Nunavut Canada

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF

2nd Session 5th Assembly

HANSARD

Official Report

DAY 58

Friday, October 18, 2019

Pages 3756 – 3793

Iqaluit

Speaker: The Honourable Simeon Mikkungwak, M.L.A.

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

Speaker Hon. Simeon Mikkungwak (Baker Lake)

Hon. David Akeeagok (Quttiktuq) (Amittuq) (Tununiq) Deputy Premier; Minister of Economic Development and Transportation Mila Kamingoak Emiliano Qirngnuq (Kugluktuk) (Netsilik) (Gjoa Haven) Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole (Uqqummiut) (Aggu)

Hon. (Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu) (Rankin Inlet South) (Hudson Bay) Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Minister of Community and Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Government Services; Minister of Committee of the Whole Hon. Human Resources (Cambridge Bay) Hon. Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for Adam Lightstone (Arviat South) Labour; Minister responsible for the Qulliq (Iqaluit-Manirajak) Premier; Minister of Executive and

Energy Corporation Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister of Energy; Minister of Environment; (Arviat North-Whale Cove) Minister responsible for Aboriginal Hon. George Hickes (Iqaluit-Tasiluk) Affairs; Minister responsible for the Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial (Pangnirtung) Utility Rates Review Council Management Board; Minister of Health; Minister responsible for Seniors; Minister Hon. Hon. responsible for Suicide Prevention; Minister (Aivilik) (Iqaluit-Sinaa) responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Minister responsible for Nunavut Government House Leader; Minister Compensation Commission Arctic College; Minister responsible of Family Services; Minister for the Nunavut Housing responsible for Homelessness; Minister Hon. Corporation responsible for Immigration; Minister (South Baffin) responsible for the Status of Women Minister of Culture and Heritage; Minister of Education; Minister of Languages (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 ...... 3756

Ministers’ Statements ...... 3756

Members’ Statements ...... 3762

Oral Questions ...... 3765

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ...... 3780

Report of the Committee of the Whole ...... 3792

Orders of the Day ...... 3792

A. Daily References

Friday, October 18, 2019 ...... 3756

B. Ministers’ Statements

274 – 5(2): 2019 Nipivut Youth Conference (Joanasie) ...... 3756

275 – 5(2): Taloyoak Pilot Project Motor Vehicles Issuing (Akeeagok) ...... 3757

276 – 5(2): Upcoming Federal Election (Savikataaq) ...... 3757

277 – 5(2): Revitalization of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program (Netser) ...... 3758

278 – 5(2): Diabetes Month and Pilot Program (Hickes) ...... 3759

279 – 5(2): 2019 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship (Ehaloak) ...... 3760

280 – 5(2): Nunavut Women, Girls Leadership and Governance Initiative (Sheutiapik) ...... 3761

C. Members’ Statements

422 – 5(2): 2019 High School Graduates of Kugaaruk (Qirngnuq) ...... 3762

423 – 5(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation Initiatives (Main) ...... 3762

424 – 5(2): Addressing Housing Shortage (Lightstone) ...... 3763

425 – 5(2): 2019 High School Graduates of Rankin Inlet (Kusugak) ...... 3763

426 – 5(2): Municipal Acclamations in Pond Inlet (Qamaniq) ...... 3764

427 – 5(2): Summer Visit to Baker Lake (Akeeagok) ...... 3764

D. Oral Questions

573 – 5(2): Alternative Construction Methods (Lightstone) ...... 3765

574 – 5(2): Baffin Island Caribou Management (Keyootak) ...... 3767

575 – 5(2): Protecting Our Children from Viral Infections (Angnakak) ...... 3768

576 – 5(2): Update on the Igloolik High School (Kaernerk) ...... 3770

577 – 5(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation Initiatives (Main) ...... 3771

578 – 5(2): Baffin Island Caribou Management (Qamaniq) ...... 3772

579 – 5(2): Housing Building Methods (Lightstone) ...... 3773

580 – 5(2): Issues with Caribou Management (Towtongie) ...... 3774

581 – 5(2): Motor Vehicle Licensing Issuing Pilot Project (Rumbolt) ...... 3776

582 – 5(2): Elders at Embassy West (Angnakak) ...... 3777

583 – 5(2): Correspondence to Federal Party Leaders (Main) ...... 3778

E. Bills

Bill 30 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2020-2021 – Nunavut Housing Corporation –

Consideration in Committee ...... 3781

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3756

Iqaluit, Nunavut Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Friday, October 18, 2019 Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members Present: Good morning to all Nunavummiut. Hon. David Akeeagok, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak, Hon. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am George Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, happy to report that Nasivvik High Mr. Joelie Kaernerk, Mr. Pauloosie School in Pond Inlet hosted the annual Keyootak, Hon. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Nipivut Youth Conference on October 2 Adam Lightstone, Mr. John Main, Hon. and 3. Youth delegates from Grise Fiord, Simeon Mikkungwak, Ms. Margaret Resolute Bay, , and Igloolik Nakashuk, Hon. Patterk Netser, Mr. attended the conference, which focused David Qamaniq, Mr. Emiliano on finding motivation, building Qirngnuq, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Hon. Joe confidence, and being positive role Savikataaq, Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik, models for others. Ms. Cathy Towtongie. Mr. Speaker, to support them to become >>House commenced at 9:01 strong leaders in their school and community, these students learned skills Item 1: Opening Prayer such as strategies to address bullying, developing healthy peer relationships, Speaker (Hon. Simeon Mikkungwak) and promoting positive change (interpretation): Can you say the opening awareness campaigns in their schools prayer, please, Member Qirngnuq. and community. They learned to express and share these skills through art, video >>Prayer and social media.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the annual very much, Member Qirngnuq. I wish to youth conference was launched in 2016 inform my colleagues that three by the Department of Education in members will be absent from the House partnership with the Canadian Red Cross this morning: Member Kamingoak for to help Nunavut youth achieve a better Kugluktuk, Member for Aggu, Mr. sense of well-being and self-reliance. Quassa, and Member for Gjoa Haven, Previous youth conferences were held in Mr. Akoak. I note that those members Iqaluit in 2016, Cambridge Bay in 2017, will be absent from the House this and Rankin Inlet in 2018. morning. Hearing that Nipivut was the title of this Let’s proceed with the orders of the day. year’s conference makes me confident Ministers’ Statements. Minister of that Inuit identity and our voice was Education, Minister Joanasie. celebrated. As more youth gather for the annual event, I believe many will find Item 2: Ministers’ Statements their voice, share their gifts, and set the foundation for a bright future for Minister’s Statement 274 – 5(2): 2019 Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nipivut Youth Conference (Joanasie) >>Applause

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Speaker (interpretation): Ministers’ Vehicles Information System. Through Statements. Minister of Economic the government’s secure network, that Development and Transportation, transaction can now be reviewed and Minister Akeeagok. approved at one of our motor vehicles offices in virtual real-time. This means Minister’s Statement 275 – 5(2): an application entered in Taloyoak can Taloyoak Pilot Project Motor be approved for production in Ottawa in Vehicles Issuing (Akeeagok) a matter of hours rather than weeks.

Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, the success of this pilot has Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For many years taken a high level of coordination now, the Members of this Assembly between Community and Government have been bringing concerns forward Services, Executive and about the length of time it takes for their Intergovernmental Affairs, and staff of constituents to receive critical my own department. We will continue to documents from the Motor Vehicles work together to develop the plan to Division. bring these improvements to every community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an understatement to say it is a challenge to provide good service and >>Applause high levels of security (interpretation ends) while using old technology and Speaker (interpretation): Ministers’ poor connectivity to cover the long Statements. Premier Savikataaq. distances we have in Nunavut. Minister’s Statement 276 – 5(2): As the members are aware, over the past Upcoming Federal Election several years the government has (Savikataaq) invested over $7 million into developing Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): a motor vehicles information system to Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the people improve our service delivery. That of Arviat, I say “good morning” to you. system “went live” in our motor vehicles offices one year ago. We are pleased (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I with the stability and ease of use it has to would like to take the opportunity to offer. However, up until now those speak about the upcoming federal benefits have only been evident in election. As we all know, Canada votes communities with motor vehicles on October 21 and this is an opportunity offices. for Nunavummiut to have their voices heard at the federal level over the next Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to tell the four years. members that this past October we connected the first government liaison >>Applause office directly into the new Motor Vehicles Information System. Through The democratic process is an important this connection, the GLO office in and one and one that should not be taken Taloyoak can enter motor vehicle lightly. Voting is not only our right as transactions directly into the Motor Canadians but can be viewed as our

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3758 responsibility as well. to working with the successful candidate for the betterment of all Nunavummiut. An Hon. Member: Hear, hear! Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq: As Nunavummiut An Hon. Member: Hear, hear! facing food insecurity, a housing crisis, critically aged and insufficient >>Applause infrastructure, and our hard realities around suicide and mental health, we Speaker (interpretation): Ministers’ owe it to ourselves and to each other to Statements. Minister responsible for take this opportunity to speak up. Nunavut Arctic College, Minister Netser. Mr. Speaker, in September I wrote to the federal party leaders to ask how they Minister’s Statement 277 – 5(2): plan to address the needs of Nunavut Revitalization of the Nunavut should their party form the next Teacher Education Program government. I have highlighted that our (Netser) government is focused on investment Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): and engagement on specific priorities to Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I say “good bring us in line with national standards, morning” to the people of Coral Harbour and here are some of the stuff, including: and Naujaat. infrastructure, housing, mental health and addictions treatment, economic (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise development and community success, today to provide my esteemed strengthening the Arctic and nation colleagues with an update on the building, transportation, energy and fibre revitalization of the Nunavut Teacher corridors, education, Inuktitut language Education Program which is offered skills and training. I also expressed the through Nunavut Arctic College. need to bring our elders home from out- of-territory care. As my colleagues may know, the Nunavut Teacher Education Program has I have shared those letters with all recently been refocused and is now built members and I have published them on on a foundation of Inuit language and my website. I will also publish the culture, with the goal of graduating responses from the leaders as I receive bilingual teachers. them. I hope these will provide some additional information for Nunavut An Hon. Member: Hear, hear! voters as they strive to make their decisions. Hon. Patterk Netser: This new program, which is a result of a 10-year Mr. Speaker, we expect a lot from partnership agreement recently signed Nunavut’s Member of Parliament, and with Memorial University of we are counting on their voice to be a Newfoundland and Labrador, provides strong, effective advocate for our learners with an opportunity to earn a pressing needs. Good luck to the language certificate, a language Nunavut candidates, and I look forward specialist diploma, as well as a Bachelor

