’s licences on a get the necessary work done to meet the five-year renewal. Speaking from safety codes of the airport facilities? experience, that can be a long time and Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you forget when your renewal date is. I’m just wondering: how complicated Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. would it be with the new motor vehicles system to have renewal notices sent out Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. as driver’s licences expire? Thank you, Chairman. Yes, this audit is to make sure Mr. Chairman. that these airports conform to the regulations. If they don’t conform to the Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. regulations, then we will fix it so that they do conform to the regulations. If it’s Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. minor, then we would use our own Chairman. It’s doable. We can look into funds. If it’s a major expense, then we doing that because I agree that would apply to the federal government sometimes we forget and if you forget

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 939 too long and it’s expired more than six suspensions? As of today, if someone months, then it’s not as simple as just gets their licence taken away for a period walking in and getting it renewed. Like I of over 90 days, are there regulations said, I’m also looking at extending the currently in place? Thank you, Mr. length of a driver’s licence to 10 years. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. No, there is not right now. It also makes it difficult to get on a The only long-term licence suspension plane. Sometimes you’re outside of the or taking away right now is through the territory when your driver’s licence gets courts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. noticed that it’s expired. That’s just a comment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone.

Chairman: Thank you. That was just a Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. comment. Next name, Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. I will move on to my next question. I would like to bring up a topic Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. that I raised a while back and it was Chairman. I would like to continue on about the hazardous conditions in the the theme of licences. I was wondering if Iqaluit airport parking lot. I was the minister would be able to provide us wondering if the minister might be able a little information on the current to provide us an update on that situation. procedures in place with regard to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. licence suspensions for short-term, 24- hour suspensions all the way up to long- Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. term, 90-day suspensions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I agree with the fella. We’ve Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. got two trucks that are parked parallel, but there is not a whole lot of room. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. What we’re going to do this summer is Chairman. We’re actually drafting up the to redraw the line so that there’s angle regulations for us to be able to do that. parking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s coming and it’s in conjunction with the cannabis bill that is coming forward. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. We are drafting up regulations in order to do a 24-hour suspension. Thank you, Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Thanks for that response. I’m glad to hear that action is being taken. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. My next question is about airport Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. operations. Now, I have seen flights land Chairman. In the current regulations is at our airport throughout any time of there anything stated about long-term day, including during the night. I was

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 940 wondering if the airport maintains a 24- As the minister said, it’s a LEED Silver hour operation. Thank you, Mr. building. There are also incentives in the Chairman. operation of that building so that there is a pain-share/gain-share program going Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. on. If there are further improvements to it, the government gets some of the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. benefit but also the operator gets some Chairman. If the member is talking of the benefit. It encourages them to about the Iqaluit airport, yes, it’s 24 implement any benefits. Thank you, Mr. hours. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.

Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone.

Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In order to keep the lights on Chairman. I’m glad to hear that. Thank in a facility of that size, it must take a you for that response. I will move on to considerable amount of energy. I was my next question. At the top of page 246 wondering if the department has been of the business plan, the first bullet states working with the Climate Change that the department is going to “Conduct Secretariat or Community and a comprehensive review of commercial Government Services to try to take land and building space lease rates advantage of the Canadian government in…Nunavut airports.” initiatives and programs in reducing diesel dependence in remote It’s my understanding that in pretty communities to try to reduce those much all airports in the developed world, operational costs. Thank you, Mr. they have airport tariffs and fees, such as Chairman. general terminal charges, landing fees, and airport improvement fees, to help Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. offset some of the operational costs. I was wondering if we have anything Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. similar in our airport operations. Thank Chairman. The airport here in Iqaluit has you, Mr. Chairman. actually won an award for being energy efficient and well designed. I’ll get Mr. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Hawkins to elaborate a little bit more on that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are looking at it and Chairman: Mr. Hawkins. studying it, but I just told the member and he’s aware that we have one of the Mr. Hawkins: Thank you, Mr. highest airfare rates anywhere. If there Chairman. Yes, the building here is a are any landing fees or tariffs or very efficient building. The new building anything that’s added on, the airlines takes not that much more electricity than will be passing that onto the customers. the old building did. It does it through They’re more than likely not going to the combined power and electricity suck it up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. plant.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 941

Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. ends) Iqaluit International Airport, (interpretation) we’re going to start Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. paying the $24 million for the next 30 Chairman. I definitely, completely agree years. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. with you there. We do have exceptionally high transportation costs Chairman: Ms. Towtongie. and no one would like to see that increase, but looking at the airport fees Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank at an airport such as Toronto where there you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the are fees and tariffs for planes such as the clear response, minister. (interpretation 737s that land here, it would equate to ends) Your department’s recent capital cents or dollars per seat. The increase estimate substantiation sheets for the really wouldn’t be significant, but it Iqaluit International Airport indicated would significantly reduce the cost of that the airport is now being operated by the airport operations. I definitely hope Arctic Infrastructure Limited Partners that the department will take that into under the IIAP project agreement for a consideration when they’re conducting 30-year term ending in 2047. the review. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question is: what’s the estimated Chairman: Thank you. That was just a total amount that will be paid to Arctic comment. Thank you. Next name on my Infrastructure Limited Partners in annual list, Ms. Towtongie. operations payments over the 30-year life of the agreement? I would want to be Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank part of the Arctic Infrastructure… . I you, Mr. Chairman. According to the would like to know: what’s the estimated 2018-2021 business plan under total amount? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Transportation, the Iqaluit International That’s my final question. Airport was $10,634,000 in 2017-18 and it’s going to be increased to $24,479,000 Chairman: Thank you. Minister in 2018-19, which is an increase of Savikataaq. $13,845,000. The question I have is: what is the reason for this increase? Is it Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. because of the operators, Arctic Chairman. The total amount will be the Infrastructure Limited Partners? They’re $24.3 million a year for 30 years. That’s operating the airport through an the total amount. $24.3 million times 30, agreement with the Nunavut that’s the total amount. Within that government. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. amount, the lifecycles is part of it. That’s $1.1 million for lifecycles. The O&M to Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. run the actual airport is $10.4 million. The capital repayment plan that I talked Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): about is $12.8 million. The Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The increase government’s expense will be $24.3 is because we have to start making million a year for 30 years. Thank you, payments for the infrastructure that was Mr. Chairman. built. In the past we were paying for the construction. For the (interpretation Chairman: Thank you. The next name

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 942 on my list, Mr. Main. communities we still have agreements with the hamlets, but there are some Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, where the hamlets did not want to be the Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I’ll contractor anymore and they have gone continue on my colleague’s line of out to private businesses. Thank you, questioning. This was a P3 project. Mr. Chairman. Unfortunately I didn’t have an opportunity to debate the merits of it Chairman: Mr. Main. when it was decided that this should go ahead. There are pros and cons to P3 Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, projects. One of the cons in my mind is Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In it shows up in the estimates here, so terms of this priority, which is “Engage we’re spending close to $25 million on Nunavut based companies…,” will there airport and then for every other airport in be a series of RFPs that come out or is the territory, $16.7 million. There you this some other process? (interpretation) go, that’s what the catch is. If somebody Thank you, Mr. Chairman. asks you, “Oh, it’s a P3, it’s a great deal. We get some federal funding, but what’s Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. the catch?” The catch is that you are locked in and we’re going to pay for this Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. for decades, but it is what it is. Chairman. No there wouldn’t be. It’s not that we’re trying to move towards Regarding your business plan here on private industry doing that, but we have page 245, it says your priority there, to be ready if a hamlet decides that they “Engage Nunavut based companies to don’t want to be the contractor anymore. improve the reliability of airport We can’t go without a contract in the infrastructure, including mobile community. We have to be able to get equipment…” I believe that is a type of someone to take over in the short term if privatization and contracting out, which the contract is abruptly ended and, in the is fine. How many Nunavut-based long term, if they want to keep providing companies are able to provide this type that service for a fee. Thank you, Mr. of service? (interpretation) Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Main. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I Chairman. I can’t tell the member thank the minister. I understand more exactly how many companies are now. I would like to note that one of the capable to, but we have five or six communities that I represent and, to my airports where they are contracted out knowledge, other communities have and there are two different contracts. been having issues with… . I guess One is for CARS, the operations of the they’re being left holding the bag radios, and that’s NAV CANADA’s because they’re not getting enough responsibility, and we do the money from airports in terms of the maintenance. In most of the actual costs of maintaining their airports

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 943 and doing all the snow clearing. Mr. Main: (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I I would just encourage the minister to trust that the minister will look into these make sure that the hamlets don’t have to hamlets that have encountered overages pay for this service because I believe it is and try to make sure that they are made something that should be covered. It’s whole or taken care of. right in the division’s statement here. “Nunavut Airports is responsible for the With regard to the yellow air terminal operation and maintenance of the building, I’m a bit puzzled as to why it’s 24…Airports outside of Iqaluit.” only now that the department is looking at alternative uses for that air terminal The hamlets are the contractor, yes, but I building because you knew for a number would just like to highlight the fact that of years that you were going to have a they’re being put under financial new airport opening. Why didn’t this pressure to handle the shortfall. Is there process to look for people who are anything that’s being done to address interested and plan for repurposing it this? I believe it’s not just the Hamlet of happen earlier? (interpretation) Thank Whale Cove; it’s other hamlets that have you, Mr. Chairman. faced this issue. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s not that they weren’t Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. planning and didn’t know. NAV Chairman. We have no intention of CANADA offices are there and they’re trying to download or get the hamlet to going to stay there, so we have to keep subsidize our responsibilities for running the building and it has to be maintained. an airport. That’s not the intent. Part of the reason it wasn’t done right away is because it costs money and you If there are any shortfalls and as long as have to get into the capital planning it’s documented, then the hamlets will be process. It’s just the system. It probably reimbursed. When the agreement is up, would have not looked that good if you we can look at it to make sure that the ask for funds to fix up the old airport expenses that they incur are covered as while you’re building a new airport. long as they’re within reason and it That’s partly what I’m guessing. Thank seems like it’s an operational you, Mr. Chairman. requirement. Chairman: Mr. Main The hamlet should not have to go into debt to run the airport because it is our Mr. Main: (interpretation) Thank you, responsibility to make sure that the Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I airports are maintained in a safe manner. would just like to comment that you Thank you, Mr. Chairman. come from one community to the next and it’s like coming from a developing Chairman: Mr. Main. world to a first world, for example, travelling from Whale Cove to here or

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 944 from Arviat to here. Mr. Chairman.

My colleague talked about commercial Chairman: Thank you. We’re on space within the airports. Well, in my Economic Development and home community of Arviat things are Transportation. Transportation. Total getting worse in terms of commercial Operations and Maintenance, to be available. We used to have a vending Voted. $44,917,000. Agreed? machine, pretty basic for an airport, but too many break-ins, so the operator Some Members: Agreed. pulled that out. We used to have an ATM, again not enough security at the Chairman: Go to page K-3. Department airport, there was a break-in and the Summary. Total Operations and ATM, I think, might have been torn out Maintenance, to be Voted. $86,582,000. of the building and it was shut down. I Agreed? agree that it’s important to make room for private businesses within airports. Some Members: Agreed. There is a good example. If we had better security, if we had a better facility, Chairman: Do members agree that we security cameras, etcetera, maybe those have concluded the Department of things wouldn’t be an issue. That’s just a Economic Development and comment. I wanted to highlight that. Transportation?

My last question is on the driver’s Some Members: Agreed. licences and your priority here on page 244 says, “Examine alternative service Chairman: Thank you. Minister delivery options for driver’s licences and Savikataaq, do you have closing General Identification Cards…” Is that comments? Minister Savikataaq. looking at a privatized model where you would contract out this service to Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. somebody to operate it? (interpretation) Chairman. I would like to thank all the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. members for asking their questions and being engaged, and also at times to be Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. understanding. Some of the questions that were being asked, I asked them Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. myself in the Third Assembly too. Bear Chairman. That is one of the options with us, with the driver’s licence and available. Our first ideal situation would photo IDs. We’re doing our best and we be to work with the hamlets and the want to make sure we get to where we GLOs because they’re there. If that can issue them in a timely manner. doesn’t work out, then we are looking at options of having private industry do I would like to thank my staff that are some other work in terms of the driver’s here for the hard work they do and for examination, the written test, and all all the staff that are not here to prepare that. We have so much work to do the binder and all the answers for us to because the RCMP does not administer give to you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the driver’s test anymore. Thank you,

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 945

>>Applause To my right is the President of Arctic College, Sheila Kolola, (interpretation Chairman: Sergeant-at-arms, please ends) and on my left is the Vice- escort the witnesses. We will now take a president of Arctic College, Karsten five-minute break. Henriksen.

>>Committee recessed at 16:37 and Itsivautaaq, I am pleased to present to resumed at 16:45 the members today Nunavut Arctic College’s 2018-2021 main estimates and Bill 04 – Appropriation (Operations & business plan. Nunavut Arctic College Maintenance) Act, 2018-2019 – maintains the operations laid out in the Nunavut Arctic College – business plan with a budget made up of a Consideration in Committee base contribution from the Government of Nunavut, third party funding Chairman: Hello. Welcome back. I contracts, and revenue from fee sources would like to call the committee meeting such as tuition. To that end, Nunavut back to order. I would now like to ask Arctic College’s total main estimates for the Minister responsible for Nunavut the 2018-19 fiscal year is $38,134,000. Arctic College, Minister Joanasie: do you have officials that you would like to Nunavut Arctic College has been given appear before the committee? Minister four strategic priorities by its board of Joanasie. governors, which include improving programs and services to the Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): communities; building a culturally Thank you, Mr. Chairman. responsive college; achieving academic (interpretation ends) Yes. Thank you, excellence; and strengthening college Mr. Chairman. systems and operations. These guiding objectives govern operations and ensure Chairman: Thank you. Does the that the college is addressing the needs committee agree to let the minister and of adult Inuit and Nunavummiut. his officials go to the witness table? Mr. Chairman, Nunavut Arctic College Some Members: Agreed. also has a key role in working with the Government of Nunavut in carrying out Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- and supporting several priorities in the Arms, please escort the witnesses in. new Turaaqtavut mandate. As the Government of Nunavut strives to For the record, Minister Joanasie, please increase the Inuit employment rates introduce your officials and proceed across the territory, the college will play with your opening comments. Minister an important role in identifying key Joanasie. labour market gaps not currently supported by educational operations and Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. work to address those challenges. To Chairman. (interpretation) Good day, that end, the college has completed a members and Nunavummiut. draft taxonomy that will ensure consistent standards and high quality

