Nunavut Canada

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT

Nunavut Leadership Forum

Official Report

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prayer...... 1

Adoption of Agenda ...... 1

Premier’s Opening Statement...... 2

Questioning of the Premier...... 6

Ministers’ Opening Statements ...... 30

Questioning of the Ministers ...... 46

Vote of Confidence ...... 79

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 1

Members Present: remarks that I trust will set the tone for Honourable Eva Aariak, Honourable these proceedings. James Arreak, Mr. Moses Aupaluktuq, Honourable Tagak Curley, Mr. Ron These proceedings are being viewed by Elliot, Mr. Adamee Komoartok, Nunavummiut across the territory. As Honourable Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Johnny their elected representatives, it is our Ningeongan, Mr. Paul Okalik, responsibility to demonstrate the highest Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan standards of conduct and decorum. Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Daniel Shewchuk, Honourable Peter (interpretation ends) It is also our Taptuna, Honourable Hunter Tootoo, responsibility to focus these Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk. deliberations on Nunavut-wide priorities and issues of ministerial leadership, Prayer performance, and accountability. This is not the appropriate forum to discuss Chairman (Mr. Arreak)(interpretation): constituency specific grievances, minor Thank you for coming. Before we matters of departmental administration, proceed with today’s agenda, I will call or the status of complaints raised by upon Mr. Ningeongan to deliver the individual residents. I would encourage prayer. Mr. Ningeongan. all members to focus their attention on matters of performance and not >>Prayer personality.

Adoption of Agenda Every one of us took a solemn oath of office when we assumed our positions as Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Members of the Legislative Assembly Mr. Ningeongan. Additionally, I thank and we need to demonstrate that our all members. I can really hear myself constituents’ trust has been well placed. talk. Okay. Do members agree to the agenda in front of them? All members have been provided with a copy of the detailed procedures for the Some Members: Agreed. conduct of the Nunavut Leadership Review. These procedures have been Chairman (interpretation): Also, with agreed to at Caucus. respect to the procedures to be followed for the Nunavut Leadership Forum, do Following the Premier’s opening members agree with these procedures statement, members will have the and can we proceed with this forum? opportunity to question the Premier.

Some Members: Agreed. At the conclusion of the Premier’s appearance, we will proceed to Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. ministers’ statements. Ministers will As Chairperson of the Nunavut make their statements in alphabetical Leadership Forum, I wish to take this order. Members will then have the opportunity to make some opening opportunity to ask questions of the ministers.

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Following the conclusion of members’ appraisal of how far we have come both questions, we will proceed to balloting. as individuals and as a government. All members will have the opportunity to express confidence or non-confidence I would like to begin today by thanking in each Member of the Executive all of the leaders who have come before Council. me. This includes not only political leaders but leaders in communities in As members are aware, this is the first Nunavut, in businesses, in homes, and in time that the forum has decided to families. There are so many who have undertake a formal balloting process. As helped to build Nunavut in which we can members are aware, although the results all be so very proud. of this secret ballot will provide an expression of the will of the Assembly, I am honoured to work side by side with they are not legally binding and it may someone who helped to create Nunavut, be necessary for the House to consider Tagak Curley. Tagak is one of the formal motions. leaders who inspire me every day as I work to represent the people of Nunavut. I would like to take this opportunity to Nunavut is still very young and our past remind all members that I will be government provided us with a great enforcing the rules of order and decorum start. I have been honoured to continue that members have agreed to follow for the efforts of our previous governments. this process. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the previous Assemblies for their I will now invite the Premier to make her hard work. We have come such a long opening statement. I now call upon the way. Premier to deliver her statements. I remind the Premier that she has up to 20 (interpretation ends) Iksivautaaq, under minutes to deliver her opening a public and consensus style statements. If you choose, you may stand government, we are all leaders. I truly or stay in your seat while you are feel that I was chosen from among my making your statement. Madam Premier. equals and that every member and every role in our government is essential if we Premier’s Opening Statement are going to achieve our ambitious goals for this wonderful territory. Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good I became Premier of this great territory morning, my colleagues and our visitors. without a lot of political experience, but Thank you. this is not a weakness. Let’s be honest. This is a reality for many of us. What I We have been waiting for quite some have brought to this role is an equal or time and it seems like the snow was even even more value than political waiting for the Nunavut Leadership experience. I bring a strong moral Forum. This review is a tradition in compass, firmly rooted in Inuit culture Nunavut and one in which I willingly and values. By keeping one side firmly participate. It is an excellent opportunity rooted in Inuit culture and values, I to take the time for clear-headed believe that the judgement and wisdom

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 3 required for a political role comes more • Strengthening our educational naturally. The day-to-day skills of a system; politician can be learned by anyone, but a strong moral compass is not a learned • Providing continuity between skill and it is what takes and makes me a education and the labour market; strong and capable leader. • Reducing issues that cause You chose me as a Premier based on my people to harm themselves or promise to return to the roots of good others; and government. Good government requires a willingness to establish an open • Supporting environmental dialogue to ensure that the priorities of stewardship. all Nunavummiut are reflected in the work that we do. My first act as a Our dialogue with Nunavummiut and Premier was to establish this open with the Members of this House dialogue with the people of Nunavut and continues. We are partners in building with you and the Members of this Nunavut’s future. It is our responsibility. House. As I have said so many times before, all members know that our doors are open, I initiated a process to speak to the that we strongly value your input and people of Nunavut to find what was your input affects how government working, what needed improvement, and implements its mandate. what was not working at all. This input led to the Qanukkanniq Report Card, In 2008, I pledged in my leadership which formed the basis of our next steps speech to put an end to a top-down style in our administration. This next step was of governing and within this to invite all Members of the House to administration, we continue to deliver on develop this government’s mandate the pledge. together. Our focus included: Good government is committed to • Building government capacity to responsible change or, in other words, to do its work; progress. As you will see throughout this review, we are working to bring the • Helping empower individuals Government of Nunavut closer to the and communities to do their will of the Nunavummiut in a work; responsible and orderly fashion. This change started on day 1 and it will • Creating sustainable economies continue throughout this term. focusing on the connection between health and social The best hunter is not the one who wins development the race. He is the one who makes it home no matter what the conditions are. • Ensuring government can Good government is the same. We have communicate with the public; faced significant challenges in trying to achieve our goals, but we continue our efforts to build a Nunavut of the future.

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Good government emphasizes the need While on the subject of communication, and to work in partnerships with the I would like to say how proud I am of public and the organizations that share a the significant progress that has been stake in the work that we do. As your made in this area. Hopefully by now, Premier, I promise to establish a spirit of you have all had a chance to browse the collaboration both within the civil new GN website that we announced service, within our partners in Inuit earlier and make use of the new online organizations and the federal phone directory. Regular visits to the government. I believe these partnerships communities, community radio are essential to achieve our goals and interviews with ministers, and the they have never been stronger. Premier’s e-newsletter are all examples of our commitment to open and ongoing Good government governs for the future. communication. It’s the small things like It has been proven time and again that these that make a big difference, which the best investments will have impact will lead to greater accomplishments in years down the road. For instance, it is the days ahead. important that we make investments early in childhood education today even In order to answer to the overwhelming if it will take 20 years to fully request for change to certain programs demonstrate their benefit for the and Acts, we are undertaking a number territory. We know it is of utmost of important reviews. For instance, a importance that we govern for our review of Health and Social Services grandchildren. This long-term approach programs, decentralization, the Liquor extends to everything that we do. This Act, and public forum on uranium includes investments in education and mining in Nunavut. As always, in this training, in infrastructure, and in government, what Nunavummiut have to legislation that will lay the foundation say will directly contribute to the for tomorrow’s prosperity. changes made. Although there is more to be done, we are, I think, on the right I would like to take this opportunity to path. go into a bit of detail about the work that has been done by this government. First, Next, I am not afraid to say is the rate of in response to an enormous demand, we suicide in our territory. It is absolutely are putting GLOs, government liaison unacceptable. For that reason, we have officers, back into the community. tabled a Suicide Prevention Strategy. Starting with the non-decentralized This strategy is the result of cooperation communities first, the GN will be able to and very hard work from all partners. mobilize this network quickly so that Let me take this opportunity to thank information can be disseminated to and everyone who contributed. The collected from all 25 communities implementation of this strategy cannot instantaneously. At the same time, we start soon enough and I am resolved to are creating jobs in each community. make this happen. This government also These positions will be the lifelines to realizes that suicide prevention is more our communities and to the government than a single strategy. It is addressed as well. throughout our Tamapta priorities,

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 5 whether it is education and skills training developed a good working relationship or cultural initiatives that provide pride with the Prime Minister, and recently, in who we are. Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, Minister Duncan, and our own MP, Poverty needs to be eliminated, and this Leona Aglukkaq. They have agreed that is not and cannot happen overnight, but a phased approach is an appropriate way the sooner we start, the sooner all to proceed with the negotiations. A Nunavummiut will be able to enjoy communication strategy will be launched health and prosperity they deserve. With next week. Progress has been made on that in mind, we have joined forces with the devolution file and I am confident it our partners at NTI and the private and will continue. voluntary sector to undertake a public engagement process. Our goal is to have Finally, we should also recognize the our action plan in place in one year’s amount of cross-departmental time and to immediately begin collaboration undertaken by this implementation. I am very excited to see government in order to ensure that our this work through its completion. commitments to Nunavummiut are implemented. I asked ministers to take I recently saw a population graph for an additional role as champion for Nunavut. The graph shows an incredible Tamapta. This consists of chairing spike in the number young people in our committees, such as quality of life, territory. building capacity, sustainable development, and central accountability. All of the research and traditional On many projects, departments are now knowledge suggest that giving young working together to reduce barriers and people a head start will pay out find efficient ways of accomplishing our dividends down the road. For that goals during these tight fiscal times. reason, we are making equally childhood education and health a priority. Every As you can see, we are in the middle of new educational facility in Nunavut will implementing important initiatives that be built with a daycare. We continue to flow directly from the mandate that we support school breakfast programs, all agreed on. This brings me to my last develop early childhood programs, reflection on good government that I subsidize daycare at the schools, and wanted to share with you today. A good increase training opportunities for early government builds upon strong childhood education and development, momentum to ensure we accomplish and this government is committed to what we set out to achieve. I have been providing a child and youth working very hard since becoming representative. At the very least, by the Premier to ensure that we are in a end of this term, because we all know position to finish the work that we our children are our greatest assets. started when we were first elected to the office. I am looking forward to your As I indicated in this legislature, my continued input, the work that we are government has invested significant doing, and to the renewed confidence effort in moving devolution from the that will come from this leadership backburner to the front. I have review.

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Ten years ago, we made a commitment how have you approached this issue? to our future when we created Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Two years ago, we renewed this commitment to our future through the Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. development of the Tamapta Mandate. Madam Premier. Today, I am asking that once again we renew this House’s commitment to the Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): future that we will build together. We Thank you, my colleague, for that started this project together and I am question. The people of Nunavut are very much looking forward to finishing working very hard on this issue, it together. especially with the importance of mining and mineral development. It’s very (interpretation) We have a lot to do and important to make sure that these issues even though there has always been a lot are communicated to the people of of work to do, we all have the Nunavut. As Nunavut Tunngavik has the responsibility as elected members to mandate through NIRB to deal with make some accomplishments to the end those issues and through the Nunavut of our term on behalf of the people of Land Claims Agreement, they are Nunavut, our children, our mandated to deal with those issues. grandchildren, and our future generations. Thank you very much, Mr. I feel strongly to get feedback from the Chairman. people of Nunavut on those issues. I have initiated getting some feedback on >>Applause what the people of Nunavut think about mineral development and we want to get Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, the perspective of all Nunavummiut. Premier. All regular members have a Further, this group will be touring the total of five questions each that they can communities to consult with the ask the Premier. Regular members are residents specifically on the issue of not required to ask their questions uranium in all three regions, the Baffin consecutively. Are there any questions region, the Kivalliq region, as well as in from the regular members? Mr. Cambridge Bay in the Kitikmeot region. Aupaluktuq. I have continued to make it a high Questioning of the Premier priority to include Inuit meaningfully, especially when dealing with weighty Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. matters that may impact our residents. Chairman. We all know that there are a As a government, we have to be in touch lot of issues that have to be addressed. with Nunavummiut and this includes The government as a whole must consultations, communications, and identify clear priorities and balance providing information to the people of competing public interests. Sometimes Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. different interests my not be entirely compatible, such as natural resource Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, development and environmental Premier. Prior to moving on to another protection. I wanted to ask the Premier: question, I wish to remind members that

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I will leave it at your discretion as to my colleague, Mr. Taptuna, and his whether you wish to stand or not when department on mitigating poverty. asking your questions. Will you be asking your second question? Mr. Another high priority for me is the work Aupaluktuq. towards self-determination as a territory. Devolution is the term in English. The Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. transferral of powers between Chairman. I want to ask: what would governments was a past priority for our you consider your top three priorities past governments which we inherited, before the end of term of office? Thank but we still have a lot of work to you, Mr. Chairman. complete on this matter. I want to ensure that this work on devolution is continued Chairman: Thank you. Madam Premier. and to be an ongoing process until we complete the negotiations on this matter Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): with the federal government. Thank you for that question with respect to priorities. Personally, I could list Our neighbour, the NWT, has now numerous priorities that I would want to completed their work on devolution and accomplish during this term of this it has already improved their government. However, with respect to government’s mandate. It is also obvious my top priorities, I want to state these in that, although it may not manifest itself particular, but bear in mind that just in the short term, once we complete the recently, we renewed our mandate for negotiations, Nunavut will also benefit this government specific to the next two from the completion of this file. years to the end of our terms in the legislature. These are identified This is a very important priority for our government priorities. government since Nunavut would be better able to operate and fulfill its I have some personal priorities that I am mandate. We envision that Nunavut pushing for, such as the recent strategy would be able to start funding more of on poverty reduction. This strategy its priorities when we are able to garner outlines the initiative, the preparations our share of the revenues that accrue required, as well as the implementation from natural resources of the land or of the initiative. We have to ensure that waters within Nunavut. The revenues all of these action items are completed. will enable this government and its people to be more self-sufficient. Many Inuit in Nunavut live on the cusp of poverty, with some families facing Additionally, I am pleased that we have food shortages or where they cannot put made some progress on this file and our food on the table. This impacts many counterparts in Ottawa have stated that people’s lives in Nunavut and that is they wish to pursue this issue in stages. why I have identified the Poverty We are awaiting a position outlining the Reduction Strategy as one of my matters for negotiation. However, the priorities. Furthermore, I am pleased that federal government still has to appoint a I will be able to work with various chief negotiator and I will be lobbying departments on this issue, particularly

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 8 the federal government to finalize their are included in the Tamapta pamphlet. selection. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Our government is ready, willing, and Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, able to commence negotiations. So too is Premier. Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. NTI ready for this process to proceed. Do you have any further questions to the Unfortunately, it is the federal Premier? Mr. Ningark. government that we are now waiting on. We also have to know that devolution Mr. Ningark (interpretation): I don’t and the issue of devolution is going to be have to stand up if I don’t want to? a long process, and it’s not going to be (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. completed overnight. We have to work Chairman. I thank the Hon. Premier for closely together and we have to wait for making a statement before the the federal government to appoint their leadership, Mr. Chairman. negotiator in order for things to get started. I think many people have trouble understanding the things between One other thing that I’m very concerned surplus and deficit. Having a surplus in about that the Department of Finance is the system is a good idea, I think. We all also working hard on is the operation of understood that, but when there is the government to be financially surplus in the system, one wonders, in efficient and responsible and to make the previous year, that programs and sure that programs and services are services have been delivered. When provided to the people of Nunavut, while there is deficit, many people thank that’s being fiscally responsible at the same a bad idea, but we must always do the time. programs and services regardless of when, Mr. Chairman, there has to be a For infrastructure and capital items, deficit. included in there is working together between the Government of Nunavut Mr. Chairman, we live and work in a and other organizations. Because of our land where there is a tremendous financial restraints, we have to work opportunity for tourism, arts and crafts, with different organizations on large hunting and trapping, and we have infrastructure projects like ports, mineral wealth where the major league, housing, and other things like that. We world industry in the mining sector is have to work together with the private lining up in our backyard to look for and organizations for these infrastructures to find minerals. I remember, it seemed like become a reality. We have to work only yesterday, Mr. Chairman, that this, together in order to implement the plans Madam, Nunavut used to be called a once they become a reality, by all desolate, barren, empty, God forsaken means, by working together with the country. department and as a government. Today, we have a tremendous There are a lot of issues that we would opportunity up here to make it work for like to deal with, but my top priorities us. Yet our children here and now go to school without breakfast, hungry. We

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know we have the wealth, we know we country where housing or shelter is the have the education out there in our right of every Canadian in the country. population, we know there are people and parents willing to work, but we So what is Madam Premier doing in all cannot find a job for them. of these regards that I have just outlined for the government? Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman, I know the Premier has Chairman. started the framework called Tamapta. I grew up understanding that when there is Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, a credit due, we have to give that credit Mr. Ningark. Premier Aariak. and I give the Premier that credit for starting Tamapta. I think, honestly, I Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): have not heard any complaints from my Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There were a community of Kugaaruk or Naujaat fair number of issues raised by the (Repulse Bay). member, but I will try to respond to them all. Mr. Chairman, I know that the Premier has started the devolution in this Yes, I completely believe in the jurisdiction and that is a good idea. observations you made, especially Unless we can start to reap the wealth of regarding opportunities that we can this jurisdiction, then we can’t start to create for our people here in Nunavut. If scratch the surface of poverty. That is this is done properly, we can open many what the people want. It is not opportunities. uncommon for me, Mr. Chairman, early in the morning in going to work or going Just to envision the tourism to a meeting, having seen the young opportunities that you alluded to, this is children rushing to school to learn or to one sector where we could conceivably eat. In many cases, you have to eat to garner more revenue, especially in the learn. communities. Additionally, my genuine belief is that this sector has a lot of room So unless we begin to see less and less to grow, but we have to develop the young children going to school for infrastructure. Although this sector was breakfast but going to school to learn, initiated a while ago, we still have many then we know that leadership is there to opportunities to develop this sector to ensure that we want to educate our ensure that our residents benefit from young people. In order to educate our this sector’s growth. young people, we must ensure that their parents are proud, make sure that we In particular, residents who can benefit bring back their pride, where they can from the tourism sector can be quite feed their kids in the morning or pretty numerous. Some of the areas include well three meals a day. So education is outfitting, arts and crafts, such as carving number one. or sewing, and in other fields as well. Additionally, one source of pride for We also know that we have a Nunavut is that many of our residents tremendous problem with housing in a are renowned carvers and we have many great seamstresses. With respect to arts

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 10 and crafts, I believe that Nunavut has the that can be opened by other means, such highest per capita artists, carvers, and as your reference to devolution and self- seamstresses. sufficiency. With the revenue related to mining, the Nunavut government would If you look at the provinces, Nunavut is be able to raise revenue that they could near or at the top of the regions where use for programs if devolution occurred. residents are involved in the arts and My assessment of this issue is that this crafts sector and the market is still sector could conceivably raise a lot of growing. Furthermore, programs that are revenue for the Nunavut government in offered by the Nunavut Arctic College our future. are expanding, such as the seal product course, where the students are taught to Another important issue which I place handle sealskins, to work with skins, and great priority on is having the proper to offer products for sale. This course caretakers in one’s home. Child rearing will greatly benefit our residents. practices and traditional child rearing practices should be taught to our young We are also blessed with other parents. In our communities, especially opportunities, such as in the mining the smaller communities, we have many sector, where we are starting to see more elders who can provide training in child development. We now have one mine rearing practices. operating in Nunavut, specifically the gold mine near Baker Lake, where quite Wherever a person has a solid a few of our residents are employed. It foundation, whether it is at one’s home, has already increased household income in one’s community, or even within the revenue by virtue of their employment. government, the operations will be geared towards our common objectives. In the private sector, we have many This allows us to operate in a less opportunities for small businesses. This difficult manner and the task is easier to sector opens many opportunities for move forward towards these objectives. Nunavummiut to create small With respect to caretakers in the home, businesses, but as a government, we this is very important for our children. have to provide the proper services and programs for them, especially in the As you mentioned earlier, children start-up stages of opening a business. I should have breakfast at home before have personal experience in creating a they attend classes. This is another small business, so I am quite intimate priority we have identified in our with the need for proper support for government, to provide proper nutrition business start-up, mentoring, and other and especially the breakfast program in programs that can determine the our schools. We want to see this grow. difference between failure and long-term The communities have to be more success. It also allows you to operate involved in the operation of these your business in a more professional programs, especially the breakfast manner. programs. Some schools may not have this program available and if they wish Additionally, we have more to provide this service, we want to assist opportunities related to revenue growth them to do so.