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3759 of Education. These courses will help to damage, blindness, and many others. enrich the academic program and offer students additional workplace options. However, I’m not here to highlight the rise in this disease but rather some of the Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to exceptional work that is being conducted announce that Nunavut Arctic College is within the Department of Health to in discussions with key stakeholders and counter it. Currently within the Baffin partners to create a multilateral region, Iqaluit Health Services is hosting agreement on the revitalization of a pilot program that has built a Inuktut in Nunavut through the coordinated diabetes education team. establishment of a Nunavut partnership These health care professionals are in the table on language and education. This process of becoming certified diabetes new agreement will help to increase educators and are revolutionizing the access to Inuktut language instruction, way that diabetes is managed within the increase the number of proficient territory. Under this program the team is Inuktitut-speaking educators, and pushing three pillars of diabetes increase the number of fluent Inuktut management: prevention, education, and speakers throughout Nunavut. empowerment. Diabetes patients, primarily at their behest of physicians Mr. Speaker, I look forward to providing but increasingly through self-referrals, additional updates on the Nunavut have open access to this clinic, and there Teacher Education Program and these is also the option of providing telehealth various partnerships in the future. services for patients in communities. In (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. these sessions, patients are treated and educated based on each individual’s >>Applause unique experience with diabetes and are taught lifestyle changes and disease Speaker (interpretation): Ministers’ management practices that are tailored to Statements. Minister of Health, Minister their needs. Mr. Speaker and members, Hickes. these patients are learning how to take control and manage the disease without Minister’s Statement 278 – 5(2): compromising other aspects of their life. Diabetes Month and Pilot Program The clinic is also open to Nunavummiut (Hickes) displaying symptoms of pre-diabetes, Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. which is so vital because if these Speaker. November is Diabetes warning signs are caught and managed Awareness Month. Nunavummiut from early, the disease can be prevented across the territory experience diabetes altogether. at rates comparable to the rest of the country, and the rate of diabetes in Mr. Speaker, patient reviews of the Nunavut is continuing to rise. Mr. program to date have been universally Speaker and members, the disease is positive. Many have remarked that for impactful enough by itself, but if poorly the first time in their lives, they feel in managed, diabetes can lead to a host of control of their diabetes. Some patients, additional complications, including heart just through the education and disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve subsequent lifestyle changes imparted

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onto them, no longer require medication A graduate of Inuksuk High School, Ms. they had previously relied on for years. Mandal is studying at Queen’s Others have gotten their blood sugar University in the Doctor of Medicine levels into the normal range for the first (MD), after completing the prestigious time in recent memory. All these stories Accelerated Route to Medical School have one thing in common: program. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut experiencing diabetes are after graduation, she plans to return to living healthier, more empowered lives the territory to provide culturally thanks to the treatment and education appropriate medical services. they have received through this program. (interpretation ends) At the same time Ms. Mandal continues to develop Mr. Speaker, diabetes is but one of the Inuktitut skills to better connect with chronic diseases that many of our fellow future patients in their own language. Nunavummiut deal with every single day. However, through treatment The annual scholarship pays tribute to approaches such as that which is offered Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier’s influence in through this pilot program, we can the establishment of an independent continue to empower Nunavummiut to energy corporation for Nunavut before both live and feel in control of their her sudden passing in the year 2000. chronic disease. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ms. Gauthier was instrumental in creating a made-in-Nunavut electrical >>Applause utility and this scholarship celebrates her vision for leadership and personal Speaker (interpretation): Ministers’ excellence. Ms. Mandal embodies many Statements. Minister responsible for the of the same values. Her passion for Qulliq Energy Corporation, Minister learning, along with her willingness to Ehaloak. share her knowledge and serve the community, is inspiring. Minister’s Statement 279 – 5(2): 2019 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Uqaqtii, the Qulliq Energy Corporation Scholarship (Ehaloak) and I are proud to support Nunavummiut who are pursuing higher education levels Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): with the goal of becoming leaders in Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation their communities. We admire their ends) I am pleased to inform my perseverance as students and their colleagues that the Qulliq Energy willingness to serve our territory. Please Corporation continues to celebrate join me in congratulating Ms. Mandal on student success by awarding the annual her achievements and wishing her the Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship. best of luck on her academic endeavour. Ms. Anchaleena Mandal of Iqaluit (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. received the 2019 scholarship for her dedication to her studies, as well as >>Applause being a mental health advocate, a devoted community leader, and an Speaker (interpretation): Ministers’ accomplished musician. Statements. Minister responsible for the

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Status of Women, Minister Sheutiapik. also equip women and girls with the tools, knowledge, and skills to create this Minister’s Statement 280 – 5(2): change at the individual and community Nunavut Women, Girls level. Leadership and Governance Initiative (Sheutiapik) We recognize the importance of involving our partners in this work to Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik ensure its sustainability and success. To (interpretation): Very good morning. Mr. that end we look forward to working Speaker, I am pleased to stand here with key partners across the territory to today to update the members on an collaborate in this work. important initiative my department is undertaking to strengthen women and Uqaqtitsijii, [elevating] the voice of girls’ leadership opportunities across the women and girls in Nunavut lays a territory. foundation for greater action towards gender equity in Nunavut. This initiative (interpretation ends) Uqaqtitsijii, in represents a commitment to create more fiscal year 2019-2020 the Department of opportunities to support women and girls Family Services was successful in in leadership and governance positions obtaining funding from the Department at a community, regional and territorial of Women and Gender Equality Canada, level. formally known as Status of Women Canada. The project funding will be On behalf of the Government of used over a three and half year period Nunavut, I want to thank Women and and will include conducting outreach Gender Equality Canada for their with key community organizations, ongoing engagement and commitment to coordinating a women and girls’ supporting Inuit women and girls in leadership and governance forum, and Nunavut. piloting a program in one region to bring women and girls’ leadership and Uqaqtitsijii, I would be remiss not to governance training and capacity take this opportunity to commend the building closer to community. Northwest Territories on electing a record number of women in their recent Uqaqtitsijii, through the Nunavut election. Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, my department has heard from community >>Applause that building the capacity of non-profits is key to strengthening community It is now the jurisdiction that has the economic development and poverty highest proportion of women legislators reduction. Nunavut’s Poverty Reduction in Canada. By supporting initiatives that Strategy, Makimaniq II, emphasizes the strengthen leadership opportunities for importance of community groups that young girls and women, we too can can respond to local needs and interests endeavour to make more women elected in ways that remote service providers to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. cannot. This project funding aims to not (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. only increase community capacity but

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3762

>>Applause community very proud.

Speaker (interpretation): Continuing on. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would Members’ Statements. Member for also like to recognize the parents, family Netsilik, Member Qirngnuq. members, teachers, and principals for their role in supporting these young men Item 3: Members’ Statements and women through that moment.

Member’s Statement 422 – 5(2): 2019 Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the High School Graduates of House to join me in congratulating these Kugaaruk (Qirngnuq) students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank >>Applause you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” to my fellow Nunavummiut. First of all, Speaker (interpretation): Members’ our granddaughter, Philomena Evaglok, Statements. Member for Arviat North- is celebrating her sixth birthday. I am Whale Cove, Member Main. very happy. Member’s Statement 423 – 5(2): >>Applause Nunavut Housing Corporation Initiatives (Main) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the students of Kugaaruk who have Mr. Main (interpretation): Good completed their grade 12. In the last morning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I month these young people have made a thought I wasn’t going to have my mic lot of accomplishments even though they on. went through hard times for the past couple of years. These young people Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise to show showed great courage in coming to my support to the minister and I’m sure school each day to finish their high nobody was expecting this, but we do school. These are the following have to support the government as graduates: regular members. The Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation • Marty Anaittuq as well as Arctic College made a • Ethan Angutialuk statement on June 4, 2019 in this House • Shelly Angutingunirk about a project in Rankin Inlet where • Cynthia Nartok college students are being taught • Taniki Ningark housing construction. I wanted to say • Shavanna Oogark that it is something I like and support.

• Loranda Rose Qirngnuq We all know that there’s a severe • Natanai Tagornak shortage of housing in each of the • Adam Totalik Nunavut communities and all

communities need to further support (interpretation ends) I congratulate you their students. We know we need to all. Your hard work and dedication at provide more support on top of what is school has paid off. You have made your

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3763 provided. Although it’s only happening every social issue that Nunavummiut in Rankin Inlet right now, we can face, from overcrowding, food envision those projects in every insecurity, domestic violence, child community in Nunavut. You can see the sexual abuse, and mental health. benefits that would come from that. I know that the Minister responsible for Last month we had a standing committee the Nunavut Housing Corporation is meeting with the Office of the Auditor struggling to meet the demand. I General and we heard about, in English, appreciate that the minister is doing his (interpretation ends) hands-on education, best with the limited funds that are (interpretation ends) in areas such as available, but I believe that the status carpentry, plumbing, sewing, and things quo and current methods are insufficient like that, that would greatly support and will require creative solutions to students and those who wouldn’t have build as many public housing units as gone to school are more eager to learn possible in the shortest time possible. when these courses are offered. I support this and I would like to see more of it in Mr. Speaker, I will have questions on Nunavut. this topic at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure who I will be directing my questions later on, either the Minister Speaker (interpretation): Members’ responsible for the Housing Corporation Statements. Member for Rankin Inlet or Arctic College. I would like to see South, Member Kusugak. more of these hands-on types of programs be made available in all Member’s Statement 425 – 5(2): 2019 Nunavut communities. Thank you, Mr. High School Graduates of Rankin Speaker. Inlet (Kusugak)