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 946 across all program areas and will include local skills and trades training and sector advisory councils to ensure expanding academic programming at the programs are in alignment with labour community level. market needs. A key component of this taxonomy is the introduction of ICE- For this new five-year academic plan, STEM to all programs, which will start we will also introduce more quantitative in the upcoming academic year and will reviews of potential numbers of learners be piloted with the Fur Production in determining program deliveries. For Program. example, the college intends to work closely with the Department of Mr. Chairman, ICE-STEM stands for Education and the Department of Inuktut, Culture, Entrepreneurship, Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs Science, Technology, Engineering, and around planning community offerings of Mathematics. This is the college’s the Nunavut Teacher Education strategy to prepare learners for Program. This approach supports Nunavut’s future economy. maximizing our scarce resources with the goal of increasing the number of I would like to reaffirm the college’s bilingual Inuit into teaching roles as commitment to delivering programs at needed by Nunavut’s education system the community level. As an example of and the government’s Inuit employment this, I would like to note that this past plans. This academic plan will be made fiscal year, the college elected to use its freely available to the public so that accumulated surplus of $513,500 to start potential learners, whichever community an environmental technology program in they are in, are aware of what programs Pond Inlet, which is set to begin this the college will be offering and where academic year. the college will be offering those programs. Additionally, I am pleased to announce that the college now has the ability to (interpretation) Mr. Chairman, in regard deliver heavy equipment operator to programs, I am aware that in the past programs today as a response to the the college has at times cancelled needs of the resource industry. This programs if it was determined that too program was delivered in Pangnirtung few students had enrolled. Please know recently in conjunction with the that I have directed an end to this municipality. This means that Nunavut practice. If a learner has been admitted Arctic College can deliver heavy to a college program and has made a equipment operator programs in commitment to study at the college, then communities across the territory. it is the responsibility of the college to provide that learner with the opportunity One thing we have routinely heard is that they have worked so hard to that it can be difficult for potential achieve. It is the hope of the college that learners to plan their lives around when each and every learner will be successful a program may or may not be coming to in their chosen field. their community. The college’s administration will be drafting a five- During this upcoming fiscal year year academic plan that will focus on Nunavut Arctic College will continue to

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 947 improve the supports of our learners in Finally, at this time I am also pleased to post-secondary programs by announce that cabinet approved a standardizing learner services across all realignment of the college organizational three campuses and in each community structure. The purpose of this learning centre. The model of learner realignment was to streamline college services that the college is striving to operations and to ensure that the college achieve is heavily based on the Inuit is a meaningful, responsive institution. world view and upon Inuit culture. One of the most significant components Already here at the Nunatta Campus in of this realignment is the addition of Iqaluit, Nunavut Arctic College has dean of communities and learning based successfully concluded a pilot elder-in- in Arviat. This dean will be the steward residence program. This has proved to and champion for community learning be an invaluable experience to our centres to ensure that they are routinely learners and is a service that will be providing a suite of academic programs expanding to the other two regional at the community level. campuses. Additionally, Arviat will be home to the (interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, the college’s centre for teaching and standardization of learner services falls learning which will, under the leadership within a broader effort to ensure of the dean, communities and learning, consistency of programs and services and our chair of academic excellence, across the territory. The college’s who will be beginning work in early administration, in conjunction with the August, will be central to the college’s board of governors, will be development of teaching excellence and drafting a comprehensive 10-year academic quality. I would note that in strategy to set the long-term direction of addition to these two positions in Arviat, the college. the college will be recruiting for curriculum specialists to further A large component of that strategy will, complement staff in Arviat. by necessity, be the college-university partnership. I am pleased to say that the (interpretation) Mr. Chairman, since our joint team from Nunavut Arctic College, last appearance at this committee, the the Department of Education, and college staff have been working Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, diligently with its partners to tender and through both consensus scoring and an select a designer for the Cambridge Bay interview process, has narrowed the Campus project, with design work selection down to two. The selection scheduled to begin this fall. committee, headed by the college president, will soon embark on Mr. Chairman, this concludes my discussions with the remaining two opening comments. I would be pleased institutions to enter into a college- to answer questions from my fellow university partnership. We expect to be members. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the most appropriate Chairman: Thank you. Does the chair candidate for the college-university of the standing committee have partnership by the end of this fiscal year. comments? Ms. Nakashuk.

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Ms. Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank with the college once the successful you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) candidate has been determined. As the Chair of the Standing Committee Members anticipate that once the on Social Wellness, I am pleased to memorandum of understanding is in make opening comments as we begin place, more information will be deliberations on the proposed 2018-19 forthcoming on what new options for budget of Nunavut Arctic College. degree-granting courses will be available to Nunavummiut, in addition to the Mr. Chairman, the college’s total budget education, nursing and law degree is made up of a base contribution from programs currently being offered in the Government of Nunavut, third party partnership with different degree- funding, and revenue from other sources granting institutions. such as tuition fees. The GN’s proposed contribution to Nunavut Arctic College Mr. Chairman, Nunavut Arctic College for 2018-19 is approximately $38.1 has an important role to play in million. The standing committee notes preparing, training, and educating that the college’s overall budget for Nunavummiut to enter the labour force. 2018-19 is projected to be just over The standing committee appreciates the $56.5 million. The standing committee college’s focus on working to match supports the minister and college course delivery options with industry administration in their ongoing efforts to and labour market needs. Members acquire additional third party funding for further encourage the college to work 2018-19. closely with communities to assess local needs and requests for program delivery Mr. Chairman, the standing committee at the community learning centres. notes that the college will be undertaking Members were pleased to note that the a number of initiatives with respect to college’s Heavy Equipment Operator long-term planning to support Program can now be delivered at the Nunavummiut in reaching their community level across Nunavut. Trades educational and employment goals. This training and local skill development includes a five-year academic plan, the options at the local level are key to upcoming implementation of the ICE- promoting Inuit employment in our STEM program, and a ten-year strategy communities. for the long-term direction of the college. During the minister’s With respect to academic course appearance before the standing programming, the standing committee committee to review the draft 2018-19 has expressed the concern that not budget and business plan of Nunavut enough support is being provided to Arctic College, members were given to ensure that candidates for post- understand that the college will be secondary programs have the necessary entering into a college-university academic foundation to succeed. partnership by the end of the college’s Standing committee members encourage 2018-19 fiscal year. the college in its commitment to expand academic programming at the Members look forward to learning which community level and were pleased to Canadian university will be partnering note that the college will no longer be

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 949 cancelling courses based on low programs in general could further registration numbers. provide an important resource for initiatives in such areas as teacher Mr. Chairman, the standing committee education. encourages the college in its focus on early childhood education, health Mr. Chairman, on June 8, 2017 careers, and language programs in 2018- ministerial letters of expectation for 19. Early childhood education plays an 2017-18 to all Crown agencies and important role in preparing children for a territorial corporations, including life of learning and can help to Nunavut Arctic College, were tabled in determine an individual’s quality of the Legislative Assembly. The response health and well-being in the future. from the Board of Governors of Nunavut Current and future needs for elders’ care, Arctic College to the letter of mental health services, and wellness expectation was tabled in the House on programming will provide opportunities September 18, 2017 and indicated that for Nunavummiut to fill much-needed “the Board expects that governance of roles in the health care sector once they the College will be more appropriate at are able to access the relevant training the Board level.” Members would and certification. appreciate some clarification on the current status of the formal relationship Mr. Chairman, with respect to the between the Government of Nunavut college’s intent to standardize its student and the Board of Governors of Nunavut services across the territory and to Arctic College as we move forward. support a student experience based on an Inuit world view and Inuit culture, the Mr. Chairman, that concludes my standing committee looks forward to opening remarks. Individual members updates on the college’s student services may also have questions and comments initiatives, such as the elder-in-residence as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. program which provides counselling to Chairman. students, as well as cultural activities and language revitalization programs. Chairman: Thank you. Members, we are now dealing with Nunavut Arctic Members have expressed some concern College page M-3, but note that the that the college’s funding for language details for the college are on pages N-I-2 programs and in particular for to N-I-4. We will do the exercise same interpreter/translator training does not as today. Choose your time wisely. Once appear to be increasing despite the I scratch your name off the list on that government’s enhanced commitment to page, you are done for that page. promote the use of the Inuit language across departments and other agencies. Go to N-I-2. Nunavut Arctic College. The standing committee encourages the Headquarters. Questions? Mr. college to work with its partners to find Mikkungwak. opportunities for such options as on-the- job training and mentoring for Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. individuals interested in entering this Chairman. My first question is: when we field. A renewed focus on Inuit language look at community courses at the local

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 950

Arctic College, who decides on those by prerequisite courses. Maybe if he can particular courses? When I look at Arctic elaborate on that, but right now we’re College in Baker Lake, it’s got multiple planning for the Interpreter/Translator classrooms and it could run multiple Program to be delivered here in Iqaluit courses. Is there community input into and then Rankin Inlet starting in that also? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. September 2018. Maybe if he can elaborate on prerequisites. Thank you, Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Mr. Chairman.

Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the member for his question. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. (interpretation ends) Yes, the community Chairman. I guess what I mean by a is involved through the assessment prerequisite course is to test a number of process that happens periodically. We people who might want to get into the try to garner interest on different legal or interpreter field of work, like a programs that might be made available. test course to determine if you are At the same time I can say that in order eligible, you actually show strength in to have a program in place, we also need interpreting, and you should further to have the instructors in order as well, if pursue interpreter courses at an necessary, staff housing available. There advanced level before you get to the are other factors that play into where we advanced level here in Iqaluit. I guess can deliver certain programs. Thank you, that’s what I’m trying to ask. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Minister Joanasie.

Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for his Chairman. There is a level of assessment response. Welcome to the officials. My that is done by learners prior to entering, apologies there. but we can look into that in further detail. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My follow-up question to that would be Baker Lake did lose some very qualified Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. interpreters who had passed on. I know there was an interpreter course for a Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. brief period. I know that course is, I Chairman. I can only speak for the believe, in Iqaluit. Would a prerequisite community that I represent. We have an course be taken into consideration for elders facility and I know the staff did interpreter courses? That’s my question. take some safety courses and whatnot Thank you, Mr. Chairman. through Nunavut Arctic College. I believe it’s very essential that they take Chairman: Minister Joanasie. advanced courses.

Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. When I look at health and wellness Chairman. I’m not sure what he means careers that would be applicable to the

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Martha Taliruq Centre once it opens up Arctic College taking that into again, can that be taken into consideration where communities have consideration, like first aid and other industry right at their back door? Thank health and wellness careers as mobile you, Mr. Chairman. courses, I guess I would say? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie.

Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for his question. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Yes, we are looking at the territory as a Chairman. Thank you for his question. whole and what types of mineral activity In this past academic year 2017-18 we is going on in the territory. With that, did a home and continuing care program, we’re working with the Department of and for Baker Lake, there was a course Economic Development and delivered specifically on personal care Transportation. We want to create a skills. That had 10 students enrolled and mine training sector advisory council we look forward to having these types of that would help us determine what the programs in the coming years. We will mine training needs are of the territory take his comments about first aid and the and what best course of action would go likes, and these types of training towards providing training using our initiatives into account. Thank you, Mr. available resources. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.

Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak.

Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Chairman. I thank the minister for his Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I response. To elaborate on my first also thank the minister for his response. question, when I look at the Turaaqtavut My question now is regarding the mandate, we want people to become Nunavut Arctic College campuses or more fluent in Inuktitut and whatnot in learning centres in our community. If the government workforce. That was my you’re going to be entering, what is the approach on the Inuit language and age requirement and what is the limit on culture when we look at the Turaaqtavut the age? For example, 19 or 20 years, or mandate. Maybe that could be taken into is it open to all adults for programs that consideration with all the local arctic are delivered at the learning centres in colleges when they’re providing courses. the communities? Thank you, Mr. That’s just a comment. Chairman.

The next question I have is, as the Chairman: Minister Joanasie. minister is aware, Baker Lake and the surrounding communities are benefitting Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): from Meadowbank and Agnico Eagle Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank Mines. When we look at trades and you for your question. We are open to technology, which are very evident in anyone who wants to take courses, but the industry workforce, is Nunavut we have to keep in mind, as long as they

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 952 have to be in high school, they should Chairman: Thank you. It’s just a gear more toward the high school. comment. Next name, Mr. Netser. However, there are no age limits. A 100- year-old person can take courses at Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Arctic College. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman. I’m not sure if it’s here. I Chairman. would like to ask: the students that receive funding from FANS, is that Chairman: Thank you. Minister…Mr. program here or not? I’ll ask at the Mikkungwak. appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you. I almost got a promotion. Chairman: Minister Joanasie.

My last question here is: when we look Hon. David Joanasie: FANS at all these community Nunavut Arctic (interpretation) is under (interpretation Colleges, do they all have an adult ends) Family Services. (interpretation) educator? I believe, in my community, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. one of the employees was retiring. If that’s the case, if the employee is Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Netser. retiring, is that position put out for advertisement as soon as possible so that Mr. Netser: Thank you. I know it’s in a smooth transition can occur? Thank the Department of Family Services, but you, Mr. Chairman. that’s the thing I wanted to raise with the minister. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. (interpretation) The students who are in Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Arctic College receive funding from Thank you, Mr. Chairman. FANS. Sometimes they don’t get paid (interpretation ends) Yes, every and have no money to buy food and are community has a learning centre and we away from home, so they don’t know strive to have the position of adult what else to do. They try calling FANS, educator filled. Where there’s a vacancy, but they don’t get responses. we try to fill it as soon as we can. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe if FANS was under Arctic College, it would be run better and the Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. students would have fewer concerns and would want to complete their courses. Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Can the minister consider that? Thank Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman. My last one will be just a comment from me. The courses that are offered in Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Baker Lake, I would like to ask what programs will be delivered in writing as Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): soon as possible. It’s not a question and Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank that’s it from me. Thank you, Mr. you for the question. I think that would Chairman. have to be approved by the cabinet if we

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 953 were to do that. I can say that the top of my head from financial services to president of Arctic College and the policy development. I think those are Deputy Minister of Family Services very two burgeoning careers within the have plans to meet this month on how public service that could use a lot more this can be improved upon so that the Nunavummiut in those roles. students at Arctic College can receive better service. Thank you, Mr. I’m just wondering: do you meet with Chairman. Finance to determine those objectives in your prioritization or is it just with Chairman: Mr. Netser. Family Services to make sure that the programs meet FANS conditions? Thank Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. I think it would be good for you to consider. You were put in that Chairman: Minister Joanasie. position so that you can consider improvements to those types of issues. I Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): encourage you to bring it up with the Thank you. I will have the vice- cabinet. That’s just a comment. Thank president, Mr. Henriksen, respond to you. that, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. It’s just a Chairman: Mr. Henriksen. comment. Next name, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Henriksen: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Nunavut Arctic College I would like to go to the letter of strives to communicate with all of our expectation from 2017-18. I’m sure that stakeholders both within government we will be getting 2018-19 one coming with our government partners but as well out soon. From the last one on the with our industry partners. The new second page of it on the letter to the institutional taxonomy that we’re in the board, it states that they will “need to processes of hopefully finalizing will work closely with the Department of include the establishment of sector Family Services to ensure the current advisory councils and different program labour market needs drive the clusters will have sector advisory prioritization of programs as well as to councils to help us inform our ensure that the development and programming. We certainly want to hear administration of those programs is from all of our stakeholders. Thank you, aligned with student financial assistance Mr. Chairman. programs and capacity.” It’s similar to what my colleague raised. Chairman: Mr. Hickes.

