Nunavut Canada

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF

3rd Session 3rd Assembly

HANSARD

Official Report

DAY 70

Monday, March 11, 2013

Pages 3853 – 3875

Iqaluit

Speaker: The Honourable Hunter Tootoo, M.L.A.

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

Speaker Hon. Hunter Tootoo () Hon. Eva Aariak Joe Enook Allan Rumbolt () () (Hudson Bay) Premier; Minister of Education; Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Minister of Executive and Fred Schell Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister Hon. Lorne Kusugak () responsible for Aboriginal Affairs; ( – Whale Cove) Minister responsible for Immigration Government House Leader; Minister of Hon. Daniel Shewchuk (Arviat) Community and Government Services; Minister of Justice; Minister Hon. James Arreak Minister responsible for the Workers’ () Safety and Compensation Commission responsible for Nunavut Arctic Minister of Culture and Heritage; College Minister of Environment; Minister of John Ningark Louis Tapardjuk Languages; Minister responsible for the () () Utility Rates Review Council Johnny Ningeongan Deputy Chair, Committee of the

() Whole Moses Aupaluktuq

(Baker Lake) Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Committee of the Whole Hon. Peter Taptuna (Kugluktuk) Tagak Curley Deputy Premier; Minister of (Rankin Inlet North) Hezakiah Oshutapik (Pangnirtung) Economic Development and Hon. Monica Ell Transportation; Minister of () Hon. Keith Peterson Energy; Minister responsible for the Minister of Human Resources; (Cambridge Bay) Nunavut Housing Corporation Minister responsible for Homelessness; Minister of Finance, Chair of the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Financial Management Board; Minister Jeannie Ugyuk Energy Corporation; Minister of Health and Social Services ()

responsible for the Status of Women

Ron Elliott ()

Officers Clerk John Quirke

Deputy Clerk Clerk Assistant Law Clerk Sergeant-at-Arms Hansard Production Nancy Tupik Stephen Innuksuk Michael Chandler Simanek Kilabuk 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 ...... 3853

Ministers’ Statements ...... 3853

Members’ Statements ...... 3855

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ...... 3861

Oral Questions ...... 3862

Orders of the Day ...... 3874

A. Daily References

Monday, March 11, 2013 ...... 3853

B. Ministers’ Statements

254 – 3(3): Minister Absent from the House (Kusugak) ...... 3853

255 – 3(3): Search and Rescue and Land Safety (Kusugak) ...... 3853

256 – 3(3): 2013 Nunavut Mining Symposium (Taptuna) ...... 3854

257 – 3(3): Launch of Online Land Registration System (Shewchuk) ...... 3855

C. Members’ Statements

426 – 3(3): Help for Homeowners (Ningark) ...... 3855

427 – 3(3): Successful Heavy Equipment Operator Training Course in Arctic Bay (Elliott) ....3856

428 – 3(3): Search and Rescue in Pond Inlet (Enook) ...... 3857

429 – 3(3): Tribute to Martha Michael (Ell)...... 3858

430 – 3(3): A Canadian Success to Defeat the Up-listing of Polar Bears under CITES (Curley)

...... 3858

D. Oral Questions

550 – 3(3): Budget Address Announcement Concerning Sustainable Development Committee

(Aupaluktuq) ...... 3862

551 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Intervention Respecting Senate Reform Reference