>>Applause Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Good morning. I say “good morning” to Speaker (interpretation): Members’ the people of Rankin Inlet. Statements. Member for Iqaluit- Manirajak, Member Lightstone. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to inform the House that in August of this Member’s Statement 424 – 5(2): past summer, Rankin Inlet’s graduates Addressing Housing Shortage were recognized. Graduates are (Lightstone) recognized in August after they have Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. passed their (interpretation ends) Speaker. Good morning. As we all departmental (interpretation) exams. know, housing is a critical issue facing This summer there were 22 graduates in almost every Nunavummiuq. There are Rankin Inlet and I thank them for currently approximately 5,000 people on inviting me to attend their graduation the wait-list for public housing and half ceremony. The graduates are: the territory currently lives in overcrowded homes. This housing • Eliott Adams shortage is intertwined with almost • Katrina Anderson

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• Amauyak Angootealuk them for running for the hamlet council. • Leonie Aupilardjuk The following hamlet council members • Derek Fredlund were acclaimed: • Sean Hamilton • Sandy Kaludjak • Boazie Ootoova • Tamika Kaludjak • Cathy Pewatoalook • Bryce Kusugak • Danny Maktar • Nicholas Makpah • Isaac Akpaleeapik • Lexi Okpatauyak • Joshua Idlout • Myna Owpaluk • Moses Koonark • Jason Panika • Titus Arnakallak • Jaydene Pilakapsi • Meeka Putulik In addition, there was only one candidate for the district education authority who • Jasmyne Sanertanut will be acclaimed. I would like to • Brad Sigurdson congratulate incumbent Michael • Jimmy Taipana Peterloosie. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. • Brandon Tatty • Clifford Tatty >>Applause • Teegan Tucktoo • Faith Voisey Speaker (interpretation): Members’ Statements. Member for Quttiktuq, We congratulate these 22 graduates and Member Akeeagok. we wish them a bright future in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Member’s Statement 427 – 5(2): Summer Visit to Baker Lake >>Applause (Akeeagok) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I send my best Members’ Statements. Member for regards to the people of Quttiktuq. Tununiq, Member Qamaniq. Today being Friday, I would like to make a statement on a happy note. Member’s Statement 426 – 5(2): Municipal Acclamations in Pond This summer I travelled all over Inlet (Qamaniq) Nunavut and Canada. I would like to state, Mr. Speaker, that I went to your Mr. Qamaniq (interpretation): Thank community. We had recently elected you you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” as the Speaker. We don’t hold ourselves to my fellow residents of Tununiq. in high regard, but others do that for us. Our Speaker is very capable and he Mr. Speaker, on October 28, 2019 there made that apparent on his own. I was on will be municipal elections in Nunavut. a bus with him inland. We were looking There were not enough candidates in our at the rocks. He was talking about how community running for hamlet council, beautiful Baker Lake is as he looked at so they will be acclaimed without an me and I was looking at the rocks. He election. I would like to congratulate asked, “Did you see the caribou?”

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>>Laughter Government Services.

He’s very capable. He was facing this As the minister is aware, the Nunavut way and he was seeing the caribou in the Housing Corporation’s Blueprint for opposite direction. Action on Housing identifies “technological innovation” as being one >>Laughter of the key issues facing the corporation.

That was incredible. We elected a very As the minister is also aware, it is my capable Speaker and I’m proud of you. understanding that an innovative- sounding and locally-led housing project >>Laughter is currently underway in Cambridge Bay to construct a number of “tiny homes,” You always say that your community is which have the potential to significantly beautiful and you know every rock and alleviate the housing shortage in that every lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. community. I would like to ask: can the minister describe the extent to which the >>Laughter Nunavut Housing Corporation is monitoring the progress of this project? >>Applause Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Speaker (interpretation): Minister very much. We do smile as members responsible for the Nunavut Housing once in a while. Corporation, Minister Netser.

Members’ Statements. There being none, Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): let us continue on. Returns to Oral Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation Questions. There are none. Item 5. ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. the member for raising this question. We There are none. Item 6. Oral Questions. have a severe housing crisis. I think I Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Member was up in Cambridge Bay back in April Lightstone. and I met with the hamlet over that thing, and I’m very interested in seeing Item 6: Oral Questions the outcome of that and monitoring that as the days go by. (interpretation) Thank Question 573 – 5(2): Alternative you, Mr. Speaker. Construction Methods (Lightstone) Speaker (interpretation): Your first Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. supplementary, Member Lightstone. Speaker. As I alluded to in my member’s statement, my questions are for the Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Speaker. I also thank the minister for Housing Corporation, and my questions that response. I hope that the Nunavut today are in a similar theme and issues Housing Corporation will reap as much as to those which I raised yesterday with benefits as possible in learning the pros the Minister of Community and and cons from this type of development.

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Mr. Speaker, the federal election takes and Government Services, I spoke about place Monday. Although it would be the idea of trade-offs. For example, the wonderful if the next federal government Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, which is an would write us a very, very, very large Inuit-owned economic development cheque to immediately construct the entity, clearly made a number of trade- thousands of new public housing units offs in deciding how to construct its new that we desperately need, however, I hotel. don’t think that anyone in this House thinks that will actually happen. Mr. Speaker, nobody can reasonably deny that the housing crisis across Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that each Nunavut is currently at the root of many public housing unit costs the Nunavut other social problems. My position is Housing Corporation several hundreds that we need to do what we can to build of thousands of dollars to construct using more units, more quickly, and at less of a present methods, which is why I strongly cost. If this requires some trade-offs, I support looking at more cost-effective am prepared as an MLA to support them. construction methods that build more homes in less time. I would like to ask if My question to the minister is this: does the minister shares my position on this the minister consider the current housing issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. crisis in Nunavut to be sufficiently an “exceptional circumstance” to warrant Speaker: Minister Netser. the government exercising its authority under section 3.1 of the NNI Policy to Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): depart from its provisions in order to Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation pursue different approaches to housing ends) Thank you for the question, hon. construction that may result in more member. The housing corporation looks units being built at a more cost-effective for ways to address our severe housing and timely manner? Thank you, Mr. crisis and issues, and I’m really open to Speaker. dialoguing with the House on how we can collectively address the housing Speaker: Minister Netser. issue. I’m open to suggestions and comments on how we can address this Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): severe housing crisis that is before us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ends) The Nunavut Housing Corporation adheres to the NNI Policy, Nunavut Speaker (interpretation): Your final Nangminiqaqtiujunut Ikajuuti. We have supplementary, Member Lightstone. looked at the modular homes and the NHC has found that stick-built housing Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. is more efficient and less costly than to Speaker. I also look forward to having have these modular homes built. This is some open dialogue in this House about how we’re going to address housing some alternatives. issues, through the traditional aspects. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during my questions yesterday of the Minister of Community

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Speaker (interpretation): Oral caribou, but the total number of 250 tags Questions. Member for Uqqummiut, includes these cow tags. We are Member Keyootak. including them within the 250 tag allocation for the Baffin region. Thank Question 574 – 5(2): Baffin Island you, Mr. Speaker. Caribou Management (Keyootak) Speaker (interpretation): Your first Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank supplementary, Member Keyootak. you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” to the people of Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank River who are watching and listening to you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the our proceedings. minister for clarifying that. Mr. Speaker, as we in the Baffin region are all Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my aware… . Well, perhaps it applies questions to the Minister of throughout all of Nunavut. With respect Environment. to total allowable harvests, I’ll compare it with the polar bear harvest system Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, I have since I deem them to be similar in terms continually asked questions on caribou. of limited female harvest ratios with a The total allowable harvest for caribou set number. When the ratio for female in the Baffin region is 250. Mr. Speaker, polar bear harvesting is surpassed, then it was very good to hear that we are now the overall tags are deducted with a able to harvest 25 cows since previously formula. we were only able to harvest male caribou and mature bulls in particular. I’m wondering if the same practice will We were recently advised that we can be followed where tags are deducted now harvest up to 25 cows without with a formula for overharvests of calves for the Baffin region. With these female caribou or if it will be managed 25 cow-specific tags, are they deducted differently from the polar bear from the total allowable harvest of 250 management system in Nunavut where or are these additional tags above and the polar bear tags are deducted when beyond the 250 tags? To repeat, is this cows are over-harvested. Will the allocation of 25 tags for cows included caribou harvest quota be managed in the 250 tags for the Baffin region? differently? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Speaker (interpretation): Minister Environment, Minister Savikataaq. responsible for Environment, Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The caribou Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): and polar bear management systems are Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the operated separately and distinct from member for his passion for discussing one another. It is totally separate. In the caribou. The number of tags for the case of polar bear, if the sows are over- Baffin region is set at 250 in total. At harvested, then the next annual allotment this time they can harvest 25 female of tags reflects that deduction based on

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the formula. It’s still unclear as to what in the management of diabetes. I also will happen, but caribou management is have diabetes and I have received help. done separately. Thank you, Mr. He said that the process has been Speaker. improved and they have dedicated staff for that now and they have helped me a Speaker (interpretation): Your final great deal. Thank you. supplementary, Member Keyootak. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank would like to direct my question to the you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the Minister of Health. minister for explaining that very clearly. This makes some Inuit exceptionally Mr. Speaker, a number of years ago I happy. questioned the government with respect to its position on providing a vaccine to My last supplementary isn’t really a Nunavut infants to protect them from the question. Our esteemed elders in devastating effects of respiratory, and particular know the practice of I’m going to try to wing the virus name, harvesting specific caribou and now they syncytial virus, also known as “RSV.” won’t be stuck with only toughened bull At the time the government refused to meat. That makes many Inuit very happy provide this vaccine on a Nunavut-wide to be able to harvest tender cows. Real basis. hunters who are listening and are extremely skilled most likely understand Can the minister confirm whether or not this, as it is now clear that we are it is still the government’s position to not pleased with being able to harvest cows provide this vaccine to infants across in the Baffin region. This is a change Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Inuit wished for, so I am extremely grateful to the minister for making that Speaker (interpretation): Minister of decision. This is just a comment. Thank Health, Minister Hickes. you, Mr. Speaker. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. >>Applause Speaker. The Nunavut Department of Health does provide this vaccine to Speaker (interpretation): Oral infants that are deemed high risk, Questions. Member for Iqaluit- following current medical practices. Niaqunnguu, Member Angnakak. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 575 – 5(2): Protecting Our Speaker (interpretation): Your first Children from Viral Infections supplementary, Member Angnakak. (Angnakak) Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to Speaker. A recent article in the Canadian you. Before I ask my question to the Medical Association’s online journal, Minister of Health, I would first like to the CMAJ Open, shows that providing thank him for his minister’s statement the appropriate medication to Nunavut regarding the developments being made infants can result in incredible cost