I would like to go a little step further and Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. question why Finance wouldn’t be Also on the bottom it goes to ongoing involved in some of that where they reporting responsibilities, including would know where some of the priorities tabling the following in the Legislative of the GN public service have the most Assembly, and the last bullet states, need. I can think of a couple just off the “Formal responses to letters of

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 954 expectation, letters of instruction and That leads to suggest that there is some Ministerial directives at the first session type of a relationship issue between the of the Legislative Assembly subsequent board of governors at Nunavut Arctic to the NAC receiving such College and the Government of correspondence.” Nunavut. I’m wondering if the minister can explain the current relationship I don’t recall seeing any ministerial between his office and the board of directives ever tabled in the legislature. I governors on what I perceive as a could be wrong. I have only been around potential communication issue. Thank for about four and a half years, but I you, Mr. Chairman. don’t recall seeing any. I’m just wondering: how often do ministerial Chairman: Minister Joanasie. directives and under what circumstances would they be issued to Nunavut Arctic Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): College? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Just to point out, Chairman: Minister Joanasie. this letter of expectation was from the previous government. I have to point out Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): that I have yet to meet with the board of Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank governors as of yet face to face or you for the question. (interpretation through teleconference. They are ends) I haven’t heard of any or I haven’t planning to meet in the near future and I come across any ministerial directives of would like to have a chance to meet with any sort. I would have to get back to you them directly and have a conversation on what certain conditions or situations about both what the standing committee where that would come into play. Thank raised in their opening comments as well you, Mr. Chairman. as how to move forward beyond this. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll just have a conversation with the Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. minister at a later date if he comes across I’m sure myself or one of my colleagues any information. will be following up with that.

I would like to go back to the last page I would like to just go into a line of of our chairman’s opening comments in questioning on the early childhood the last paragraph. It had a question or a educator programs. As I had mentioned statement from the response to the board during the committee meeting, I was to the minister. It draws a curious as to the current status of the question/concern. I’m going to quote Applied Early Education Program, as I from it. “As previously communicated to wasn’t able to find any of those you, the Board expects that governance programs on the website at the time. I’ll of the College will be more appropriate be honest with the minister, I didn’t look at the Board level.” today, but when we had our committee meeting, I wasn’t able to find anything

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 955 on that program. I was just wondering Mr. Henriksen: Thank you, Mr. what the current status of it is. Thank Chairman. Nursing is of course a you, Mr. Chairman. regulated profession, so we have to work in collaboration with the regulatory body Chairman: Minister Joanasie. for nurses, but as to the program review with our new taxonomy, we will be Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): looking at that. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll have the Chairman. vice-president respond to that, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Next name on my list, Mr. Lightstone. Chairman: Mr. Henriksen. Ms. Kolola. Sorry. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good evening. It has been a Ms. Kolola (interpretation): Thank you, long day, so I’ll keep this as short as Mr. Chairman. Within this year five possible. completed their second year and four were in year one of the program in Before I begin with my questions about Cambridge Bay. Thank you, Mr. O&M, I would like to ask for an update Chairman. on the series of questions I posed during question period in this current sitting. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. A number of residents from a number of Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. different communities have I’m sure we can all agree the early communicated their frustration to several childhood program is very instrumental different members in the House that they in getting our children off to a good, have been given severe restriction in healthy, educational experience. their role and ability to communicate with community leaders. Would the I just have a question regarding the minister like to give us an update on that Nursing Program. One of the conditions situation? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. of their employability is, from what I understand, there’s a one-year Chairman: Minister Joanasie. mentorship as a requirement of their licensing here. I have a question. If there Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): was a nursing grad in Dalhousie who Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Maybe the was directly from the university, do they president would be best to respond to have the same requirement after writing this. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. their national exam of a one-year mentorship? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. My apologies for mispronouncing your last name, Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Kolola. Thank you.

Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Ms. Kolola (interpretation): No, that’s Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like fine. the vice-president to respond to that, Mr.

Chairman.

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Thank you for asking the question about President Kolola to respond to that if that. We have never stated that here as that’s okay with you. Thank you. Arctic College senior managers. We welcome all MLAs here at the Chairman: Ms. Kolola. Legislative Assembly or the hamlet councils and mayors to all community Ms. Kolola (interpretation): Thank you, learning centres. We have no choice but Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the to work together as Nunavut Arctic question. I want to respond to this College staff, community members, and properly, so I’ll respond in English. elected officials. The elected officials know more about the community and (interpretation ends) The signing what the community wants to bring out. authority in Nunavut Arctic College, I All I wanted to say is that as senior have not revoked any signing authority, managers of Nunavut Arctic College, we but I have suspended some temporarily. have never made that direction. We try to follow what concerns the MLAs have. The institution recently went through a We ask them to go to the president or the reorganization to realign and build minister if they have concerns. capacity for academic and operational success. As president, I was responsible (interpretation ends) The Community for authorizing 90 percent of the Programs is a very important and a key college’s executive and employees’ branch in Nunavut Arctic College. travel and leave. We are implementing We’re encouraging our chair and the realignment that was approved regional coordinators to work through cabinet. With 25 percent of our collaboratively with our communities, positions vacant, we have concerns over the MLAs, and mayors for identifying financial controls and leave and any training needs that are happening in attendance oversight. the communities and certainly as guest speakers for our learners in any program I did think really hard and it was not an that we deliver. (interpretation) Thank easy decision for me to make to suspend you, Mr. Chairman. signing authority temporarily, but it was for positions under senior management. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. It was not only limited to community programs. Having said that, we want to Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. improve corporate efficiency and Chairman. My next question will be accountability, so we’re putting together regarding financial constraints being a training plan for August, before the placed on community learning centres. new student calendar year, along with Have there been any signing authorities processes and procedures led by our revoked in community learning centres? finance team. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Office of the Auditor General did an Chairman: Minister Joanasie. internal audit that oversees our budgets and spending. He is aware of this and Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): have offered to work with us in coming Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like up with recommendations on what they

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 957 might have seen. you for the question. (interpretation ends) During the board of governors’ When the training is done and there is a meetings, the timing hasn’t been right full understanding of responsibility with respect to my responsibilities and under the signing authority, the they are not just solely focused on the supervisor of the branch will make a colleges. Like I said, they are having an recommendation to me to reassign the upcoming meeting and I do want to have signing authority. (interpretation) Thank time to meet with them to go over the you, Mr. Chairman. letters of expectation amongst other things. I think, moving forward, I can Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. say that during their upcoming meeting, I’ll try to make every effort to join it, Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. whether it’s through teleconference or Chairman. Thank you for that response. otherwise. I need to have a formal I’ll move on to my next line of working relationship with them, so questioning and it’s regarding the board we’ve got to start somewhere, and yes, of governors. The annual report time is going by very rapidly and I identifies the role of the board of noticed that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. governors. It states that “Nunavut Arctic College is responsible through the Board Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. of Governors to the Minister” responsible of the college. “The Board Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. recommends priorities to the Minister Chairman. Out of curiosity, do the board for courses and programs that may be of governors meet in person or do any of established by the Minister, ensures that them meet through teleconference? for each fiscal year an estimate of Thank you, Mr. Chairman. revenues and expenditures of the College are prepared and presents Chairman: Minister Joanasie. budgets to the Minister.” Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): With that being said, the minister has Thank you, Mr. Chairman. been in his role for a number of months (interpretation ends) The board meets now, over six months, and has indicated three times face to face per year, as well that he has not yet had the opportunity to as teleconferences every other month. meet with the board of governors. I was Thank you, Mr. Chairman. wondering how the board is able to present these items and fulfil their role Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. without having met with the minister. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Considering that the board Chairman: Thank you. Just to remind does meet regularly through the member to slow down; we have teleconference, I highly recommend that translators. Minister Joanasie. the minister take part if he’s unable to do so in person. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank My next question regarding the board of

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 958 governors is they do play a crucial role Chairman: Minister Joanasie. in oversight of the college. I was wondering if any formal governance Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): training is being provided to these Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will refer individuals, whether it be finance or this to the vice-president, Mr. Henriksen, human resources or administrative, if you would allow him. Thank you. similar to what’s being provided to DEA members and other such government Chairman: Mr. Henriksen. statutory bodies. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Henriksen: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Both I and Sheila are Chairman: Minister Joanasie. relatively new into our role, and we have worked actively to start reviewing the Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): college’s budgets as well as our Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I could surpluses over the years. have President Kolola respond to that, please. Thank you. Part of the reason we have accumulated surpluses in the past is because we’ve Chairman: Ms. Kolola. had a higher vacancy rate. We have implemented new strategies to increase Ms. Kolola (interpretation): Thank you, our vacancy rate. Moving forward, I Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the don’t foresee that being the case. question. The board of governors meets Generally speaking, the college does run by teleconference. Also, this past spring a modest surplus, but those resources are we met in Kugluktuk and at that time invested back into the institution where they explained to me what kind of appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. education courses they want delivered. Next week we’re having a Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. teleconference to see when the board would be available and consider new Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. board members. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question is going to be Chairman. from the business plan. On page NAC-8 of the business plan the top priority in Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. 2018-19 is “The College will launch a Nunavut Arctic College foundation to Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. award scholarships and bursaries…” Chairman. My next question will be Would the minister be able to provide us from the minister’s opening comments. a little bit more information on how the On page 2 the minister identified that the college will go about creating and college had used accumulated surplus to awarding the scholarship foundation? fund some programing. I was Thank you, Mr. Chairman. wondering: what is the current position of accumulated surplus with Arctic Chairman: Minister Joanasie. College and how often does the college use these accumulated surplus funds? Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. If you can have the vice-

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 959 president, Mr. Henriksen, respond to that’s some of the areas we want to get that, Mr. Chairman. further down into the nitty-gritty details. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Henriksen. Chairman: Thank you. Next name on Mr. Henriksen: Thank you, Mr. my list, Mr. Main. Chairman. Over the course of this summer we will be meeting with Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, representatives of the board of governors Mr. Chairman. Welcome and good to establish a scope for the Nunavut afternoon, minister and your officials. Arctic College foundation. The Nunavut Arctic College foundation will work In regard to your opening comments on certainly to build a pool of scholarships page 4, you have some new projects that and bursaries that can be awarded and are going to Arviat, which I’m happy leave a legacy of scholarships and about and I thank you for that. The bursaries for our learners, but they will office there appears to have been also work to seek corporate upgraded, and I think, this would be very contributions from industry to help beneficial if it is of use to Arctic diversify institutional revenue moving College. There are 17.9 new PYs. I forward. That work is forthcoming and would like to know where they are going we hope to have much more news in the to be based, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. fall. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Chairman: Thank you. Please be reminded for our translators that you Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): If slow down. Mr. Lightstone. you can allow President Kolola to respond to that, Mr. Chairman. Thank Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. you. Chairman. In the minister’s opening comments, he had mentioned conducting Chairman: Ms. Kolola. labour market research to identify any labour gaps. I was wondering what this Ms. Kolola (interpretation): Thank you, labour research has identified in Iqaluit. Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for that question. The number of positions increased for the upcoming Chairman: Minister Joanasie. business plan, we have several outside of Iqaluit. Some examples are staffing and Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): HR consultant in Cambridge Bay, two Thank you, Mr. Chairman. curriculum specialists in Arviat, a senior (interpretation ends) I understand we instructor of culinary arts in Cambridge haven’t gotten into community-specific Bay, security officers at the Kivalliq details, but we are looking at what Hall in Rankin Inlet, environmental already exists in terms of labour market technology program instructor in Pond research in Nunavut, what data is Inlet, and janitorial positions in all our already out there that we don’t really CLCs. The ones in Iqaluit will be a need to re-create. Using some of that, senior policy analyst, a junior policy

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 960 analyst, a divisional secretary, and half Chairman: Ms. Kolola. of a PY of an adult educator to an existing PY. (interpretation) Thank you, Ms. Kolola (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. The realignment was approved. (interpretation ends) We have Chairman: Mr. Main. realigned the college so that academic responsibility would fall under the vice- Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, president; corporate and strategic Mr. Chairman. I believe there are two planning would fall under the president, PYs that are going to be based in Arviat. working collaboratively, of course. Are those new positions? (interpretation Streamlining and efficiency will come ends) It’s a decentralized office. Are when we’re looking at each branch these positions that have just been kind budget, realigning those to fit the of lost and are being brought back or is it reorganization and centralizing some of a real increase to the number of staff our budget within the college. within that office? (interpretation) Thank (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Chairman: Mr. Main.

Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Mr. Main: (interpretation) Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Those are Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I new positions. Thank you, Mr. realize we’re short on time, so I can’t Chairman. really go too deep.

Chairman: Mr. Main. When you mention centralizing the budget, does that mean taking spending Mr. Main (interpretation): That’s very authority away from community learning good. Thank you for that clarification. centres? What does that refer to in terms (interpretation ends) Also in your of centralizing from where? opening comments here on the fourth (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. page, it says, “The purpose of this Chairman. realignment was to streamline college operations…” When I think Chairman: Minister Joanasie. “streamline,” I think an easier or maybe even cheaper way to do the work. How Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): are you going to track whether things are Thank you. President Kolola can being streamlined? (interpretation) respond to that, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Ms. Kolola. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Ms. Kolola (interpretation): Thank you, Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): I Mr. Chairman. I also thank you for your believe President Kolola can respond to question. (interpretation ends) that question, Mr. Chairman. Centralizing is putting the same spending under one. An example would

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 961 be that instead of buying IT equipment adult educators on page 14. I am likely and software individually as campuses, jumping ahead a bit. It says here, “The we would do a needs assessment and Community Learning Centres are all order in bulk so that we can have staffed with an Adult Educator.” Each savings. The same goes with Xerox community has one adult educator. Has machines and cellphones, if needed, the college given any thought to maybe because there are educational discounts two adult educators in communities that that we can access in companies if we may a higher workload? An adult centralize some of these budgets and educator in a town of 1,000 people; an negotiate a better contract. adult educator in a town of 2,500 people, (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. the needs and pressures on that Chairman. community learning centre are different. That’s my final question, Ikhivautaaq. Chairman: Mr. Main. (interpretation) Thank you.

Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman: Thank you. Minister Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Just Joanasie. a comment on page 11 of your business plan, it mentions your ten-year strategy Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): to set the direction of the college. My Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank comment is along the same line of a him for the question. (interpretation comment I had for the Department of ends) Yes, we do add where there’s Economic Development. It mentions additional programming that’s taking making sure that the ten-year strategy place in certain communities. We do add fits with the mandate of the Government extra supports in place for those of Nunavut. The mandate is only good depending on the pressures, as the for four years, three and a half years member mentioned. Thank you, Mr. now. Chairman.