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We feel that this is a high priority applies to all residents of Nunavut, because if a child is reared properly, whether they are young adults, adults, or such as having the proper nutrition, the elders. It is only when they are properly proper emotional upbringing, then the housed without overcrowding that a child will become part of the community person’s mental well-being and quality as a fully functional adult. Within their of life can be improved. This is another chosen field, whether that is land-based, of our highest priorities as a government. wage-based, or in other avenues, if that person has a solid base, then that person In conclusion, with the Tamapta will be a strong person. That is how we Mandate which we produced, I was want to see our children grow up to happy to hear that you were satisfied become here in Nunavut. with the framework provided and I thank you for providing me with that credit. I We want Nunavummiut to be as strong ask my colleagues to work with us, to as possible so that the parents are strong provide recommendations and remind and the children they are rearing can be our government to achieve the goals set strong since they have proper caretakers out in Tamapta. Only in partnership can and proper nutrition. This issue is central we achieve our goals as a legislature. to poverty reduction and we need to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. focus on these issues to ensure we provide the proper support. Furthermore, Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, one of the most important matters in this Premier. Prior to moving to another field is proper shelter for our children. question, I wish to remind the members that we came to an understanding where Housing will continue to be a high members will keep their questions to the priority for this government. When you point and ensure that their preambles are look at the statistics that were just not lengthy. Additionally, with respect to released, it shows the number of housing the members who are answering these units that need to be built to meet this questions, I caution them to keep their need and the numbers are staggering. responses short, to the point, and to the We need to build numerous more units issues raised. Furthermore, another just to meet our present requirements. reminder to the members raising Part of our mandate within these last two questions, please ensure that you do not years has been accomplished through ask multiple questions, especially if you various initiatives, but it is quite obvious want a proper answer. Please ensure that that housing will continue to be a you ask one question at a time and to the challenge faced by our government. point.

Our children should be provided the Do you have any other questions? Mr. proper housing. Our children who are Ningark. attending classes should not be in overcrowded classrooms so that they can Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. be provided with a good education. Chairman. For the record, on behalf of When students are not overcrowded at the parents, communities, and my home or at school, they can take family, I wanted to thank the system for instructions more readily. This also

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 12 the breakfast program for school back to being one afterwards. That, to children. me, means consensus government and I think it is the right style of government The final question for the Hon. Premier for the people of Nunavut. Thank you, is in this Assembly, we call ourselves a Mr. Chairman. consensus government, but we have trouble getting along together in this Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Third Assembly. I would like to ask the Premier. Mr. Komoartok has a question Premier: why do you think that we are as well. having trouble getting along together under this Third Assembly as leaders? Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank Thank you, Mr. Speaker. you, Mr. Chairman. My first question is (interpretation ends) it is important that Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, ministers recognize when they should Mr. Ningark. At this time, I am only have done something differently or acting in the role of the Chairperson. better. What is the one thing that you Premier Aariak. would have done differently as a minister since you took office in 2008? Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When I’m visiting the communities, especially the Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, southern jurisdictions, I tell them that we Mr. Komoartok. (interpretation ends) have a consensus government where Madam Premier. there are no party politics. We are a consensus style government and some of Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): them are very envious of that fact. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can be Through Tamapta, the regular members thankful and happy for a lot of things and the cabinet agreed to work together since we became a government, and to have one goal as a government. especially since we work together to That is what a consensus government create the Tamapta Mandate which gave means, to work together as one with one us the focus on our goal as a goal. One of the other important things government, “What will benefit most to of a consensus government is because the people of Nunavut?” We agreed on there is more possibility of working those and that is very important to me. together and reaching an agreement. The cabinet individually works hard on The people out there probably think that, their roles and responsibilities on their during question period especially, there department, our databases, and through is opposition between the regular and the our meetings and through their cabinet members, but those oral Ministers’ Statements. There is a lot of questions are very beneficial to the paperwork that we accumulate, people of Nunavut because it is especially with the Ministers’ Statements disseminating the information out there and the accumulation of those and it also focuses the government on documents. what they should be focusing on by way of benefits and programs. We usually get

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Working together through our mandate together, we can accomplish great is very important and I am very proud things. I look forward to the that we are achieving it or it is implementation of that strategy. developing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To reiterate, only by partnering with Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, organizations and residents can the Premier. Do you have any further implementation of this strategy be questions? Mr. Komoartok. successful. We have to work with the communities, parents, and relatives to Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank resolve this issue, as well as to hear their you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the Premier points of view. We need to include the for her response. Just recently, the people in the communities because they Suicide Prevention Strategy was tabled can provide traditional counselling. Even in the House. In Nunavut, the educators though they don’t have paperwork to came to Iqaluit for a conference and a show for it, they are tremendous resolution was passed that urged the supporters of people in their education staff or the teachers and the communities. Department of Education to recognize suicidal tendencies among the students In the school system, the educators have and to conduct prevention measures. been taught on this issue. To date, over Does the Premier support such 200 teachers have taken this training to initiatives? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. be able to recognize suicidal tendencies. It is called ASIST in English. This has Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, provided a lot of benefits which are Mr. Komoartok. Premier Aariak. already visible and many more teachers have requested this training. Many Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): community residents have also requested Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One of the this training. Several Members of this most difficult issues to combat within is House have taken this training as well. the suicide prevention field here in This really assists a person to recognize Nunavut. I believe that everyone here these tendencies. has been personally impacted by suicide in our lives. Additionally, this matter is I fully support the initiatives that can being recognized as an urgent priority by provide progress for this government, agencies on a seemingly daily basis. especially where we can make progress through various avenues. We will place I was quite pleased when the strategy, high priority on these matters as a which was dealt with for many months government. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. by our partners, was released. The Suicide Prevention Strategy was just Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, recently tabled, but it was only through Premier. Thank you, Mr. Komoartok. partnership with organizations, such as Mr. Okalik would now like to ask a Nunavut Tunngavik, the Embrace Life question. Council, the RCMP, as well as several departments of the Government of Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Nunavut. It showed us how by working Mr. Chairman. Thank you for being

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 14

here. Again, we have to use different teachers work extremely hard. I was an examples. With the Tamapta Mandate, educator in the past myself and have which I’m very happy about as I was taught children at schools. I know from involved when that was being created, first-hand experience just how difficult it we have set goals on prioritizing, can be to work as a teacher. Further, I including education. No matter where I am also quite aware of the difficulties sat, I have always supported and looked placed on teachers who have to develop after the issue of education because of their own curriculum or lessons, the issue of education and because of the particularly those related to the Inuktitut importance of education. curriculum. I am extremely grateful and appreciative of all teachers currently We now hear today that the teachers are teaching in Nunavut and those who are going to get salary cutbacks or rollbacks, taking courses to become teachers. I especially the bilingual bonuses that are further encourage residents to take the going to be cut, which is very shocking teacher education program in the future. to me. We hear about the Tamapta Mandate, but we have to implement it. However, with respect to the matter he With the discontent of the teachers, it raised which is currently at the seems like we are going the other way negotiating table and with this process around. So I would like to ask the starting just several days ago, the issue Premier what action will be taken in he wants information on is still under regard to the teachers and their discussion. I wanted the member to agreement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. know that, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.

Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik. (interpretation ends) Madam Premier. Mr. Okalik has another Premier. question.

Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank Mr. Chairman. One of the reports which my colleague for his support of the we reviewed was the Inuit employment Tamapta Mandate and his involvement figures within the Nunavut government. in the process. Furthermore, my Based on the figures, the numbers of expectations are that the member will Inuit employees had drastically dropped, continue to be involved as we try to especially at the senior management implement the Tamapta Mandate. level.

With respect to the issue the member I was just recently blamed since I was mentioned, this matter is still under questioning the capabilities of some of negotiation. Currently, with the the senior managers in the House, but I negotiation process still underway, we wanted to note on the public record that I cannot really speak to the issues since am extremely proud of my fellow Inuit these items are still under negotiation. who are in these positions because most of them have been promoted due to their However, one point that I want to capabilities, skills, and experience. With highlight with respect to teachers is that that being that case, I am also very

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protective of these Inuit, especially when During the planning stages, what was the their capabilities are questioned by vision that these negotiators envisioned? outsiders. I totally believe in their skills At that time, the factors they faced were since I have also appointed Inuit in the the high number of students dropping past to these positions. out of school, although this has become less of an issue lately with the increasing With that being the case, what actions is number of graduates. We have to return the government taking to increase the to the visioning that was used to create numbers of Inuit in the senior the plan, such as the number of management level of our public service? graduates per annum. I would like to know some of the details that have been planned to meet this need. If you look at the 20-year period, we can Thank you, Mr. Chairman. expect that there will be this number of graduates available in the workforce. We Chairman: Thank you. Madam Premier. have to also include the students who do not graduate since it was quite obvious Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): that we would have difficulty meeting Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank this challenge and that we would have to the member for raising that very place a high priority on this challenge. In important question. Since I have been in light of our government’s stated this position, it has been one of our priorities, which have been voiced on biggest challenges which I now numerous occasions, education is a high recognize since we need capable priority. To date, we continue to employees everywhere. prioritize education in our territory.

Additionally, since we became the We have to hire the most capable people government, we have been faced with to work in our public service. I am vacancies. It is not as if we have lost extremely satisfied and proud of our employees in droves and are suffering existing public service, our Inuit from a shortage. I believe that this issue employees, and those who are in senior has been a challenge since the inception management positions. Their numbers of Nunavut and it will continue to be a are increasing slowly. We have to keep priority. Furthermore, our government is in mind that some of our very capable working to meet this challenge, Inuit employees also move to other especially since this is a legislated positions outside of the public service. requirement imposed by the Nunavut Every individual has the freedom to Land Claims Agreement whereby Inuit choose their place of work and they can are to comprise a representative level choose to get another position. within the public service. Although we want to retain all of our Just to go back a bit, I have deliberated Inuit employees, we cannot retain them upon this issue. When it was being all, especially with the creation of new negotiated, they agreed to these figures. positions in organizations and with new It states that the representative level of business opportunities that present Inuit was set at 85 percent, which has to themselves. Many of our most capable be implemented by the year 2020. employees have shifted over to the

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 16 private sector. Further, with the mining I am gratified with the many Inuit who sector increasing, there are positions that are undertaking more courses to increase other Inuit have taken that could have their capabilities. In conclusion, that is applied for our government positions. why education is a high priority for our Additionally, the hamlets require government. I am also very hopeful that capable staff at the local level, so we Inuit numbers within the public service have lost some good people to the will slowly increase. Since this municipalities. There are more government has started, as a matter of employment opportunities being created, fact, the number of Inuit employees has so we have lost a fair number to these slowly increased. Thank you, Mr. new positions. Chairman.

However, with education being a very Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, important priority to our government, Premier. Mr. Ningeongan will now ask especially schooling from kindergarten questions. to grade 12, training on the job is important to us too. In the Sivuliqtiksat Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank education, it identifies that they are you, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to raise this being taught to be a leader in Nunavut. question first of all. I wasn’t told to We see graduating students from there direct this question to some people. annually, which is good to see. Madam Premier, do you also believe, irrespective of the gender of the Premier, Arctic College is now coming up with that their ability to lead is more programs that enable the students to be important than the gender of the leader hired by NTI, hamlet councils, teachers; of the House? Thank you, Mr. they are coming up with those programs Chairman. so that they are career oriented. I was very pleased to hear that this current Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, year, we have seen the highest number Mr. Ningeongan. (interpretation ends) of interested students attending Arctic Madam Premier. College. With the interest arising through training, we can increase the Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): number of our employees. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect to the member’s question, I am quite I hear from the elders that the children, pleased that he raised that matter in his when they graduate grade 12, don’t need question. to just stop their education there. They need to go college and university. We When I was first elected, I stated that the need to plan for them to enter the reason why I ran was not because I colleges and universities. I am very wanted to represent women. I ran simply pleased to hear that from the elders because I felt I was capable of handling because we need to start hiring the position. I felt that I was ready professionals, such as teachers, nurses, personally to contend for this position. and people who work in the technical Nonetheless, when I was the minister areas. Further, we need to hire more responsible for the women’s secretariat Inuit in the senior management levels. and, in particular, after the women’s

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 17 conference, I saw that women were the member for that question. Ever since ready for more leadership positions. we were selected as ministers, we have had to work with our senior management I also had my eyes opened that yes, officials on a daily basis. Further, I when men and women work in tandem believe that a common understanding and in balance, they can work towards and communication is very important, the same goals. Women tend to be more especially when dealing with substantial focused on household issues, matters. If our staff misunderstood or relationships, and social issues, although we, as ministers, did not properly convey some men are also focused on these our instructions, then it sometimes leads issues. On the other hand, men are more to different perspectives that can result focused on hunting and outside jobs. in a totally different outcome than what However, both men and women place we wanted. great emphasis on these issues, but we need balance in our perspective. I consider it very important to discuss and negotiate and to ensure that you Also, with respect to the issue of the keep the lines of communication open to gender, do we need a Premier to be ensure that you have no female? Absolutely not. No matter what misunderstandings. This has to be an gender the Premier is, they have to be ongoing and daily occurrence between capable, dedicated to their position, and the deputy and the minister. In committed to their duties. Thank you, particular, part of the ongoing dialogue Mr. Chairman. includes updates on the department’s direction, human resource issues, as well Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, as what has to be brought up as issues Premier. Your second question, Mr. from that department. Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. Chairman.

Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the Premier Premier. Your third question, Mr. for her response. I want to raise another Ningeongan. question. With your position as Premier and the head of the House, you are the Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank head of the government and you are you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the Premier responsible for the government’s for responding to that question. In mandate. Can you provide a quick report thinking back to your response, I want to as to how you meet all of these issues now ask this question with respect to and challenges when you are in that your executive colleagues in cabinet. position? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since you are the leader of this group, would you describe your working Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, relationship in the same manner as per Mr. Ningeongan. (interpretation ends) your previous response with respect to Madam Premier. communications with your officials? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 18

Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, communication entails, including Mr. Ningeongan. (interpretation ends) discussions, debates, and visiting our Madam Premier. colleagues at their office. Sometimes we shuffle between offices to deal with Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): issues. The open door policy applies at Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is also the all times, especially to my ministers. I same in this case. However, there is keep them informed and remind them room for movement in this aspect, as I that if one of my colleagues requires my have always believed that good time, my office door is always open. communications is the backbone to a Thank you, Mr. Chairman. good working relationship. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, With respect to the individual ministers, Premier. Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. we also have to know what other At this time, I have no more names on departmental issues are, as well as what my list. Ms. Ugyuk. is occurring. Only in that manner can our working relationship manifest itself in a Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, visible manner. Additionally, we have to Mr. Chairman. After the 2008 elections work in partnership to meet the when you were selected as the Premier, objectives laid out in our Tamapta many women in Nunavut celebrated that Mandate. In order to meet the objectives, milestone. Women were ecstatic that we all departments have to be aware of how now had a female Premier and lots of other departments are working towards women were thankful on that occasion. those objectives. When you assumed your premiership, I would wish to make this addition to the public was informed that Inuit would that principle, Mr. Chairman, that as the be consulted by our government on the Premier, I work closely with the Qanukkanniq GN Report Card. Many ministers, especially with respect to their people are of the feeling that there are needs. In particular, when we are in too many consultations but not very session, I look for their opinions on many decisions based on these issues and try to find a common ground consultations. that the majority of the Executive Council can agree to. I try to build a When the government officials were common ground that the majority can trying to consult on this Qanukkanniq agree with. Once the majority of the GN Report Card, it seemed that they cabinet members agree on a direction, as were in a big rush as if they were the Premier, I have to move that impatient. When they arrived in the forward. That is another reason why community, it seemed that they only set communication is so vital to a good enough time to land, set up the meeting working relationship. and present their report. It seemed that they did not even want to hear the views If I were to express it in English, I would from the community members. In some say “majority decision.” That is the way cases, they did not even note the I run our executive meetings. It is concerns. exactly in that same manner that good

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With this type of hurried consultation, Nunavut government. Thank you, Mr. the result was the Tamapta Mandate. Chairman. That is what I want to ask about. What exactly comprises the Tamapta Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mandate? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Premier. Your second question, Ms. Ugyuk. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation ends) Madam Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): What the Premier. Premier stated has been touching up on the issue of devolution and that there are Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): negotiations with the federal Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect government. Are there other issues that to that issue, ever since we were elected, you are in dialogue with the federal the Qanukkanniq Report Card was the government? I would like to hear about biggest exercise in trying to involve Inuit dialogues that you have with the federal with respect to government operations. government, either three or four examples other than devolution. Thank All communities were visited and we you, Mr. Chairman. hired an independent consultant to do the visits. In different communities, we Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, hired Inuktitut-speaking people who Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation ends) Madam visited communities, held meetings, had Premier. a survey done by the website, and went on the radio. There was an ample Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): opportunity if anybody wanted to make a Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the comment. We gave them ample member for asking that question. opportunity and factored in the problems Devolution is very important and we are like weather and so on. working on other issues with the federal government, especially when something We wanted to get feedback from Inuit comes up that has to be discussed and from the people of Nunavut on what between our government and the federal they would like to see, especially in government. For example, we had to these three areas in regard to the make sure that the federal government Government of Nunavut: is the knew where we stood on the issue of Government of Nunavut functioning housing. I also try to educate the federal properly, is there a way to improve the government on Nunavut and its issues, system, and what is redundant in the especially training and skills Government of Nunavut. Those were the development. main areas. I talk to the federal government The report that came back was very occasionally and when I go down to thick with the comments we got from the Ottawa, I usually schedule meetings with people. A lot of them were thankful that federal ministers, depending on their they were given an opportunity to be availability. Open communication is asked about what they think of the very important to me, especially with the federal government and in particular,

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 20 with our Nunavut MP, Leona. I to develop infrastructure, such as communicate with her on a monthly highways to Nunavut and ports to basis and if I were to state it in English, offload ships. There have been several “regularly.” We usually call her and I am proposals to date. With respect to appreciative of the fact that the federal infrastructure project proposals, if you government officials are always were to look at it in today’s fiscal receptive. They always maintain that if I environment, where are these projects want to speak to them on issues, they are now in terms of the government? That is only a phone call away. my question to the Premier. Thank you.