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3769 savings by preventing the illness from Speaker (interpretation): Your final spreading and, as a result, fewer infants supplementary, Member Angnakak. being sent out of territory for care and treatment of respiratory infections. Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that sometimes the cost Can the minister clearly indicate whether gets in the way of service. his department has conducted any cost analysis comparing the cost of I do believe that our government should administering this preventative be forward-thinking. I think we can’t medication to infants across Nunavut to afford to constantly address our issues the overall costs of medevacs, from crisis management. I think we need admissions, and treatments for infants to be proactive and we need to take the who contract the respiratory viral appropriate steps to prevent the spread of illness? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. illness and to protect our children before the threat of illness is on our doorsteps. Speaker: Minister Hickes. Recently somebody who I know had their baby medevaced because of RSV, Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. and it really has an impact on the family, Speaker. Directly to a cost benefit, it’s especially when the baby is so young. hard to get that level of detail; for one, the numbers of births per year do Will the minister commit to conducting a fluctuate. full review of the government’s decision not to offer this preventative medicine That being said, we did work very for all Nunavut infants to protect them closely with Health Canada as recently against respiratory tract infections and as a couple of years ago to work on the consider reversing the government’s effectiveness of different vaccines, but position? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. specifically for RSV, and following Health Canada’s guidelines and Speaker: Minister Hickes. recommended best practices, we do provide the vaccine to people who are at Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. risk. There are a number of different Speaker. This isn’t a government-led or categories that would deem that this even a ministerial-led policy to not vaccination or this treatment be available provide blanket coverage of this vaccine. to them. This is following best medical practices. We have worked very closely with That being said, we are following Health Canada and other jurisdictions to Nunavik. They have put this vaccine out make sure that we do the best for our available across and we are following population. This isn’t a matter of price. the progress of that program. As of now, This is a matter of making sure that I haven’t seen the article that the effective medical practices are being member talks to, but recent medical followed. That is the root of the information that I have been receiving is decision, Mr. Speaker. It’s not a political at this time it is not something that’s or a policy decision based on cost. It’s recommended to do a blanket following best medical practices. Thank vaccination. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. you, Mr. Speaker.

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Speaker (interpretation): Oral Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Questions. Member for Amittuq, you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the Member Kaernerk. minister for that clear explanation. The other question I have is: do you have a Question 576 – 5(2): Update on the date set as to when the school will be Igloolik High School (Kaernerk) opened? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank Speaker: Minister Joanasie. you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to my fellow residents of Amittuq. I will direct Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): my question to the Minister of Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Education. completion date has been postponed because the flooring needs to be worked We’re always returning to the new on. However, the contractor has stated school in Igloolik. I would first like to that a substantial part of it would be ask for an update from the Minister of completed this month in 2019, but we Education on the status of the school. expect the students to start attending the Thank you, Mr. Speaker. new school at the beginning of the school year in 2020. Thank you, Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Minister Speaker. responsible for Education, Minister Joanasie. Speaker (interpretation): Your final supplementary, Member Kaernerk. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank member for the question. Mr. Speaker, you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for the Department of Community and explaining that clearly again. My final Government Services awarded a contract question to you is: will there be enough to a (interpretation ends) Northern teachers available for the opening of the Quebec company, FCNQ Construction, school or will there be too few? That’s (interpretation) to build the school. Over my last question. Thank you, Mr. $24 million has been allocated for that. Speaker. Construction was supposed to be completed on June 1, 2018, but the floor Speaker: Minister Joanasie. of the new school was found to be inadequate. That is the reason for the Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): delay and we’ve had the Department of Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank Community and Government Services you for the question. Yes, we have help us with the oversight of this planned for additional teachers. project’s progress to date. Thank you, Whenever there is a new school being Mr. Speaker. constructed in a community, we usually have to add teachers and we have Speaker (interpretation): Your first already planned for that. As of October supplementary, Member Kaernerk. 11, last week, we had two NTA positions left to fill in Igloolik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Speaker (interpretation): Oral Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Questions. Member for Arviat North- Whale Cove, Member Main. Speaker (interpretation): Your first supplementary, Member Main. Question 577 – 5(2): Nunavut Housing Corporation Initiatives (Main) Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I’m Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, going to quote from the minister’s Mr. Speaker. I rise to direct my question statement on June 4 when he was to the Minister responsible for the quoting from our Turaaqtavut mandate. Housing Corporation. It says “Putting our communities first by offering local skills and trades training As I stated earlier, there is a project in that will reduce our dependence on Rankin Inlet where they are training imported labour…”. It says in there, Mr. students to renovate an old housing unit. Speaker, “Putting our communities…” It I like the project and I would like it doesn’t say “Putting one community.” It extended to all the communities in doesn’t say one pilot project for the Nunavut. I know that we all are whole territory. It says “our experiencing a housing shortage and our communities.” young people and adults need more training on carpentry. My next question for the housing minister is: what is currently holding us My first question is: can you give us an back from expanding this program to the update on the project in Rankin Inlet? whole territory? We have housing units, Thank you, Mr. Speaker. we have students, and we have educators. What is the barrier or maybe a Speaker (interpretation): Minister better question, what is the timeline for responsible for the Nunavut Housing expanding this important initiative to the Corporation, Minister Netser. rest of the territory? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank Speaker: Minister Netser. him for the question. The Minister responsible for Arctic College can Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): probably answer this question better than Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation I can. The building that he is asking ends) This pilot project is the first about was given to Nunavut Arctic collaboration of its kind between, as I College by the housing corporation to be said earlier, the Nunavut Housing used as a learning facility and Arctic Corporation, the Department of Family College was provided funding from Services, and Nunavut Arctic College. (interpretation ends) Family Services, (interpretation) and so we thank them for I visited that unit in Area 5, I believe it that. They were scheduled to be finished is, every time I go through Rankin Inlet. at the end of this month. I don’t have any It’s a really successful program. We further updates except that they are have two people from Rankin Inlet, one scheduled to be finished this month. from Whale Cove, his riding, and one

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from Naujaat being trained as they Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. renovate the house. Minister Netser.

I think we have hit a goldmine in terms Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): of addressing our housing crisis. We Thank you, Mr. Chairman. have buildings that are uninhabitable (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, we are now due to being run down, and I think doing it now. We are making changes. I we have hit a goldmine here. I would understand the LHO in Rankin Inlet has like to see it done all throughout identified another unit. What is stopping Nunavut. This is just the first of its kind, other communities from going to Arctic so it sounds like it is a very exciting and College and say “We have a house here successful program. that needs to be renovated. We have students who are willing to come and In terms of what I said earlier back in learn.”? All this stuff takes time and June, it’s to become less reliant on process. I’m certainly committed into exported labour…or imported labour, I doing more. It may not be next year, but should say. (interpretation) Thank you, certainly down the road, we’re certainly Mr. Speaker. looking at that. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Your final supplementary question, Member Main. Speaker (interpretation): Oral Questions. Member for Tununiq, Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Member Qamaniq. Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. (interpretation ends) Then maybe Question 578 – 5(2): Baffin Island someday we will be exporting labour if Caribou Management (Qamaniq) we ever figure out how to train enough tradespeople. We could export them to Mr. Qamaniq (interpretation): Thank the rest of the country, in fact. you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Environment regarding I’m hoping to get a commitment from caribou management. the minister here in terms of expanding this. We only have two years left in our In the Baffin region we have a total mandate as a government. The capital allowable harvest of 250 caribou, as we estimates that we will be working on are heard, and we can harvest up to 25 for 2020-21. The window is closing to female caribou. I also understand that make a change. I’m going to ask the the communities in the Baffin region are minister if the minister can commit to allocated caribou tags based on their expanding this program, give it the fast population. track, give it the special treatment, whatever they have to do on that side of My question is: if there are any the House, to see this program in every communities that run out of caribou tags, community in Nunavut within the next can they get tags from another year. It’s doable. (interpretation) Thank community if they still have tags or is you, Mr. Speaker. that not permitted? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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Speaker (interpretation): Minister Corporation, Minister Netser. responsible for Environment, Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): ends) That was done back in, I believe, Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are 250 2017, but I stand to be corrected, Mr. tags for the Baffin region and it’s for the Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you. entire region. If a community runs out of caribou tags, they can request tags from Speaker (interpretation): Your first another community because those tags supplementary, Member Lightstone. are earmarked for the whole Baffin region. Through the hunters and trappers Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. organizations, they can request tags from Speaker. I appreciate the response. I’m a community that hasn’t run out of tags. glad that it is a fairly recent It’s at the discretion of the hunters and determination, but I would like to ask the trappers organizations. Thank you, Mr. minister if he would be willing to table Speaker. this study or whatever method that was used to make this determination for the Speaker (interpretation): Oral benefit of the Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Questions. Member for Iqaluit- Speaker. Manirajak, Member Lightstone. Speaker: Minister Netser. Question 579 – 5(2): Housing Building Methods (Lightstone) Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. ends) There was an RFP done back in Speaker. My questions are for the 2017 which included modular, panelized Minister of the Nunavut Housing and stick building design-build delivery Corporation and are a follow-up to my proposals. The traditional stick-built previous questions. proposal provided the most overall value and was determined to be the most cost I was quite surprised when the minister efficient, as determined by the RFP stated that it has been determined that evaluation committee. (interpretation) the conventional stick-built construction Thank you, Mr. Speaker. is the most cost-effective method to build public housing units. I myself was Speaker (interpretation): Your final under the impression that the efficiency supplementary question, Member of factory-built prefabricated or modular Lightstone. homes is more cost effective than conventional methods. I would like to Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. ask to the minister when and how this Speaker. I appreciate the minister’s was determined. Thank you, Mr. response. I would like to point out that Speaker. this report was conducted in 2017 and as with all technologies, they continue to Speaker (interpretation): Minister rapidly advance over time. responsible for the Nunavut Housing