Anyway I would hope that the ten-year Chairman: Thank you. Next name on strategy would be based on kind of my list, Mr. Kaernerk. labour force and those types of needs as opposed to the politicians of the day Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank because what do we know, really? You you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) guys are the experts when it comes to I’ll try to stick with the business plan. education and labour market needs, When it comes to facing challenges in right? It’s just a comment. the colleges in identifying qualified Inuit for instructional and management Also, I am very happy to see that there is positions, what success have you had to a needs assessment for community date in identifying candidates for those learning centres in there. I look forward types of roles within the college? That’s to that rolling out. It is very important my first question. (interpretation) Thank and has been neglected for a certain you, Mr. Chairman. period. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. I have one last question when it comes to

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Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m sorry, but explanation. I believe my first question if he can rephrase his question, as I don’t is related to this. (interpretation ends) quite understand it. Thank you, Mr. This is my channel 2. There was a Chairman. midwifery program that was launched in Cambridge Bay. Do you know what Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. happened to that program? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman. When it comes to facing challenges in the colleges in Chairman: Minister Joanasie. identifying qualified Inuit for instructional and management positions, Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): what success have you had to date in Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If you can identifying candidates for those types of allow the vice-president, Mr. Henriksen, roles within the college, for example, to respond, Mr. Chairman. qualified Inuit for instructional and management positions? Perhaps that Chairman: Mr. Henriksen. clarifies it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Henriksen: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Chairman. It was actually an enquiry I had myself in speaking to our dean of Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): health and wellness. From what I have President Kolola can probably explain come to understand, learners in that that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. program are required to participate in a significant number of live births to Chairman: Ms. Kolola. ensure that they could manage risks as they went out on their own. In order to Ms. Kolola (interpretation): Thank you, do so, learners were sent down south to Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your Edmonton, from what I understand. That question. Let me know if I resulted in a lot challenges not only from misunderstood your question, but if I the perspective of learners and managing understood that, identifying qualified their life but also in terms of learner Inuit for instructional positions, we do retention. That is just a little bit of have instructors and we follow the background information with regard to training programs that are requested by midwifery in Cambridge Bay. Thank the community, but we do have Inuit you, Mr. Chairman. managers and directors within Arctic College. We provide support with EIA’s Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. leadership program and we also use that at Arctic College. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman, (interpretation ends) and for your response. Is there any Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. discussion in relaunching that program? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Chairman.

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Chairman: Minister Joanasie. have to take those into consideration about what the requirements are, but we Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): will take his comments under Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The advisement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Department of Health has not requested that Arctic College have a midwifery Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. program. If there was interest, I believe it would come to us through that Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank department according to my you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank you for understanding. Thank you, Mr. taking my suggestion. I know that this is Chairman. already in your program, but at Piqqusilirivvik there is a satellite Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. training program agreement with Arctic College that this program will be offered Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank in Igloolik. Is that still in the works? you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, as Arctic Thank you, Mr. Chairman. College, I believe that should be your responsibility other than the Department Chairman: Minister Joanasie. of Health. If you’re going to come up with that program, in your business plan Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): it (interpretation ends) states here, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we have “…Inuktut, Culture, Entrepreneurship- been working on satellite campuses in Science, Technology, Engineering…” I Baker Lake and Igloolik. Those do believe that it would fall under programs have been running to date. Inuktitut culture when it comes to your Thank you, Mr. Chairman. business plan in saying that there will be another pilot project with regard to Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. elders-in-residency. I do believe that that program would fall under Inuktitut Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank culture. you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank you for that explanation. Moving on to a I would want to recommend that this different topic, what about students who program be relaunched, let’s say, in are coming from Nunavut communities Piqqusilirivvik since it is our cultural to Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge institution in the Baffin region. Is there Bay? Have you made an agreement with any possibility of discussion the the Nunavut Housing Corporation for Piqqusilirivvik program? (interpretation) when those students don’t want to go Thank you, Mr. Chairman. back to their community and they want to remain in the community where they Chairman: Minister Joanasie. took their training? If they wanted to move to that community, have you Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): spoken with the housing corporation to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank make sure that these students that had you for the suggestion. (interpretation completed their courses are provided ends) Similar to nurses, midwives are housing? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. also regulated in their field. We would

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 964

Chairman: Minister Joanasie. programs. How many staff do you have that work with that program? Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): (interpretation ends) How many PYs are Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can say no. on that specific mine training topic, I Currently we haven’t considered that. guess, across the territory? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. Chairman: Minister Joanasie Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I gave you a Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): suggestion in regard to the Midwifery Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe Program. For those students who no President Kolola can respond. Thank longer want to go back to their home you, Mr. Chairman. community after taking their course in a different community, perhaps you need Chairman: Ms. Kolola. to reconsider it to make sure that if the graduates wanted to work in the Ms. Kolola (interpretation): Thank you, community where they took their Mr. Chairman. Thank you for asking training and you provide housing for about that. For the mine training students who are attending Arctic program, it depends where the training College. They are able to bring some of program will be located. (interpretation their family members. If you can look ends) We have one mine training into that once the student graduates from coordinator at the moment that works their program, maybe you can provide with the dean, trades and technology. housing to the student while they’re waiting to move to housing corporation The specifics around mine training, units. This is just a suggestion. I’ll leave we’re talking with the Department of it at that and I’m finished. Thank you, ED&T and if the discussions go to what Mr. Chairman. types of training as a whole in the whole territory determine additional PYs would Chairman: Thank you. We’re done with be needed, that would be the time we that page. Next page, N-I-3. Nunavut would look into it. Research Institute. Any questions? Thank you. Next page, N-I-4. Nunavut Right now it’s the dean, trades and Arctic College. Regional Campuses. Mr. technology, the mine training Main. coordinator in the Rankin Inlet office. Not specific to mines, but we have trades Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, instructors like the carpentry instructors Mr. Chairman. Earlier today when the and the plumber instructors that have Minister of Economic Development was occupations in mines. (interpretation) appearing before the committee, I was Thank you, Mr. Chairman. asking questions in regard to the mine training program. Looking at the mine Chairman: Mr. Main. training program, Arctic College is responsible in taking the lead in those Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you,

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 965

Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ms. Kolola. I programs in preparation for College think you’re expecting the programs that entry or work.” Is that centrally located you will be working with a university, in one particular regional campus and and we will know soon which university. where? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like funding requirements to be considered carefully. Chairman: Minister Joanasie.

Yes, we need to provide training within Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Nunavut, but the law program costs over Thank you. President Kolola is better $7 million over four years. How many able to respond to that, Mr. Chairman. students are there? This will cost a lot of Thank you. money. They should be going to southern universities. I think we should Chairman: Ms. Kolola. first be dealing with people who can’t afford to pay for transportation or those Ms. Kolola: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. who are unemployed. I’m aware of Thank you for that question. The programs like NTEP. We need to workplace readiness and the pre- support them and they are provided program for entering into some of our funding. college programs, we deliver the College Foundation Program in the community (interpretation ends) What I’m trying to learning centres, in particular those that say is that the cost of delivery should be have identified wanting to have degree a major factor when you are considering programs in their community, for delivering university-level courses. I instance. would just strongly encourage the college to take a cost-benefit analysis We recently did a college foundation in into mind when it comes to future Gjoa Haven this past year. Now there programs of this sort. If we have to put a were enough that completed the college million dollars in to train, say, one foundation and ready to take the NTEP helicopter pilot in Nunavut, maybe we program. We will start the NTEP should not spend that money and send program in September. (interpretation) them to a helicopter pilot school Thank you, Mr. Chairman. somewhere else. It’s just an example; just a comment. (interpretation) Thank Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you. It’s just a Chairman. I thank the official for the comment. Next name, Mr. Mikkungwak. reply. When I look at the Nunavut Teacher Education Program, and it was Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. duly noted by the Auditor General of Chairman. In your first paragraph under Canada that we seriously need bilingual regional campuses there is one sentence educators within our territory, is that there that I would just like to get further being offered in various communities or clarification and at the same time would is it on a rotation basis? Thank you, Mr. like to know if it’s provided. I know it’s Chairman. provided, but “academic readiness

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Chairman: Minister Joanasie. you want to visit your community learning centre. We just want to be open. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank you for the question. (interpretation Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- ends) NTEP is currently delivered…the Arms, please escort the officials out. We details are on page 18 under Teacher will now take a five-minute, short break Education. It’s listed there and then before reviewing the Department of there’s a third party; there’s another set Executive and Intergovernmental of communities. Thank you, Mr. Affairs. Chairman. >>Committee recessed at 18:23 and Chairman: Thank you. We’re done. Go resumed at 18:34 back to page M-3. Department Summary. Nunavut Arctic College. Bill 04 – Appropriation (Operations & Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Maintenance) Act, 2018-2019 – Voted. $38,134,000. Agreed? Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs – Consideration in Some Members: Agreed. Committee

Chairman: Do members agree that we Chairman: Welcome back. I would like have concluded Nunavut Arctic College? to call the committee meeting back to order. I would now like to ask Minister Some Members: Agreed. Quassa: do you have officials that you would like to appear before the Chairman: Thank you. Closing committee? Minister Quassa. comments, Minister Joanasie. Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Yes, Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): I would like my officials here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank my colleagues for asking Chairman: Thank you. Does the questions. committee agree to let the officials go to the witness table? I also thank my officials from Nunavut Arctic College, president and vice- Some Members: Agreed. president. I would like to thank two other staff members from Arctic College Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, please who are in the gallery and they are Jesse escort the witnesses in. Jacobs, policy director, and our chief financial officer, Marcelo Parungao. I For the record, Minister Quassa, please also thank our Arctic College staff. I introduce your officials and proceed would also like to thank the adult with your opening comments. Minister educators in all the communities. Quassa.

Please let us welcome each other. As Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): well, MLAs, please feel welcome when Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today I am

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 967 here with Kathy Okpik, Deputy Minister $27,886,000. I am also pleased to and Virginia Mearns, (interpretation present the department’s business plan at ends) Associate Deputy Minister. this time, Mr. Chairman.

(interpretation) Thank you. This The main estimates amount is made up afternoon I welcome the opportunity to of approximately $7.96 million allocated present the 2018-19 main estimates for towards salaries and benefits, $365,000 the Department of Executive and for grants and contributions, and $9.6 Intergovernmental Affairs and the 2018- million for the remaining operations and 2021 business plan. maintenance.

As a central department that provides The Directorate, as you know, provides support to cabinet, EIA takes the lead on overall management and coordination of interdepartmental coordination of the activities for the Executive Branch of the government’s new mandate, Tuttarviit, government. As secretariat to the for departments and agencies and the cabinet, the deputy minister provides overall work of the public service. In support to the cabinet. The division also addition to interdepartmental provides advisory services regarding coordination, EIA continue to move the access to information and privacy Government of Nunavut’s policy protection issues. The division also discussions to ensure these interests are provides overall government represented at the national and communications and administrative international levels. support to both the department and the Utility Rates Review Council. There are six lines of core business within EIA. They are: The Strategic Planning Division continues to provide advice to cabinet on  Directorate business plans, strategies, policies, and  Strategic Planning legislation, as well as support on  Sivumuaqatigiit collecting vital statistical information.  Public Service Training The division continues to develop and  Intergovernmental Affairs, and lastly support initiatives tied to the Devolution Secretariat implementation of Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement. Through the 2017-18 was a transitional year. With a Nunavut Bureau of Statistics, the new government came a new mandate. government has been involved in the EIA is moving forward in supporting collection of data that will help the Turaaqtavut and its five key priority Government of Canada compile areas. information needed for the Nunavut Inuit Labour Force Analysis. I’ll speak in English. (interpretation) Sivumuaqatigiit (interpretation ends) Before getting into continues to be responsible for providing the divisional details, I am pleased to human resources planning and direction report the department’s main estimates on initiatives aimed at increasing and for the 2018-19 fiscal year totals maintaining Inuit employment in the

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Government of Nunavut. The division Nunavut is a priority of this government continues to provide assistance and and essential for the territory’s long-term support to departments and agencies in political and economic development. the training and development of their The Devolution Secretariat leads the Inuit staff through programs such as the Government of Nunavut’s preparation Sivuliqtiksat Internship program. The for and participation in negotiations with division remains the central point of the Government of Canada and Nunavut contact with regard to the development Tunngavik Incorporated towards the and implementation of the Government conclusion of a devolution agreement. of Nunavut’s detailed departmental Inuit Negotiations are ongoing and the employment plans. The division Secretariat continues to work towards an oversees the development and delivery agreement in principle. of new training programs and initiatives specifically designed for Inuit Mr. Chairman, thank you for the employees. opportunity to present EIA’s departmental main estimates and (interpretation ends) The Public Service business plan. I welcome comments Training Division is responsible for from the members and look forward to providing assistance and support to answering your questions. departments in the training and (interpretation) Thank you. I hope that development of their staff. was clear. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The Intergovernmental Affairs Division provides leadership and coordination for Chairman: Thank you. Does the chair the management and development of of the standing committee have strategies, policies, and initiatives comments? Mr. Hickes. relevant to international, federal, provincial and territorial organizations. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The division coordinates matters related I am pleased to provide opening Nunavut’s seniors, as well as comments on behalf of the Standing establishing support throughout Nunavut Committee on Oversight of Government with a network of government liaison Operations and Public Accounts on its officers in each of our communities. review of the proposed 2018-19 Main Estimates and 2018-2021 Business Plan In the 2018-19 fiscal year the of the Department of Executive and Government of Nunavut continues to Intergovernmental Affairs. provide contribution funding to the Nunavut Seniors’ Society in the amount Mr. Chairman, the department’s of $150,000. The department remains proposed 2018-19 operations and committed to the advocacy for seniors maintenance budget of $27,886,000 is by ensuring effective delivery of the same as was introduced in its 2017- programs and services available to 18 and 2016-17 main estimates. The Nunavut’s seniors. number of positions in the department has also remained unchanged over the The transfer of authority over Crown past three fiscal years. Members applaud land and non-renewable resources in this example of budgetary restraint.