We also correspond because the federal Chairman: Thank you. Madam Premier. government is involved. That also includes open communication with the Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): land claims organizations to keep them Thank you. After the ministers’ meeting abreast on what this government is which I believe was last month, we doing. So there has to be an exchange of focused on the Tamapta Mandate and information, especially with this the need and importance for this government. On a continual basis, we government to work on infrastructure meet with the Nunavut Tunngavik issues, such as wharfs, ports, president and the Department of EIA breakwaters, highways or roads, airports, officials also have monthly meetings which are very important to our Nunavut with NTI staff. Again, on the same basis, communities. the staff at the Department of EIA is in continuous contact with their federal I think it has been a few months that the government counterparts, particularly Minister of Economic Development and when they need more information on Transportation showed us and the City certain issues. of Iqaluit the architectural drawing of the Iqaluit terminal building. It is very busy I hope I responded adequately to her on any given day in the week. That is question. If I did not respond properly, especially important, as well as other she can request clarification. Thank you, large infrastructure like docks which can Mr. Chairman. be economically beneficial to the people of Nunavut. In the area of fisheries, the Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. ships or the fishing vessels fish in Your third question, Ms. Ugyuk. Nunavut and because we don’t have docks or ports, they go to Greenland to Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, offload. Mr. Chairman. As we were informed that we can only ask five questions to the As a government alone, because of Premier, I do not like to revisit these financial restraints, we cannot build all issues given our limited number of of those items. Of course, there is a questions. ceiling or a cap to the amount of money we have. Under the renewed or refined My third question that I want to raise is direction, we found it was very in respect to the Inuit organizations and important to work with other their development corporations that want organizations, especially privately

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 21 owned companies, for-profit companies, like Labrador, Northern Quebec, and the federal government, and private- federal government representatives were public partnerships where the here to attend the summit. Leona government works with private Aglukkaq was also there, who is our organizations to build large projects. federal representative. There were women from all jurisdictions and We are looking at the shrinking dollars countries attending that meeting. and the cap, which is way too low for the amount we needed. So we have to be One of the most important issues under open to the private sector out there to discussion was with respect to women in help us build large facilities in Nunavut. leadership roles. Women are always in Thank you, Mr. Chairman. leadership roles at home and very competent at it. There are women in Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, leadership roles in their communities, Premier. Your fourth question, Ms. and then over and above that, that was Ugyuk. one of the most important findings at that meeting. Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Yes, I would like to ask my fourth question on One delegate stated that she was too this subject. During this summer’s intimidated or not confident enough to Arnait Nipingit summit on leadership, take on a leadership role. However, at what recommendations came out of that that summit, with all of the presentations meeting? What about the Qulliit Status and further encouragement from their of Women Council? Are they shared fellow delegates, with stories from other recommendations with respect to women in leadership roles explaining leadership? Thank you. their experiences and discussions about what they wanted to see in their Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, communities and in Nunavut, and with Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation ends) Madam consensus on these types of leadership Premier. roles, it really encouraged women to go for these positions. Women attending Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): this meeting felt they were more Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since that confident to take on leadership roles. time I made a presentation to the Some of them said that when they go delegation of the Arnait Nipingit back to their communities, they will take summit, it was quite evident that there on new initiatives. We look forward to was a shared sense of pride amongst the the next general election where we will delegates. I believe that you also hopefully see more women elected to the witnessed this when you attended that seats. meeting as a delegate. My colleague was one of the invited delegates and she They also showcased arts and crafts attended that meeting. They knew that made by women, exchanging of ideas, they had the opportunity. and networking. So it was very helpful in those areas during the Arnait Nipingit Women from different communities in summit. They are being proud of being Nunavut and from outside of Nunavut an Inuk, being a woman, and being able

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 22 to flense skins. Sewing was showcased their careers and their lives. It provided a and some of them even tried flensing tremendous benefit to these graduates. sealskins for the first time, which gave This was a high priority for the them more confidence in taking on government. additional roles. They would like to see more of these types of summits held in Sometimes, as a government, we have to Nunavut. deal with very challenging and complex issues, and we have to make very hard Mr. Chairman, once available, I will decisions. This was one of those very table the Arnait Nipingit summit report. hard decisions that we had to face. Our Thank you, Mr. Speaker. government does identify that education is a high priority and this caused a lot of Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, angst when we were deliberating on this Premier. Your last question, Ms. Ugyuk. matter, particularly my colleague, the Minister of Finance. We had a hard time Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): My fifth dealing with this because we knew that question: when I first sat in the House education was a priority. the spring, one issue that I tried to speak to was the Akitsiraq Law Program. However, the first Akitsiraq Law Unfortunately the funding wasn’t Program was only a success because approved. This was going to be the many departments submitted standalone second program geared to training the funding. It was more standalone at that next generation of lawyers for Nunavut. point. However, after the next election, we basically walked into a crash that had My question is: why wasn’t the funding far-reaching repercussions, especially for the Akitsiraq Law Program when looking at finances. We had to approved? We all saw the benefits. It’s carefully review all priorities identified an opportunity for the Inuit to move to in Tamapta in light of the fact that professional levels. What we heard was funding was becoming an issue. that the federal government did not approve the funding for this program. Our current Nunavut government is very My question is: why is the Nunavut focused on the youth, when they start government not funding this program? kindergarten up to grade 12, because this Thank you. is very important for the government operations. As we all know, students in Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, kindergarten to grade 12 can go to the Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation ends) Madam Akitsiraq Law Program or to any Premier. university of their choice. We want Inuit to choose furthering their careers Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): anywhere. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s quite obvious, as I stated earlier, when I was We have to ensure that our students have speaking about women and the fact that a very solid educational foundation, they are building up their pride. A lot of especially if we want to see them the graduates of the Akitsiraq Law continue their education so they can Program were women. It has enhanced become legislators, lawyers, doctors, and

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 23 other professionals that require extensive of community freezers and I haven’t education in order to commit to a career. heard her mention that. I was wondering Furthermore, we have not forgotten that if she could expand on the idea of it is a priority of the Nunavut community freezers for all of Nunavut government. and when we can expect to see those coming. Thank you. My fellow Premiers from the NWT and the Yukon have dealt with these issues Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. because we have no universities Madam Premier. anywhere in the three northern territories. We are discussing and Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): negotiating this matter. My departmental Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This issue officials and senior management has been brought up by people very officials from the Nunavut Arctic proudly because it is part of our anti- College as well as the Department of poverty strategy. Currently many Education are still negotiating on how to communities have community freezers, best move forward on the idea of a but they are outdated and are very old. university for the North. They recognize the fact that the community freezers are old and when A lot of the programs and services they are old, they use a lot of electricity. currently available in the Nunavut Arctic College are good stepping stones to Within our plan, we are now working on move towards often better programs in the refined direction plan and once the future, such as the Nursing Program. everything has been written down, you We have started to create accounting will be provided with that information programs and we have the teacher regularly. I will keep you posted on the education program in the Nunavut Arctic progression of the community freezers. College. These are our foundation to try In looking at that, we have to work with and grow the number of programs and third parties and this was discussed. I educational courses we offer. We know believe and expect that we will continue for a fact that this is not the end but our negotiations in this regard. Thank rather just the beginning. Thank you, you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Madam Premier. Chairman: Thank you. The next Your second question, Mr. Elliott. member on my list is Mr. Elliott. Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I My understanding is that part of what we want to ask an additional question to are doing with the leadership review is what the hon. member from Baker Lake just to get an idea of where we have had asked. He had asked the Premier gone for the past two years and where about her top three priorities and she we are looking to go over the next two provided an answer. She had mentioned years. about the cabinet’s new direction until 2013. I believe one of the key features In terms of the Child and Family that were expressed in that was the idea Services Act, which is being reviewed

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 24 right now, the Premier had committed to Sometimes we have been subjected to and spoke in her opening comments legislation in the past with a real impact about the child and youth representative on our lives that really have no purpose and how that will happen in 2013. I’m or to restate it, legislation that is alien to just wondering if the Premier could sort Inuit. When legislation has that impact of outline in terms of how that will on our lives and it is alien to our people, happen in the life of this Legislative this government does not want to Assembly. Is the Premier looking at establish legislation for the sake of going the full five-year term to be able to passing laws. We wish to enact get these pieces of legislation and offices legislation that is specific to the Inuit established? and residents of Nunavut, to northerners’ customs and practices. We also must When I do the math, we are in [2010-11] keep in consideration the language of the and then there is 2011-12 and then there majority as well as their culture. This is is 2012-13. That is three more years that extremely important to our government. we will have been in our positions for a five-year term. Is that the direction that The Department of Health and Social cabinet and the Premier is going? Thank Services is now looking at the Child and you. Family Services Act and it contains exactly those types of issues I Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. mentioned. Additionally, with respect to Madam Premier. her question about the child and youth representative, it forms part of this Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): process. I envision that this legislation Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am very impacts the lives of Nunavummiut and proud of the Department of Health and in this case, the legislation will impact Social Services attempts to consult with our children when we are implementing the people of Nunavut with respect to the Child and Family Services Act. the Child and Family Services Act. It is very important because it contains a lot Therefore, due to the impacts, we want of programs and services for social to consult with the residents of Nunavut issues, and it deals with many matters as to what they want to see in the that are close to the hearts of Inuit and legislation. We can completely their homes. eviscerate the issues contained in this legislation. By first consulting our I am also quite satisfied and proud of residents about their concerns and after this department since they are using implementing these changes, we can various media to canvass Nunavummiut. determine what the role of the child and They are using meetings, electronic youth representative will be under the surveys, email questionnaires, written Child and Family Services Act. I want to surveys, and through all avenues, such as also note that this is an issue that my interviews on the telephone. This is very colleague totally concurs with, that we important because it may have a have to continue to consult on issues that tremendous impact on the lives of impact the lives of Nunavummiut. Nunavummiut.

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I have been deliberating up to today as to Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. how we can best make progress on this Madam Premier. issue so that we do not make our residents await this decision. However, it Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): is also important to have a proper plan Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect and to incorporate the recommendations to his assessment of my leadership style expressed by our residents respecting as not being forceful enough, which is this position of the child and youth perhaps what the member insinuated, I representative as it is laid out in the would coin my leadership style as legislation. Further, I want it understood having a very strong and solid that this position would not be within the foundation. Here is what I believe are public service but will be an arm’s- my strengths: as a leader, when a length position from the government. problem arises, I will not deal with it arbitrarily. I have to deliberate with my We also need to allocate the resources, cabinet members because they give me such as funding, office space, and so on, strength. We constantly believe that one in a proper manner. That is why we have Inuk has the power, but many people not created this position immediately. have strengths when they work together We have to be well prepared ahead of and they can generate more power that time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. way.

Chairman: Thank you. Your third As a leader, my most important issue is question, Mr. Elliott. to include all cabinet members. When we first heard about the $50 million Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. shortfall, we held a special emergency One of the criticisms I have heard from meeting at the cabinet level to discuss constituents in regard to the Premier’s this matter. I would also like to thank style of leadership is that it seems the them for providing assistance and Premier is not forceful enough in making support within the discussions. Within decisions. our plan, this is where our position is, so let us start moving. They discussed this In discussions with constituents, this was matter in that way, especially the shown when the first $50 million of the Minister of Finance. Nunavut Housing Trust over- commitment was announced, where a lot I probably lost sleep over this and I am of constituents felt that perhaps, and this sure cabinet members, when they first would be a judgment call on the heard that, lost sleep over this because it constituents’ behalf, that the minister of is very important. We worked together the day should have been removed from on this and made the plans. To date, we the portfolio and the Premier should are still working together and making have taken on the responsibility of the plans. If we do not give proper portfolio at that time. Could the Premier consideration to the issues being raised, explain her leadership style in the such as forensic audits and other audits, handling of decisions such as this? and if we worked on them without Thank you. having well prepared plans, then we would be rushing around. We wanted to

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 26 have it well planned. To date, this is not believes this and is passing this on, but completed yet. somewhere within the bureaucracy, that’s being overlooked. There are many more questions being posed by the members because of the The reason I say that is because I’ve had Nunavut Housing Corporation’s frontline workers come to me, and I shortfall. I am very pleased that they are won’t mention the departments, being able to ask that many questions because told by their supervisors and directors we are very concerned about it and I not to speak to me about issues relating believe that you are concerned about it to their department. I’m just wondering because it is an issue of concern. We what the Premier would do to rectify this have to work hard to deal with that to situation in terms of having employees make sure we don’t see this occur again scared to speak to their elected officials in the future. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. within their community, even about constituency issues. How she would go Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, about rectifying that, like she said, not Premier. At this time, it is almost lunch. from the top down but… . Thank you. We have to go home for lunch today, so we will break for lunch and resume at Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. one o’clock. Madam Premier.

>>Meeting recessed at 11:54 and Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you, Mr. resumed at 13:04 Chairman. I think it’s very important for everybody to know that we are trying to Chairman: Thank you. We have eliminate the atmosphere of fear, so to quorum now. We had Premier on the hot speak. It is important for our own seat and Mr. Elliott asking questions. We employees to be satisfied in their will continue. Your fourth question, Mr. workplace. We try to offer training Elliott. programs and other incentives to keep them on because I think it’s very Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. important for our employees to be Before lunch, when the Premier was enticed to be working for the answering some of the questions, she government. If they are not happy with talked about working together and the certain issues, then I would strongly open communication within cabinet and suggest that they speak to their also open communication within the supervisor and then take it from there. departments. Of course, the ministers here fully I know in the past during oral question understand the importance of addressing period, I would ask questions both to the something that needs to be fixed within Minister responsible for Human the system. (interpretation) Thank you. Resources and the Premier about how freely employees within the government Chairman: Thank you, Premier. Your can speak their mind without fear of fifth and final question, Mr. Elliott. retribution. I guess I would believe in speaking in the House that the Premier

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Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. and how the process came. Thank you, My next question is in regard to the issue Mr. Chairman. of seismic testing that happened this summer and the court injunction that Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, ensued with the Qikiqtani Inuit Premier. The next member who would Association getting involved. Another like to ask questions is Mr. Okalik. Your issue that Mr. Okalik has brought up was third question, Mr. Okalik. the idea of the teachers’ negotiations going through the court system to have Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, decisions within the court to force the Mr. Chairman. We have started to see government to act on certain issues. In different kinds of consultants coming terms of the Inuit associations, what type from the south. Looking at last year’s of activities will the Premier do to sort of figures, it outlines who were awarded build on, possibly, the relationship or the contracts by the Nunavut government. partnership that has kind of been On one of the pages, there is deteriorated over these types of approximately $2 million that were activities? Thank you. awarded to consultants coming in from the south that were paid for by the Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. government. Madam Premier. Our government tells us how we are Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you, Mr. short of money. Yet, there are a lot of Chairman. I think the relationships services and programs that between Inuit organizations and the Nunavummiut demand that the Nunavut government are pretty strong government cannot bring forward, such and increasing to be so. as the Akitsiraq Law Program that my colleague asked earlier. Even the The GN acted in compliance with the Akitsiraq program would cost less than provisions set out in the Nunavut Land $1 million annually and we would have Claims Agreement. This project was more than 20 students in the Akitsiraq vetted through the Nunavut Impact program. Review Board under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. If I may reiterate, My question is: what is the Premier’s this process is co-managed by Inuit. NTI plan on decreasing the number of has four members within the Nunavut southern consultants coming up here Impact Review Board, there are two doing contract work for the Nunavut members from the Government of government? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Canada, and there are two members from the Government of Nunavut. So, Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, obviously, we have to be cognizant of Mr. Okalik. (interpretation ends) Madam the decisions that are made by Inuit Premier. organizations. Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): It’s important to help the public Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When I first understand where we are coming from came into the government, I looked at how much was being contracted out by

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 28 the Nunavut government. I still see the think it’s up to this government to look need to use southern consultants because at how the communities can become we don’t have very many staff. stronger and more self-sufficient. We have to look at those issues and see what We especially award contracts to we can do to help that become a reality southern firms when there is no in our communities. That is my question. company up here nor the staff that can Thank you, Mr. Chairman. do the work required. I still look forward to seeing training being developed so Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, that we can decrease the amount of Mr. Okalik. Premier Aariak. southern contractors we hire as the government. If we look at the Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): contracting services, we wanted to get Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is a very arm’s-length consulting firms to work excellent question and I thank the for us so that their opinion would be member for posing it. In regard to social unbiased. issues, it is very important to our communities and to our people. Looking Our employees are increasing in at suicides, criminal activities and other numbers and looking at the number of dysfunctions that break up a family, we graduates, there are still potential have to do a lot of things to fix these. I employees out there, but we still need am very pleased that the Department of more. We hire consultants for a short- Health and Social Services is looking at term basis. We are looking at decreasing the Child and Family Services Act the number of consultants but, at times, because it affects it in some ways. we have no other alternatives except to hire southern contractors. Thank you, We have programs within the Nunavut Mr. Chairman. government, for example, and there are some in the planning stages. The Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, government is working on the poverty Premier. Your fourth question, Mr. reduction plan, suicide prevention, and Okalik. other social problems. I know that if we can decrease the amount of social Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, problems, it will be obvious that the Mr. Chairman. We do see different government is doing something about it activities going on, especially this year, and is effective. some of the people of Nunavut went through very challenging times. We have The member also stated that the seen murders and other social communities have to strengthen dysfunctions in our communities. themselves and I believe in that. For social issues in the communities, we We want to provide support to the know that there are a lot of people who Nunavut communities, not only in the work on a volunteer basis and I hear immediate day but we have to a long- about the men’s healing circles that are term plan to make changes in our working on their social issues. There are society. There are communities that are auxiliary women’s organizations that are going through very challenging times. I working on social issues to become

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 29 better and stronger. Through the Arctic (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. College, there are also training programs Chairman. on psychology and other social-related programs available. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Okalik. Madam Premier. We are seeing an increase in the number of students through education and Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): training and through the communities Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Whistle- taking their own initiatives. Those are blower legislation is very important avenues that we can work on because the because I used to be a government communities are very strong once they employee with the human resources work together. We have seen that if department. That department used to get communities take the initiative and if complaints about work-related issues. they feel strong enough about an issue, they will work on it and we have to If you can recall, last year, the women’s realize that. We have to get them the organization was thinking about setting support they need as a government up a complaint department. We have an through our programs and through opportunity, especially through the lobbying the educational institutions to Public Service Act, to protect people have more programs such as that. Thank who witness unfortunate incidents. It’s you, Mr. Chairman. already in place. It’s already under the Public Service Act. Maybe what we Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, should do is make sure that piece of Premier. Your fifth and final question, legislation is known by employees. Mr. Okalik. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Premier. Mr. Ningark will now be asking During the last Assembly, I had his third question. submitted a legislative proposal to introduce whistle-blower legislation to Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank protect those employees that may you, Mr. Chairman. The third question I experience or witness wrongdoing would like to ask the Premier, and it is within the government or in its agencies, up to her whether to answer it or not, if and unfortunately it died with the she could say yes, no, or maybe to my government. question. You stated that you are working with the cabinet members even I am hoping that during this session, we though you are spearheading the cabinet can introduce legislation to protect those members. Under your leadership, how who may witness unfortunate incidents do you work closely with the cabinet? within our government and be protected For example, do they tell you if you by legislation. I ask the government should be lobbying more, if you should again: will this government consider be more vocal, or if you should be more whistle-blower legislation and pass it aggressive in doing your roles and during the remainder of our term? responsibilities? I’ll leave it at her

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 30 discretion to respond. Thank you, Mr. Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the member for asking that question. I think Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, this is not the first time that this issue Mr. Ningark. (interpretation ends) has been brought up and it’s very Madam Premier. interesting. We have to look at various options, different options, and we also Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): look at the number of cabinet members, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want very if that’s a good number or if we need much to respond to your question more. Those would be good questions to because it’s very important to me. I have ask during the Electoral Boundaries been told by some of my ministerial Commission tour. It is something that colleagues on how I can improve would be best if it was considered by the because we have to work together. As people of Nunavut. Thank you. the Premier especially and looking at the responsibilities, you don’t see the whole Chairman: Thank you. I have no more picture. Due to that, I look forward and I names on my list. (interpretation) I think want to keep going about the ministers we have concluded with the Premier. Do telling me how to make improvements, you agree? and that may be more vocal after the leadership review to me and to their Some Members: Agreed. colleagues. I support that, and I want to see it keep going. Thank you, Mr. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Chairman. Thank you very much, Premier. We will then move on to the ministers. I will call Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, on the Hon. Tagak Curley to deliver his Premier. Your fourth question, Mr. statements and I remind the minister that Ningark. you have up to 10 minutes to deliver your statement. Once that is concluded, I Mr. Ningark (interpretation): My fourth will give the regular members an question, Mr. Chairman, is I would like opportunity to ask questions to Mr. to know what the Premier thinks about Curley. the Premier being selected by their peers and the ministers being selected by their Ministers’ Opening Statements peers. Do you think it would be better if we elected a Premier from out there and Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): the Premier was able to select his or her Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased own cabinet? Have you ever considered that we have come to this point. this during your term? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I would like to thank the Premier and my colleagues for Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, entrusting me with the portfolio of Mr. Ningark. (interpretation ends) Health and Social Services. My Madam Premier. colleagues selected me to become a member of the cabinet and I would like to thank them. I especially would like to

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thank the people of Nunavut and the you are in the world, including North people of Rankin Inlet, who are listening America and not just in Nunavut, we are to the proceedings. I received a call all having difficulties trying to budget earlier saying that they are listening to for health programs. Even in all the proceedings. Canadian provinces, they are experiencing difficulty in paying for I will briefly summarize what we have their health services. done within our cabinet. Yes, we debate the matters amongst ourselves within the Mr. Chairman, I can tell you that we cabinet and we do not always agree with have initiated programs that can be each other. I am very proud of my envisioned by the people of Nunavut so colleagues for the way they are that they can be assisted or be treated in forthright and fearless in our work Nunavut because we receive funding together, and I wanted you to know that. from the federal government and the public health agencies provide support When I took on the ministerial duties for our services. and despite the fact that the department is quite difficult to take on, I am very Let us remember that we should take pleased to have taken on this portfolio in care of ourselves so that we can live a January 2009, which at the time we had healthier life and that way, there will be to wait for the election of John Ningark fewer ailments. It translates in English, in the by-election. Since his arrival in the (interpretation ends) promoting wellness House, I was very proud of my staff and preventing illness. (interpretation) under our department. I would also like Although it is going to take a while to to thank my Deputy Minister, Alex implement this, we will not stop working Campbell, because he has a very on it. difficult task to work on. One of the reasons why it made it more difficult is Mr. Chairman, just last year, I wanted to because some of our positions were make a comment in regard to this issue vacant for a long time. because we faced difficult issues when the H1N1 sickness came. We dealt with Mr. Chairman, I would like to say, first that illness for six months, especially the of all, and we can say that no matter how people who work under the health well educated we are, whether we are department in the communities, but, Mr. hunters or a family living at home, we Chairman, in spite of that, we overcame all do get sick. For that reason, no matter the sickness and I would like to thank what culture we live in, whether we are the people of Nunavut for being patient. Inuit or non-Inuit, we provide these programs and services to the public. I would like to touch up on a few issues They have to be open to everyone. because many people have asked many questions in regard to the Child and In regard to finances, Mr. Chairman, it is Family Services Act that needs to be often a tough issue and which my amended and updated. It places too colleagues know. I thank them for much authority with the government and making the necessary approvals on changes are necessary. It has been behalf of Nunavutmiut. No matter where delayed by approximately three months,