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I would like to ask again if the minister harvest in the Baffin region of 250 would be willing to commit to tabling caribou. If the situation continues in the the results of this RFP process in which Kivalliq region, we need to get a quota the minister determined that like the Baffin region because they’re conventional construction methods were just shooting randomly. It’s dangerous. I the most cost effective. Thank you, Mr. saw personally whole carcasses of Speaker. caribou that had been killed indiscriminately. I took photos of them. Speaker: Minister Netser. Only choice parts such as their tongues were removed. Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation The minister does state that according to ends) We are a transparent government the (interpretation ends) Wildlife Act, and we always look for ways to improve (interpretation) those who abandon our housing designs, so yes, I will carcasses can be fined or arrested. commit to tabling the RFP so that the However, they can’t find who shot the House can see it. (interpretation) Thank caribou and just removed the tongues. I you, Mr. Speaker. want to find out from the Minister of Environment how the suspects can be Speaker (interpretation): Oral found. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Questions. Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Member Speaker (interpretation): Minister Towtongie. responsible for Environment, Minister Savikataaq. Question 580 – 5(2): Issues with Caribou Management (Towtongie) Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank abandoning caribou meat is breaking the you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct law. Anyone who abandons a carcass or my questions to the Minister of has seen abandoned meat should inform Environment with respect to caribou. the conservation officer and report the incident. The conservation officers can’t First of all, I would like to express my be at all places at once, but people can thanks for the closure of the Ijiralik help by informing the officers if they crossing area which stops the hunting of find abandoned carcasses. Thank you, migrating caribou herds at that junction. Mr. Speaker. It became dangerous when hunters were shooting randomly into a caribou herd Speaker (interpretation): Your first and the herd stampeding as a result. I am supplementary, Member Towtongie. very appreciative of the conservation officers who enforced the rules at that Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank crossing. you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the Minister of Environment for his Nonetheless, my question should response. There have been two incidents. resonate within Nunavut since we, the Last summer I took a picture of government, enacted this total allowable abandoned carcasses and this summer I

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3775 saw two abandoned carcasses. I followed Yes, that’s a concern. We do caribou the whole procedure and I reported the population surveys in the Kivalliq and incidents to the appropriate officials. they are gradually going down, but there Others have done the same thing. You are still numerous caribou. We don’t see know that. There are caribou carcasses any need for a quota system anytime being left out on the land daily. soon. However, when it comes to the right of Inuit to sell caribou meat, we as As we are sitting here today, caribou in a government cannot break that the Kivalliq are being killed for money. agreement, but the hunters and trappers They sell the meat for around $450 to organizations in the communities should $650. It has totally changed from the be telling their citizens that we don’t traditional way we used to hunt as Inuit. want them to do that. The HTO board We’re now making money out of has the authority to advise their caribou. For that reason, has the harvesters about that. Thank you, Mr. government and cabinet considered how Speaker. to lay a foundation for this in the future? Speaker (interpretation): Your final We’re not hunting caribou just for supplementary question, Member subsistence anymore. We’re treating Towtongie. caribou like a commodity. Caribou are harvested every single day. Not just one, Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank but sometimes they shoot 10 to 20. If you. Yes, I am quite aware that we have they harvest 20 and they earn $400 each, a right as Inuit. If we run out of caribou, they can then buy a snowmobile or a we will only have a right but no caribou Honda. How is the Department of because we are not laying a proper Environment laying a foundation for foundation for the future. We are the this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s my descendants of people who had a proper last question. foundation for wildlife management. We need to address the selling of wildlife Speaker: Minister Savikataaq. while still maintaining our rights.

Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): I would just like to make a comment; I Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I have don’t have a question. I’m not just spoken numerous times on the selling of thinking about the Kivalliq. Caribou all meat. The Nunavut Agreement states that over Nunavut are becoming fewer in Inuit have the right, as long as they don’t numbers. No wonder that caribou break the laws, to sell the meat or the everywhere are (interpretation ends) animal. Currently we cannot break that stressed. The caribou herds right across agreement. As a government we have to Nunavut are under stress. As a abide by the agreement. The Nunavut government, it’s not acceptable to me to Agreement belongs to the Canadian say that Inuit have rights and that we government legislation. If an Inuk cannot do anything about it. If animals harvests a caribou and wants to sell the become an economic commodity across meat, they can do that. That’s within the Nunavut, then we should put limits, such law. If they’re not breaking any laws, as commercial quotas and domestic they can sell the meat. quotas. If we do not, we will extinguish

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3776 these types of animals and we will have Taloyoak for this and the willingness by all the rights right after that. I have often the GLO and our staff in talking to each spoken to the Minister of Environment other. One of the main reasons was on that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s because of the Core Business Network just a comment. available in the office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): That was just a comment. Continuing on. Oral Speaker (interpretation): Your first Questions. Member for Hudson Bay, supplementary, Member Rumbolt. Member Rumbolt. Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question 581 – 5(2): Motor Vehicle Also in the minister’s statement it stated Licensing Issuing Pilot Project that information can be put directly into (Rumbolt) the Motor Vehicles Information System Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. and an application can be approved for Good morning to the people of production in Ottawa in a matter of Sanikiluaq. hours. One of the issues with the application process is the mailing of Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for driver’s licences from Ottawa to regional the Minister of Economic Development centres for verification and then mailing and Transportation. First off I would like these driver’s licences out to the to thank the minister for his statement communities. Did this pilot project earlier today on improvements to the involve mailing the driver’s licences motor vehicle issues that communities directly to the communities from Ottawa face. It’s a step in the right direction. to further speed up the process and, if not, why not? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the minister’s statement he stated that the pilot project was conducted in Speaker: Minister Akeeagok. Taloyoak, and I’m not trying to take anything away from that community. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. I’m sure their issues with the motor Speaker. At this point, as part of this vehicle system is similar to other pilot project, the community of Taloyoak communities, but can the minister was able to enter it into the system and explain to the House why Taloyoak was get those approvals in place within our chosen for this pilot project? Thank you, regional or headquarter offices. Our Mr. Speaker. process is through that just to make sure that there are checks and balances. I Speaker (interpretation): Minister of believe, from what I understand and this Economic Development and will be going thing, one of my ongoing Transportation, Minister Akeeagok. reviews is to see if we can send it directly to the communities with our Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. systems in place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The main reason why this Speaker. community was chosen is because there is a Core Business Network available in Speaker (interpretation): Your final the government liaison office in supplementary question, Member

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Rumbolt. like to direct my question to the Minister of Health. Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the end of the minister’s statement it I am well aware that the government is states, “We will continue to work still in the planning stages for beds for together to develop a plan to bring these (interpretation ends) long-term elder improvements to every community.” care. (interpretation) However, can the Can the minister update the House today minister tell us how many elders have on the timeline to bring these left the territory and are currently down improvements to other communities and south and residing at the Embassy West which communities are next on this facility? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. priority list? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Speaker: Minister Akeeagok. Health, Minister Hickes.

Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The communities that have the Speaker. The latest information I have is Core Business Network and have offices from September 26 and there are 33. with a GLO at this current time are the Thank you. communities of Pond Inlet, Igloolik, Kugluktuk, and Baker Lake. Those are Speaker (interpretation): Your first the four communities that we are looking supplementary question, Member to try to set up. Those are the ones that Angnakak. do have the Core Business Network, but at the same time my staff are working Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank with Community and Government you, Mr. Speaker. Our elders are sent out Services to determine at what point the and they experience difficult times. They Core Business Network will be made are loved and their family members available to the other offices. That’s aren’t able to go to see them. Is the something that I think will be a little minister able to inform the House of more long term, but as part of my what happens to the family members of ministerial statement, those are the the elders who are sent away? If they are communities that we’re focused on in concerned about their elder, who do they terms of making it available. Thank you, approach to talk about their concerns and Mr. Speaker. where can they call? That’s the kind of information people would like to get Speaker (interpretation): Oral because it’s hard to know the condition Questions. Member for Iqaluit- of the elder who has been sent out, Niaqunnguu, Member Angnakak. which is a concern. How can family members be assisted further so that they Question 582 – 5(2): Elders at know where they can get more Embassy West (Angnakak) information? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank Speaker: Minister Hickes. you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to ask another question. Once again, I would

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Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. them, but I’m wondering if the minister Speaker. There are a number of different can commit to providing clear and avenues that people can follow. There is concise information to this House on the the Office of Patient Relations. They can number of complaints that have been help direct the appropriate person to talk received by his department regarding the to, depending upon the situation where, care and treatment of the Nunavut if you’re looking for medical residents at the Embassy West facility. information, there is also privacy Thank you, Mr. Speaker. legislation that limits who and how much information can be shared. There Speaker: Minister Hickes. is the Embassy West staff directly. There is our Home and Continuing Care Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Division here within the Department of Speaker. The facility itself, if there are Health. There are a number of different any concerns that are brought forward avenues to discuss concerns. from the activity there, those are provided through the Ontario Retirement I know the staff at Embassy West work Homes Regulatory Authority. Any very hard with families to make sure that complaints or concerns can be made to they’re kept up to date and then arrange them. I would have to check to see FaceTime visits with their family. We do exactly how any concerns are being provide face-to-face visit opportunities brought forward to us, but from a facility for families as well. There are a number standpoint, any concerns of care should of different avenues. If the member be brought to the Ontario Retirement wants to approach me with direct contact Homes Regulatory Authority. Thank information for people in this area, feel you, Mr. Speaker. free to do so, but failing in that, for the general population out there, they can Speaker (interpretation): Oral either contact the Office of Patient Questions. Member for Arviat North- Relations. It would probably be the most Whale Cove, Member Main. condensed focal point to be able to direct them depending upon who they’re trying Question 583 – 5(2): Correspondence to contact and why. Thank you, Mr. to Federal Party Leaders (Main) Speaker. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Speaker (interpretation): Your final Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for supplementary, Member Angnakak. allowing me to ask another question. I rise to ask a question to our Premier. Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) We all know that we are going through a A number of Nunavummiut have come federal election right now and elections to me with concerns regarding the care will be held after Sunday. and treatment that their family member Nunavummiut, please go and vote. Last is receiving at the Embassy West night I went to the CBC North debate. I facility. I’m not sure whether or not appreciate that they had a debate with these concerns are passed on to the the candidates and I thank all the three department. I’m sure you get some of candidates who were there. I am proud