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During the minister’s recent appearance GLOs’ actual attendance and before the standing committee, members performance is monitored and evaluated. took the opportunity to raise a number of Mr. Chairman, although members issues and concerns. In 2015 the recognize the importance of having such previous government awarded a contract positions continue to be located in small, for its “operational audit” initiative. The non-decentralized communities, the need government’s 2015-16 annual report on for them to be located in decentralized procurement activities indicates that the communities and regional centres has value of the contract awarded to the become increasingly questionable. consulting company that was engaged to perform this work was $340,000. On On March 13, 2017 the government’s March 16, 2016 the Summary Report on Strategic Framework: Addressing the Phase 1 of the Operational Audit was Needs of Seniors was tabled in the tabled in the Legislative Assembly. Legislative Assembly. The department’s proposed 2018-2021 business plan Mr. Chairman, although the standing indicates that one of its roles is to committee urges the current government “Coordinate activities pertaining to to ensure that the final report from the programs and services delivered by the operational audit is tabled in the Government of Nunavut for seniors.” Legislative Assembly at the earliest Mr. Chairman, it also indicates that it opportunity, it also cautions against “provides funding to the Nunavut undertaking another government-wide Seniors Society, which has enabled the program review exercise of this nature Society to hire staff and carry out core during the life of the current Assembly work functions including partnerships given the high expense and apparent lack and development of a strategic of measurable impact that previous workplan.” The department’s proposed exercises of this nature have actually had 2018-19 main estimates include on departmental budgets, staffing levels, $150,000 in proposed contribution priorities, and operations. funding for the Nunavut Seniors’ Society. Given the funding provided to Mr. Chairman, the department’s the society by the government, members proposed budget for the Government encourage the minister to table the Liaison Officer Program for the 2018-19 society’s annual reports in the fiscal year is $4,024,000. The Legislative Assembly. department’s 2016-19 business plan indicated that one of its priorities for the The Department of Executive and 2016-17 fiscal year was to “Conduct a Intergovernmental Affairs has assumed a 360’ evaluation of the Government number of functions and responsibilities Liaison Officer program with the intent that were previously exercised by the of improving service level expectations.” Department of Human Resources, which During the minister’s recent appearance was dissolved on April 1, 2013. Other before the standing committee, members functions have been transferred to the raised a number of concerns and Department of Finance. The Department questions regarding the effectiveness of of Executive and Intergovernmental the Government Liaison Officer Affairs has responsibility for the Program, including the extent to which government’s overall Inuit employment

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 970 targets. It is important to acknowledge The magnitude of the long-term the progress that has been made to date challenge cannot be underestimated. Mr. in increasing Inuit employment in the Chairman, the government’s most recent Government of Nunavut. Information quarterly employment report indicated that is contained in the government’s that as of March 31, 2018, the quarterly employment reports indicates Government of Nunavut had a total of that a total of 989 Nunavut Inuit were 4,885 positions, of which 1,794 were employed by the government in March filled by Nunavut Inuit. 1,769 positions of 2003. By March of 2018 that number were filled by non-Nunavut Inuit. 1,320 had increased to 1,794. Mr. Chairman, positions were vacant. Mr. Chairman, if this represented an increase of all of the government’s positions were approximately 80 percent over the 15- filled and if it had an 85 percent Nunavut year period. On average the government Inuit workforce, only 732 non-Nunavut has added approximately 54 new Inuit would be employed by the Nunavut Inuit employees to its government. In order to achieve an 85 workforce each year. percent Inuit workforce for a fully staffed organization, the government It is important for the government to needs to hire approximately 2,357 new develop realistic and achievable Nunavut Inuit employees and not lose a timetables for achieving full single one of its current Nunavut Inuit representativeness across all employees. occupational categories in the government. Mr. Chairman, this is a Mr. Chairman, on September 18, 2017 significant challenge. To illustrate, the the Government of Nunavut’s new Inuit government’s 2017-2020 business plan Language Incentive Policy was included a target of having 1,950 announced. Under the policy, the Nunavut Inuit employed in the Department of Executive and government’s ten primary departments Intergovernmental Affairs “will provide by March 31, 2018. However, the Inuit Language training that supports government’s most recent quarterly employees to develop and increase their employment report indicated that as of Inuit Language capacity.” The 2016-17 March 31, 2018, only 1,563 Nunavut Public Service Annual Report indicates Inuit were employed in the that 160 employees received some form government’s ten primary departments, of Inuit language training during the which represents a shortfall of 387 2016-17 fiscal year. However, neither employees. Mr. Chairman, the the duration nor the outcomes of the government’s proposed 2018-2021 training are described in the report. business plan includes a target of having 1,943 Nunavut Inuit employed in the The department’s proposed 2018-2021 government’s ten primary departments business plan indicates that one of its by March 31, 2019. In order to achieve priorities for the 2018-19 fiscal year is to this target, the government will have to “Enable the Inuit language as the hire an average of seven new Nunavut working language of the public service Inuit employees per week over the next through training and performance year. incentives.” Although the standing committee supports the goal of

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 971 enhancing the use of the Inuit language territorial government’s efforts to in government, especially with respect to achieve a fully representative workforce. frontline positions that directly serve the public, the extent to which the Mr. Chairman, that concludes my government’s limited financial resources opening comments on the proposed can and should be allocated to providing 2018-19 Main Estimates and 2018-2021 full-time second language training to Business Plan of the Department of employees in technical positions whose Executive and Intergovernmental work does not involve significant Affairs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and interaction with the public is members. questionable. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Hickes. The department’s proposed 2018-19 Before going to B-4, we will take a 15- main estimates indicate that the minute break. Thank you. Devolution Secretariat has a budget of $2,228,000 and 10.0 positions. Although >>Committee recessed at 18:57 and the department’s proposed 2018-2021 resumed at 19:16 business plan indicates that “Tri-partite negotiations of an agreement-in- Chairman: Thank you. Welcome back. principle are active and ongoing” and I would like to call the committee that one of its goals for the 2018-19 meeting back to order. Minister Quassa. fiscal year is to “Continue and conclude agreement-in-principle negotiations,” the Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): department’s proposed 2018-2021 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just for more business plan also indicates that three information, when I made my opening positions in the Devolution Secretariat comments, just for clarity in English, were “temporarily transferred to the (interpretation ends) the last paragraph Sivumuaqatigiit Division to re-profile to when I’m talking about the main assist with the Inuit Employment and estimates amount, it’s made up of policy development for Article 23” approximately, I believe I said “7,” during the 2017-18 fiscal year. It is the which I should have said $17.96 million standing committee’s understanding that allocated towards salaries and benefits. these positions remain in the (interpretation) I just wanted to make Sivumuaqatigiit Division, which that correction, Mr. Chairman. suggests that the Devolution Secretariat may be over-resourced for its actual Chairman: Thank you. We’re on page workload. The standing committee urges B-4. Executive and Intergovernmental the government to publicly clarify the Affairs. Directorate. Any questions? number of federal positions that are Total Operations and Maintenance, to be envisioned to be transferred to the Voted. $3,647,000. Agreed? territorial public service as part of the devolution process. Mr. Chairman, it is Some Members: Agreed. also important to be mindful that the transfer of significant numbers of federal Chairman: Thank you. Page B-5. positions and personnel may not Executive and Intergovernmental necessarily have a positive impact on the Affairs. Strategic Planning. Any

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 972 questions? Thank you. Total Operations Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. and Maintenance, to be Voted. Chairman. (interpretation) The 2018- $3,028,000. Agreed? 2021 business plan indicates that “The 360° evaluation was completed in April Some Members: Agreed. 2017. Using this feedback, the (interpretation ends) Government Chairman: Thank you. Page B-6. Liaison Officer (interpretation) Executive and Intergovernmental program…” I’m not sure how you say it Affairs. Nunavut Cabinet. Any in Inuktitut. “…continues to expand and questions? Total Operations and increase its network to assist Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,445,000. Nunavummiut access programs that are Agreed? needed.” What specific new services will the (interpretation ends) government Some Members: Agreed. liaison officers (interpretation) provide to residents? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Page B-7. That’s my final question. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Commissioner of Nunavut. Any Chairman: Minister Quassa. questions? Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $305,000. Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Agreed? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect to the reference to the 360-degree Some Members: Agreed. evaluation, it was completed by the previous government. (interpretation Chairman: Thank you. Page B-8. ends) I’ll just say that overall indicators Executive and Intergovernmental of the program. It’s working well in Affairs. Intergovernmental Affairs. Any most of the communities. Communities questions? Ms. Towtongie. are receptive to the GLO officers (interpretation) because they provide a Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. lot of service to the communities. Chairman. As of today, I would like to (interpretation ends) Certainly what was know which communities do not have a suggested in areas of improvement were government liaison officer in place. performance management, providing Thank you, Mr. Chairman. extra support to larger centres, and your question in what the GLOs would do. Chairman: Minister Quassa. First of all, they’re mandated to deliver Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): government programs at the community Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you level. Delivery of programs could for that question. Cape Dorset is the only include such as issuance of driver’s community that doesn’t have a licence or general identification cards. In government liaison officer, but we’re some cases, although there were some currently recruiting an officer. Thank delays in issuance of driver’s licence or you. general identification cards, (interpretation) they also have other Chairman: Ms. Towtongie. responsibilities, which I outlined

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 973 previously. Some have taken courses in Chairman: Page B-9. Executive and doing income tax returns and they are Intergovernmental Affairs. there to provide that service. The GLOs Sivumuaqatigiit. Any questions? Total have different responsibilities that they Operations and Maintenance, to be provide in the communities. Thank you, Voted. $3,046,000. Agreed? Mr. Chairman. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Next name on my list, Mr. Mikkungwak. Chairman: Page B-10. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Public Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Service Training. Any questions? Mr. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mikkungwak. Welcome, Premier and your staff. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. I have one question. Your department’s Chairman. Your department’s draft draft 2018-19 main estimates include 2018-2021 business plan indicates that $150,000 in proposed contribution one of its priorities for the 2018-19 fiscal funding for the Nunavut Seniors’ year is to “Enable the Inuit language as Society. Your department’s 2018-2021 the working language of the public business plan indicates, “Continue service through training and working relationship with the Nunavut performance incentives.” To what extent Seniors Society on areas of joint interest is it realistic to remove the use of pertaining to Seniors in Nunavut.” What English in the workplace in such fields specific initiatives will the Nunavut as medicine, information technology, Seniors’ Society and your department be engineering, law, and accounting? Thank working on during the 2018-19 fiscal you, Mr. Chairman. year? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Quassa. Chairman: Minister Quassa. Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is a very Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank good question. I’ll first say that in 1999 you for that question. We will be giving that was one of our goals and it’s one of them $150,000 for their operational the reasons why we have our own land needs and for the society’s salaries, claim. Inuktitut has to be the working office expenses, and there’s money set language in the public service, as it aside if they have to travel anywhere. should be. It’s a long-term goal and it is Thank you, Mr. Chairman. ongoing where we provide training and performance incentives. Chairman: Thank you. We’re on Executive and Intergovernmental As you indicated and to make an Affairs. Intergovernmental Affairs. Total addition, in 2018-19 we have increased Operations and Maintenance, to be the amount budgeted for language Voted. $6,335,000. Agreed? training. There is $400,000 available for that purpose. I hope I responded to your Some Members: Agreed. question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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Chairman: Thank you. Executive and Chairman. Again, your department’s Intergovernmental Affairs. Public draft 2018-19 main estimates include Service Training. Total Operations and funding for 10 PYs in the Devolution Maintenance, to be Voted. $4,852,000. Secretariat. As of today, how many of Agreed? these positions are filled with indeterminate employees? Thank you, Some Members: Agreed. Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Page B-11. Executive and Chairman: Minister Quassa. Intergovernmental Affairs. Devolution Secretariat. Any questions? Total Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): To Operations and Maintenance, to be date there are five positions filled. Thank Voted. Mr. Rumbolt. you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Rumbolt. Chairman. Your department’s draft 2018-2021 business plan indicates that Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. “Tri-partite negotiations of an Chairman. My question was: how many agreement-in-principle are active and of these positions were filled with ongoing” and that one of its goals for the indeterminate employees? Thank you. 2018-19 fiscal year is to “Continue and conclude agreement-in-principle Chairman: Minister Quassa. negotiations…” How many formal negotiation sessions have taken place Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): I over the past six months and how many indicated that there were five; are scheduled to take place over the next (interpretation ends) five, including a six months? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. summer student for the summer. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Minister Quassa. Chairman.

Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Chairman: Mr. Rumbolt. Thank you for that great question. Just recently we had negotiations and from Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. December 2016, there were 12 formal Chairman. Approximately how many negotiation sessions. As I indicated federal positions does the GN want to earlier, we just finished a negotiation see transferred to the territorial session and starting in July onward, we government as part of the devolution will have additional negotiations to process? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. conclude the agreement in principle. We’re looking at the fall. That’s where Chairman: Minister Quassa. we are at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Rumbolt. (interpretation ends) During the negotiations, these are still confidential. Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Again, they’re at the table discussing

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 975 these things. (interpretation) Thank you, Some Members: Agreed. Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Closing Chairman: Mr. Rumbolt. comments, Minister Quassa.

Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Chairman. There has been talk around Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like the precinct yesterday and today that you to thank my staff who do a lot of work may have appointed a new chief because of course they’re working for negotiator for Nunavut. Could you the people of Nunavut. That’s the goal of please confirm whether that is true or not Executive and Intergovernmental and, if so, who has been chosen? Thank Affairs. I would like to thank all who you, Mr. Chairman. were here and those working behind the scenes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Quassa. Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Arms, please escort the witnesses. Thank you. (interpretation ends) I’m happy to say that we have chosen a new >>Committee recessed at 19:33 and chief negotiator. The chief negotiator resumed at 19:34 started on Monday, or yesterday. Was it Monday? That will be formally Bill 04 – Appropriation (Operations & announced on Friday, which is Paul Maintenance) Act, 2018-2019 – Okalik. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Environment – Consideration in Chairman. Committee

Chairman: Thank you. We’re on Chairman: Thank you. Welcome back. Executive and Intergovernmental I would now like to ask Minister Affairs. Devolution Secretariat. Total Savikataaq: do you have officials that Operations and Maintenance, to be you would like to appear before the Voted. $2,228,000. Agreed? committee? Minister Savikataaq.

Some Members: Agreed. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I would. Thank you. Chairman: Back to page B-3. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Total Chairman: Thank you. Does the Operations and Maintenance, to be committee agree to let the officials go to Voted. $27,886,000. Agreed? the witness table?

Some Members: Agreed. Some Members: Agreed.

Chairman: Do members agree that we Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, please have concluded the Department of escort the witnesses in. Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs? For the record, minister, please introduce your officials and proceed with your

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 976 opening comments. Minister Savikataaq. recruiting a representative workforce. In the coming year we will be Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. implementing a number of initiatives to Chairman. To my right is the DM, work towards increasing the proportion Pauloosie Suvega, and to my left is Niki of Inuit employees in the department. Nweze, Director of Corporate Management. I’ll go on to my opening This year my staff will work with comments. stakeholders to develop a plan for a Nunavut water strategy and we will Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased continue to provide input on to have this opportunity to present my development projects within the territory department’s business plan and main as well as work with our partners estimates for the 2018-19 fiscal year. towards the achievement of the Nunavut Land Use Plan. The Department of Environment’s proposed budget for 2018-19 is The department is responsible for the $27,742,000. There has been no increase administration of the Wildlife Act and is from 2017-18. However, the department responsible for fulfilling the will receive one term PY for water government’s responsibilities concerning strategy (project manager of water wildlife management as mandated under strategy) with the term end date of federal legislation, national and March 31, 2021. This PY will be funded international agreements and internally. conventions, and the co-management of wildlife as required under the Nunavut Climate change is an increasingly Land Claims Agreement. important issue in Nunavut, and in the coming year the department will Mr. Chairman, last year I provided an continue to work with the Government update on the development of Nunavut’s of Canada to begin implementing the Polar Bear Management Plan, which was new Pan-Canadian Framework on developed in cooperation with co- Clean Growth and Climate Change. management partners, including Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the By partnering with other organizations Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, whenever possible, the Department of regional wildlife offices, and hunters and Environment continues to be successful trappers organizations. The Nunavut in maximizing the impact of our funds. Wildlife Management Board public In the 2017-18 fiscal year we were able hearing process for the plan was delayed to leverage over $5.7 million from due to concerns from communities about outside sources for various projects and funding more community participants to we expect to be equally successful in the the hearings. The board informed us that 2018-19 year. they are committed to proceeding with the process this year. As soon as the plan Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq, or has gone through the Nunavut Land environmental stewardship, continues to Claims Agreement approval process, I be a key element of our department’s will table the plan to the Legislative focus, as does our commitment to Assembly.