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 32 partly due to bad weather when federal government, and we won’t stop travelling into the communities, but we working on that. will catch up. Prior to the term being completed, we would like to table that Lastly, the issue I want to bring up and legislation, and we will provide it to you one that we worked hard on is in regard and ask you for support on the Child and to the Suicide Prevention Strategy. Many Family Services Act review. people worked on that and cabinet approved the strategy so that that In regard to the Public Health Strategy, I funding can be provided. The people in would like to thank my colleague, Mr. the communities who deliver healing Ron Elliott, for bringing this up. Leona programs need to provide support and Aglukkaq was the minister back in 2007 assistance to young people so that young when she initiated the Public Health people will not just be depressed. Those Strategy. Quite a few communities were strategies need to reach into the homes under community wellness programs. of our people. For example, if we all quit smoking in Nunavut, it would be very positive and Mr. Chairman, one thing that I am very we are working on some programs such proud of too is the Midwifery Program as that. which started in Rankin Inlet. We have Inuit midwife programs that have Mr. Chairman, one thing that I am very reached all the way to Cambridge Bay. proud to talk about, and I know that That program will reach more someone is going to ask a question, is communities, although we will not likely nurses. Our department has set up the reach all communities, and we will keep Nursing Recruitment and Retention pushing that. Strategy. We opened the door to request for nurses and we made their pay scales Mr. Chairman, I can talk about a lot of more consistent, and we helped develop issues, but since I’m running out of time, further on this. Inuit have gone through I would like to thank my colleagues. the Nursing Program and have graduated. When I took on the portfolio of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, which We still have a lot to do, Mr. Chairman. everyone is concerned about, I can tell We are now working on the terms of you briefly that we’re working on it and references for health committees in the we’re going to improve it. I believe that communities and will not stop working no matter who is going to take on that on that. We are still going to continue portfolio, we need to have a solid our work on how we can work closely foundation for that department. with the municipalities. I’ll conclude with that, and I thank the In regard to boarding homes for out-of- people of Nunavut when we go out territory patient services in Yellowknife, visiting to the communities and I thank Ottawa, Edmonton, and patient homes, them for their good reception. Thank there is one in Rankin Inlet and we need you, Mr. Chairman. to consider at least Cambridge Bay if we are able to get some funding from the >>Applause

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Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, with each other, but we have to work Mr. Curley. I would like to recognize together and we can accomplish a lot by Hon. Lorne Kusugak. I remind the working together. In view of that, when members that you have 10 minutes to we have to make decisions on huge deliver your statement. Mr. Kusugak. infrastructure, it’s very difficult to agree with each other. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you. Thank you for giving me the As a Minister of Community and opportunity to make my statement. I Government Services, one of my would also like to thank my colleagues important priorities is to make sure that for selecting me into the cabinet, and I the municipalities have the proper promised that I would work to the best equipment and tools so that the of my ability and contribute towards community can function properly. We Nunavut moving forward. rely on the regular members to help us to make those decisions. We had many issues to deal with within the Government of Nunavut. One thing Before I took on the portfolio of that we need to remember is that one Community and Government Services, I individual, no matter who it is, has no worked as a mayor, along with some strength to make a decision on his or her members sitting here who have also been own. We have to work as a unified mayors of their communities. We group under consensus government. worked hard and we work together when Whether it is one individual or two the municipality meets together and try individuals, they cannot make a decision to change the mind of the government so to move that school into that community that we can fulfill the hamlet councils’ or to move this community hall into that priorities. As a minister, now I see the community. The majority of the questions that we used to pose. It wakes members here at the legislature always you up and makes you realize where the make the decisions. problem areas were or where the stumbling blocks were to learn all of Sometimes people forget that we work these things. very closely together under the consensus government. We agree By looking at everything, you can move amongst each other, and there are forward, but everything is not that easy. regular members and cabinet members We have to make difficult decisions. that say that… as if we’re opposition. Sometimes when we say something, The way I view it is it’s not that way. I other people misunderstand it and make don’t see it as our opposition when you those things very heavy issues. When we are a regular member because we work have financial constraints, even though closely together and we have we want to provide funding to the accomplished huge issues together by municipalities, we have to provide working together, even though we can funding to their health and education. never agree with each other. They all want the funding for their programs and services. Even though we Likewise with the regular members and say yes, it’s impossible to provide the cabinet members, we can never agree

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 34 entire funding. The decisions are not However, they need to know exactly always easy. what is required of them in order to succeed. They often face pressures As the minister for this department, I directly as a result of some of our believe our department is moving decisions, and I think it is important to forward because we have done help them understand why certain infrastructure surveys within the decisions are made. I try to ensure that communities. Once we get the results, this information is passed down through we will have a better idea on what needs my senior staff. to be changed because this is going to be very helpful for the hamlets in the future I think you will agree that you may when they plan for it. continue to hear a lot about various studies going on through CGS. Areas, I have lobbied my cabinet colleagues to such as utilidor replacement, waste make sure that the hamlet councils management, granular, and on, and on, receive proper funding for snow removal and on, and on, that factors that too and heavy equipment so that the many times action is taken without municipalities can purchase their own knowing all of the needs of or preparing heavy equipment, even though that was for all of the costs, then we end up with not the usual practice in the past. If we a patchwork of programs and an need to increase, yes, and if we need that inefficient use of resources, which we amended, yes. At least the communities are unable to sustain. While I have been can purchase their heavy equipment on frustrated at times with these studies, their own. I believe that’s a good goal. just like you, I have come to realize that when done properly, we all benefit. One of my goals for buildings that are underused… and my colleagues hear We need to think longer term, we need from the athletes who play hockey to plan well, and then we can benefit complaining about the lack of ice from sustainable programming. I believe forming in the arenas. Sometimes they that we are now beginning to fully only use the arena for one month even recognize all of this and are moving in though they are very expensive to build. the right direction. This will benefit Last summer, there were three Nunavummiut in the future and not just communities that were given equipment address current needs. to make artificial ice. There are four now. After two years, there will be more Current needs are always important and communities receiving artificial ice when trying to address these, I surfacing equipment. I would like to see encourage staff at CGS, Energy, and that continue to the communities. now Qulliq Energy Corporation to think outside the box. Tried and true methods (interpretation ends) As a Member of the are obviously good. However, it doesn’t Executive Council, one of my main hurt to explore whether there is a better preoccupations has been to try and bring way. As I continue to discuss issues with some semblance of order to the many the staff within my portfolios, I always areas that our department covers. We tend to discuss alternate points of view have very many good employees.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 35 or methods and intend to continue Mr. Chairman, I want to thank all of my encouraging this. colleagues for this opportunity to be here today. I was honoured when you At this point in time, I would also like to selected me. As a Member of the think that I have been responsive to your Executive Council, I am thankful to requests as well. I know how important share some experiences from the last two it is to provide information to members years. I am sure that we all agree that in response to community concerns. this is an important process for a Unfortunately, not all responses could be consensus government. In fact, I have positive. There are tough choices at experienced both sides now because I times. was on that side in the Second Assembly, so I get the benefits of your (interpretation) I want to work really experience on this side. hard on behalf of Nunavummiut to assist them because that is what I promised Mr. Chairman, when I became a when I was elected. Before I finish, I minister, I knew it required hard work would especially like to thank my and long hours, and that would mean constituents of Whale Cove and Rankin more time away from my family and my Inlet. I want to be able to visit them constituency of Cambridge Bay. I also more often and they know that we work recognized that I would be accepting the hard on their behalf. duty to represent Nunavummiut across all regions and to make tough decisions Lastly, my two daughters are in living in on their behalf. I didn’t realize how Rankin Inlet and I hardly see them or my tough those decisions would be until I grandchild. I would like to thank them went to a Christmas party here in greatly because they have a clear December 2008 and the people who understanding that I am here for the organized the Christmas party gave me a benefit of Nunavummiut. set of all-purpose business cards to help me make my decisions. The cards were Thank you, and if there are any like little business cards that said, “No,” questions, I will try my best to answer. “Maybe,” “I’ll think about it,” “Never.” Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I couldn’t find one card that said, “Yes.” That gave me a pretty good hint of what >>Applause was coming.

Chairman: Thank you. I will now call Mr. Chairman, I can still recall that one on Minister Peterson to deliver his of my first duties as the Minister of statement. You have 10 minutes to Finance was to attend the finance deliver your statement, Hon. Keith ministers’ meeting in Saskatoon in Peterson. December 2008. I recall the mood was very gloomy; I have never been to a Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. gloomier meeting. The global economy Chairman. Just before I begin, I would was in its worst shape since the Great like to thank Premier Aariak for giving Depression. By the end of the meeting, me the confidence to be the Minister of however, all of Canada’s finance Justice and the Minister of Finance. ministers had unanimously agreed to put

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 36 aside their differences and work together winter. In the winter session, I will bring to find solutions, and I am thankful that forward our fiscal plan to tackle this we did. challenge. We are learning from has occurred, I can assure you of that, and I We are starting to see increased am confident that the future mega-scale investment across our country and a housing projects will be better managed more stable economy, and we are still and delivered in Nunavut. working together, Mr. Chairman. We recognize that health care costs are Basically we are facing many escalating across Canada, and my challenges, but we are also making experience for two months of Minister significant progress. Our finance Curley’s portfolio of Health has given department is working to strengthen me a great insight into the challenges financial management across facing the health department. government. The Auditor General and the standing committee have made their This year, in particular, has been a recommendations and we take them difficult one for our government. We seriously. We are moving forward and had to address $60 million in over- this year, we are on track to table the expenditures from the Nunavut Housing public accounts during the winter sitting. Trust. I’ve had many sleepless nights since the first phone call I got early April Mr. Chairman, the Minister’s Task Force from my colleague, Mr. Tootoo, early on the Review of the Liquor Act is this year. Working together, however, visiting all communities in Nunavut. I Mr. Chairman, we approved a four-point am very pleased to acknowledge two fiscal action plan to address the shortfall. colleagues on the other side of the House Our plan required prudence and sacrifice for their participation in that important on behalf of all of my colleagues in task force. They began their work earlier cabinet and their departments. I was very this year and their visits to two heartened by the effort to pull together to communities have been well received. I address that issue. am hoping that I’ll see the task force in Cambridge Bay later this month. Today, we have another challenge caused by the shortfall within the Nunavummiut are eager to share their Affordable Housing Initiative of up to thoughts and their concerns on this $50 million. My colleague, again, important review. I am looking forward Minister Curley, who’s got that to their report and recommendations portfolio, and I are working very hard on next year. I think we can all agree that finalizing a delivery strategy and alcohol is hurting our communities and implantation plan to complete the is the root of a lot of our violence. I’m housing units. We recognize, all of us working with Mr. Schell to help his here, I think everybody understands that community overcome their recent building houses for people across tragedies. Nunavut is our top priority. We have so many people on a waiting list for houses. As Minister of Justice, I focus a This plan may have implications on our significant amount of time working main estimates and our capital plan this towards strengthening our territorial

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justice system. Corrections, community The Department of Justice and the justice programs, policing, and legal aid RCMP recently worked with six are all pivotal to the future success of communities on a pilot crime prevention our territory. Last June, we opened a and reduction planning initiative. Action women’s healing facility here in Iqaluit. plans for each community were This facility helps alleviate some of the developed with input by community overcrowding issues at the Baffin members, with town hall meetings, Correctional Centre and provides meetings with hamlet councils, and other specialized rehabilitation programs for individuals. The action plans have been our female offenders. The Rankin Inlet submitted back to the communities and Men’s Healing Centre is on schedule to the department and the RCMP will work open next fall and will help alleviate closely with the communities to overcrowding at the Baffin Correctional implement and monitor these plans. Centre and provide rehabilitation We’re hopeful that they will be programs to offenders closer to home. successful and we can implement what We are also working very hard to we learned from those action plans in encourage outpost camp operators to those communities and other contact us to enable better access to our communities in Nunavut. on-the-land programs, which we feel are very important to the communities. In closing, Mr. Chairman, I want to acknowledge all of my employees for Mr. Chairman, the RCMP recognizes the their hard work and dedicated services. need for a more representational police It’s been a long, hard, tough two years in force. We have heard this for many years many fronts. Without the advice, hard at the Nunavut Association of work, experience, knowledge, and Municipalities from all of the mayors support of all our employees, any and from MLAs and ministers. Some minister will tell you that we wouldn’t plans are in place and a number of be able to deliver all of the programs and beneficiaries will soon commence services to Nunavummiut that we have, training at depot in Regina, so I would like to acknowledge their Saskatchewan later this month in order significant contributions. They make the to become RCMP Inuit Special ministers look good, they make the Constables. We are shooting for five entire government and they make all of recruits. The RCMP have also extended us look good when they deliver our their posting time from two to four years programs. so that members can better integrate into our communities and get to know the Mr. Chairman, as ministers and MLAs in people better. civil service, we will continue to face many challenges and opportunities ahead I think we can take a moment to reflect as we strive to make Nunavut a safer and and appreciate the tremendous better place to live for all of us. This responsibilities that the RCMP have in House, all of us, MLAs and ministers our communities and making them safe need to work together on realistic and for people to live their lives. practical solutions in order to obtain our overall long-term stability as we outline in our Tamapta plan of last October.

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With that, Mr. Chairman, I’ll conclude you for your faith and confidence in me. my comments. I’ll be pleased to take I hope you will agree that I have been questions at the appropriate time. Thank trustworthy, honest, a good listener, a you, Mr. Chairman. strong supporter and promoter for the concerns of my constituency, and a loyal >>Applause minister and a member of the Government of Nunavut. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. I’ll now call on Minister Shewchuk to As the Minister responsible for Human deliver his statement. You have up to 10 Resources, the Nunavut Arctic College, minutes to deliver your statement. Hon. and Environment, and as a Member for Daniel Shewchuk. Arviat, I have ensured that all priorities for Nunavut that fall under my Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, responsibilities have been addressed Mr. Chairman. Madam Premier, thoroughly and with integrity. My main Members of the Legislative Assembly, focus has been to promote the highest fellow cabinet ministers, ladies and level of good for Nunavut, its people, its gentlemen, and the constituents of land, and its renewable resources in a Arviat, I am extremely pleased to be manner that will ensure a sustainable here today to address the Premier and Nunavut now and for generations to my colleagues and tell you a bit of some come. I have continually worked with all of the achievements that I have been of the Inuit organizations of all of our able to accomplish with the support of communities, ensuring that Nunavut all of you the last two years. priorities and concerns are dealt with in a manner that promotes our Firstly, Mr. Chairman, I must thank my government’s vision, mission, and constituency, the people of Arviat, for mandate. electing me to represent them. I have been thrilled ever since the day I was In the last two years I was elected, I have elected, realizing the trust and the taken the vision set our in Tamapta and confidence they have placed in me to be ran with it. I would like to take a few our community’s representative and the moments to share a few of the one responsible for our community and accomplishments I have been able to the Government of Nunavut. achieve over the past two years representing my riding in the Territory Secondly, I would like to thank all of the of Nunavut. Regular Members of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly. I am truly Mr. Chairman, receiving 1,350 tonnes of honoured to have been elected by my a 1,500-tonne quota in the NAFO 0B esteemed colleagues to the position of a Division, allowing Nunavut to hold 41 cabinet minister in this third government percent of the turbot quota in that of the Territory of Nunavut. Since management area, my department also starting this role, I have been determined provided industry with an opportunity to to reflect the qualities that you have obtain five fixed gear licences, giving considered necessary requirements for Nunavut access to an additional 900 the job of a leader and a minister. Thank tonnes of turbot. Without this

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opportunity, we would have been locked We are continuing to build on the very out of the fishery indefinitely. I must positive outcomes of this symposium, emphasize that this was accomplished and you will continue to see many only through face-to-face meetings with examples of this across Nunavut. federal government ministers and involving our partners, NTI, and the Mr. Chairman, I have contributed to the fishing industry. On behalf of the United Nations Framework Convention Department of Environment, I have on Climate Change, bringing Nunavut come a long way in improving issues to the table and ensuring that the Nunavut’s turbot fishery. However, this concerns of the North are included in work is yet not complete. I will continue international negotiations. Additionally, to seek a fair and equitable share for all we are in the final stages of completing a of Nunavut’s adjacent fishery resources. climate change adaptation plan for Nunavut. This will be finished before the Mr. Chairman, to our sealing industry, end of this year. we are in unanimous support of the Fur Institute of Canada and the Inuit Tapiriit Hon. Chairman, we have changed the Kanatami on their position against the structure of our human resources European Court’s decision and European department to better serve Nunavutmiut. seal ban. Please note, however, we will We listened to the Office of the Auditor continue to promote our sealskins and General and followed with an continue to support our seal harvesters organizational review, which strengthens territorially, nationally, and Nunavut’s public services and provides internationally while, at the same time, better and more efficient frontline maintain our fight against the EU seal delivery. We are lessening our hiring ban. times by altering our staffing procedures to better track the competition process, Mr. Chairman, we held a prominent thus reducing delays. We have also wildlife symposium in Rankin Inlet in changed our staffing procedures to better the winter of 2009. It was an outstanding train all government employees, example of working together for the enabling them to achieve the skill levels future of wildlife management. The necessary to carry out their jobs. All of Nunavut Inuit Secretariat, the Nunavut these benefits occur as a result of the Wildlife Management Board, Nunavut cooperation from all departments in the Tunngavik Incorporated, and the government and with training provided Department of Environment came by the Nunavut Arctic College. together in the spirit of IQ principle Piliriiqatigiinniq to improve We are also very focused on Article 23 communication and working of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, relationships of all those involved in targeting Inuit employment within the wildlife management in Nunavut. Government of Nunavut and even Scientists, elders, co-management ensuring that training for specialized partners, and community members positions in the private sector are filed worked together to strengthen the by Inuit. This has been a top priority, as foundation of our cooperative work in evidenced in the training programs wildlife co-management in this territory. facilitated in partnership with the Arctic

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College, the Nunavut Fisheries Training The Nunavut Artic College capital Consortium, and with industry. My projects support regional community department has also been actively programs. Some of these include a new promoting on-the-job training to Inuit on community learning centre in Pond Inlet board vessels operating in the fisheries and another being completed in industry in Nunavut. Additionally, we Qikiqtarjuaq. There are also plans for have been tirelessly working with our centres in Grise Fiord, Whale Cove, and GN departments towards better staffing, Iqaluit. We are presently finishing our recruitment, and retention so everyone new trades training centre and the understands their role in accomplishing Nunavut Research Institute, which these goals. supports units in Igloolik, Arviat, Cambridge Bay, and Rankin Inlet. We Throughout Nunavut Arctic College and also have underway a new Kitikmeot its partners, we have increased post- campus and mine training centre. secondary opportunities in all Additionally, our cyber infrastructure occupational categories from training to project will provide community-based professional education, and this falls access to distant learning throughout directly under Tamapta: Building Our Nunavut. Future Together, Nunavut Arctic College has broadened its programs and Mr. Chairman, I have omitted many strengthened its community presence accomplishments, too numerous to through community learning centres in mention with the allotted time. I would every community. Each community like to say, however, that being a learning centre is staffed by a full-time minister is extremely challenging, adult educator and these community particularly when you are striving learning centres have contributed towards making a significant significantly and progressively to the contribution to both Nunavut and your college enrolment growth from 1,061 in community. As ministers, we must keep 2008 to 1,333 in 2010. up to date on the issues, sacrifice significant time, and expend long, hard Nunavut Arctic College programs are days carrying out our ministerial duties. now more accessible both regionally and We must be responsible to the territory in the communities. The trades training and a credible politician not only centre, which is open, provides training nationally but also with our international to apprentices in the fields of electricity, stakeholders. plumbing, housing maintenance, and oil burners. Mine training is being offered In summary, Mr. Chairman, I would like in a number of Kivalliq and Kitikmeot to state that all of these great successes communities. Teacher education is we have been able to accomplish in the available in Iqaluit and nine other last two years energized and inspired me communities in Nunavut. The Arctic to do even more. Therefore, if I am Nursing Degree is being offered in granted the confidence of this House to Iqaluit and practical nurse diplomas are carry on as a minister, you can rest planned for delivery in Cambridge Bay assured that I will continue to perform and Rankin Inlet. with the passion and dedication I have demonstrated to all members to date.