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of them and they’re all capable in my response letters is now posted on the view. Premier’s website and we just received the other one last night, which will be Our Premier made a statement earlier posted on the website as well. It is up to that he wrote a letter to the all Nunavummiut in terms of which (interpretation ends) federal parties. party they will be voting for. They do a (interpretation) How many of them lot of campaigning, but as the Nunavut responded and who were the leaders that government we will have to work with responded? That’s what I want to hear. whichever government is elected. We Thank you, Mr. Speaker. will work with the new MP. We will approach the new government and show Speaker (interpretation): Premier of them what Nunavut’s needs are. We are Nunavut, Premier Savikataaq. lacking in so many things and we need a lot of help. After October 21 we are Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): planning to work with whoever gets Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wrote letters elected. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. and two of them replied, the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party. Speaker (interpretation): Your final Those were the ones that responded. supplementary, Member Main. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Speaker (interpretation): Your first Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Premier. supplementary question, Member Main. This is not the first time we have heard this from the Government of Nunavut. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, The government always states that no Mr. Speaker. I have another question for matter who is elected, we will work with the Premier. He stated that he received them. It is like the Nunavut government two responses. After the Premier read never supports a particular candidate, yet the responses, which (interpretation Canadian provincial premiers express ends) colour… their support to the Conservative, Liberal or other parties. Even the Alberta >>Laughter Premier went to Ontario to go support the elections, which was in the news. (interpretation) …seems to be more appropriate for the Government of Has our Premier and his ministerial Nunavut to work with given the goals of colleagues given any consideration to the government’s Turaaqtavut mandate? get away from usual practice and state In looking at our goals, which party their support for a particular party or seems to fit more for the future of candidate? Has there been any Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. consideration along these lines? (interpretation ends) I guess my question Speaker (interpretation): Premier is: did the cabinet, did the Premier and Savikataaq. the ministers give any consideration during this federal election cycle to Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): taking a position and standing up for Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the what this government believes in?

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(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Motions. Item 15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. 16. Motions. Speaker (interpretation): Premier Item 17. First Reading of Bills. Item 18. Savikataaq. Second Reading of Bills. Item 19. Consideration in Committee of the Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills Speaker. What the member is talking 30, 31, 32, and 33 with Ms. Angnakak in about is party politics in southern the Chair. Canada, and yes, a particular party that is in power in a province would help Before we proceed to the Committee of their party that is running federally. the Whole, we will take a 15-minute That’s understandable. Here in Nunavut break. we don’t have party politics. We’re a consensus government here and we’re (interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms. here to work with any government that is formed. Our job is to educate the new >>House recessed at 10:41 and government or the new incoming Committee resumed at 11:00 ministers about all of our needs and wants. Item 19: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other We have not had any discussions on Matters picking a federal party to support. We are here to work with any party that Chairperson (Ms. Angnakak): I call the comes into power within the federal committee meeting to order. In government. Our job is to educate the Committee of the Whole we have the new government that comes in of all of following items to deal with: Bills 30, our needs that we need, and we will 31, 32, and 33. What is the wish of the work with the new MP that will be voted committee? Mr. Main. in shortly. We will work with that MP, whatever party colours that they have, Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, and we will work with any government; Madam Chairperson. At this time we the federal government. Our problem is wish to commence with the review of that we have so many needs and we have Bill 30 and the 2020-21 capital to educate the federal government on our estimates, starting with the housing needs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. corporation. Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Speaker (interpretation): The time for question period has expired. Continuing Chairperson (interpretation): Thank on. Written Questions. Returns to you, Mr. Main. Do you agree that we Written Questions. Replies to Opening first deal with (interpretation ends) Bill Address. (interpretation ends) Item 10. 30? Petitions. Item 11. Responses to Petitions. Item 12. Reports of Standing Some Members: Agreed. and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters. Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Item 14. Notices of

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3781

Bill 30 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, Madam Chairperson, the capital plan 2020-2021 – Nunavut Housing consists of $43,443,000 from the Corporation – Consideration in Government of Nunavut and Committee $29,833,000 from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (interpretation Chairperson (interpretation): Thank ends) Madam Chairperson, the CMHC’s you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Netser, do funding includes $4.29 million, or the you have officials that you would like to Canada Mortgage and Housing appear before the committee? Mr. Corporation, under the Social Housing Netser. Agreement and $25,543,000 through the National Housing Strategy. These Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): funding sources bring the total Nunavut Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Housing Corporation capital budget for (interpretation ends) Most certainly, yes, the 2020-21 fiscal year to $73,276,000. please. (interpretation) Thank you. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation funds will be combined Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Netser. with Government of Nunavut capital Does the committee agree to let the funding to increase the number of public minister and his officials go to the housing units built in 2020-21. witness table? The Nunavut Housing capital funding Some Members: Agreed. remains at approximately the same level as last year for modernization and Chairperson: Sergeant-at-Arms, please improvement, or the M&I, for Nunavut escort the witnesses in. Housing Corporation owned public housing and staff housing units and Thank you. For the record, Minister homeownership… . Netser, please introduce your officials. Thank you. Chairperson: I’m sorry, Mr. Netser. I have to interrupt you. We’re getting Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): some feedback and I think it’s because Thank you, Madam Chairperson. To my your earpiece is too close to the right is Terry Audla, President of the microphone. Can you just make sure that Housing Corporation, and to my left is Ji the earpieces, if there are any near the Liu, our Chief Financial Officer. Thank microphone, are farther away? Thank you, Madam Chairperson. you. You may proceed.

Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Netser. Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Mr. Netser, please proceed with your I’m sorry. Do you want this farther opening comments. Thank you. away? Okay. (interpretation ends) I’ll go back. Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Good (interpretation) Thank you, Madam morning, my colleagues. I am here this Chairperson. (interpretation ends) Thank morning to present the housing you. Do you want me to start from the corporation’s capital plan for 2020-21. beginning?

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The Nunavut Housing capital funding housing offices’ warehousing fund will remains at approximately the same level remain at $7.36 million for fiscal year as it was last year for modernization and 2020-21. improvement (M&I) for Nunavut Housing Corporation owned public In 2018 condition assessments were housing and staff housing units and conducted on seven community homeownership programs, which warehouses and a priority list was includes the Heating Oil Tank established. The Nunavut Housing Replacement Program and the Seniors Corporation has issued a request for and Persons with Disabilities proposals for design development for the Preventative Maintenance Program. LHO complexes in Sanikiluaq, Cambridge Bay, and Arviat. In the 2019- Iksivautaaq, the Nunavut Housing 2020 fiscal year the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s funding for the Fire Corporation expects to complete Damage and Replacement Fund will schematic design in Arviat and decrease by $3.7 million to $1.0 million Cambridge Bay and design development in 2020-21. This $1.0 million in base in Sanikiluaq. Plans for 2020-21 are to funding is for repairs and demolition of tender construction of the Sanikiluaq units destroyed by fire in the 2019-2020 warehouse in the spring of 2020. fiscal year. The Nunavut Housing Additionally the design development for Corporation will request fire damage the Arviat and Iqaluktuuttiaq LHO funds in future years’ capital plans to complexes will be completed in 2020, meet the needs of replacing our units. allowing construction to be tendered the The future request will be based on a following fiscal year. review of our building schedule as well as the needs list for the communities and Iksivautaaq, there is no change from last districts. year in staff housing construction funding. The corporation anticipates The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s construction of 15 new staff housing mobile fund will have a minor increase units across the territory, with $5 million of $5,000. This increase is to allow the in 2020-21 GN capital funding for corporation and the local housing construction, combined with savings and organizations to keep up with the carryovers from previous years. A increase in public and staff housing units number of factors are considered when in our inventory across the territory. allocating new staff housing construction. These units will be critical Madam Chairperson, Nunavut’s local to meeting the GN’s recruitment and housing offices’ warehouse facilities are retention needs. well over 20 years old on average, with many requiring significant maintenance There is no change from last year in and repairs. In addition, there has been public housing construction funding. In substantial growth in the number of 2020-21 the Nunavut Housing housing units to be maintained. Some of Corporation anticipates construction of our warehousing facilities can no longer 35 new public housing units across the accommodate current demands. The territory, with $17.5 million in Nunavut Housing Corporation’s local Government of Nunavut capital funding,

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3783 including savings and carryovers from replacing fire-damaged units. previous years. Like all public housing construction, the allocation of these 35 The ongoing shortage of public housing units is based on the Nunavut Housing in all of Nunavut’s communities is an Corporation’s needs-based public issue of significant concern to all housing construction allocation Members of the Legislative Assembly. methodology. Although the 2017 federal budget announced $240.0 million in funding With this construction as well as new over 11 years towards meeting housing funding that will be coming to the needs in Nunavut, the 2018 and 2019 Nunavut Housing Corporation from the federal budgets contained no new federal government through the National Nunavut-specific housing funding. The Housing Strategy, we are steadily standing committee continues to working to address Nunavut’s severe encourage the minister to provide housing crisis. ongoing updates to the Legislative Assembly on the status of the Madam Chairperson and committee implementation of the new National members, qujannamiiqpunga for this Housing Strategy. The standing opportunity. I look forward to a committee notes that a recently meaningful discussion. My officials and published federal “progress report on I will be pleased to hear your comments housing investments” indicates that a and answer any questions that you may bilateral agreement concerning housing have. (interpretation) Thank you, was signed with the territory on August Madam Chairperson. 2, 2019.