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The Department of Environment’s draft complete a management plan for the 2018-2021 business plan identifies the existing park in Kugluktuk. In keeping department’s intent to develop and with our obligations under the Territorial implement a number of wildlife Parks Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement, management initiatives over the next we will also establish co-management three fiscal years, including a number of committees in Arviat, Kimmirut, and population estimates for various polar Iqaluit. bear populations, such as the Davis Strait and Lancaster Sound polar bear Mr. Chairman, sustainable fisheries populations. Caribou management also development in Nunavut is guided by continues to be a high priority for the our department’s renewed 2016-2020 department and over the next three years Nunavut Fisheries Strategy. Our will continue to focus resources on fisheries have the potential to caribou management. significantly increase the prosperity and food security of current and future In 2018-19 the department will provide generations through Inuit the results of last year’s Qamanirjuaq Qaujimajatuqangit, science, and caribou herd study to the co- community engagement. The management partners and, if needed, department’s research vessels, the identify relevant management actions. Nuliajuk and the Papiruq, the coastal We will also continue with the Baffin resource inventories, aquatic monitoring Island caribou monitoring initiatives. I programs, and various strategy am pleased to announce we were developments and partnerships with recently able to staff the Baffin Island stakeholders, universities, federal regional biologist position who will be departments, and industry are all positive working with the Baffin Island and ongoing contributions to sustainable communities to finalize the Baffin Island fisheries development for Nunavut. Caribou Management Plan. Once this plan has been approved by the Nunavut The department continues to deliver the Wildlife Management Board, I commit Nunavut Coastal Resource Inventory to also tabling the plan to the Legislative project in partnership with Fisheries and Assembly. Oceans Canada. This project records and maps Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit of aquatic Wildlife harvesting plays a vital role in life to better inform resource the economic, cultural and physical management and sustainable health of our communities. We will development activities and may also be continue our program of developing used to look at impacts of climate education resources aimed at promoting change and other environmental issues. safe and responsible hunting practices in Upon completion of the Baker Lake the territory. inventory, the department will have completed inventories for all Nunavut In the 2017-18 fiscal year our Territorial communities and will commence the Parks and Special Places Division will distribution of the final report. be finalizing master plans and mineral assessment for the new proposed parks Mr. Chairman, the department, in in Arviat and Sanikiluaq, and we will partnership with Fisheries and Oceans

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Canada and the Canadian Northern program to support this traditional Development Agency, has successfully economy. The department is working continued our Nunavut Community towards a Nunavut seal and fur strategy Aquatic Monitoring Program. Six that will help guide this sector in the communities have received the program future. to date and a further two are planned for this fiscal year. We also follow up with Mr. Chairman, the Department of communities that have completed the Environment’s 2018-19 main estimates program to advance their fisheries. As a and business plan will bring real benefits result of this program, Pond Inlet now to the people and wildlife who call has a successful inshore turbot fishery Nunavut home. Thank you for this that we anticipate will develop into a opportunity to share our plans with you. significant economic activity for the I will be pleased to take any questions community. you may have. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Chairman, the department’s mandate Chairman: Thank you. Does the chair includes the seal and fur sectors. These of the standing committee have two traditional economies are seeing comments? Mr. Rumbolt. strong sustainable growth in Nunavut and are having positive impacts on Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. small, resource-based communities. We Chairman. Yes, I do and there seems to focus our support on our vibrant local be a lot of them. and national markets for seal and fur products, and also work to increase the >>Laughter international trade of Inuit-made products through our work with the Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to provide Government of Canada’s Seal Market opening comments on behalf of the Access Program. This program helps to Standing Committee on Community and minimize trade barriers in Inuit-made Economic Development on its review of sealskin products. The department is the proposed 2018-19 Main Estimates now able to certify sealskins and seal and 2018-2021 Business Plan of the products for sale anywhere in the Department of Environment. European Union. Sales of products have already taken place in Sweden, France, The department’s proposed 2018-19 Estonia, and Scotland, as well as operations and maintenance budget of Norway and Iceland. $27,742,000 remains unchanged from the 2017-18 fiscal year. The number of We have seen the local demand for seal positions in the department also remains products remains high and we now have unchanged at 139.5. The standing several businesses operating with seal committee applauds the minister for this products as their main attraction. The example of fiscal restraint. department provided harvesters with a 25 percent increase in the purchase price During the minister’s recent appearance of sealskins into our Sealskin Purchasing before the standing committee, members Program and we hope to see more took the opportunity to raise a number of harvesters selling their sealskins into this issues and concerns.

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The Department of Environment’s standing committee strongly proposed 2018-2021 business plan recommends that annual reports indicates that one of its ongoing concerning the administration of these priorities has been to “Work with the programs be tabled in the Legislative Government of Canada to establish the Assembly. Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.” It also The current Wildlife Act was passed by indicates that “The Climate Change the Legislative Assembly in 2003. Most Secretariat is working with the provisions of the statute came into force Department of Executive and on July 9, 2005. Section 176 of the Intergovernmental Affairs to ensure statute requires the minister to prepare implementation and reporting of the and table in the Legislative Assembly a Framework is occurring in a coordinated comprehensive report every five years approach across the Government of concerning wildlife management Nunavut.” This includes the stated goal programs and related matters. The 2013 of “Supporting the Department of report was tabled in the Legislative Finance on carbon pricing.” I note that Assembly on November 19 of 2013. The the work of the Climate Change standing committee looks forward to the Secretariat was the subject of extensive timely tabling of the 2018 report. discussion on the occasion of our recent televised hearing on the 2018 Report of The Department of Environment’s 2017- the Auditor General of Canada to the 2020 business plan indicated that one of Legislative Assembly on Climate Change its priorities for the 2017-18 fiscal year in Nunavut. was to “Finalize the Baffin Island Caribou Management Plan.” However, The department’s proposed 2018-19 its proposed 2018-2021 business plan main estimates include $2,078,000 in indicates that “Progress on the Baffin grants and contributions funding for a Island Caribou Management Plan has variety of programs to support been slowed due to capacity issues. harvesters, as well as the fishing and Development of the management plan sealing industry. The department’s will continue and is anticipated to be proposed 2018-2021 business plan completed in 2019-2020.” The standing indicates that the department “conducted committee also notes that the 2018 an evaluation of its funding programs federal budget announced that the and re-profiled funding to better align Government of Canada “proposes to programming with the department’s amend the Nunavut Act to resolve the conservation and wildlife research and legal gap for the Government of monitoring priorities.” Nunavut to manage wildlife pertaining to Indigenous harvesting for game food.” The department’s new Support for A number of concerns have been Harvesters and Wildlife Co- expressed by Members of the Legislative Management Policy was approved in Assembly about the impact that large- May of 2017 and expires on March 31 of scale private sales of meat have had on 2022. Its new Seal and Fur Programs the health of certain caribou populations. Policy was approved in May of 2017 and The standing committee recognizes that expires on March 31 of 2022. The this is a complex issue and that the

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 980 engagement of all parties, including Notes included in the Government of NTI, regional wildlife boards, and Nunavut’s 2016-17 public accounts hunters and trappers organizations, will indicate that “The Government be required to address it. recognizes that there are costs related to the remediation of environmentally The Minister of Environment is contaminated sites for which it is responsible for administering the responsible. As of March 31, 2017, there territory’s Environmental Protection Act, were 7 sites…identified as requiring which includes provisions concerning environmental remediation. For those the discharge of contaminants into the sites where the Government of Nunavut environment. The department’s proposed expects to give up future economic 2018-19 main estimates include benefits due to a legal order or plans to $150,000 in funding for a new “Water remediate contamination (e.g., due to the Program,” the stated purpose of which is risk to human health), and is responsible to “support building capacity and or has accepted responsibility for knowledge prior to the devolution of remediation, and a reasonable estimate marine resource-related responsibilities can be determined for remediation costs, from the Government of Canada. It also a liability has been recorded in these supports negotiations on transboundary consolidated financial statements. The watershed agreements with neighbouring Government [of Nunavut] has identified jurisdictions, as per Section 13.10.1 of an additional 71 sites on the Nunavut Agreement.” Commissioner’s land for which liabilities for contamination may exist The proposed 2018-2021 business plan for assessment, remediation and of the Department of Community and monitoring. Government Services indicates that it has “received and distributed for review (…) The Government acquired among relevant regulators, stakeholders, ownership of sites and activities and communities, its findings regarding associated with airports, tank farms and the feasibility of evidence based options power plants on creation of the Territory for appropriate water and wastewater on April 1, 1999. The contamination of regulations for Nunavut, and will certain sites occurred when other parties continue to work with stakeholders to were responsible for the use of and/or incorporate findings into the held tenure to the sites. The Government development of an overall water security has estimated that remediation of strategy.” The department’s proposed contamination at 14 storage tank farm 2018-2021 business plan also indicates sites and 25 power plant sites would cost that one of its priorities for the 2018-19 approximately [$9.7 million] and [$38.4 fiscal year is to “Initiate the development million]...In addition, the Government of a drinking water strategy framework.” has estimated that remediation at the The standing committee looks forward other sites could cost between [$55.0 to monitoring progress in this area. It million] and [$126.0 million], depending will be important for both departments to on the approach taken. No liability for coordinate their work in this area. remediation of these 71 sites has been recognized in these consolidated financial statements as the Government

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 981 does not expect to give up any future standing committee looks forward to economic benefits (i.e. [there is] no legal monitoring progress in this area. requirement to remediate). Going forward, a liability for remediation of Mr. Chairman, that concludes my these or other identified sites will be opening comments on the proposed recognized if future economic benefits 2018-19 Main Estimates and 2018-2021 will be given up (i.e. public health risk Business Plan of the Department of or legal requirement). Environment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Most storage tank farms and power Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. If plants are monitored on a regular basis there are any students watching, keep to ensure the containment of the going to school. You will be reading like identified contaminants. For the other Mr. Rumbolt. Government of Nunavut's operations and/or sites, there is no ongoing >>Laughter monitoring program in place, but plans for one are to be developed in the near Thank you. We’re on page I-4. future. Environment. Corporate Management. Mr. Lightstone. In addition, the Government has identified 143 sites where garages, Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. public works facilities, quarries, sewage Chairman. Good evening. Recent disposal/treatment and solid waste sites research has indicated that even a few and activities are generally located and degrees in change in the temperature conducted within municipal boundaries could have a drastic effect on marine and governed by municipal legislation. wildlife. Does the department agree with Contamination at these sites and that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. activities within municipal boundaries and jurisdiction are the responsibility of Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. municipalities to monitor and remediate if necessary.” Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess we would have to The Department of Environment’s 2017- because from what we hear with climate 2020 business plan indicated that one of change, where it is increasing there its priorities for the 2017-18 fiscal year could be invasive species moving in or it was to “Complete any outstanding work could be better for one type of species required to assign an accurate dollar and not as good for the other. Generally, figure to GN environmental liabilities, yes, I guess we would have to say we and explore options for moving agree. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. forward.” The department’s proposed 2018-2021 business plan indicates that Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. “High-end estimates were completed – ongoing work will continue to narrow Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. down high-end costs as well as updating Chairman. Further research has indicated the Contaminated Sites database.” The that in areas where terrestrial biodiversity is as shallow as ours,

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 982 wildlife is substantially susceptible to with our department, has done any sort of fluctuations. Would the permafrost mapping in communities department also agree with that? Thank where the ground is more stable and you, Mr. Chairman. better to build and where it’s less stable. We have done mitigating stuff like when Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. we build any large structures, we have put thermosiphons in them to keep the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. permafrost frozen. We have programs, Chairman. In general we would have to not just Environment but others like agree because we see that species that Housing would have programs where were not seen before are seen more in they can apply for renovation money to different places where they weren’t better insulate their houses, buy new before. Yes, in general, we have to say windows, buy new doors, and maybe get we agree with that. Climate is always energy-efficient appliances. changing and animals come and go and move. His statement, I would say, would Just to put it in the big picture, I’m not be correct. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. saying we’re not going to do anything, but if we as the territory of Nunavut quit Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. using all fossil fuels, if we shut it off and there are no more fossil fuels being Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. burnt, there would be 0.1 percent of the Chairman. I would like to speak to greenhouse gases that Canada produces Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq, or not going up. This is how much environmental stewardship. The world is greenhouse gases Nunavut produces: 0.1 at a tipping point and the marine wildlife percent of Canada’s greenhouse gases. and the land-based wildlife that we We do put out a lot per capita, but in the depend on are at threat and that’s due to big picture, we don’t put out much. climate change. If environmental That’s not say we’re not going to try to stewardship is such a major priority to lessen that. We will tap into any federal us, I’m curious to find out why the programs that are there for us to lessen Government of Nunavut has not done our greenhouse gases. Thank you, Mr. more to help reduce our reliance on Chairman. fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change and begin climate change Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. adaption strategies. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I agree with the minister in Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. that if we stopped producing greenhouse gases in Nunavut, it would have a Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. minimal effect on the world. If every Chairman. The Climate Change country, territory, province, and Secretariat is working toward that and jurisdiction in the world thought that we work with other departments to way, then no one would make the effort mitigate the effects of climate change as to make the necessary changes. I don’t best as we can. For example, think it’s very responsible to use that as Community and Government Services, an excuse.

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I would like to move on to my next training and allow participants to question. I would like to thank the Qulliq become certified in solar installation. Energy Corporation for introducing the Colleges offer diploma programs for net metering program, and that’s alternative energy technicians. definitely a step in the right direction. There is currently a barrier preventing You can even become a certified solar residents from accessing this net installer in as short as a five-day metering program and it’s the lack of workshop. I was wondering if the experience in certified solar technicians minister would be willing to commit to in our territory. Has the Department of working with one of our other Environment or the minister identified departments or agencies to coordinate that issue? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. one of these workshops to come up to our communities and teach our Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. interested residents in how to install these technologies. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just before answering his I don’t think it should be necessary for question, let’s go back to… . It’s not an individuals to have to fly up technicians excuse that I present; it’s just facts. It’s a to do this installation when it’s as easy fact what I said that we produce 0.1 as a five-day course. Would the minister percent. I also stated that we are doing commit to working with another stuff to try to mitigate in terms of department or agency to have these climate change and to lessen our workshops in our communities? Thank greenhouse gas effect. It’s not an excuse; you, Mr. Chairman. these were facts that I presented. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Chairman, in terms of the expertise to install or put solar panels and wind Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. generators and that kind of energy stuff, Chairman. Yes, we would be willing to no, we have not identified that because look at that and work with them. I can we don’t feel it’s part of our mandate. see that there are community learning Climate Change could look at that and centres in every community, so we can we would work with other departments work with Nunavut Arctic College and to try to get that. If the net metering try to come up with something if the takes off and we start getting more funds desire and the need are there for such from the federal government because training programs. Thank you, Mr. there are a lot of funds to access for Chairman. climate change, then we could work with other departments and look at stuff like Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Chairman. I appreciate that. I would also like to state that I have been contacted Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. by many constituents and I can tell the Chairman. Across Canada and the world, minister that there is a desire, demand, there are many institutions that provide and need for such training here in

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Iqaluit. I would appreciate if the my list, Mr. Netser. Department of Environment would work with Arctic College to take advantage of Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, the empty classroom space this summer Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) to provide these types of workshops. Good evening, minister and welcome to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. staff.