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With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to The economic outlook for Nunavut is answer any questions the members may optimistic. Nunavut is currently enjoying have after we’re done here. Thank you a strong economic growth. The growth is very much. coming from an area that I’m passionate about, and that’s mining and mineral >>Applause development. This sector is important to Nunavut. As an example, the Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Meadowbank gold mine is expected to Minister. I’ll now call on Minister contribute at least $300 million to Taptuna to deliver his statement. You Nunavut’s gross domestic product have up to 10 minutes to deliver your annually. There is also another new mine statement. (interpretation ends) Hon. that is getting close to production in the Peter Taptuna. Kitikmeot region. Newmont Mining is continuing pre-development and Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. exploration activity this year on the Chairman. Good afternoon, colleagues, Hope Bay gold project near Cambridge Nunavummiut, and especially the people Bay. These kinds of mining of Kugluktuk. developments allow Nunavummiut to participate in employment and training I would like to thank the Hon. Members opportunities. of this Assembly for the trust they showed for me two years ago when they Mr. Chairman, it is important to elected me as a Member of the recognize the economic spinoffs of these Executive Council. I would like to thank activities because they have a direct the Premier for showing trust in me in impact on small communities, especially assigning me the Economic in the communities that are located Development and Transportation adjacent to the mines. There has been an portfolio. Two years have already gone increase in such communities as Baker by and the months have been filled with Lake in the purchase of new snow productive, exciting, and sometimes not machines, snowmobiles, hunting so exciting challenges. equipment, ATVs, cars, and bigger items that would not have been possible had I would like to outline some of the the mining company not taken any accomplishments that I feel my interest in Nunavut. department has made using the government’s Tamapta Mandate as our At different times over the last three foundation and guideline. I have been years, I have represented Nunavut at honoured to work on some important mining industry events, all the way from files that I feel have brought results and Halifax and across to Vancouver. I had an impact on the lives of believe that, through these events, I have Nunavummiut. Examples of such work helped inspire investor confidence in include reducing poverty, supporting Nunavut. Mining is an important driver sustainable community-based of our economy and the economic economies, and increasing support for growth that we are seeing in Nunavut is culture and the arts. I will go into further predominantly coming from the rebound details in regard to this important work.

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of mineral exploration activity within We are supporting the tourism sector by Nunavut. working on a comprehensive tourism strategy aimed at increasing investment, We have worked to support the marketing, and training. We have implementation of the Nunavut Land reorganized the department and created a Claims Agreement dealing with resource new division within our department so development. We are also active in this that it has the capacity to take on area by providing input into the leadership in the tourism sector. environmental assessment process and the development of the land use planning I have committed to working on the framework. government’s Poverty Reduction Action Plan and to reducing poverty and its Mr. Chairman and colleagues, I have effects on Nunavummiut. I feel really faith in the regulatory process as set out strongly that a prosperous economy is no by the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. great achievement if many of our I am confident that by working within citizens in Nunavut live in poverty and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, hopelessness. Poverty is a complex we can develop Nunavut’s resources and problem that cannot be addressed achieve a high standard and sustainable effectively by government alone or by quality of life for our people in Nunavut. any one organization. With this in mind, I cannot help but think that in trying to Mr. Chairman, our fishery continues to reduce poverty, one must look at him or enjoy steady growth. With access to herself and make the conscious decision more quotas this year, we have made to do something about it. investments in our fishing fleet to make sure that the quota translates into more Standing up on your own feet and economic benefits for Nunavummiut. In becoming self-sufficient starts at home, fact, I am very pleased to say that my it starts by the dream of wanting to go to department provided funds to six HTOs school or back to school, if you have left in order for them to exercise an school before, finishing your education, opportunity to buy an equity position in or wanting to go to work and learn new fishing boats over the next several years. skills. These are all part of the picture that leads to an individual deciding what My department recently paid for the kind of life he or she is going to have. So most comprehensive economic impact we all need to work together to complete study ever compiled on the arts and the picture of creating healthy and crafts sector in Nunavut. I was vibrant communities. pleasantly surprised to find out that the overall value of the arts and crafts sector With this in mind, I was honoured to be is $52 million and it creates over 1,000 named the Government of Nunavut’s full-time equivalent jobs for Nunavut. representative on the important work This sector is very important to Nunavut through my role as co-chair and I look and my department will continue to forward to working with our partners support this sector through the programs within the Inuit organizations, non-profit and services that it offers. organizations, and the business community. Of course, to be successful

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 43 in this, we have to work together to infrastructure into Nunavut over the next develop the Poverty Reduction Action several years. Plan for all Nunavummiut. Our infrastructure deficit includes roads, Infrastructure development is a critical or a lack of. As we all know, Nunavut is need in Nunavut and the lack of the only jurisdiction in Canada without a transportation infrastructure stands as land link to the rest of Canada. Projects one of the greatest barriers to economic like the Nunavut-Manitoba Road and the development. Although we don’t have Bathurst Inlet Port and Road have much funds to implement and complete potential to open vast resource all of the transportation infrastructure development opportunities for our requirements for Nunavut, we have been people in Nunavut. They are ambitious able to address some challenges. projects, but we have been making progress. For example, access to affordable transportation is a challenge to many It’s easy to think about all of the things Nunavummiut. I have made addressing that we don’t have in Nunavut when it the cost of transportation in the High comes to infrastructure, but I would like Arctic as one of my priorities. At the to say that we also have had a lot of moment, we are waiting to hear back great things happen over last two years from the communities of Grise Fiord, in regard to infrastructure and Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay to gather transportation development. Completion their views on a study on the high cost of of the Arctic Bay Airport, the transportation to remote communities. Pangnirtung Harbour project, installation Once the direction is received from the of floating docks, completion of the High Arctic communities, we will Iqaluit Airport Master Plan, and the finalize their recommendations and find Iqaluit marine study come to mind. ways to implement them because These are examples of work that have without action, recommendations are been completed and will be used to really nothing but words on paper. further our lobbying efforts for more funds to address our infrastructure Last year, we had a breakthrough with requirements in Nunavut. our development of marine infrastructure in Nunavut with the construction of a Mr. Chairman… . small craft harbour in Pangnirtung funded by the federal Department of Chairman: Thank you. Thank you, Fisheries and Oceans. I know that there Minister Taptuna. are many Nunavummiut who still want small craft harbours within their >>Applause communities. My department has been striving to achieve this. There is still a Chairman: I will now call on Minister lot of work to be done in this area, and Tootoo to deliver his statements. I we must continue to lobby the federal remind you that you have up to 10 Department of Fisheries and Oceans to minutes to make your statement. Hon. deliver such needed marine Hunter Tootoo.

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Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Nunavummiut told us that there are Chairman. I could have lent some of my things that aren’t working and that we time out because I don’t think I’ll use it weren’t helping those that need help the all. most. So with the Tamapta document, I think that was one of the priorities that I Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to be took as saying, “Okay, what can I do to here today. This process is something address some of these issues and that I have been through twice already in concerns?” And that’s something that I the past in the first two Assemblies, and bought into, whether it was with the I welcome this opportunity to be able to Housing Corporation or the Power put information out there, put Corporation, a direction to move accomplishments out there, and also to forward. be questioned on the work that not only I have done but also all the rest of us has I think under both the Crown done in cabinet. corporations that I was responsible for over the last two years, when I took on Mr. Chairman, when I started, I the portfolios, the Power Corporation remember back during our leadership was going through the recruitment forum when I was selected to the process of a new president. The whole Executive Council, I said that my door is new senior management team was being always open and I’ll be willing to put together at that time. Within a few discuss any issues that any members months of becoming the Minister bring forward, and I like to believe that responsible for the Housing Corporation, that is something that I have done. Any we had to go out and look for a whole members that have brought issues to my new senior management team there as attention and provided me with well. That presented a lot of challenges. information, I was always more than happy to follow up on them with them. I would just like to take this opportunity now to go over… . I think it’s quite I said back then too that, based on my evident that over the last number of experience, I know that regular members months, there have been some can and do bring forward many valuable challenges with the Housing Corporation ideas that can contribute to the direction and with the Power Corporation. It’s of the government’s going and the always very easy to look at the negative progress of the government. There’s things that have happened and highlight something again that I believe that over those, Mr. Chairman. As my colleague, the last couple of years, I have, through Mr. Peterson, pointed out, during my my portfolio of the Housing tenure in those portfolios, I would like to Corporation, an idea was brought take this opportunity to express my forward by a regular member. It was gratitude to the dedication and hard work something that was a good idea and it of the employees within both was implemented. corporations and also to the board of directors for the Power Corporation for Mr. Chairman, when we first started, one their work and made my job a lot easier. of the things that this government did was the report card. In that report card,

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Mr. Chairman, with the Housing Some of the other program highlights Corporation, people told us that we are that we were able to accomplish: we not helping those who need help the introduced a new homeowner oil tank most. One of the things that we were replacement program this spring in able to do is, for the first time in the 2010; we extended the HERP program; history of Nunavut, the homelessness the Homeowner Energy Efficiency file has a home. In previous Assemblies Rebate Program was extended; we have that portfolio responsibility just floated reviewed the grants and contribution around with the minister; it didn’t have policy and funding for homeless an actual home. I felt it was important shelters; we developed an that it have a place to be so that it implementation of a new LHO board of actually exists and it didn’t just float directors manual; we developed a new around with whoever the minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation strategy day was, so that was set up within the as a basis of moving forward. Housing Corporation. In light of some of the concerns that We set up and created a position for have been raised over the last couple of homelessness within the corporation. We years, there have been a number of also ensured the continued operation of things, like I ensured that disclosure the men’s shelter here upon the forms were included in all contracts with Salvation Army pulling out, again a very the corporation and with the staff to fill needed service to those in need, and also out. We initiated, and it was now just worked on assisting the Sivummut completed, the Nunavut Housing Needs House open its doors as well and provide Survey. a service to women who are homeless as well. As far as financial accountability within the corporation, there have been Some of the other things that we were significant improvements since last year. able to accomplish, we secured the They are implementing now monthly affordable housing funding, the $100 CBSR and O&M and payroll reporting. million, I think, in total. All of the There has been a successful completion programs announced in the last federal of the 2008-09 audit. The annual report government were just over $107 million. was recently tabled and issued. The fact I did attend the F/P/T meeting. It was that I wanted the contracting reports actually the first time, I believe, in about tabled, prepared, and provided in a five years that the federal government timely manner, that is happening. The was at the table at these meetings. I 2008-09 one was just tabled recently. lobbied very hard at that meeting with my colleagues to support us in our need There are numerous areas where there for additional resources for housing. I’ve have been improvements. In line of had meetings with Minister Finley, our looking at the trust and some of the MP, Ms. Aglukkaq, and even our challenges that led us there, I had sought Senator, Mr. Patterson, to try and get cabinet approval and got an additional additional support for our desperate 14 PYs to assist the corporation in housing need here in Nunavut. continuing its work to complete the Nunavut Housing Trust projects and the

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Affordable Housing program. The any electronics are turned off. Thank detailed budgets are in place now for you. (interpretation ends) Twenty both programs and are being monitored minutes. on a regular basis. My information is that, in our current audit right now, the >>Meeting recessed at 14:27 and cut off has been clean. It is the best ever, resumed at 14:59 so there have been significant improvements there. Questioning of the Ministers

It is the same thing with the Power Chairman (interpretation): We can Corporation and the Qulliq Energy resume our meeting. As a reminder, all Corporation. They initiated and it’s their regular members each have a total of 10 first time that they have developed a questions that they can ask the remaining five-year corporate plan, a five-year members of cabinet as a whole. Please capital plan, and developed a strategic note that a regular member may choose corporate plan that focuses on the to ask all of their questions to one corporation’s core business of generating minister or divide their questions and distributing electricity to all amongst a number of ministers. Regular Nunavummiut. members are not required to ask all of their questions consecutively. Are there The IEP numbers within the Qulliq any questions? Mr. Ningark. Energy Corporation continue to be some of the highest within the whole Mr. Ningark: Yes, I was looking for the government. They have initiated other members to indicate whether they individualized Inuit development were asking questions or not. I don’t programs for beneficiaries geared think we wanted to waste this part. At towards promotion and succession of least I’ll do my two cents worth, Mr. Inuit employees to middle and senior Chairman. I have perhaps one question management positions. There has been to every minister across the room. If you significant progress in both Crown want to answer, that’s your prerogative. corporations, not only in a management system but also in the financial Mr. Chairman, we all know that our accountability as well. government has what we know as separation of powers between With that, Mr. Chairman, I see my time Legislative Assembly members, cabinet is running out, so I will leave it at that ministers, and the Department of Justice. and I very much look forward to The cabinet members, Mr. Chairman, are answering questions. Thank you, Mr. part of the Executive Branch. Their role Chairman. is to propose laws and budgets and to deliver programs and services to the >>Applause residents of Nunavut through the departments, Crown agencies, and other Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, bodies in the system. They have a very Minister. We are done with the important role, and I respect that very ministers. We will take a break. When much, Mr. Chairman. They also have to we get back after the break, make sure follow the directives of the government

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 47 and look after the interests of the public For other priorities, you can say that in monies that come from the public purse. just about every working function, including our personnel, we have to My question to each and every one of maintain that high morale of work right them is: what is the most important role from supervisors on down. The in your responsibilities as a minister? employees have to be treated with You cannot be at every juncture in the respect. Without that, for the most part, government system. What is your your staff is more or less in a priority? Is it to ensure that the dysfunctional stage where things are not departmental budget is scrutinized by done efficiently. That is one of my you as the head of the department? What priorities within the department. Thank is important to you as a minister of the you, Mr. Chairman. Crown? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, I want to start off with the Minister of Hon. Taptuna. I would like to call upon Justice, I think. Thank you, Mr. Hon. Tagak Curley to respond to the Chairman. question.

Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. I Mr. Ningark. The question was for all appreciate the question. I said to myself, cabinet members. We will start off with you practically have to be a the (interpretation ends) Deputy Premier, constitutional expert to reply to the hon. Hon. Peter Taptuna. member’s question.

Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Yes, there are priorities set not only by Chairman. That is a fairly tough cabinet but FMB as well with respect to question. As the Minister responsible for the spending limits mainly because the Economic Development and revenues that we have are limited to Transportation, I see our services within carry out all of the functions and that department as a priority. There are services that are crucial to Nunavutmiut. also other priorities, which, of course, is So, in some cases, we know that the the budget. That is key within the obligations of the department and some organization that we work within the essential services are ones that can’t budget that is allotted to us. really have too much freedom to move around. Therefore, with the other less Other priorities include the way we urgent, or crucial, or less emergency deliver our programs. It has to be done type of nature program, you have better efficiently. Once the program is out flexibility. So that is where the there for the Nunavut residents to use, it department and the deputy ministers has to make an impact. It does have to work together to try and see whether or benefit the users out there. Whoever may not they have room to offer new be using the programs or services of our programs. That is the kind of approach department, it does have to have an that I have. impact. It is normally about a six-month process in order to arrive at the final budgets

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 48 because there is a process within the programs in the most efficient way. We cabinet, the executive. We establish a have to work with the municipal target within a department. Just so I let government to make priorities because you in a bit, we don’t always, at most we would like to provide programs and times, get 100 percent of what we ask services that would benefit as many for, but we try to do the best and hope Nunavummiut as possible. Thank you, that the extra programs that we are Mr. Chairman. offering are funded, particularly the essential services like health and social Chairman: Thank you. Next on my list services. is Hon. Keith Peterson.

I know my colleagues have similar Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. challenges, but by and large, the checks Chairman. I thank my colleague for and balances that the Department of asking that question. It is a very complex Finance established for the minister to question to answer. In my role as the work with, I think, is fairly good because Minister of Finance and the Minister of it is a six-month process from the call Justice, those two departments are letter issued by the Minister of Finance central agency departments to the overall for the departments and then the first government operations. In other words, process is the departmental officials who we advise the other departments and really dig quite deep to try and find what work with them. We advise the cabinet is affordable and what the priorities as a whole. might be with the minister responsible. (interpretation) I will leave it at that. For example, under the Department of Thank you. Finance’s Financial Administration Act, I’m responsible for ensuring that all of Chairman: Thank you, Minister. the departments know that officials in (interpretation) I would like to call upon the Government of Nunavut adhere to Hon. Lorne Kusugak to respond. the Financial Administration Act and Financial Administration Manual Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): directives. Not only the Department of Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Your first Justice, I’m responsible to ensure that question is a little hard, but I am glad the government follows the laws, but that you ask this very excellent question. having said that, I have a responsibility Once again I, too, can only repeat the to the departments that I oversee. same answers, but we have to keep in mind, myself anyways, how we can As a minister, I have to provide the better use our money responsibly and not leadership and direction to my officials. to go over budget, which is one of the I have to be well versed in the daily most important things to me, and how it work and how they deliver programs and could be used most efficiently. services to the Nunavummiut. I am responsible as well for the budgets for In my ministerial portfolio, I work with each of these departments, so I’m not the municipal governments to see what exempt from ensuring that we live is considered an emergency or a priority, within our appropriated budget. I’m and I try to use our services and responsible for that and ultimately

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 49 responsible back to the Legislative meetings with federal counterparts, Assembly here, the House, to all MLAs ministers, and other jurisdictions, and I to account for our budgets and the think you need the integrity and success or no success of some our credibility to do that to voice the pains of programs and products and policies that all of Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. we deliver across Nunavut. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Next It’s really much more complex than that. on my list to answer the question is Hon. It took me a long time to tie it all Hunter Tootoo. together, and I’m still learning every day as I go, but it is complex, and I’ll leave it Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. at that, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman. I would like to thank John for the question. As everyone knows, our Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Next budgets are approved here in the House. on my list to answer the question is Hon. As far as other priorities that I have, one Daniel Shewchuk. of the things that I try to do is I don’t get in and I don’t see my role as to go in and Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, micromanage the department. That’s Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank the what deputy ministers and our staff in member for that question too. the departments are paid to run those organizations. I think, as Dan pointed I think it’s very important as a minister out, my job is to oversee and get to represent your community and information, know what issues are out represent Nunavut in every way that you there, and how to deal with them. can. Again I would say that me, minister of three departments, I have to ensure Also, I challenge my staff, I have that our programs are delivered on time, challenged my staff, given the resources on timelines and within our budgets that that we have to work with or given any we have to us. I think the role of the situations that come up, “How can we minister includes knowing the files and improve better delivery of programs and portfolios you’re responsible for and services?” I mean that’s part of my role. having all of the information to make I look at it as not just taking the status wise decisions that you need to make quo but how can we better improve along with cabinet. I think it’s important service delivery to the people that we all of us ministers. The role of the provide services to throughout Nunavut. minister is to all work together to deliver Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the mandate that’s outlined under Tamapta. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Mr. Ningark, you got six answers to your I also think that it’s important as a question. You have only four questions minister to listen to all of the Members left for all of the ministers. Are there any of the Legislative Assembly to come up more questions from regular members? with resolutions and resolves to the Mr. Aupaluktuq. problems and challenges that we face. I think that you need to be an effective Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. communicator too with face-to-face Chairman. I would like to thank the