Questions (Elliott) ...... 3864

552 – 3(3): Status of Gjoa Haven Sewage Lagoon (Ugyuk) ...... 3865

553 – 3(3): Communications with DEAs (Ningeongan) ...... 3867

554 – 3(3): Help for Homeowners under Age 60 (Ningark) ...... 3867

555 – 3(3): Status of Kimmirut Airport (Schell) ...... 3868

556 – 3(3): Update on the Resolute Bay Utilidor System (Elliott) ...... 3869

557 – 3(3): Expediting the GN Hiring Process (Enook) ...... 3871

558 – 3(3): High Arctic Transportation Strategy Update (Elliott) ...... 3873

E. Motions

045 – 3(3): Adjournment for the Day (Rumbolt) ...... 3874

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3853

Iqaluit, Nunavut Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. Monday, March 11, 2013 Item 2. Ministers’ Statements. Minister Members Present: responsible for the Department of Honourable Eva Aariak, Mr. Moses Community and Government Services, Aupaluktuq, Mr. Tagak Curley, Minister Kusugak. Honourable Monica Ell, Mr. Ron Elliott, Mr. Joe Enook, Honourable Lorne Minister’s Statement 255 – 3(3): Kusugak, Mr. John Ningark, Mr. Johnny Search and Rescue and Land Ningeongan, Mr. Hezakiah Oshutapik, Safety (Kusugak) Honourable Keith Peterson, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Fred Schell, Honourable Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Daniel Shewchuk, Mr. Louis Tapardjuk, Speaker. I rise today to remind all Honourable Peter Taptuna, Honourable Nunavummiut to be prepared when they Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Jeannie Ugyuk. go out on the land. Last year, our officials responded to 178 requests for >>House commenced at 13:31 search and rescue assistance. Of the total number of searches, 53 of these were Item 1: Opening Prayer SPOT tracking device activations. We have documented cases where Speaker (Hon. Hunter Tootoo): individuals would have perished without Qujannamiik, Sergeant-at-Arms. Before the use of the SPOT tracking units. This we proceed with today’s sitting, I would underscores the importance of taking a like to ask Ms. Ugyuk to lead us off in a tracking communications device like a prayer, please. SPOT device when going out on the land. Carrying a SPOT device can often >>Prayer be the difference between life and death.

Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, the Government of Ms. Ugyuk. (interpretation ends) Nunavut has supplied 500 SPOT devices Moving on with our orders of the day. to communities throughout the territory. Item 2. Ministers’ Statements. They are free for anyone to use and can Government House Leader, Minister be signed out by contacting the local Kusugak. hamlet offices or HTOs.

Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Mr. Speaker, I would also like to remind Nunavummiut to be prepared when Minister’s Statement 254 – 3(3): travelling out on the land. Forty of our Minister Absent from the House searches occurred as a result of people (Kusugak) not taking enough fuel when they Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. travelled. An additional 49 searches Speaker. (interpretation) I say “good were the result of mechanical day” to the people of Rankin Inlet and breakdowns. Being prepared with extra Whale Cove. I wish to advise members fuel and a few critical snowmobile parts that the Hon. James Arreak will be can save lives. absent from the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3854

Mr. Speaker, we are currently working safe travels on the land. Thank you, Mr. closely with the RCMP to develop a new Speaker. policy on search and rescue that clarifies and strengthens the roles of government, >>Applause communities, and our partners in search and rescue activities. Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. Item 2. Ministers’ Statements. Minister (interpretation) Our Protection Services responsible for the Department of Division is also working with Economic Development and Environment Canada to have 1-800 Transportation, Minister Taptuna. numbers available for communities to call for weather updates. Once this Minister’s Statement 256 – 3(3): 2013 program is in place, I will be asking my Nunavut Mining Symposium colleague, the Minister responsible for (Taptuna) the Department of Culture and Heritage, Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. to assist us in having the automated Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues, reports translated into Inuktitut and Kuglukturmiut, and Nunavummiut. Mr. Inuinnaqtun. We are also committed to Speaker, I rise today to remind everyone continue with our training efforts for of the 16th Nunavut Mining Symposium local volunteers in search and rescue which will be taking place here in Iqaluit techniques and personal safety while in April. The symposium is one of the assisting citizens in need. largest and longest running annual events in Nunavut with 500 delegates in Mr. Speaker, each search puts volunteer attendance. Delegates represent all major search and rescue personnel at risk, yet exploration and mining companies, they undertake their mission without Nunavut organizations, agencies and question. NGOs, service providers, and many of our communities. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to remind all Nunavummiut of these land This year’s agenda includes 60 technical safety principals: and general talks covering topics such as exploration and development updates,  Before you go, let someone know – training, service sector businesses, and tell others of your travel plans and regulatory affairs. As always, the when you expect to return. tradeshow is a good opportunity to meet  Always be prepared for 72 hours on with some of the mining companies and land – take additional food, shelter, other businesses active in the sector. and equipment, even on short day trips, in case of emergencies. The Department of Economic  Take a communications signalling Development and Transportation is a device like a satellite phone or SPOT founding and regular sponsor of the device – SPOT devices can be signed Nunavut Mining Symposium, which has out for free. become the main annual event for operators and all stakeholders in Mr. Speaker, let’s improve our Nunavut to come together, share preparation and take responsibility for

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3855 information, do business, or else reach from several weeks to our well- an agreement. established standard of 48 hours.