Chairman: Is it just a comment? (interpretation) On page 181 Minister Savikataaq. (interpretation ends) on carbon pricing and climate change, the fourth bullet Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. says, “Work with the Government of Chairman. As you, I thought it was a Canada to establish the Pan-Canadian comment. If the member can restate it so Framework on Clean Growth and I can hear the question and answer it Climate Change.” The status says, “The properly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Climate Change Secretariat is working with the Department of Executive and Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Intergovernmental Affairs to ensure implementation and reporting of the Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Framework is occurring in a coordinated Chairman. The demand, the desire, and approach across the Government of the need are here in Iqaluit. I would like Nunavut. to request the minister if he would be willing to commit to trying his best to Ongoing Climate Change Secretariat facilitating one of these workshops as implementation activities include: early as this summer and taking o Supporting the Department of advantage of the empty classroom space Finance on carbon pricing.” at Arctic College. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now, the Minister of Finance mentioned earlier during this session that the carbon Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. tax is going to cost the people of Nunavut an extra $15 million, which Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. will be anything from buying groceries, Chairman. We can work with Arctic buying fuel for the homes, buying College and bring up the idea with them gasoline, fuel for the boats. and see how receptive they are to it. If (interpretation) Everything will increase the demand is there, then I don’t see a in price and we will be paying an extra problem. It’s probably not just as simple $15 million in Nunavut. as booking a classroom and anyone can teach. I assume we’ve got to find a guy (interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, who can teach it who is certified to give (interpretation) what does the out certificates, but yes, we can look at Department of Environment know about working with Arctic College to see if it’s the carbon tax? How much carbon possible to put on something like that. emissions does Nunavut put out? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) How do you measure the carbon that is being put out Chairman: Thank you. Next name on into our atmosphere? (interpretation)

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Thank you. still going to burn the same amount of fuel to produce the greenhouse gas. Yes, Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. they calculate the weight from what we burn times $10 a tonne. That’s how they Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. come up with that figure of $15 million. Chairman. I’ll do my best to explain it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

When any carbon fuels are burned, it Chairman: Mr. Netser. gives off greenhouse gases; it gives out carbon dioxide. Gasoline, naphtha, Mr. Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. propane, jet fuel, diesel, and all of that The $15 million that the government is give off at a certain rate. They know going to collect on the backs of how much fuel and gasoline comes into Nunavummiut, is that supposed to Nunavut and they know what the sales reduce the carbon emissions that are are, and then they convert that to produced in Nunavut? (interpretation) gallons. I’ll use gasoline for example. Thank you. One lbs. of gasoline burned will produce six lbs. of greenhouse gas. I had a hard Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. time figuring that out too. I even asked for a cartoon to be given out to people to Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. better understand it, but what it is, when Chairman. I’ll just go a step back. If you the gas is emitted from the exhaust from were down south and you had… . What whatever is burning the carbon, it the federal government was hoping for is collects other gas on its way up and if you had an alternative, you would use that’s why it increases from one lb. to less greenhouse gas burning fuel and go six lbs. That’s the best I can explain it. with something more environmentally Thank you, Mr. Chairman. friendly. We don’t have a choice here. For the time being, we’re still going to Chairman: Mr. Netser. burn the same amount of fuel.

Mr. Netser: Thank you. Is that why This carbon tax that is collected by the we’re going to pay an extra $15 million federal government, the federal for the coming year? Thank you, Mr. government has said that they will return Chairman. 100 percent of it back to the province where it is collected. We will get that Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. money back and it can be used for programs that would lessen greenhouse Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. gas. I’m not saying that is what it’s Chairman. They know how much fuel going to be used for yet. It hasn’t been we burn, so that is the estimate on how decided yet on how this is going to much extra it would cost. The federal work. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. government has imposed this tax on us people in Nunavut. We have argued that Chairman: Mr. Netser. this tax will not get the desired effects for the people of Nunavut. We don’t Mr. Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. have any alternatives right now, so we’re The $15 million that the federal

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 986 government is going to impose on the Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): people of Nunavut, they’re going to give Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, that it to you and you’re supposed to produce looks like it. Everything is going to get “green” programs out of that $15 more expensive because everything is million. What is the department doing in bought from the south and sent up here anticipation of receiving that $15 million by plane or ship. They use fuel and gas. to programs that the minister just talked Looking at what you were talking about, about? What are the programs that we’re I imagine that everything is going to rise going to see? (interpretation) Thank you. in price. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Chairman: Mr. Netser.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman. This money will come back Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) to the Government of Nunavut, but it’s Thank you, minister. (interpretation) I not specifically going to the Department will move on to another subject. You of Environment. We’re not anticipating were talking about caribou in the Baffin any use for it right now until the region and that you’re going to monitor government figures out how this money the caribou. We also have caribou in that the federal government says they Coral Harbour. After the rain in the fall, will return to us will be spent. there were quite a few deaths of caribou. As we were told, we have an island not We have programs under the Climate far from Coral Harbour where we go Change Secretariat where we can access caribou hunting in the summer. Does the federal funding to do certain things that government have any programs set for would lower our greenhouse gas Coral Harbour caribou? Thank you, Mr. emissions. There are a lot of federal Chairman. programs that we can access for different projects to do stuff like that. Thank you, Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Chairman: Mr. Netser. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In regard to the Coral Harbour caribou population, Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, there was a two-year count of caribou. Mr. Chairman. The carbon tax is what We don’t have any plans to monitor the we as Nunavummiut are going to pay the caribou in Coral Harbour, but we would federal government and the money will see whether there’s a decline or an eventually be just given back to the increase in the population of the caribou. Nunavut government. Meanwhile all the Thank you, Mr. Chairman. prices of all things that we have to buy in stores will go up in price. Everything Chairman: Mr. Netser. we buy has to come by air. Is everything going to be more expensive now? Thank Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. For your information, the caribou in Coral Harbour were dying Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. after the rain in the fall. I had a cache not

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 987 too far from my place. I went to go get Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. my cache during Christmas. I saw four Chairman. I’ll just read off the list and caribou that had recently died from make sure I have it. They have done starvation. We have quite a lot of hunters seven communities in Nunavut and those in our community and they also said seven communities are Arviat, Baker they saw a large number of caribou that Lake, Cape Dorset, Gjoa Haven, had died after that rain. That’s for your Kimmirut, Kugluktuk, and Pangnirtung. information, minister. Thank you. That’s Thank you, Mr. Chairman. it. (interpretation ends) Thank you. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Chairman: Thank you. It’s just a comment. Next name on the list, Mr. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hickes. When is Iqaluit slated to get done? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to stick with the Climate Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Change Secretariat theme while we’re on it. I noticed that there are seven PYs Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. associated with the secretariat. Can the Chairman. We don’t know right now, minister update on what the staffing but on that, a lot of the construction here levels currently are? Thank you, Mr. is done on bedrock, which I believe Chairman. would not be vastly affected by permafrost, if it’s going way far down Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. bedrock, but I can’t tell the member exactly when it’s slated for. Thank you, Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Don’t shoot the messenger, but right now we have two PYs filled. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. I realize a lot of infrastructure is built on bedrock, but there is also a lot of utilidor Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. infrastructure throughout the community As mentioned earlier by my colleague, and in other communities across the there are a number of different activities territory. that the Climate Change Secretariat implementation is in control of, and one One of the issues that I know I have of those is continuing to assess been dealing with in my constituency, permafrost thaw in Nunavut there have been some utilidor issues that, communities through the development of in my opinion and in some of the hazard maps. How many communities opinions of residents, some of these root have been completed and which ones? issues are caused by permafrost shifting Thank you, Mr. Chairman. and moving solid utilidor systems and losing joints and things like that, where Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. it’s creating a challenge for the City of Iqaluit and likely for Rankin Inlet and

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Resolute Bay as well. I’m not sure what A lot of our work is we try to ensure that other communities have utilidor systems. anything that’s new that is being captured. We’re also trying to report and To me, I think prioritizing communities share with our other colleagues as we try with utilidor systems so that we can to share information across jurisdictions leverage that information to show to see how we can better feed justification to some of our funding information to each other that can partners on the speed and necessity of develop new and better standards that which projects need to be explored. Can meet today’s needs. One of those would I just get a commitment from the be things like the northern adaptation minister that he will take into website. A lot of the future reporting we consideration prioritizing communities hope to try to capture in the next little with utilidor systems, starting with while. We will end up feeding those Iqaluit, Mr. Chairman? types of information publicly, so we can make it publicly available. Thank you, Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Chairman.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Mr. Hickes. Chairman. Sorry, I was thinking about most of Nunavut where the permafrost is Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. mainly for building houses on. Yes, I I appreciate that detailed information. have heard about permafrost issues here I’m just going to go back to the in Iqaluit where permafrost is way more minister’s comment earlier where he active now. There is a lot of breakage to agreed that permafrost shifting or pipes. Some may be due to age, but I’m deterioration is a likely culprit in some pretty sure a lot of it has to do with the of our utilidor issues. permafrost moving back and forth. We can look at it. I would just like to ask the minister what type of communication he has with his We have another thing here about federal counterpart on accessing some of northern infrastructure standardization these climate change infrastructure initiatives. I’ll just get the DM to programs. How likely would they be to elaborate on that a bit because that falls look at funding communities with closely to what you’re asking there. utilidor issues without such a detailed Thank you, Mr. Chairman. permafrost analysis and mapping? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Suvega. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Mr. Suvega: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In terms of northern infrastructure Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. standardization, permafrost mapping, Chairman. They would need that to and also foundations, those are the sorts prove that the permafrost is more active of things that we’re working in than it was before. This mapping would partnership within this government, be useful in terms of getting a baseline within the territory, also with other data for the future. “If the permafrost northern partners. was this active before, then it’s now this

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 989 active and the pipes are breaking more talking tax, it seems to naturally go to than that” would be very good evidence the Department of Finance, yet the that is active permafrost-related signatories were the ministers of damages. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. environment across the country. I’m sure there were a number of different options Chairman: Mr. Hickes. available to us.

Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know my colleague did mention the That’s my desire to have this program concern with raising prices, and I have accelerated and really looked into. Those raised the concern in the House on us issues are ongoing today. relinquishing control of how those price increases are going to impact I would just like to move on to the issue Nunavummiut where we have now lost of carbon pricing, as it was brought up in the opportunity to provide exemptions to the first implementation activity where it certain demographics or certain practices says “Supporting the Department of like hunters or marine transportation or Finance on carbon pricing.” Can the even air travel. I know some minister describe how the Climate jurisdictions have that flexibility where Change Secretariat supported the we don’t anymore with this decision to Department of Finance with a carbon go with just the federal imposed tax pricing calculation? Thank you, Mr. regime. Chairman. Are there going to be any further Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. analysis and further work on examining the impacts as they arise and further Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. discussions on actually having our own Chairman. Just as I stated earlier, our carbon tax created so that we can take department does the calculation for some of that control back? Thank you, Finance to figure out how much Mr. Chairman. greenhouse gases that we as Nunavut would emit, and then we know it’s $10 a Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. tonne for greenhouse gases, and then we would pass that on to the Department of Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Finance as we have the expertise in our Chairman. We don’t really have much department to figure out, like I said, how control. The federal government has to calculate it. Then the Department of said, “You will be paying $20 a tonne on Finance would figure out how much it greenhouse gas and it’s going to go up would cost then. Thank you, Mr. $10 a tonne until it reaches the Chairman. maximum in five years at $50 a tonne.”

Chairman: Mr. Hickes. I guess we could have had control in terms of providing a subsidy, but in Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. terms of the amount we’re going to pay, The ministers of environment are the whether we did it or the federal signatories on the carbon pricing, thus government, the amount would have carbon taxing. I understand, when you’re been the same. The amount of carbon tax

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 990 that is collected was not going to change. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): In fact we might have had less money to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There is use then because we would have to do more than one reason, but the biggest all of the administrative costs associated one is having housing. Before we get with collecting and then using the carbon staff housing, it’s hard to fill the position tax for whatever purpose our when there’s no housing available. I’ll government decides to use it on. have my Deputy Minister, Mr. Suvega, respond, Chairman. Other provinces may have exemptions and stuff. I’m not sure how they work, Chairman: Mr. Suvega. but we as a government did ask for exemptions to the federal government. Mr. Suvega (interpretation): Thank you, First we asked for a total exemption Mr. Chairman. Trying to fill the because we said that we have no positions is quite hard sometimes alternatives and that was not done. We because we try to work with other asked for an exemption again not to tax entities and we lose out to other fuel use for transportation, fuel use for departments too when they open generating power, and fuel use for positions in Nunavut. Employees are not heating. To date we have not received just interested in working for the any word that we’re any exemptions. government. They do want to work for other organizations or mining companies We have always been told that there and some staff move out of the territory. were going to be special circumstances That’s one of the reasons why it’s very for us or treated differently for the difficult to fill the positions right away. northern territories, but as of today we Thank you, Mr. Chairman. don’t have anything concrete other than we will be paying the tax. Thank you, Chairman: Mr. Main. Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman: Thank you. Next name on Mr. Chairman. I have a concern in my list, Mr. Main. regard to the carbon tax that was mentioned. I know that it’s going to Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, increase the cost of living for Mr. Chairman. Good evening, minister Nunavummiut. and your officials. We have heard through the media In the business plan I think you don’t (interpretation ends) the topic of heavy have very many staff. There is a 34 fuel oil use in terms of shipping. I was percent vacancy rate. Why is it that reading about it in the news and it’s you’re having a hard time filling those something that they’re looking at trying positions? What’s the cause of those to cut down because when the ships burn vacancies? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. this heavy fuel oil, it releases a lot of soot. I guess it’s bad, especially in the Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Arctic. Does the department have a position on the potential ban of the use of heavy fuel oil in shipping?