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Premier and the cabinet for their As far as the Government of Nunavut statements and openness to questions. and the Department of Justice, we do have the Nunavut Human Rights In Minister Curley’s response to the Tribunal. The legislation was passed in Hon. Member Ningark, the minister the First Assembly. The operation is mentioned the Constitution. My question established in Coral Harbour and they is directed to the Hon. Keith Peterson, are available to help Nunavummiut the Minister of the Department of wherever they are, if they have any Justice. concerns or issues, or feel they are being discriminated against, or they have As Nunavummiut, we are also difficulties with jobs. Canadians. We are fighting for all of Nunavut to be recognized as Canadians We did have those people in the systematically. We are also fighting for Legislative Assembly earlier this year more resources, as the Minister of where they were trying to promote Finance is quite aware. With that, we are themselves. I have had this conversation also looking to bring and implementing with my deputy minister about doing basic and fundamental needs. more to help the Human Rights Tribunal promote their services and activities I want to ask the hon. minister: do you throughout Nunavut so that more people feel Nunavut and the Department of can take advantage if they feel that they Justice are doing enough to implement need help. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. and protect Nunavummiut in terms of basic fundamental rights, such as human Chairman: Thank you, Minister. rights, the Charter of Rights and Question no. 2, Mr. Aupaluktuq. Freedoms, as well as the Constitution? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question is directed to the Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. Hon. Minister Tagak Curley. This is a Minister of Justice, Minister of Finance, similar question I asked the Premier this Hon. Keith Peterson. morning. I want to ask Mr. Curley. The same question applies. The government Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. as a whole must identify clear priorities Chairman. I thank Mr. Aupaluktuq for and balance competing public interests. that question. It’s a very difficult Sometimes different interests may not question. I think the simple answer is entirely be compatible, such as natural always that the Canadian Charter of resource development, environmental Rights and Freedoms governs all protection, and public health. How have Canadians, regardless of who you are or you approached this issue as a minister? where you live. It provides numerous Thank you, Mr. Chairman. civil and political rights. If any Canadian who feels that those rights are infringed Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. upon, they certainly have the opportunity Hon. Tagak Curley. to challenge those in a court and have their day. Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you. First of all, if I understood

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 51 your question, I believe you asked: what Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, are your departmental priorities? Within Minister. Your third question, Mr. the health department, there can be many Aupaluktuq. priorities that crop up, but we try to deal more with the broader priorities. There Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. are three main priorities, at least from Chairman. I want to thank the hon. my perspective. These are also our most minister for sharing that. My question, challenging priorities and we do not again, I’ll use this opportunity as public want to get away from them. health versus resource development. I want to ask the hon. minister’s position With respect to employees, the retention on that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. and training of nurses is a top priority. We want to decrease the amount of Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. expenditures related to agency nurses. Minister Curley. This was one of our most expensive budget items. Therefore, the nurses in Hon. Tagak Curley: I’m going to ask the communities are our top priority. for clarification on that so I can answer That is why I stated that we have finally without taking up an additional question started to fill many positions and we are from him. catching up slowly. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. The second one is very difficult to deal Mr. Aupaluktuq. with, which is mental health, and where patients are sent out of the territory when Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. they are too mentally ill. We need to Chairman. My question was: I want to work on prevention programs and we are ask the minister on his views of public still working on that. health position versus environmental and possibly resource development and what The third one is the department uses his position is on public health for all of huge sums of money to send patients out Nunavut. Thank you. of the territory. We should be treating the patients in Nunavut and provide Chairman: Thank you. Minister Curley. more treatment services. We now have the Qikiqtani General Hospital and some Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): of the specialized services can now be Thank you. (interpretation ends) provided here in Iqaluit. There is also a Obviously I am the Minister of Health day program in the Rankin Inlet and I consider the department to be one Regional Hospital. Patients who used to of the most important departments. go to Churchill are now being serviced Public health service is really quite at the Rankin Inlet Regional Hospital. critical; it ensures that we have a healthy We can keep the money in Nunavut that population, healthy communities. We way and that is our objective. can certainly do a lot more with protecting Nunavutmiut. Although we have many other priorities, those are my top priorities, Mr. In terms of the resource development, I Chairman. Thank you. really have no day-to-day responsibility

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 52 for that. As a member of the cabinet, I The Department of Education should fully support the importance of job provide that kind of service. What do creation. Mainly the one area of the you think of that? Thank you, Mr. potential that we have to creating Chairman. employment and jobs and security for Nunavut, even as well as revenue for the Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Nunavut government, and the future of (interpretation ends) Hon. Tagak Curley. Nunavut is through mineral and resource development. So I think we can find Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): ways to improve access to the resources. Thank you. We know that the individual who works in that community is very My colleagues and I have considered busy. I can tell you that we do want many ways to try and reduce, even those kinds of services to start reaching supplying logistics services to make it the communities. easier for the exploration companies. We would certainly improve the revenue One of the concerns I have is if they can base for the Nunavut government. From call without a long-distance fee. As the that perspective of this government, I Premier stated, that is why we have think it has continued to try and balance government liaison officers included in what is best for Nunavutmiut by not a the Tamapta Mandate and that is why lopsided approach to one major initiative we’re working on that. I believe that’s or not. Thank you. going to benefit the communities. Rather than making a long-distance call, the Chairman: Thank you, Minister. community members can go talk to their (interpretation) Ms. Ugyuk will now ask GLOs so that the ministers can get questions. information sooner. Once this is functioning, I believe that other Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, departments should have that. Thank Mr. Chairman. I would like to direct my you. question to the Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Tagak Curley. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Your second question, Ms. For two years, if not three, we have seen Ugyuk. correspondence in our community from the Department of Health and Social Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): I would like Services that states that if you have any to ask the Minister of Health, Tagak problems with your health professionals Curley, again that we hear that the or social services, there is a phone Family Abuse Intervention Act was made number there and there is a name there hastily. It’s not benefiting the also whom you can contact. If any communities and it’s only used for some individual has any concerns or problems, of the communities in Nunavut. Do you they can call that phone line and the believe the Act should be amended or Department of Health and Social how can you improve it? Thank you, Mr. Services has that telephone line. Chairman.

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Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. their environment is strange and foreign. Minister Curley. They are unhappy because they are in a foreign environment and I imagine it Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): costs the government a lot to house Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is a very them. When do you visualize having good question, although it’s not under them back in Nunavut, like in 20 or 25 my responsibility; the Minister of Justice years? Thank you. is responsible for that Family Abuse Intervention Act. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. Minister Curley. If there is a problem in the family and the family needs to go through the court, Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): I know that they use the assistance of Thank you. That is a very poignant community justice committees. They can question. I believe there was a report ask the social workers to get more help. released last year from Social Services There are different services and they can tabled in the House that outlined the set up intervention orders, and then the numbers of Nunavutmiut in the south. court can say that this individual needs There were over 300 Nunavutmiut who help and they are given authority. were either adopted, or who had been sent down to foster parents or for a The social workers are asked to work short-term foster care program. Others with the individuals if there was an had been sent out to institutions. alcohol abuse problem with an individual in any case. Sometimes the We expect that in the future, if the social workers are asked to go help this numbers of children at risk increase, individual, but the Department of Justice then there will have to be a greater is responsible for that, so I cannot emphasis on training local people to respond to you personally. For other undertake foster care. We should be individuals who are at a safety risk, I identifying foster parents in each believe support is given for the homes. community who could look after the Thank you. children and thereby decrease the number of children who need to be sent Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, out for foster care outside of the Minister. Your third question, Ms. communities. We are working on this Ugyuk. issue as a top priority.

Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Furthermore, with respect to the Mr. Chairman. I apologize that I directed legislation currently under review, which the question to the wrong minister, but I is being discussed in the communities, know that social service workers are the once it has been passed, we can look at frontline workers and they are usually repatriating some of our clients back to the first ones to be called in a time of Nunavut. We have informed the crisis. departmental officials about what we are trying to accomplish. We have directed My third question is in regard to foster all staff that wherever possible not to children who are sent down south where send Inuit children to non-Inuit

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 54 communities. Where possible, they reports of their recommendations if they should not send them out of Nunavut, are geared towards a specific even if that means sending them to department. However, during my tenure another community. This directive was as the minister of this department, I have agreed to while we work at improving been open to receiving their comments the dysfunctional homes that currently and concerns. exist in Nunavut. While the Child and Family Services Act We know that many homes will not is being reviewed, we would like to remain dysfunctional, but where children consult them about their concerns or are at risk, they are sometimes taken issues related to child issues. This from the family to ensure that they are review is set to end in January 2011 and not placed at risk. I am looking at less I believe that they are set to complete than 10 years to improve our fostering their review this winter. If the system and hopefully make a system that membership of that organization is is more Nunavut oriented and Inuit- listening to these proceedings, I hope friendly. Thank you. that they can convey their concerns and issues with respect to these issues. Chairman: Thank you. Your fourth Thank you. question, Ms. Ugyuk. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Your fifth question, Ms. Mr. Chairman. I want to direct another Ugyuk. question to the Minister of Health and Social Services. Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This will be my In particular, it is the social workers that secondary question to the minister. deal with these cases involving children and women. I wanted to ask the minister With respect to the Coral Harbour men’s if he has had an opportunity to meet with association, we were told that they the Qulliit Status of Women Council that conduct men’s healing sessions. With is under his department. Has the minister respect to this issue, has the department received recommendations to improve considered this approach for all of the plight of women in Nunavut from Nunavut? Has the department reviewed that organization? Thank you. this practice to see if they can export it to other communities? We have heard Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. about this occurring in the Kivalliq Minister Curley. region, but we have not been informed as to whether this group has offered any Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. programs in the Kitikmeot or in the other (interpretation) I have not personally had regions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the opportunity to meet with the organization that the member mentioned. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Our Premier has responsibility for the Ms. Ugyuk. Minister Curley. Status of Women Council to date, I believe. However, we get updates and

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Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): week period, and this program seems to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is a have the capacity to be exported to other good question to ask. I had referred to communities. Thank you. this issue in my opening comments, but I did not have a chance to speak to the Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. issue since I ran out of my allotted time. The next name on my list is Mr. Ningeongan. We are in the initial stages of planning the healing circle initiative and this Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank includes healing for addictions. I believe you, Mr. Chairman. My question will be if we had a healing centre in Cambridge directed to Minister Lorne Kusugak. He Bay geared towards alcohol and mentioned something about the hamlets. addictions, then it would alleviate some In our previous iterations as mayors of the challenges faced in the region. representing our communities, we used to voice municipal concerns to the We want to establish centres in the government, especially in past years. regions and we are expecting the Even since 2008, when he became a establishment of these centres in the minister, I imagine he has been exposed short term. I believe that they will not be to ways to make improvements to the established over the course of this winter way hamlets are dealt with by this since we do not currently have any government. funding allocated towards that. However, we are in the initial stages of My question is: since you became the planning the establishment of these Minister of Community and Government centres in the regions. We also need a Services in 2008, what have been your treatment centre in the Baffin region and two or three most important in the Kivalliq region. accomplishments for the hamlets? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. However, we will be supporting that group through operational funding for Chairman: Thank you. Minister of that Coral Harbour men’s centre. We Community and Government Services, want that to continue since it allows men Hon. Lorne Kusugak. to open up with their issues and things that have caused dysfunction amongst Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): relatives. We support this initiative and Thank you. I thank the member for we also met with this group in Coral raising that question. I recall that it was Harbour. If we can support them in their an exciting time when we were efforts to expand their program, they compatriots, dealing with government will have that flexibility. issues during our mayors’ forums.

If they are willing and they are invited, Yes, there are quite a few ways to make the government would try to assist by improvements. Perhaps I would first like financing these trips. We want the to note that I used to observe, which the residents of Kitikmeot to know that. member may also recall, when we were There is some urgency since the program mayors, the ministers were not always that they offer is run for a two- to three- able to attend our mayoral forums at the

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 56 regional level. Further, even when we this summer, all hamlet employees were extended invitations to the Minister of able to go to a training program on dust CGS, where I am now sitting, sometimes reduction because this was identified as it would become an unpleasant issue a priority by the hamlets. It is an when they were unable to attend. ongoing project. I know that it is going to make improvements to the Since I assumed this portfolio, I’ve had communities. the pleasure of attending all of the invitations extended to me by mayors to There was also a needs assessment done their forums. I am happy to state that this on all Nunavut communities looking at is a source of pleasure and the infrastructure in the communities, the accomplishment. I believe that this has age of the facilities, and so on. Those are led to improvements in the way we going to help us tremendously in the interact. When my colleagues or a mayor coming months and years. We are doing of a community extends an invitation that so we can identify what should be and I attend those meetings, the fact that prioritized. Again, the dumps in the I am there to hear their concerns and communities; the fire at the Iqaluit dump issues has really improved our is finally out. It is a hazard to our relationship. communities.

The second area where we have made Those are just some of the issues where progress is, and which is currently in we made progress at the hamlet level. development and which I referred to Thank you, Mr. Chairman. earlier, the hamlet councils in the communities want to gain more Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, responsibilities that they can use to Minister. Mr. Ningeongan. further develop their communities. This initiative was important since my belief Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank was that this would assist the you, Mr. Chairman. Again, I would like communities. to ask a question to the same minister. In regard to the accomplishments that you Our department now funds each have identified, have you noticed that community over $66,000 annually, your department is working more closely irrespective of the size of the together with the hamlet councils now? community. The funding can be accrued Thank you, Mr. Chairman. over time or they can use it as leverage for financing the purchase of equipment, Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. such as front-end loaders, graders, Minister Kusugak. bulldozers, and so on. I think that is helpful to the hamlets and I wanted to Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): make sure that this moves expeditiously. Yes. There is a lot more that we can do, I think that it’s going to benefit the but due to lack of resources, we haven’t communities as a whole. been able to do so. I know and we would like to work closer with the hamlets. At Another item for many years and an CGS, we deal with some issues just to ongoing concern to all of the hamlets is help the hamlets that we are not directly

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 57 responsible for, but we do our utmost to stated many times, I spoke to many see where we can make improvements at people in this House in regard to these the hamlet level. One thing that I would issues that they need to be moved like to see is for the hamlets to have forward. discretionary funds that they can use in their communities. That is one thing that In the past, before I became a minister, I would hope to achieve. Thank you, Mr. recreation and sports was under another Chairman. minister’s portfolio. After working together since that was separated, I heard Chairman: Thank you. Your third people mention that there were fewer question, Mr. Ningeongan. problems if that portfolio went back to the CLEY department. I have spoken to Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank the Minister of CLEY and to the cabinet you, Mr. Chairman. My last question is members. I do want to look into it and directed to the Minister of CGS. For the review it to see where we can make past two years, it has become evident improvements in regard to sports and that the federal government has been recreation as well as recreational providing funds for recreation services. facilities. Perhaps if they are merged, it Would you work more on recreational would move forward. That’s one of my issues? In Nunavut, there are different priorities. problems in many communities in regard to recreational facilities. That is my I hope I responded to your question. question to the minister. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. The next Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. member on my list is Mr. Elliott. Minister Kusugak. Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): For my first six questions, I was going to Thank you for asking that question. ask a question similar to the way that the Today and during this session, we keep Hon. John Ningark asked his question. hearing about the Suicide Prevention It’s a question to all of the ministers. I’ll Strategy and that has the greatest impact give them a fair warning so that they can on the youth. listen to the question.

We hear that we need to exercise in Since this is a leadership review or since order to be healthy. We keep hearing we are reviewing how things work that we need to exercise. Exercising in within cabinet, one of the questions or the North especially, we need concerns that regular members have recreational facilities. That is in great sometimes is how things work within need. We can’t walk around like the cabinet when you are having cabinet people in the south because climate up meetings and discussions that go on. here is too cold. Having a place to go for Earlier when the Premier spoke, she recreation is most important to your talked about teamwork. She mentioned health and for suicide prevention. I that ministers are free to communicate believe all of us know that and as I have their views. As well, she mentioned that

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 58 the majority decision rules in terms of Hon. Lorne Kusugak: I think you are when decisions are made. just going to see more repetitions of the same answer. It always is, as the Premier Possibly, the Premier doesn’t share the said, the majority decision rules. You same opinion as one of the ministers, but may or not be necessarily happy with the you guys work within a democracy, not decision, depending on which side you a dictatorship, according to what she had are at, of whatever the topic of the day been saying, and the majority decision may be, but as a cabinet, we live by it rules. I was wondering if that is the and support it when we leave the room. I understanding of the minister of how will leave it at that. I do not think I could your meetings are run and how cabinet or it would not be fair to get into any decisions occur, and possibly provide us details other than that. Thank you, Mr. with an example of how it works within Chairman. cabinet. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. The Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. I next minister is Hon. Keith Peterson. will let the ministers answer in alphabetical order. The first minister will Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. be Hon. Tagak Curley. Chairman. I thank Mr. Elliott for that question. Yes, I do not know if I can add Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. This is much to the answer. a consensus government, not so much a political party, similar to the cabinets or I know that early on, the Premier at the legislatures down south. In view of that, cabinet level, we had a discussion and it the Premier obviously is our leader. She was agreed that each cabinet minister indicated very correctly that she is very had one vote. They counted and it is the democratic with her approach and, if you majority rules. There have been many want my opinion, in some cases, very vigorous discussions and debates. We democratic. In some cases, there have also established the rule early on that been some projects that don’t necessarily regardless of what the decision is, if you have to go through the cabinet, but she are on the wrong side of the decision, always felt that it’s important to consult that when you leave the cabinet room, with the members. you are still the government and you respect the decision of the government On very substantive issues, I alluded to and your cabinet colleagues. You still the fact that we debate it vigorously in have to get along. the cabinet. The debate does take place with this cabinet. In the end, we come If I go to the Financial Management out as one unit. It is a solidarity cabinet Board side, I chair that part, I apply the and that is what we abide by and we same rules. You have to be a very good come out a single cabinet. That is all I chairperson, and I can say that for the can say, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Premier and myself, I hope we are good chairs because we know that people are Chairman: Thank you, Minister. The not always happy with the outcomes of next minister will be Hon. Lorne the decisions, but they respect the Kusugak.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 59 decisions because we have to make civilized manner. We have not replaced tough decisions for all of Nunavut. any furniture yet, so … .

You are not going to get the decision >>Laughter you want every time or you may get a partial decision. We try to discuss We have been making some tough everything openly and get all of the decisions, and I echo the same things issues out on the tables so that we can that my colleagues have been saying. make the best possible decision for all Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nunavummiut. Again, when we leave the cabinet room, we are united, the Chairman: Thank you. The next decision is made, and we move on. minister will be Hon. Hunter Tootoo. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. The Chairman. I agree with everything that next minister will now be Hon. Daniel my colleagues have said. Shewchuk. Over the last two years, there have been Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, some very heated debates on issues, but Mr. Chairman. I will just echo the voices at the end of the day, everybody has had of my colleagues as the process is pretty an opportunity, as Mr. Ningark put it, to clearly outlined there. put their two cents worth in and have their say. I think that at the end of the The only thing that I would add is that day, it is a very healthy thing to do. when an issue does come forward, it is There have been times when different usually the lead minister or the minister things have been identified that weren’t of the file that brings that issue forward caught because of those deliberations. I and explains that issue, and then, as think it’s an important part of any everybody has indicated, there is an decision-making process that everybody open and frank discussion. The majority has some input into it. decision is made and everybody respects that decision, and it is left at the cabinet At the end of the day, whatever we room. We are all solidarity agreement decide upon, we decide upon as a together like that. Thank you, Mr. government. Nobody is told that they Speaker. have to do anything one way or the other. Everyone is free to express their Chairman: Thank you, Minister. The own views and everyone respects the next minister is Hon. Peter Taptuna. vote. It’s a democratic process, so I think it’s a very healthy way to work. I can say Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. that it has helped alleviate what could be Chairman. Yes, there are rules within some potential problems if that didn’t cabinet meetings and FMB meetings. happen. So I think it’s great and I hope it We do need quorum to make a decision. continues to stay like that. Thank you, That is one of the things that I wanted to Mr. Chairman. add. Yes, it is done democratically, in a

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Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Your their media scrum where I saw a couple seventh question, Mr. Elliott. hundred thousand dollars worth of illegal booze piled up against a wall and Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. $100,000 worth of cash. It’s a quite My next question is directed to the serious issue with bootlegging in Minister of Finance. If Nunavut wants to Nunavut. really tackle the problem of alcohol abuse, perhaps drastic action needs to be So I talked openly about introducing taken, even if it means sort of trampling civil forfeiture legislation that would on the rights of some of the citizens. allow the RCMP, if they identify persons who have no visible means of support, With the introduction of the new Liquor for example, they don’t have a job and Act, the Government of Nunavut could yet they are living in a $400,000 or use the notwithstanding clause to allow $500,000 house, then possibly they are possible searches of luggage at different bootleggers and they can seize the assets entry points when packages or materials of those persons. We are still in are coming into the territory. Is this discussion stages on that; we have a lot possibly something that the government of work to do there. could do? Thank you. But with respect to the question about Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Hon. the notwithstanding clause, I’ll have to Keith Peterson. take a pass on that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Elliott for the Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Mr. question. As I mentioned in my opening Elliott. comments, the Minister’s Task Force on the Review of the Liquor Act is Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. travelling around all Nunavut My next question is for the Minister of communities getting input from all Finance. In regard to the spending of the communities. I understand that the government and the budgeting, it has meetings are going well. been brought up many times, the word “prudence” in terms of spending. One of I am hopeful that early next year, we the discussions we ended up having will get a report with all of the within the House was the idea of the recommendations from the task force number of vacant positions there are that the cabinet will be able to sit down within the Government of Nunavut and and discuss, and look at how we can how we never fill those positions. Yet, at review and update the Liquor Act and the end of the year, we end up spending incorporate some clauses in there or that money. some sections in there that would help us address the alcohol issue in Nunavut. I believe the minister was talking about trying to persuade and have each I have talked openly since last March, department within the Government of when I was over at the Government of Nunavut budget to actual, instead of Canada building when the RCMP had doing it the way that they have been

