March 11, 2021
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NUNAVUT HANSARD UNEDITED TRANSCRIPT THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021 IQALUIT, NUNAVUT Hansard is not a verbatim transcript of the debates of the House. It is a transcript in extenso. In the case of repetition or for a number of other reasons, such as more specific identification, it is acceptable to make changes so that anyone reading Hansard will get the meaning of what was said. Those who edit Hansard have an obligation to make a sentence more readable since there is a difference between the spoken and the written word. Debates, September 20, 1983, p. 27299. Beauchesne’s 6th edition, citation 55 Corrections: PLEASE RETURN ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE CLERK OR DEPUTY CLERK Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Speaker Hon. Paul Quassa (Aggu) Hon. David Akeeagok Joelie Kaernerk David Qamaniq (Quttiktuq) (Amittuq) (Tununiq) Deputy Premier; Minister of Economic Development and Transportation; Minister Pauloosie Keyootak Emiliano Qirngnuq of Human Resources (Uqqummiut) (Netsilik) Tony Akoak Hon. Lorne Kusugak Allan Rumbolt (Gjoa Haven) (Rankin Inlet South) (Hudson Bay) Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Minister of Health; Minister Deputy Speaker and Chair of the responsible for Seniors; Minister Committee of the Whole Pat Angnakak responsible for Suicide Prevention (Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu) Hon. Joe Savikataaq Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Adam Lightstone (Arviat South) (Iqaluit-Manirajak) Premier; Minister of Executive and Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister of (Cambridge Bay) John Main Energy; Minister of Environment; Minister of Community and Government (Arviat North-Whale Cove) Minister responsible for Immigration; Services; Minister responsible for the Qulliq Minister responsible for Indigenous Hon. Margaret Nakashuk Energy Corporation Affairs; Minister responsible for the (Pangnirtung) Minister of Culture and Heritage; Utility Rates Review Council Hon. George Hickes Minister of Languages; Minister (Iqaluit-Tasiluk) Craig Simailak responsible for the Nunavut Housing Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial (Baker Lake) Corporation Management Board; Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for Labour; Minister Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik Patterk Netser responsible for the Workers’ Safety and (Iqaluit-Sinaa) (Aivilik) Government House Leader; Minister Compensation Commission of Family Services; Minister Calvin Pedersen Hon. David Joanasie (Kugluktuk) responsible for Homelessness; Minister (South Baffin) responsible for the Status of Women Minister of Education; Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College Cathy Towtongie (Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet) Officers Clerk John Quirke Clerk Assistant Law Clerk Sergeant-at-Arms Hansard Production Stephen Innuksuk Michael Chandler Michel Albert Innirvik Support Services Box 1200 Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0 Tel (867) 975-5000 Fax (867) 975-5190 Toll-Free (877) 334-7266 Website: www.assembly.nu.ca Table of Contents Opening Prayer ................................................................................................................................ 1 Speaker’s Statement ........................................................................................................................ 1 Ministers’ Statements ...................................................................................................................... 1 Members’ Statements ...................................................................................................................... 7 Returns to Oral Questions ............................................................................................................. 10 Oral Questions ............................................................................................................................... 11 Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ......................................... 30 Report of the Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................... 90 Orders of the Day .......................................................................................................................... 90 A. Daily References Thursday, March 11, 2021............................................................................................................... 1 B. Ministers’ Statements 601 – 5(2): Polar Bear Studies in the High Arctic (Savikataaq) ..................................................... 2 602 – 5(2): Airline Reservations – Delayed Travel Due to COVID-19 (Akeeagok) ...................... 3 603 – 5(2): Organizational Realignment of the Department of Education (Joanasie) ..................... 3 604 – 5(2): JUNO Awards Nomination (Nakashuk) ....................................................................... 4 605 – 5(2): Justice Career Fair (Hickes) .......................................................................................... 5 606 – 5(2): Student Services at Nunavut Arctic College (Joanasie) ............................................... 5 607 – 5(2): Construction Continues Despite COVID-19 (Nakashuk) ............................................. 6 C. Members’ Statements 853 – 5(2): Condolences to the Family of Luki Sammurtok (Main) ............................................... 7 854 – 5(2): Medical Assistance in Dying (Netser) .......................................................................... 8 855 – 5(2): Recognizing Ayla Kreelak (Simailak) .......................................................................... 9 856 – 5(2): Happy Birthday to Brother (Ehaloak) ......................................................................... 10 D. Returns to Oral Questions Return to Oral Question 1225 – 5(2): Medical Travel and COVID-19 (Kusugak) ....................... 10 E. Oral Questions 1247 – 5(2): Sanikiluaq Water Supply (Rumbolt) ......................................................................... 11 1248 – 5(2): Elder Care (Main) ..................................................................................................... 12 1249 – 5(2): Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (Angnakak) ................................. 14 1250 – 5(2): Electronic Money Transfers and Income Assistance (Kaernerk) ............................. 16 1251 – 5(2): Limit on Alcohol Purchases (Lightstone) ................................................................. 18 1252 – 5(2): Busing Needs for Chesterfield Inlet (Towtongie) ..................................................... 20 1253 – 5(2): Mining Sector (Akoak) ............................................................................................. 22 1254 – 5(2): Condition of Public Housing Units (Qirngnuq) ........................................................ 24 1255 – 5(2): Consumer Protection (Simailak) ............................................................................... 26 1256 – 5(2): Northern Life Skills Programs for Youth (Pedersen) ............................................... 28 F. Bills Bill 59 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2021-2022 – Human Resources – Consideration in Committee ................................................................................................... 30 Bill 59 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2021-2022 – Culture and Heritage – Consideration in Committee ................................................................................................... 56 Thursday, March 11, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 1 Iqaluit, Nunavut Thursday, March 11, 2021 Members Present: Hon. David Akeeagok, Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak, Hon. George Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, Mr. Joelie Kaernerk, Hon. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Adam Lightstone, Mr. John Main, Hon. Margaret Nakashuk, Mr. Patterk Netser, Mr. Calvin Pedersen, Mr. David Qamaniq, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq, Hon. Paul Quassa, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Hon. Joe Savikataaq, Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik, Mr. Craig Simailak, Ms. Cathy Towtongie. >>House commenced at 13:29 Item 1: Opening Prayer Speaker (Hon. Paul Quassa)(interpretation): Good day. Before we proceed, can you say the opening prayer, please, Mr. Simailak. >>Prayer Speaker (interpretation): Good day. Speaker (interpretation): Good day, Nunavummiut who are following the proceedings. Before we proceed with the orders of the day, I wish to make a statement. Speaker’s Statement As the House will be aware, today has been designated by the federal government as a National Day of Observance for COVID-19. To mark this solemn occasion, our national and territorial flags will fly at half-mast until sunset. I ask all members to join me in a moment of silent memory for the thousands of our fellow citizens who have lost their lives to this terrible pandemic, and I ask all members to join me in reflecting on the sacrifices that have been made by so many over the past year. >>Moment of Silence Thank you. We will now proceed with the orders of the day. Ministers’ Statements. Minister of Environment, Mr. Savikataaq. Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Thursday, March 11, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 2 Minister’s Statement 601 – 5(2): Polar Bear Studies in the High Arctic (Savikataaq) Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the people of Arviat, I say “good day” to you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, before I begin my statement, I would like to take a moment to honour the National Day of Observance for COVID-19. Mr. Speaker, the last year has been unlike anything we have ever experienced. It has been hard, it has been lonely, and it has been long. It has