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(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. know. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Next name on Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. my list, Mr. Kaernerk.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Chairman. We don’t have a position on you, Mr. Chairman. I’m concerned about it because the federal government will carbon tax because it will affect all dictate whether they want to ban heavy Nunavummiut. Do you have any plans to fuel or not, but we are aware that if the provide support to the harvesters? Thank ban goes ahead, the price of shipping you, Mr. Chairman. goods will probably go up because the reason these ships use it is because it’s Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. cheaper. My understanding is they use it when they’re in ports or getting close to Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): ports, but…I mean, sorry, no. They use Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At this time regular diesel when they’re in ports and no, but the harvester support program is going close to communities so that there not going to change and they could are less pollutants there, but in their possibly be provided support through transits is when they use it and most of that program. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the larger ships do use this heavy bunker fuel. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. We’re on Environment. Corporate Management. Chairman: Mr. Main. Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $5,880,000. Agreed? Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When the federal Some Members: Agreed. government starts implementing this or when it comes into effect, do you have a Chairman: Page I-5. Environment. figure to increase the price or do you Program Management. Mr. have any calculation as to how much of Mikkungwak. an increase it will have on Nunavummiut? Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Your department’s draft 2018-19 main estimates include $10,000 Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. in funding for the Fur Pricing Program. The budget for this program was Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): $70,000 during the 2017-18 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. At this time How was the amount of this decrease we haven’t calculated that, but we will determined? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. do a review. I know that all Nunavummiut will be impacted. All the Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Nunavut communities receive shipments through cargo ships. At this time we Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. don’t know how much of an increase it Chairman. It just went from one will have, but the cargo ships would department to the other and the money is

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 992 still there. This is to do with accounting, depending on the price of that species. so I’ll let the accounting expert, Ms. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nweze, answer that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak.

Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Nweze. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll just move on to the next Ms. Nweze: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. question I have, which is a whole We decreased the budget for the Fur different thing. Nunavut Tunngavik Pricing Program grant to $10,000. This Incorporated Harvesters Support program was not being utilized very well Program was recently reviewed by that in the past, so we decided to create a organization. NTI provides funding for new program by taking $60,000 out of equipment purchases and community the program and creating another hunts. program, the Seal and Fur Contribution Program, which has a $150,000 budget. Your department’s draft 2018-19 main That’s the reason we decreased the grant estimates include funding for the program. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. government’s Community Harvesters Assistance Program and the Community Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. Organized Hunts Program has been eliminated. To what extent did your Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. department coordinate its harvesters Chairman. The hunters saw the carbon support program changes with those pricing coming into effect in the near made by NTI to its Harvesters Support future. With that, is the department Program? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. finding out that there are a fewer number of fur-bearing hunters within the Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. territory in whole? This $60,000 drop, I understand the official’s response, but Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. does the Department of Environment see Chairman. We worked with Nunavut a decline in fur-bearing hunters? Thank Tunngavik Incorporated to make sure you, Mr. Chairman. that we had no duplication of programs. Consultation with them was both for Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. their program and our program. We worked with them and talked with them Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. in the process of them developing theirs Chairman. I don’t know if there’s an and us developing our program to make actual decline, but when the fur prices sure that they were complement of each are good, then there are generally more other and not duplicating the benefits to people, more trappers and hunters going the hunters and trappers. Thank you, Mr. after the fur. When the fur prices drop on Chairman. certain animals, the number of people that are going after them, hunters and Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. trappers, also drop. I wouldn’t say that there is a drop, but from year to year Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. certain species are more sought after Chairman. This may be my last question.

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I’m not sure if it was asked, but your now. department’s draft 2018-2021 business plan indicates that one of its priorities For any project to work good, we need for the 2018-19 fiscal year is to “Work baseline data on whatever project we’re with Health Canada to report the Air working on so that we will know if there Quality Health Index for all are any changes happening to whatever communities with air quality monitoring we are deciding to study. Thank you, stations.” As of today, which Nunavut Mr. Chairman. communities have air quality monitoring stations in operation? I hope Baker Lake Chairman: Thank you. Next name on has one. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. my list, Ms. Towtongie.

Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) The 2018-19 Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. draft estimates speak about hunters who Chairman. Hope is eternal. lost equipment were receiving $100,000 and this fund has been increased from Right now Iqaluit has the only operating $40,000 to $100,000. How can you station and the next communities that justify this increase? When I think of will have operating air quality data will this, our climate is changing and many be Arviat, Pond Inlet, and Kugluktuk. hunters lose equipment such as skidoos The reason those three communities are when the sea ice is too thin. next is because they are the regional centres of the Department of Now, in contrast with the farmers down Environment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. south, when rain doesn’t arrive on time, they lose their entire crops and the Chairman: Mr. Mikkungwak. federal government provides a subsidy totalling over many millions of dollars. Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. They provide a fund to the farmers. Why Chairman. I do hope the next set of isn’t the Government of Nunavut communities is with industry providing this type of all-encompassing communities considering that industry subsidy or haven’t requested this type of can have an impact on the air quality. I assistance from the federal government hope to hear a commitment from the much like the farmers’ subsidy? Our minister. My final question. Thank you, hunters are similar here in Nunavut, and Mr. Chairman. we have to have this type of assistance program. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. This is related to our weather that is Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Mr. Chairman, changing, or (interpretation ends) we will get those three up and running climate change, (interpretation) causing and then from there we will look at other changes in our seasons. The federal communities. We would like to get that government provides over $20 billion to running in all communities eventually so foreign countries due to climate change. that we can have baseline data so we can Has the minister considered under the see what the air quality is doing from (interpretation ends) Disaster

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Compensation Program (interpretation) eliminated the seal fur price. Those if they can relay that message to the criteria have to be reviewed because the federal government? Thank you, Mr. hunters are paying for skidoos that are at Chairman. $20,000, Hondas at $30,000, on top of that, bullets and rifles. That’s Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. humongous. $100,000 in funding for the Disaster Compensation Program does Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. not even amount to one farmer’s Chairman. No, we have not had any subsidization. talks with the federal government on how to supplement or if we can ask for If the Government of Canada can money for our disaster compensation. subsidize farmers when their crops fail Just to explain a little bit about it, the to the tune of millions and millions, then reason this fund is not increased is the minister should approach the because it was oversubscribed. We Government of Canada to reconsider the always had more people applying for it Disaster Compensation Program. Those than the amount of money we had. are just comments. I don’t want an answer. I know I will get a beautiful There are also criteria in order for you to answer and I will not be happy with it, qualify for this program. You have to be Mr. Chairman. Thank you. going hunting, hunting or coming back from hunting, you have to make 25 Chairman: Thank you. The minister percent of your income off the land. It’s wants to respond. Minister Savikataaq. got quite stringent guidelines for people to apply. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me to respond. I’m not sure what kind of response we This program is aimed at low-income would get from the federal government hunters. That’s why we have the in terms of equipment replacement due guidelines that we have. If you have full- to natural causes that were beyond the time employment, another option that is control of the client. Thank you, Mr. available to you is you can buy Chairman. insurance for your snowmobile, for your ATV or whatever. That option is Chairman: Ms. Towtongie. available for people who have full-time employment. This is to help hunters who Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. don’t have jobs and it’s their only source Chairman. It’s just a comment, an of income as hunters. observation on my part. There’s a huge subsidization for farmers in the south If you’re a full-time hunter and you when their crops fail. Now, climate don’t have a job, it’s very easy to make change is affecting Nunavut. The the 25 percent because you’re getting minister is telling me that in order to get 100 percent of your income from into disaster compensation, we have hunting. There’s no threshold on the stringent guidelines; 25 percent of our income. It’s just a percentage of your income has to be based on hunting. With income. If you’re a full-time hunter and the fur prices down, Greenpeace almost you’ve got no employment, you will fit

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 995 within the income guidelines. There are estimates from the survey? When will other guidelines that you have to follow, you make that available? Thank you, Mr. but in terms of if you’re a full-time Chairman. hunter and you do not have employment, then you will qualify financially. Thank Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Chairman: Thank you. Next name on Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The my list, Mr. Kaernerk. Qamanirjuaq caribou herd has been steadily decreasing every time we do a Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank survey. The estimated number will be you, Mr. Chairman, for recognizing me available before the end of this year. again. (interpretation ends) It has been a Thank you, Mr. Chairman. very long day, so just one question. Under the proposed Nunavut Polar Bear Chairman: Mr. Main. Co-management Plan, what is the status for Foxe Basin and Gulf of Boothia’s Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, plan? Just one question. (interpretation) Mr. Chairman. The hard-point bullets Thank you, Mr. Chairman. are being used more and more. I’m not really a hunter, but I don’t think they Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. should be used on animals. I think they’re cheaper to buy than soft-point Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. bullets. I think they just wound the Chairman. Off the top of my head, I caribou. Has this ever been considered can’t remember when the last population by the department that they weren’t estimate was done, but we try to do meant to be used for animals? Have they every polar bear population in a 20-year ever considered changes? Thank you, cycle at the minimum if that. We only Mr. Chairman. have so much staff to do the polar bear surveys and they use the same staff and Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. they rotate it. I can’t tell the member exactly what status it’s at, but I don’t Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): think it’s in the near future to do any Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The member population estimate studies because the is right that hard-point bullets are not next one on the radar are Baffin Bay and allowed to be used for terrestrial animals Davis Strait. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. like caribou, polar bears, and muskox. The conservation officers should be Chairman: Thank you. Next name on telling the harvesters that they are not my list, Mr. Main. allowed to be used. They are illegal to use and they wound the caribou if they Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, don’t hit the bone, but it doesn’t die right Mr. Chairman. The minister said earlier away. They don’t even slow down when that surveys have been done for the you shoot an animal. We are aware of Qamanirjuaq caribou herd. We have that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. heard that the herd size is decreasing. When can we expect population Chairman: Mr. Main.

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Mr. Main (interpretation): Are you Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): talking about the HTOs? Are there Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, this item wildlife or conservation officers that is specific to studying what fish species should be informing the harvesters or is are in the lake, where the arctic char it the HTOs? I’m confused as to who winter, along with population estimates he’s talking about, Mr. Chairman. Thank based on these fishing studies. It you. identifies the current numbers and whether the population is trending up or Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. down by having a baseline number.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. The communities identified are Chairman. The conservation officers can conducting fish population studies under get that information out, but the HTOs this item and it includes Inuit too can give the information out if they Qaujimajatuqangit components. It know. The more that people know the would allow someone to see this lake regulations because some may not know has arctic char or the lake which held and we would like to get the information fish populations has dwindled to where out and reasons why the regulations are none are in the lake. This is a there for that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. preliminary population study to determine what fish species are in the Chairman: Mr. Main. lake and where the lake’s fishes may move to. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With regard to the costs Chairman: Mr. Main. associated, I am not saying I want people to use the more expensive equipment nor Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, am I pushing to increase the fund, but it Mr. Chairman. Inuit elders are saying can go straight through, which is why I that rivers are having less and less water am mentioning it. and getting shallower where char used to be situated. They say the number of char With respect to our fish species listed on is decreasing. Is the Department of page 191, which speaks to the Fisheries and Oceans going to be fisheries…perhaps I will say it in studying arctic char near Whale Cove English. (interpretation ends) “Complete and Arviat? Is the minister aware of that final three Nunavut Coastal Resource or can he inform us on that issue? Thank Inventories…” (interpretation) It states you, Mr. Chairman. that the work was undertaken in Resolute Bay, Arviat, and Whale Cove Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. in 2017-18. Is this specific to arctic char population studies in these communities? Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Is this related to population estimates or Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Currently I’m is this an actual study? Thank you, Mr. not aware whether the Department of Chairman. Fisheries and Oceans will be doing a char study near Whale Cove and Arviat. Chairman: Minister Savikataaq. You can notice that rivers are getting shallower. Rivers used to have a heavy

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 997 flow. Part of the reason for that is after Environment. Total Operations and the weight of the glaciers, we’re getting Maintenance, to be Voted. $27,742,000. less and less sea ice. That’s part of the Agreed? reason. We’re aware that the rivers are getting shallower. Thank you, Mr. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Do members Chairman: Mr. Main. agree that we have concluded the Department of Environment? Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, minister. Some Members: Agreed. This is my last question. Can the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Chairman: Thank you. Closing inform us whether they can ask for a comments, Minister Savikataaq. study on char? We want to keep the numbers up for the long term. I don’t Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. think they did studies for a while on our Chairman. Yes! river. I’m aware that they used to do char studies near Cambridge Bay. We >>Laughter should be considered more by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. If Mr. Chairman, it has been a long day they studied our rivers, I would be happy and I thank everyone for their patience, to see that. That’s it from me, Mr. for asking the questions, and this is my Chairman. Thank you. third time that I’m addressing you with opening comments. It will be just the Chairman: Thank you. Minister same things. Savikataaq. I’ll just thank my staff for the two that Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): are here for coming and all the other Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, we can staff that put all of this information work with them. Whenever the hunters together because it could not have been want research done, they can write to the done without them. Department of Environment and ask for a particular river or a particular species I thank you for your time, your interest, to be studied, and then we can start to and your good questions. We’re here to work on that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. work together for the betterment of Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. I have no more names on my list. Environment. Program Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- Management. Total Operations and Arms, please escort the witnesses out. Maintenance, to be Voted. $21,862,000. Mr. Rumbolt. Agreed? Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Some Members: Agreed. Chairman. I would like to make a motion to report progress, please. Thank you. Chairman: Back to page I-3.

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Chairman: Thank you. There is a 7. Written Questions motion on the floor and it is not 8. Returns to Written Questions debatable. All in favour of the motion. Opposed. The motion is carried. I will 9. Replies to Opening Address now rise to report progress. Thank you. 10. Petitions

Speaker (interpretation): Going back to 11. Responses to Petitions the orders of the day. Report of the 12. Reports of Standing and Special Committee of the Whole. Mr. Akoak. Committees on Bills and Other Item 20: Report of the Committee of Matters the Whole 13. Tabling of Documents Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 14. Notices of Motions Your committee has been considering Bill 4 and the main estimates and would 15. Notices of Motions for First like to report progress. Also, Mr. Reading of Bills Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to. 16. Motions Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 17. First Reading of Bills

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. 18. Second Reading of Bills There is a motion on the floor. Is there a 19. Consideration in Committee of seconder? Thank you, Mr. Hickes. The motion is in order. All those in favour of the Whole of Bills and Other the motion. All those opposed. Thank Matters you. The motion is carried.  Bill 3 Third Reading of Bills. Orders of the Day. Mr. Clerk.  Bill 4  Bill 5 Item 22: Orders of the Day  Bill 6 Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr.  Bill 7 Speaker. Orders of the Day for June 13: 20. Report of the Committee of the 1. Prayer Whole 2. Ministers’ Statements 21. Third Reading of Bills 3. Members’ Statements 22. Orders of the Day 4. Returns to Oral Questions Thank you. 5. Recognition of Visitors in the >>Applause Gallery

6. Oral Questions Speaker (interpretation): Thank you.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018 Nunavut Hansard 999

(interpretation ends) Like Mr. Akoak says, if there are any students out there watching the Assembly channel, stay in school and one day you will be reading like Mr. Clerk.

>>Applause

An Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Speaker (interpretation): In accordance with the authority provided to me by Motion 4 – 5(2), this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, June 13, at ten o’clock in the morning.

Sergeant-at-Arms.

>>House adjourned at 21:13