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 61 doing it. What are you doing within your Again we are stressing in the department to make sure that the budgets Government of Nunavut that we have to will be coming out? As we come in the move towards budgeting to actual. It is winter, we will be coming back to happening; it’s not happening overnight. review the O&M budgets. Will they be That is why it could take you three or budgeting to actual or will they be the four years to change that whole mindset, way that they have been? Maybe explain but I am thankful that the government how you are going to guarantee that this officials are doing that. We saw through will end up happening. Thank you. the budget deficit exercise that officials in the departments can make those tough Chairman: Thank you. Minister decisions when they have to. So we will Peterson. continue to encourage the officials to do that. Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Elliot for that When it moves up through the budgeting question. Mr. Chairman, I can’t process to FMB, as we discussed earlier, guarantee that anything will or will not we will be taking a very close look at happen. departmental budgets. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have sent out the call letters to all of the departments. The deputy ministers Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Mr. have been meeting. My Deputy Minister Elliott. of Finance is the lead on discussions with respect to developing the main Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. estimates. The departments are all aware My next question is for the Minister of of our push toward budgeting to actual, Health and Social Services. they are well aware of it, and it’s a credit of several departments that they have In his speech, he had mentioned the done that. I know our own Department Child and Family Services Act and, I of Finance did that last year. The money believe, possible delays that were with it. we saved there, we allocated to another I was just wondering if he could possibly department to train people. provide us with a bit of a timeline in terms of when the community With respect to his comment about the consultations will be completed, when funds from non-staffed positions, the the legislation would be completed, and government does have to deliver at what point would we expect to see it programs and services and how they do brought into the Legislative Assembly that is they use some of those funds to for discussion or in Committee of the hire casual employees, pay overtime, Whole. Thank you. and hire contractors. The funds are used to deliver programs for us. For example, Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Hon. in the Department of Health, it is very Tagak Curley. difficult for them to hire indeterminate nurses, so they will use agency nurses. Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you, Mr. The funds that they have available will Chairman. I am pleased to respond to be used for that purpose. that important question. The weather

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patterns that we have throughout the fall as Minister responsible for the Nunavut and so on had slightly delayed the Housing Corporation. completion of the community consultations, which we had expected As you were watching the proceedings originally by the end of last month., but go on, I’m sure you, at many times, they will be completed this month, wanted to jump in and explain some of weather permitting. the things that were going on and some of the inside knowledge that you had as And then on top of the consultation to why the over-commitment happened, group that travels around, the deputy what types of things could have been minister also has a technical committee done differently, what some of the which involves NTI, the regional problems were, and maybe you didn’t organizations, as well as the other get your chance to make those things departments. I believe Justice, known. probably… well, I’m not sure. So he has that technical committee as well which I was just wondering if you could oversees all of the departments that comment and add some insight. After would have some role in shaping up the you watched the proceedings over the new Act. last couple of days, we still have more questions and obviously we will be By the New Year, the drafting of some reviewing and trying to find $50 million possible changes will begin. Providing more. So if you could provide some that we have access to a whole time slot insight on that. Thank you. for the legislative team, we could foresee, I think, without guaranteeing Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Hon. my word here, that it will likely take Hunter Tootoo. about six months for the legal drafting to occur. At the same time, the question is, Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. “Do we need more consultation once Chairman. It’s certainly difficult, and that process is underway or should it go I’m sure the member can appreciate, directly to the enacting legislation when a file like the housing trust that I process?” have been involved in for so long and so intimately acquainted with is something So I think if it’s not done by the end of I can no longer publicly talk about in the next year, it will surely be done before House during question period and that. It the term of this Assembly. I don’t have is difficult to do that and the member is the actual timeframe with me. They have right. I am very well versed in what the pretty well a very good charted process issues were and how things came to be. that they have worked out. Thank you. I think, as I pointed out last spring when Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Your this was first brought to our attention, it tenth and final question, Mr. Elliott. was very clear that there were significant errors and flaws in the initial budget and Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. the forecasting right from 2006. I think it I’ll ask my last question to the Hon. was pointed out that the initial amount Hunter Tootoo in regard to his past role that they had used in their budget and in

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 63 the forecast for the number of units was is done that quickly, there is something set in 2006 and that same number was that is always going to be missed. carried forward right through over the last four years. As I pointed out earlier, I know that there has been, as a result of that… . To One of the other things that went wrong me, the important thing was never mind there too was the fact that the how we got there. The fact is we realize corporation wasn’t adequately tracking now, “This is where we are. What are we expenditures. They discovered that the doing? Let’s take measures, identify information that was being provided was everything that went wrong, and put just being done on the current measures in place to ensure that that expenditure basis. It wasn’t being done kind of thing doesn’t happen again.” To cumulative or forecasted to completion. me, that was my priority and the So I think those were two of the main direction I gave to staff at the Housing issues that came to light there. Corporation is, “Let’s fix this and let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again What lead to that, as I pointed out last because we can’t afford mistakes like spring when I brought this out, was that that.” there was a severe shortage in staff and even the Auditor General pointed out Unfortunately, those same numbers, the that the corporation did not have the same flawed forecast and budgeting capacity to take on such a project. It is numbers were used when we developed my understanding and in the past, there the numbers for the Affordable Housing were requests by the corporation, I Initiative with the $100 million. By the believe anywhere from 14 to 16 time we discovered the errors in the additional PYs, to administer this budgeting and the forecasting, the program that never got approved. number of units under the Affordable Having said that and as I pointed out in Housing Initiative had already been my comments earlier, when I became the publicly announced and the material was Minister responsible for the Housing already ordered. We knew we were Corporation, I got approval for 14 going to have issues with that. To the additional positions. extent of what the amount would be, we weren’t in a position to say at that time One of the other factors too, I think, is as all of the labour tenders were yet to be just, and I pointed that out again in the issued and awarded. springtime and that is why I made a point of not wanting to blame anybody Again, I think that is where, as a for it. If you look at the circumstances of corporation at the time, the direction I how this whole… . Really, considered a gave them is, “We do not want to end up mega project, it was $200 million in the same situation in the trust where announced and the government of the dollars are committed without approval.” day had a very short time period in That is why the corporation came back which to develop a plan, approve, and and got approval from cabinet and the have stuff ordered to have it on the boat. FMB to be able to move forward and I can understand that whenever anything complete the units under the trust. If that wasn’t done, the other option would

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have been just freeze work on them. This through centrally first before they are government and this cabinet said, approved so that they can better monitor. “Housing is our top priority. We want to make sure we get these houses built and These are the kinds of things that on the ground.” I thank my colleagues in weren’t being tracked and monitored in cabinet for that support. It is the same the past by the management, so that’s thing. one of the reasons why it never got caught at that time. Once those measures Once the labour tenders and everything were put in place by the new came in for the Affordable Housing administration, it is when these things Fund, it is where now we have been able came to light and things started to identify what the number was nailed changing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. down fairly closely. It is never a perfect science. There are always things that Chairman: Thank you, Minister. The happen, and that is why they have next member on my list is Mr. contingencies in anything. If you look in Komoartok. some communities and you look at a house that is halfway under construction Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank and it burns down, or if you look in you, Mr. Chairman. My first question is some communities, last year, where they directed to the Minister of Health and had to deliver freight to a different Social Services. community and then haul it over land there, and those kinds of things… . You Just last week, the Suicide Prevention can’t foresee everything. Strategy was tabled in the House and it was accepted by this government. I want But I really do believe that the to ask this question. I believe that his corporation has taken and has made department is the lead on this initiative. substantial gains in putting measures in Did the department allocate funding place to ensure that something like that specific to this program so that it can be does not happen again. It’s also successful? The report outlines many something that I and my staff at the time items that I want to see move forward worked very closely with the Minister of and we see that occur too often here in Finance and his officials to ensure that Nunavut. Has the funding for this adequate measures were put in place to initiative been discussed at the executive ensure that something like that wouldn’t level so that it can proceed effectively? happen again. Hopefully that explains it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

If you go through a complete list of the Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, types of things that have been put in Mr. Komoartok. Minister Curley. place, one example I’ll use is in the past, the district offices were authorizing and Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): awarding contracts and there was no real Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I thank central monitoring going on. That has my colleague for raising that issue. What been changed now. Now any change I can tell the member is that we have orders that come through have to go funding set aside for this initiative.

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We also provided funding for the Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. consultation tour and this was referenced Chairman. Thank you, Adamee, for that in those consultations. In our strategy, question. we are going to continue to provide that funding. Even though they are currently I would just like to inform, I don’t know visiting the communities, the action if the member is aware, when I met with plans are being amended based on their the Coalition of Nunavut DEAs and all findings, but there will be further of the DEA chairs that were in town a opportunities to make improvements by couple of weeks ago for their annual the committee. I can tell you that in total, meeting, I was asked that question there. we have set aside $800,000 for that. I did commit to them at the time, I Thank you. recognized the importance and the value, and I believe it’s the ASIST program. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. My colleague, Mr. Peterson, took that Your second question, Mr. Komoartok. program and he went on for quite a length of time to say how wonderful and Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank how good that program was. I did you, Mr. Chairman. I wish to thank the indicate to them at that time that there minister for providing that information, are professional development days that and we wish this strategy all the success could be used for something like that. in the future. However, right now, the PD days, there With respect to my second question, it is a structured plan in place right now. seems to be a similar issue and I wish to The priority of the department is to direct to the Minister of Education. utilize those days right now to ensure the There was a resolution passed that I staff in the schools are trained and would like to see implemented. This brought up to date on some of the newer dealt with teachers and school staff roles and responsibilities under the new training so that they can recognize and Education Act. It is a priority. If they can intervene in those cases that they find other ways and means to include it recognize. in there, if they want it sooner... . Once our training is done to all the staff as far The DEA coalition made a motion so as implementation of the new Education that the teachers and school staff can Act and their new roles and take training on suicide prevention and responsibilities, I would be more than not just on a single training module. I happy to move forward with that. It’s want to see this training continue to try just a matter of conflicting priorities. and decrease the number of cases we face here in Nunavut. Does the minister If any school can find other ways outside agree with that and will these things go of their professional development to through? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. include taking training like that, I would be fully supportive of it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Komoartok. Minister Hunter Tootoo. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Mr. Komoartok.

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Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank However, that being said, the challenge you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank is still there. Through the new the minister for his response. organizational structure we have at HR, we are going to have representation of I would like to direct my question to the Inuit employment and planning across Minister of Human Resources. Just the whole division of HR and not just recently, there was an announcement one separate division. It’s going to be that Inuit employees in the GN had implemented across all departments. dropped from 52 percent to 51 percent, and we’re not happy to hear that. There There is going to be an Inuit are many Inuit who go to further their Employment Planning Committee set up education. It’s very difficult to obtain with the Department of HR represented Inuit employees perhaps within the by all divisions again to look at different governments. So therefore, I would like means and ways that we can strengthen to ask the minister, after we heard those our Inuit workforce in Nunavut. Part of reports, how his department is planning that will be increased training to existing to increase the number of Inuit staff and new staff, and training to entry employees within the GN. Thank you, level staff that can move forward into Mr. Chairman. more medium management or senior management positions. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Komoartok. Hon. Daniel Shewchuk. Also with that, we have increased, as the House knows, our summer student Hon Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. program and encourage young Inuit Chairman. I would like to thank Adamee people to get involved in different for that question too. First of all, I would government careers through the summer like to say, as Minister responsible for student program and experience that, and Human Resources, that Inuit encourage them go through that way too employment and Article 23 of the land and experience what jobs are out there. claims is a very important to us and is a priority for me and the Government of Also, we are decreasing our casual hires Nunavut. Mr. Komoartok points out that and we want and our goal is to direct we do have challenges in this regard. appoint beneficiaries into jobs that they have been doing for long-term casual However, I do have some statistics here positions. I think the key here, Mr. that show that there are more Chairman, is that education is the key. beneficiaries getting jobs and working Working together with high schools, with the Government of Nunavut. One working together with the Arctic College statistic is as of March 31, 2001, there on educating young Inuit people to get were 943 beneficiary employees with the into the workforce and have the skills Government of Nunavut. Today, there that they need to do that is very are 1,512 beneficiaries. Over that time important. period, there was a 60 percent increase in beneficiary hires. That is our plan going ahead, and it is our dream by the end of the term of this government that we see a measurable

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 67 increase in Inuit employment. Thank Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. you, Mr. Komoartok. The next member on my list is Mr. Okalik. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Mr. Komoartok. Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to direct my Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank question to Minister Tootoo. you, Mr. Chairman. I would also like to thank the minister. The people out there We both represent Iqaluit and I usually have told us that they are getting stay here in Iqaluit after the end of each impatient when a job opportunity is session because my constituency office posted and it almost takes a year to fill is here. A majority of his cabinet that position. Some people who had colleagues stay in Iqaluit more than the applied for that job got tired of waiting minister even though they are not from and ended up going after another job. here. It seems like this minister Isn’t there some way to shorten the sometimes cannot keep up to his work. length of time it takes to fill vacant What are you going to improve this positions? Are you going to review it? situation? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since he seems to have been promoted Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, and is now the Minister of Education, I Mr. Komoartok. Minister Shewchuk. will always fight for our students because I believe they deserve to have a Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, good minister. What are you going to do Mr. Chairman. I thank you for the to improve your working relationship question too. Yes, you outline another and take care of your responsibilities and very big priority in the Department HR spend more time at the office? Thank is to lessen the hiring time and the you, Mr. Chairman. process and the time it takes to fill vacant positions and through the Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, competition process. This has started Mr. Okalik. (interpretation ends) Hon. already. We are going to implement a Hunter Tootoo. tracking program so that we know exactly where the competitions are, but Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. with the cooperation of the departments Chairman. I looked forward, when we and the instruction of Department of went through the last sitting, I wish I Human Resources, we have initiated would have got some questions on this. education. The member would have been able to find out how abreast I am of the I think, all of us, if we look into the issues and the stuff. government website, you will be many more positions being advertised. The That is one thing that I take pride in, not times are being lessened and they will be only in the staff that I have worked with more so once we have our new structure in the last two years but I am working in place that we can track these now as well with the Department of competitions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Education, is quality of information that

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 68 they provide to me for review. The way I especially when I try to visit him in his look at it is I owe it to them for all of the office. Sometimes his constituents come hard work that they do to make sure I do to my office where they request support, my homework. On top of the issues, we especially if the minister is not readily go through the briefing books, sit down available. Now, this has caused some and have meetings with them. problems for some of his constituents. I asked the question to the minister: will I have regular meetings with the staff; he improve his attendance at his I’m over at the office quite regularly. ministerial office? Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Mr. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Tootoo. Okalik. Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Chairman. Now the member knows what Mr. Chairman. I did not hear a response. I went through for the last ten years. I asked the minister that I have observed that many ministers who do not live in I think I spend a lot of time in my office Iqaluit spend more time at the office here. If you go through the staff up there, because I occasionally meet with the I am here quite a bit. So, sorry, I don’t ministers when they are here for the understand what the member is getting sessions. The minister’s attendance at at, but I am available, I am in my office, the office has to be improved. I wanted and I am sure, as he is aware from his to know if he will be visiting his office experience, as a minister, you have a lot more often. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. of duties and different things to attend to where you have to travel for work, and Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. you are not always here. I remember Minister Tootoo. walking through the second floor in the last two Assemblies and it seemed like a Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. ghost town most of the time. Chairman. I do live here in Iqaluit. Iqaluit is my home. So I have never But in between sittings, I do try to take received a request from the member for very opportunity I can. I have been a meeting, but I’m sure that if I did, I coming to my office in my work clothes would be more than happy to if I’m working on something in my shed. accommodate it with him. So I don’t On my days off, I come in and see how know what else I can say to the member. things are going. If he wants a meeting, all he’s got to do is ask. Thanks. I know the member indicates that he is not getting or I think he’s just not getting Chairman: Thank you. Your third the response he wants, but that’s his question, Mr. Okalik. choice. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Okalik (interpretation): I still Chairman: Thank you, Minister. haven’t received a response. I note that (interpretation) Mr. Okalik, is that all? the minister is not always in his office, No? Are you done? Mr. Okalik.

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Mr. Okalik (interpretation): I’m done So it’s very similar, but as you know, for now. Thank you. every government that comes into power does create its own priorities and Chairman: Thank you. The next mandate to do that, and Tamapta is the member on my list is Ms. Ugyuk. one we created for this government. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to direct my Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Your question to the Deputy Premier, Hon. seventh question, Ms. Ugyuk. Peter Taptuna. Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Ever since the Nunavut government was Mr. Chairman. I will ask the same created, we have been told about the minister in regard to mining. Bathurst Mandate and that it was the foundation for the previous governments We talk about the Bathurst Inlet Port and and that we would try to implement the Road and it’s very expensive to bring in mandate that was created in Bathurst goods through the plane. Through the Inlet. The government employees would Bathurst Inlet Port and Road, it will be follow that Bathurst Mandate. cheaper for Nunavummiut to bring in goods from the south. We receive ships; With the new government, they created a one from Montreal to this area and one new mandate which is now called from the Northwest Territories to our Tamapta. I did not get a response on my area. earlier question about Tamapta. What is inside that Tamapta Mandate? Thank Even though we’re the Nunavut you, Mr. Chairman. government, how do you envision the future for the Bathurst Inlet Port and Chairman: Thank you. Hon. Peter Road? I understand that there is a winter Taptuna. road that is not quite close to our community, but the road would be in Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Nunavut. I would like to get an Chairman. I wasn’t here in 1999, but I’m understanding on that. Thank you. aware of the Bathurst Mandate. It was the government’s first mandate that they Chairman: Thank you. Minister put together. In the Tamapta Mandate Taptuna. that this government put together and, in fact, in Cape Dorset in one of our Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. retreats, that’s the guideline and Chairman. I thank the member for that. I priorities that we put forth for this really appreciate that question. The government to do in this term, but the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road has been a vision goes all the way to 2030. Most of vision of Inuit organizations, especially the priorities are adopted from the the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and its Bathurst Mandate, including footsteps 1 birthright development arm, the and 2 that the previous government had Kitikmeot Corporation. done.

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My department contributed this year and Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Ms. over the year to help update the baseline Ugyuk. studies. There is work that has been ongoing and we’re expecting a report Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, from the proponent. Kitikmeot knows Mr. Chairman. Thank you for for a fact that if this development does responding to me. In regard to adult go ahead, it will bring the costs down for instructors, I would like to ask the commodities, goods, and fuel for the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic communities, not only that, there is also College. the possibility of roads that come off of there to this potential resource We see in Nunavut that the NTEP development that’s already in its early students are very interested in taking the stages of exploration. There are a couple NTEP program, but the social workers that are in the later phases of exploration can only be trained up to a certain level. and doing some feasibility studies on When can we expect to see social their properties in mining. workers being trained in Nunavut and get a higher level of degree so that the For the most part, we know for a fact social workers can have higher paying that with climate change, these winter jobs? Thank you. roads that are coming from down south are very feasible. So with a permanent Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, road coming from the North, it may be Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation) Hon. Daniel able to supply all of these sites and Shewchuk. communities in the Kitikmeot. Not only the Kitikmeot, it is going to be a huge Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, benefit for the communities and bringing Mr. Chairman. I thank the member for the costs down not only for the that question. She brings up a very Kitikmeot, for Nunavut, in fact, and the important point again and that is adult whole nation. We do pay close attention learning across the territory in every to that. community across Nunavut.