Chairperson: Thank you, Minister The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Netser. Does the chair of the standing current methodology for determining committee have opening comments? Mr. new public housing construction Rumbolt. allocations is formula-driven and based on relative needs. The standing Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Madam committee continues to emphasize the Chairman. I am pleased to provide importance of ensuring that Nunavut opening comments on behalf of the residents have confidence in the Standing Committee on Community and transparency and accuracy of the Economic Development on its review of Nunavut Housing Corporation’s the proposed 2020-21 Capital Estimates approach to verifying wait-list numbers, of the Nunavut Housing Corporation. and recommends that the minister continue the practice of tabling on an The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s annual basis and in a timely manner the proposed capital budget for the 2020-21 Nunavut Housing Corporation’s updated fiscal year is $43,443,000. This allocation methodology and community represents a decrease of approximately allocations. 7.8 percent from its 2019-2020 capital budget of $47,138,000. The majority of The standing committee notes that a this decrease is accounted for by a number of commercial and residential decrease in the corporation’s budget for construction projects utilizing modular

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3784 construction methods and “tiny home” the community and availability of technologies are currently underway in leasable units in a community.” some Nunavut communities. The However, the exact process by which the standing committee encourages the specific communities in which new staff Nunavut Housing Corporation to work housing is to be constructed is not closely with the Department of entirely transparent. Community and Government Services to monitor developments in these fields for During the minister’s recent appearance their potential applicability to public before the standing committee, members infrastructure projects. raised a number of concerns regarding the extent to which the Nunavut Housing The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Corporation is enforcing contractual proposed 2020-21 capital estimates provisions contained in its public and include funding for the purpose of staff housing tenders regarding replacing public housing units that have contractors’ use of local been destroyed by fire. During the accommodations and fulfillment of Inuit standing committee’s consideration of labour content and training the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s requirements. 2019-2020 capital estimates, members raised significant concerns regarding the On September 10, 2018 the federal and lack of clarity about how the Nunavut territorial governments announced a Housing Corporation manages the fire federal investment of almost $12.0 damage replacement program. The million that will “…go toward energy standing committee notes that efficiency retrofits for Nunavut’s public information provided by the Nunavut housing and the installation of new Housing Corporation indicates that it is district heating systems in the “…working towards developing a new communities of Sanikiluaq and policy to address the rebuild of fire- Taloyoak. (…) Through the Nunavut damaged units and how new Housing Corporation, housing retrofits construction may be addressed to meet will include new insulation, weather the needs of communities.” The standing stripping, window and door committee looks forward to the new replacements, as well as hot-water tank policy being tabled in the Legislative and furnace upgrades.” Assembly at the earliest opportunity. The Nunavut Housing Corporation The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s administers a number of different proposed 2020-21 capital estimates programs to assist homeowners and include funding for the construction of potential homeowners in Nunavut. The new staff housing units. Information standing committee notes significant provided by the corporation indicates improvements in the level of detail that “…major determinants for contained in the Nunavut Housing allocating construction dollars include Corporation’s most recent annual reports existing vacant units versus vacant concerning the administration of its positions in a community; planned new homeownership programs. This positions and staffing competitions in information will help all Members of the the community; forced sharing cases in Legislative Assembly to better evaluate

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3785 the extent to which the corporation’s Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) homeownership programs are being Housing Income Limits (HILs) for accessed in small, medium and large calculating shelter costs, and is used to communities. set public housing income limits.” The homeownership program income The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s eligibility limits have not been updated current business plan indicates that it has since October 2014. The standing been undertaking a three-stage review of committee continues to encourage the its homeownership programs. The Nunavut Housing Corporation to standing committee looks forward to the regularly review its homeownership results of the review being tabled in the income eligibility limits to reflect the Legislative Assembly at the earliest high cost of living in Nunavut’s isolated opportunity. communities.

The standing committee continues to The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s emphasize the importance of ensuring proposed 2020-21 capital estimates ease of access to information concerning include funding for the purpose of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s providing an annual contribution to local homeownership programs, especially in housing organizations for the creation of smaller communities. The standing a vehicle reserve fund. The standing committee continues to emphasize the committee continues to recommend that importance of providing timely decisions the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s on applications submitted under its annual reports include a detailed listing homeownership programs. The standing of vehicle acquisitions undertaken by committee also encourages the Nunavut local housing organizations. Housing Corporation to explore options that would enable local housing On June 28, 2019 the Nunavut Housing organizations to offer, on a cost recovery Corporation issued a request for basis, certain maintenance and repair proposals for a mould remediation plan. functions to private homeowners in Information published by the small communities that lack private Government of Nunavut indicates that a contractors. contract valued at $2,217,000 was awarded to Dillon Consulting Ltd. to The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s perform this work. Given the significant 2017-18 annual report indicates that threat that mould poses to the health and “Eligibility for homeownership well-being of our territory’s residents, programs is based on the applicant’s the standing committee continues to urge income. Income testing is done against a the minister to regularly update the community-specific Homeownership Legislative Assembly on the status of the Program Income Eligibility limit Nunavut Housing Corporation’s efforts (HPIE). HPIE limits range from to combat mould infestation across the $158,500 in Arviat to $186,000 in territory. Resolute Bay. HPIE limits are calculated using a modified Core Need Income That concludes my opening comments Threshold (CNIT). The CNIT is a on the proposed 2020-21 Capital formula based on Canada Mortgage and Estimates of the Nunavut Housing

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Corporation. Thank you, Madam minister and your officials. Chairperson. (interpretation ends) I would like to ask Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. questions about the planned construction Are there any general questions to the for public housing. We do have a letter opening comments? General comments here that we received from the to the opening comments? Thank you. If chairperson of the housing corporation not, we will proceed to review the and it’s a bit different than previous Nunavut Housing Corporation capital letters. It projects construction for two budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year years. (interpretation) I would first like starting with page L-3. Nunavut Housing to know why it has been changed. Thank Corporation. Capital Expenditures. Total you, Madam Chairperson. Capital Expenditures. $43,443,000. Agreed? Any questions? Total Capital Chairperson (interpretation): Thank Expenditures. $43,443,000. Agreed? you, Mr. Main. Minister Netser.

Some Members: Agreed. Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank Chairperson: Okay. We will go to page him for that question. The main reason is L-2. L-2. Nunavut Housing Corporation. the shipping season. There is a very Total Capital Expenditures. L-2. small window for shipping to the $43,443,000. Agreed? communities and that’s the main reason that it’s set for two years. Thank you, An Hon. Member: No. Madam Chairperson.

Chairperson: I did ask if anybody had Chairperson (interpretation): Thank any questions. Nobody responded. I’m you, Mr. Netser. Mr. Main. sorry. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, We will take a 10-minute break. Thank Madam Chairperson. From what I you. understand, the housing corporation sets the construction of housing units >>Committee recessed at 11:22 and according to the (interpretation ends) resumed at 11:30 waiting list (interpretation) in the communities. Is the housing corporation Chairperson: I call the committee aware of these numbers? Are the meeting back to order. We had some communities treated equally? confusion there and we had some documents that weren’t provided to (interpretation ends) When it comes to everybody. What I’m going to do as the waiting lists, does the housing Chair is I’m going to go back to L-3 and corporation have confidence or does it ask if there are any questions on page L- have assurances that the wailing lists in 3. Mr. Main. each community are being maintained and are being dealt with in a consistent Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, manner? (interpretation) Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Good morning, Madam Chairperson.

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Chairperson (interpretation): Thank units and that’s how we address the you, Mr. Main. Minister Netser. methodology of housing allocation. We do encourage the LHOs to reach out to Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): the public. (interpretation) Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chairperson. We work closely with the local housing Chairperson (interpretation): Thank organizations on allocating units to you, Minister Netser. Mr. Main. which community. As the housing corporation we treat communities in Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Nunavut equally. Thank you, Madam Madam Chairperson. Reading the Chairperson. documents, there will be no new housing construction in my constituency Chairperson (interpretation): Thank communities for two years, which is you, Minister Netser. Mr. Main. unfortunate, looking at the housing allocation. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Madam Chairperson. The local housing (interpretation ends) You have allocated organizations are different and they 70 housing units for Iqaluit for the operate independently. I think they upcoming season. To my recollection operate differently. I’ll use an example. and based on the allocation numbers, (interpretation ends) It’s my that is the first time I think that the understanding that in some communities, housing corporation has put out more to get on the waiting list or to update than half of the public housing units for your application, you actually have to the entire territory into one community walk into the housing association office, in one building season. You’re building but in other communities it’s not 130 public housing units across the required. The housing association will territory and 70 of those are scheduled to hand out the forms and there’s no go here. entrance into the…you don’t actually have to walk into the office. That’s just Has the minister or the housing an example of how these waiting lists corporation considered setting a cap on may not be reliable data when you’re the maximum number of public housing looking at community to community. units that could be allocated to any one (interpretation) I would like to ask the community in recognition of the need minister if he has heard that. Thank you, across all communities in Nunavut? Madam Chairperson. (interpretation) Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Netser. Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Main. Minister Netser. Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): I haven’t heard of what my colleague is Hon. Patterk Netser: No, we have not referring to, but with respect to the local considered putting in a cap for how housing organizations, (interpretation many units this particular community ends) we encourage them to reach out to will get at any particular time, but we the communities in terms of applying for allocate housing based on the needs of

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3788 each individual community, and that’s share my concern that this waiting list the housing allocation methodology. metric is maybe one that needs to be (interpretation) Thank you. adjusted going forward or even possibly in this fiscal year coming up. Chairperson: Thank you, Minister (interpretation) Thank you, Madam Netser. Mr. Main. Chairperson.

Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Main. Madam Chairperson. (interpretation Minister Netser. ends) I think I’m coming full circle with my kind of line of questioning. I’m Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): concerned that the waiting list data that Thank you, Madam Chairperson. the housing corporation is using to (interpretation ends) For the member to allocate units is not reliable. The reason say that we’re manipulating the why is that we can look at the waiting numbers, that’s unfounded. The reason list data going back the past three years, why Igloolik had dropped to a lower and if it was an accurate measure, the level is because we recently constructed housing shortage is constant. It has been 20 housing units up there. That’s why there for years. It has been there for their numbers went down. With your decades. If this waiting list was accurate, indulgence, Madam Chairperson, I can was of good measure, you wouldn’t see ask my president to elaborate a bit more the numbers spike and then you on that. (interpretation) Thank you. wouldn’t see them drop off a cliff. You would see some sort of stability because Chairperson: Thank you, Minister that’s the nature of the housing crisis. Netser. Mr. Audla.

Instead, looking at these waiting list Mr. Audla: Thank you, Madam numbers, in certain communities their Chairperson. The construction allocation waiting lists in the period of one year and methodology based on the needs list increased by 155 percent. I’m sure that is always something that’s changing these public housing tenants or the from year to year depending on the waiting people didn’t crawl out from actual number of applicants. under a rock. They have been there the Unfortunately there are some people whole time. The only issue is that this that, for whatever reason, do not fill out waiting list metric is not a good one and these applications. Maybe they’re it’s not a reliable one. We have Igloolik, discouraged because they might think for example, 54 percent of the people on that it could be a long wait. In those the waiting list in the last year communities we try to encourage each disappeared based on the data that is LHO to reach out to the members within presented here. the community and to encourage people to actually fill out the applications. It’s concerning to me that this waiting list metric is not reliable and it may be When there is a jump or a spike in the one that’s easily manipulated for number, that’s based on the fact that whatever reason. I’m interested to hear if people are actually now filling out these the minister and the housing corporation applications. What we want at the

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3789 housing corporation is to ensure that Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): people who are in need actually fill out Thank you, Madam Chairperson. that application, and then you will see a (interpretation ends) The more people jump in variation from community to who apply for a unit, it will be better for community depending on the number of us to go to the federal government, “This builds within that community. As the is how many people who are on the minister had alluded to, Igloolik as an waiting list.” I do encourage my example, they were up on the waiting list colleagues to get involved in going out for 54 percent and then there were 20 to the constituents and say, “Have you units built in that community, and then applied? If you are 19 and over, have they went down, so it reflects that. you applied to LHOs for a unit? If not, please do so.” That’s how the more What we’re trying to do on a year-by- numbers we have the easier it will be to year basis is to encourage the LHOs to make our case against the federal submit to the districts as well as to our government for housing dollars. Arviat office to ensure that there’s (interpretation) Thank you. accuracy in these numbers and to ensure that there is no actual manipulation. We Chairperson (interpretation): Thank do try to do checks on whether or not you, Minister Netser. Mr. Main. these numbers are accurate, and we will always try to maintain the accuracy of Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, these numbers. As we go through the Madam Chairperson. Thank you, actual allocation based on needs, we minister (interpretation ends) and Mr. then try to look at the overcrowding rate, Audla. The more I learn about this, the as an example, and we need accuracy in more problems I can see with relying on those numbers as well. that waiting list data. Another problem, for example, I have a copy of the If you can imagine, it’s quite program application form from the administratively heavy in the sense that Arviat Local Housing Association. It’s we try to get all 25 communities to come seven pages long. It’s a quite in with their applications and needs comprehensive form. It requires a whole based on each community, and then we bunch of information. If I wanted to check for accuracy and then go back to pump up my waiting list numbers, I the LHOs and work back and forth that would require a two-page form. way. As you alluded to in your initial question, the six-month process in some When it comes to these application communities, that may not be the case, forms, which are the waiting lists which but we do encourage each and every determine where the houses go, does community to try to keep that every housing association have a seven- application list updated as accurately as page form? Is there a standard format or what’s existing in that community. is it just each housing association does Thank you, Madam Chairperson. their own? (interpretation) Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Audla. I believe, Minister Netser, you wanted to Chairperson (interpretation): I also add to that comment. Mr. Netser. thank you, Mr. Main. Mr. Netser.

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Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Chairperson (interpretation): Thank Thank you, Madam Chairperson. you, Mr. Netser. Mr. Audla. (interpretation ends) I understand it’s a standard form all across the board. Mr. Audla: Thank you, Madam (interpretation) Thank you. Chairperson. In the application itself it’s required that they list either their spouse Chairperson (interpretation): Thank and their dependants, and this is why we you, Mr. Netser. Mr. Main. leave it with the local housing organization to ensure accuracy in the Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, application because they’re the ones that Madam Chairperson. (interpretation know best who within their communities ends) Thank you for clarifying that. are need of houses based on the That’s good if it is standardized. applications.

Another example where the waiting list Once the LHOs have received these numbers could be manipulated, let’s say applications, they first check it for you have a young couple and they’re in a whether or not it has been filled out in common-law relationship, is each person the most accurate manner and that in that relationship allowed to apply for nothing is missed. Once they determine a housing unit or are they required by the that these applications are actually filled local housing association to list their out, then they collect them and then send names on the same application form? them to the district for further checking. Again, going to manipulation, if I want On a once-a-year basis these same to increase the numbers on my waiting numbers are then sent to the central list, I’m going to tell everybody who is headquarters office in Arviat for further going in to apply, “You’re a single review. Based on those numbers, we person for the purposes of this then start going back and forth with the application. You don’t have a common districts and the LHOs to ensure law. You guys both put in an application accuracy. and then we get twice the number of people on the waiting list.” It’s the local housing organizations that make the determination as to whether or When it comes to examples like that, is not there’s inaccurate information being there a common approach across the put into the application form, and we put housing associations in Nunavut? the faith in the local housing (interpretation) Thank you, Madam organization to be able to carry out that Chairperson. task. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

Chairperson (interpretation): Thank Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Audla. you, Mr. Main. Mr. Netser. Mr. Main.

Hon. Patterk Netser: I understand that Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, each person at the age of 19, whether Madam Chairperson. (interpretation they’re common law or not, can apply ends) On page 6 of 7 of this letter it for a unit. Mr. Audla can clarify that. mentions here, “refining and modifying (interpretation) Thank you. the formula,” and it seems that there is

Friday, October 18, 2019 Nunavut Hansard 3791 some concern there within the housing or is it the minister? (interpretation) corporation. I’ll quote from this letter. Thank you, Madam Chairperson. “NHC is reviewing the possibility of adding a general measure of Chairperson: Thank you, Mr. Main. overcrowding to the allocation formula.” Minister Netser. It also says, “Using this additional measure could reduce volatility of the Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): rankings.” It sounds like it would be Thank you, Madam Chairperson. The helpful. How soon can this measure of board of the housing corporation makes overcrowding be included in this the determination as to which allocation? (interpretation) Thank you, community the housing units will be Madam Chairperson. allocated to. (interpretation ends) The other thing, Madam Chairperson, is there Chairperson (interpretation): Thank are some communities now with really you, Mr. Main. Minister Netser. old stock that we have to start looking at replacing. That is one way of maybe Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): spreading the construction throughout Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Nunavut is to get rid of these really old (interpretation ends) The NHC is units out of our stock by replacing them continually working to refine the with multiplexes. (interpretation) Thank accuracy of needs and eliminate issues you. of standardization between communities. For example, in the future, like the Chairperson (interpretation): Thank member alluded, the NHC may include you, Minister Netser. (interpretation overcrowding data in the needs of ends) Mr. Main, you have 41 seconds population. We really depend on the left. LHOs to do their due diligence in terms of informing the Nunavut Housing Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Corporation on the overcrowding status Madam Chairperson. (interpretation in each community. (interpretation) ends) When it comes to this Thank you. methodology, overcrowding is useful. Another metric that would be useful, and Chairperson (interpretation): Thank I will use Arviat as an example, I believe you, Minister Netser. Mr. Main. that the person at the top of the waiting list in Arviat right now has been on there Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, for 9 or 11 years. Madam Chairperson. (interpretation ends) When it comes to this letter and In my mind, somebody who has been on the methodology and the decision on the waiting list for nine years carries where the housing units are going to go, more weight than somebody who just is it the minister who has the authority to got on the waiting list yesterday, but allocate these units or is it the board of based on this current methodology, one the housing corporation? This is a person on the waiting list is one person governance thing I’m trying to get on the waiting list, and I don’t think clarification on. Is it the board that has that’s right. I think that we should be the authority to change the methodology trying to address the backlog of housing

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needs in our communities. that the Report of the Committee of the (interpretation) Has this been considered Whole be agreed to. Thank you, Mr. as well? That’s my final question, Speaker. Madam Chairperson. Thank you. Speaker (interpretation): There is a Chairperson (interpretation): Thank motion on the floor. Is there a seconder? you, Mr. Main. Minister Netser. Minister Kusugak. The motion is in order. All those in favour. All those Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): opposed. The motion is carried. Thank you, Madam Chairperson. (interpretation ends) Really, the Continuing on. Item 21. Third Reading discretion is through the local housing of Bills. Item 22. (interpretation ends) organizations as to who will get the Orders of the Day. Mr. Clerk. housing. (interpretation) Thank you. Item 22: Orders of the Day Chairperson: Thank you, Minister Netser. Mr. Rumbolt. Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A reminder that the Regular Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Madam Members’ Caucus meets at half past one Chairman. I would like to make a motion this afternoon and again on Monday to report progress, please. Thank you. morning at nine o’clock. Also a reminder, there’s a meeting with the Chairperson: We have a motion on the Minister of Justice tomorrow at ten floor to report progress and the motion is o’clock. All meetings are being held in not debateable. All those in favour of the the Nanuq Boardroom. motion. Opposed. Orders of the Day for October 21: >>Laughter 1. Prayer Okay, the motion is carried. I will now 2. Ministers’ Statements rise to report progress. Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the 3. Members’ Statements officials from the witness table. Thank 4. Returns to Oral Questions you. 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Speaker: Item 20. Report of the Gallery Committee of the Whole. Ms. Angnakak. 6. Oral Questions

7. Written Questions Item 20: Report of the Committee of the Whole 8. Returns to Written Questions

9. Replies to Opening Address Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been 10. Petitions considering Bill 30 and would like to 11. Responses to Petitions report progress. Mr. Speaker, I move

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12. Reports of Standing and Special >>House adjourned at 11:58 Committees on Bills and Other Matters 13. Tabling of Documents 14. Notices of Motions 15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 16. Motions 17. First Reading of Bills 18. Second Reading of Bills 19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters • Bill 30 • Bill 31 • Bill 32 • Bill 33 20. Report of the Committee of the Whole 21. Third Reading of Bills 22. Orders of the Day Thank you.

Speaker (interpretation): Before we adjourn for the day, our son, Derek Mikkungwak, is going to celebrate his birthday tomorrow, and my father-in-law will be celebrating his birthday on Sunday, Matthew Kungangnat. I hope they enjoy their days.

This House stands adjourned until Monday, October 21, at 1:30 p.m.

Sergeant-at-Arms.