But at the end of the day, the major The NTEP program is one of the developer has to decide to put in major programs that has been the most influx of funds to build it. Of course, the successful programs across Nunavut and major proponent there, the MMG out of has benefited all communities. Not only China, they do have a Canadian does it strive to meet Inuit employment subsidiary that’s Ming Metals of China. targets, it provides Inuit teaching Inuit They are the main proponent of that road children in Inuit schools. It is a very and port with the help of Nuna Logistics, good program and very successful. KIA, and the Kitikmeot Corporation. We hope to see this project go forth to Programs are designated to communities benefit the communities of the on a priority basis that is outlined by Kitikmeot, not only the Kitikmeot but it each community and then a process could benefit Nunavummiut. Thank you, takes place into which communities are Mr. Chairman. selected for those programs. There are only so many programs that can be

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 71 delivered in a given year, but we are What happened up in Cape Dorset in the always trying to increase that and last month has highlighted the need for increase the ways and means that we can some action. I have talked to my do that too. colleagues on this side and also talked to the RCMP about how we can get As far as the social workers, we would together and find a solution to allow be very interested in providing upgraded people to not only register the guns but and enhanced skills in the social work. get trigger locks and gun boxes. I can’t In the Health and Social Services and give you a clear-cut answer today, but I working with my colleague, Minister can ensure you that the Government of Curley, we would be very interested in Nunavut is working on it with some of looking at that process. Thank you, Mr. our departments and the RCMP. Thank Chairman. you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Ms. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. The Ugyuk. next member on my list is Mr. Aupaluktuq. Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you. I would like to direct my question to the Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. (interpretation ends) Minister of Justice, Chairman. My question is for the Keith Peterson. Minister of Mines and ED&T, the Hon. Minister Peter Taptuna. (interpretation) My question is in regard to the federal government’s gun registry As people from Baker Lake, we are which was overturned when they wanted proud to contribute to Nunavut’s and to take it out. There is an expiry date for Canada’s gross domestic product. We, as gun registry certificates. Where can the Qamani’tuarmiut, anticipate returns to Inuit go to fill out the forms? I had asked social development as a result of our the environmental officers to see if they contribution of and from our land. We can help the Inuit in filling out the also expect and demand forms. Some of them were willing. It is acknowledgement of our contributions very hard to identify which department not only as a community but also with you go to get help with the gun registry respect to the Nunavut Land Claims forms, probably because it is a federal Agreement. type of program. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question to the hon. member is: with Inuktitut, Inuit values, customs, and Chairman: Thank you. Hon. Keith respects, as well with the Nunavut Land Peterson. Claims Agreement, with mining development and economic Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. development, what position do you stand Chairman. I thank Ms. Ugyuk for that on with respect to Inuit morale and value question. Yes, it is a federal in the mining sector and economy? responsibility. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. close attention to the community’s Hon. Peter Taptuna. wishes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Thank Chairman. I thank the member for that you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. The next member question. Within the department, in fact, on my list is Mr. Ningark. in several departments, we do have a societal impact committee and we do Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. have a number of directors who sit on Chairman. I wanted to say something that committee, including DPAs within about the sovereignty issue in the North. several of our departments we have here As we know, today, to many of us and to in the Nunavut government, which the Canadian government, it means more involves the finance department, CGS, presence of the Canadian Coast Guard. and ED&T, including EIA. For the world, it means a shortcut from east to west, like a superhighway. For the most part, within the DPA, it’s more or less based and focused on I would like to ask every minister of this retaining infrastructure value that may government what it means to the be built by the mining industry, any kind ministers in terms of economic of infrastructure value that may exist development and infrastructure building close to the vicinity of a community or for this jurisdiction, Mr. Chairman. I where it may be built right within the would like to look at the big picture of community. That’s our focus within the economic opportunity. If you don’t DPA and to determine some of these feel that it is within your portfolio to things that are negotiated within that is answer that, it’s the federal government, the committees that do travel around. but once in a while, the minister of the We do have three committees – one in Crown has to communicate with the each region, one in the Qikiqtaaluk, Canadian government. Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot. We do use their information to negotiate whatever is in What does it mean to you in terms of the DPA, but we have only one DPA economic development opportunities that exists at this time and that is with and infrastructure building for the people Agnico-Eagle, of course. of Nunavut, regardless of what background these people are coming For the most part, the developer does from? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. negotiate IIBAs with the land claims institution of NTI. They do have that Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Ningark. right under some certain article within You used six of your questions earlier; the land claims agreement to negotiate you only have four questions and four impact and benefits agreements. With a answers left. From which ministers do mine located on several parcels of you want answers from? Mr. Ningark. subsurface lands, NTI and RIAs do have that responsibility to negotiate what the Mr. Ningark: I have never been given beneficiaries do want. For the most part, the opportunity and I thank the minister. the mine being so close to Baker Lake, One is the economic development I’m sure that NTI and the RIAs do pay minister, obviously. If it’s your

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 73 prerogative, can I ask also the Premier of poverty and homelessness, but for the this government? No? Okay, I’ll have to most part, there is a lot of that within our pick… the other one is… . nation. Nunavut is no exception.

>>Laughter We do have the potential for resource development and benefiting from it This is tough, very tough. Minister of through devolution, of course, but the Environment, the second obvious sovereignty issues have always been question, and the man of infrastructure, twofold. There are several countries that CGS. Do I have one more? have put in arguments that the Northwest Passage is international, more than >>Laughter several countries. Several countries that have shown interest: Korea, China, the Who is the transportation minister by the Americans, and the Danish government. way? You are and economic Having said that, they do understand that development, so you have been asked there are potential riches and we know already. And the Minister of Justice, for a fact that in some areas where we why not? Thank you. had geological surveys done, it indicates that and it shows that the potential is >>Laughter very high.

>>Applause I have always said that we do need help from Ottawa; we do need help from our Chairman: Thank you. The first federal government to get infrastructure minister is Hon. Peter Taptuna. into the North so that development could take place and bring the economy up Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. north to alleviate poverty and sustain a Chairman. I appreciate the question from good life for citizens of Nunavut up the member. Sovereignty is an ongoing here. Ottawa built Canada from east to issue that we all have up north here in west, and the building is still incomplete; Nunavut, not only in Nunavut but it still got to be built from the south to throughout Northern Canada and the the north, and that is one of the things other two territories, Yukon and NWT. that I have been pushing every chance I For the most part, Mr. Chairman, in get to meet with some federal officials. Nunavut, there is a lot of potential. There is potential for a lot of riches out Sovereignty, for the most part, is here. There are a lot of mineral riches, something that’s got to be dealt with. We oil and gas, and the potential to make do not have any Coast Guard services. our country rich because of its high We do not have any search and rescue potential of all of the minerals we have centres up north here. The closest ones in Nunavut. are four and five hours away by Hercules aircraft, and that’s way too far. For that matter, Mr. Chairman, Canada, I think it’s time to assert sovereignty in with a small population of 33 million, is the North. one of the richest countries in the world. Having said that, there is no need for

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Ottawa’s got to pick up the pace and put Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you. in some search and rescue service Thank you for directing that question to centres for the North and start taking a me also. I’ll take the question as notice. good look at putting infrastructure up here to not only help Nunavut but to help >>Laughter the whole nation in economic development. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m kidding. Thank you. It’s a very important issue. I think I will tackle it Chairman: Thank you, Minister. The from this aspect. I don’t think I am here next minister is the Minister of to debate the sovereignty issue part of it, Environment, Hon. Daniel Shewchuk. but I will tell you this: you asked about it becoming the highway of the North and Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, freight and goods, it’s being used as a Mr. Chairman. I’ll echo the words of my highway to transport goods east to west, colleagues. Sovereignty, to me, in the and when that day comes, I think the Arctic and Canada is sovereignty needs government of the day will have a lot to investment and I think the federal benefit from it. As it stands now, government needs to invest in the Arctic because of the unpredictability of the to have their thoughts of a sovereign ice, we can’t ship goods through it right nation. If they respect Nunavut to be part now, but when that day comes, when it of Canada, then they need to invest in does become a transportation highway Nunavut. I also think that sovereignty is, east-west, we will be saving a in a sense, the sovereignty of Nunavut tremendous amount of money in through devolution. transporting goods.

An Hon. Member: Hear, hear! You have to realize that when we are shipping fuel products, let’s say, to the Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Devolution Kitikmeot, west towards Cambridge Bay will, no doubt, provide economic and Kugluktuk, those goods start out in benefits to all of Nunavut and places like Seattle and in some years, Nunavutmiut and benefits to the people from China and they have to go all the who deserve to have the benefits given way around Alaska, and then finally into to them from the resources they have. Nunavut. That takes a tremendous amount of effort and dollars and There is a balance in this too and as we different contracting companies in order all know, the environment, the wildlife, to be able to achieve those tasks. and the way of life of Inuit is very important, but development and So, in the years, I see that they are economic benefits that are there through coming when are able to go from the different exploration and mines is very east to west. There will be tremendous important for the evolution of Nunavut savings in terms of transporting goods and for progress to happen. Thank you, because they will be able to use the same Mr. Chairman. fuel suppliers, and so on and so forth, and ship this way and not go all the way Chairman: Thank you. The next around Alaska. minister will be Hon. Lorne Kusugak.

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If I could answer it that way, Mr. I have appeared before federal standing Chairman, I think there is potential here committees several times and it was when it does happen that we will have always interesting how I had to educate savings, in particular, petroleum them about the North. I remember one products and shipping of goods that we quote one time from an MP, and he said, could use that money elsewhere to “Never be ashamed to ask for help on support other infrastructure projects. behalf of the people who you represent.” Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As ministers and MLAs, we do have to go forth and assert sovereignty in the Chairman: Thank you, Minister. The North, and we have to encourage our next minister will be the Minister of government in Ottawa to continue to Justice, Hon. Keith Peterson. assert it and not just sporadically but all of the time. Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank my colleague from I was very encouraged by the Prime the Kitikmeot for asking that excellent Minister when he came to Cambridge question. I was born and raised in the Bay this summer and announced the North. I have lived in all three territories CHARS, Canadian High Arctic and I get rather annoyed by people when Research Station, for Cambridge Bay they don’t know where the North is, in that will be open by 2017. That will be a particular, a lot of people don’t know great boost to our territory and to our where Nunavut is. region. I know Mr. Elliott thinks we’re a part of the High Arctic now, but that’s a I used to appear before federal standing debate for another day. We’re on the committees when I was with the Northwest Passage. Countries around the Nunavut Association of Municipalities. I world say it’s an international channel. I had to start bringing in maps to show still see it as within Canada and within some Members of Parliament where Nunavut. Nunavut was and how the communities were all up here. I said that there are I know you asked me as the Minister of people living there in Nunavut. We Justice, but it’s hard to separate when didn’t just suddenly appear overnight. you’re the Minister of Finance and People have been here for thousands of Minister of Justice. I see, as the Minister years. of Finance, how we have to strive to develop our territory through our Mr. Aupaluktuq just asked a question territorial formula financing agreement. earlier about the Charter of Rights and You know, 85 percent of our funding Freedoms. We are all Canadians up here, that we receive comes through that so we are here already and we are using agreement and only 8 percent of it is the territory. We live here. We’re through our own source revenues, so developing the territory. We love this we’re just barely getting by in my territory, otherwise we wouldn’t be here, opinion. wouldn’t be MLAs, wouldn’t be ministers, and wouldn’t be fighting daily We have deteriorating infrastructure in to improve the standard and quality of every community in Nunavut; it is very life for the people who we represent. old. We had to invest hundreds of

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 76 millions of dollars in upgrading that the people who follow us will continue infrastructure. On a ballpark, we to do their part. probably need $2 billion right now for houses, municipal infrastructure, Eventually, it will lead to a point where hospitals, and schools. The only way we are a thriving, contributing member we’re going to get that is by developing of Canada. We won’t have to rely on our economy and it ties in with territorial formula financing and the sovereignty. I know we have lobbied for future generations will look back and many years in the Kitikmeot and I know appreciate all of the work that we did as the folks in the Kivalliq have lobbied as MLAs and ministers. Thank you, Mr. well for investment in our roads, ports, Chairman. and infrastructure. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. The To me, that’s the key to developing our next member on my list is Mr. economy in Nunavut where we have to Ningeongan. put that infrastructure in place and that will attract outside investment up here Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank from other sources, then part and parcel you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to ask of that will come the training my question to the Minister of Human opportunities, the business opportunities, Resources. and we will be putting people to work, then that will increase our gross Just last fall, we were informed that one domestic product, and then our corporate of the objectives of the Nunavut and personal income taxes. That will be government for 2020 was to have a important in the long term for us in representative level of Inuit beneficiaries terms of our devolution negotiations. comprising 85 percent of the public service. It has become unclear as to Ultimately, I would like to see this all whether that objective will change, lead towards improving the economic especially after the Auditor General wealth of individuals and communities. presented her report. When people are working and people are having higher education, when they are I do note, however, Mr. Chairman, back doing something, I think they are in 1999 with the creation of the territory, happier. There will be social issues that Inuit had huge expectations about what come with that, but we have to work would change, especially with our own hard. I’m not thinking five years; I’m public government, and that we would thinking 20 to 30 years. be able to make our own decisions and, in particular, deal with the issues most It’s going to take a lot of effort by a lot important and relevant to Inuit in of people, land claims groups, the Nunavut. private sector, governments, municipalities, all of us working together Be that as it may, from my own personal in raising the profile of Nunavut in observations, when a boy or a girl turns southern Canada and around the world, ten years old, adults generally do not sustaining it, and then working hard, have large expectations from that child building and taking our steps, and then since we know that the child is entering

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 77 their growth phase and entering an age We are going to try and meet these Inuit when they become more capable, and employment needs. As I say, we have then eventually they will become several programs in place with our new physically able to undertake more work. organization structure of HR, more Our expectations only develop at that training, more summer students, age, when they are becoming adults decreased casual hiring. There are many physically. I am analogizing that phase other things that we have to look at too to make a point about our current and the one thing is what type of situation. workforce do we have, how many people do we have available to work, After the Auditor General’s review of and we are in a very direct challenge the Inuit employment figures, what are with other organizations, with private the Department of Human Resources’ industry, with NTI, with other Inuit plans to address this challenge? Thank organizations; we are all after the same you, Mr. Chairman. people. It is very difficult.

Chairman: Thank you. Minister of But with programs that we have in place Human Resources, Hon. Daniel and more training within the GN, getting Shewchuk. people involved in the GN and the positions that we have in the GN at a Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, younger age, providing them with the Mr. Chairman. I’m not sure exactly if I skills, them having proper and more understand the question, but I think it’s education capabilities and opportunities to do with Inuit employment again and through the Arctic College, and the it’s very similar to the question that was graduation classes are going up in high asked to me before by a previous school, we hope that we can achieve this member. The target he refers to of 85 goal better into the future. Thank you, percent by 2020, this target is going to Mr. Chairman. be very difficult to meet. This is a huge challenge and in reality, it’s going to be Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Mr. very difficult to meet. However, that Ningeongan does not mean that we are going to stop trying to meet that target. Mr. Ningeongan (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank you for I somewhat disagree with the member your answer. I think you understood my when he states that ten-year-old children question clearly. As I stated, when shouldn’t have high expectations or that Nunavut was created, we had high we don’t believe that they can move on. expectations as if everything was going Well, we should because they do have to be settled right away. It took the high expectations, we do of them, and provinces in Canada many years to get I’m sure that parents and their families them to where they are at today. I just do, and we would hope that they have wanted to state that. the best education that is available to them. Mr. Chairman, I believe I have one more question, if I am correct, to the Minister of Justice. I think it is because I didn’t

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 Nunavut Leadership Forum 78 quite understand why the current We looked at it, it was a commendable government discontinued the Akitsiraq objective. They went around and had Law Program. They stated that it was law school fairs, I believe, in a number due to lack of funding. I think that is of communities in Nunavut and then what I heard, but I have never really down in Ottawa, they had close to 100 heard exactly why this program was people who expressed an interest in the discontinued. According to what I heard program, you know, signing up. We just from Nunavummiut, I believe that this felt that there were other opportunities program was very beneficial to for law students. If they are interested in Nunavutmiut. pursuing law school, I think you can get funding through FANS and through For example, our government had a scholarships. shortfall of $60 million. Why didn’t this government set aside that much money Also, as the Department of Justice in towards Inuit programs and services? particular, we have our own internal Thank you, Mr. Chairman. priorities to deal with. I am speaking of community corrections officers, we’ve Chairman: Thank you, Mr. got to help out with the social workers to Ningeongan. Minister of Justice, Hon. relieve them of those duties, we have to Keith Peterson. help put more funding into community justice at the community level, and we Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. had to help out with the legal aid Chairman. I thank Mr. Ningeongan for program across Nunavut. that question. Mr. Chairman, just a little history on the Akitsiraq Law Program, We get many demands, Mr. Chairman, Akitsiraq Law School had that program for funding internally just to our own in the First Assembly; I think there were departments, never mind to an 15 law students on there with 11 organization that is commendable as is graduates. the Akitsiraq Law School II. We just, at this time, could not accommodate their It was quite expensive at that time. To request. It would be nice if we could, but the credit of the law school, they the amount of money they were graduated the lawyers. In the Second requesting could just not be Assembly, there was no Akitsiraq Law accommodated at this time. Thank you, School, and then in the Third Assembly, Mr. Chairman. we would call it Akitsiraq Law School II. I started lobbying the territorial Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Thank government. I guess they just determined you, Mr. Ningeongan. I have no more that the Department of Justice was the names on my list. Mr. Okalik. lead department on this request and they had commitments of some federal Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, funding and from other people for the Mr. Chairman. I wasn’t going to ask a program. They were seeking several question, however, in order to make this millions of dollars. more transparent and in light of Mr. Peterson’s response, I will ask this.

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In reviewing the various needs of our I do have a business case that is going communities and in looking at the forward to get funding for additional changes that we wish to make, we know corrections officers. It’s very important that every community has pre-existing in the communities because the personnel that are specific to family corrections officers have to come with abuse cases. The government staff for some very sophisticated training and family intervention are already located knowledge of the court process and the in the communities and we can utilize conditions that the justice system these workers in the near future. If we imposes in the decisions. look at the future delegation of duties to include for these workers, we can add We will certainly take Mr. Okalik’s probationary duties to their work duties. suggestion and look into it. Thank you, We should be reversing some of these Mr. Chairman. matters. Chairman: Thank you, Minister. Thank I would urge the minister to review these you, Mr. Okalik. I have no more names issues in light of what he has tabled with on my list. I believe that we have an amended request. It states on there completed the questioning of the that if our government is unable to fund ministers. Do we agree? these request due to fiscal restraints, at the very minimum, our government can Some Members: Agreed. readily provide a letter of support that would allow the organization to search Vote of Confidence for other funds that apply to their field. I would urge our Minister of Justice to Chairman: Thank you. We will start conduct a more comprehensive review balloting. of these issues as this is something that seems to be a worthwhile addition. Okay, members, the ballots are being Thank you, Mr. Chairman. handed out. We will proceed to the voting stations in an orderly fashion. We Chairman: Thank you. Minister of will start on my left, Mr. Ningark, and to Justice, Hon. Keith Peterson. my right, Mr. Ningeongan. Once these members have returned to their seats, the Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. members next to them will proceed to Chairman. I thank Mr. Okalik for that the voting station. Please proceed. As the question. Mr. Chairman, the Department Chairman, I will be the last one to vote. of Justice has an agreement with the Department of Health and Social All members have cast their ballots. Services, an MOU, for social workers While the votes are being counted, we providing correction services in the will take a break and we will be communities. I have committed to summoned back to the Chambers at the Minister Curley that we will phase ringing of the bells. Thank you. corrections officers in and take over those duties that the social workers are >>Committee recessed at 17:27 and currently doing. resumed at 17:44

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Chairman: Thank you, members, for >>Applause coming back here. I will now announce the results. Just a moment. No. 7: a majority of members voting have expressed confidence in Minister A majority of members voting have Hunter Tootoo. expressed confidence in Premier Eva Aariak. Congratulations! >>Applause

>>Applause Thank you, Members. These proceedings are now concluded. I will The second minister: a majority of remind members that there will be a members voting have expressed meeting of the Full Caucus tomorrow confidence in Minister Tagak Curley. morning at 9:00 a.m. in the Nanuq Room to review the selection process for an >>Applause existing vacancy in cabinet. We are now adjourned for the day. No. 3: a majority of members voting have expressed confidence in Minister Before you go, could you return to your Lorne Kusugak. seats, please. I made a mistake. No, I’m just kidding. I will need a motion to >>Applause destroy the ballots. Mr. Tootoo.

A majority of members voting have Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. expressed confidence in Minister Keith Chairman. The Chairman never makes Peterson. mistakes, the Chairman is always right. I will make that motion to destroy the >>Applause ballots. Thank you.

No. 5: a majority of members voting Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. Do have expressed confidence in Minister members agree to destroy the ballots? Daniel Shewchuk. Some Members: Agreed. >>Applause Chairman: Thank you. We will see you A majority of members voting have in the morning. expressed confidence in Minister Peter Taptuna. >>Meeting adjourned at 17:47