The symposium will be held April 8 to On April 8, Nunavut will again take a 11 and this year’s theme is “Making dramatic step forward. On that date, our Connections,” which is a good summary new parcelized online land registration of the busy and energetic week of the system will be available to our symposium. professional users and land titles paper submissions will become a thing of the Mr. Speaker, we are entering into an past. exciting and challenging period of growth in Nunavut, with a number of POLAR boasts a host of features long projects approaching commercial awaited by real estate practitioners, such viability and mine development. I as real-time searches, automatic encourage all persons with an interest in registration notification, and online any aspect of the industry to attend the billing. It is a system second to none and upcoming Nunavut Mining Symposium. the first introduced in the north. It can be Thank you, Mr. Speaker. accessed from anywhere via a web browser and will serve Nunavut well by >>Applause encouraging speedier real estate transactions that stimulate our economic Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. growth. Item 2. Ministers’ Statements. Minister responsible for the Department of Parcelized online land registration will Justice, Minister Shewchuk. enhance Nunavut’s recognition in Canada and the world. Thank you, Mr. Minister’s Statement 257 – 3(3): Speaker. Launch of Online Land Registration System (Shewchuk) >>Applause

Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Speaker: Thank you, Minister Mr. Speaker. As Minister of Justice, it Shewchuk. Item 2. Ministers’ gives me great pleasure to announce that Statements. Item 3. Members’ on Monday, April 8, 2013, Nunavut’s Statements. Member for Akulliq, Mr. new Parcelized Online Land Registration Ningark. system (POLAR) will become available online to real estate practitioners. Item 3: Members’ Statements

For the last few years, Nunavut has been Member’s Statement 426 – 3(3): Help leading the territories in the development for Homeowners (Ningark) of land registration systems. In the first phase, the Land Titles Office allowed Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. submission of electronic documents in I rise today to talk about the importance PDF format. This had the effect of of providing help for Nunavut drastically reducing registration times homeowners.

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3856

Mr. Speaker, for many years, the Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ningark. Item government has encouraged 3. Members’ Statements. Member for Nunavummiut to consider purchasing Quttiktuq, Mr. Elliott. their own homes. Homeownership is a good goal. Owning one’s own home Member’s Statement 427 – 3(3): provides a sense of pride and self- Successful Heavy Equipment reliance. However, it is well known that Operator Training Course in the cost of owning and operating a home Arctic Bay (Elliott) in Nunavut can be very expensive. Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I Mr. Speaker, the high cost of living in rise today to again highlight the good the north is especially evident when we work that is being done by a number of pay our monthly heating fuel and power Nunavut organizations to deliver training bills. Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the initiatives to the residents of the High government does provide support to Arctic. homeowners. Mr. Speaker, last summer saw 13 The Nunavut Electricity Subsidy residents of Arctic Bay participate in a Program, which is administered by the locally delivered pilot project to provide Department of Finance, helps small Class 3/Airbrakes certification and businesses and residential consumers heavy equipment operator training on with respect to their power bills. loaders, graders, and gravel screeners.

The Senior Fuel Subsidy Program, Mr. Speaker, the training was delivered which has been administered by the by the Municipal Training Organization Department of Education and which will in partnership with the Kakivak be taken over by the new Department of Association, the Arctic Bay Community Family Services, provides assistance to Learning Centre, and the Municipality of Nunavummiut aged 60 or over who own Arctic Bay. This is yet another example their own homes. of the success that can be achieved when organizations focus their efforts and Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, the resources in delivering training to our Department of Finance provided a one- residents in their home communities. time Homeowner Fuel Rebate Program. Eligible applicants could apply for a Mr. Speaker, this pilot project was a $400 rebate. win-win situation for the entire community. As part of their training, Mr. Speaker, I encourage the students completed an important government to regularly review its community road project. This element of programs that are intended to help the course contributed greatly to the homeowners keep pace with the high participants’ well-justified sense of pride cost of living. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. and accomplishment. The municipality itself has strengthened its capacity to >>Applause deliver services and has more skilled workers to draw on.

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3857

Mr. Speaker, as I noted last week, Arctic Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Bay is one of the point-of-hire Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, people of communities for the Mary River Project. Pond Inlet and Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, I Courses such as the one that was rise today to recognize and acknowledge delivered in Arctic Bay are helping to those residents of Pond Inlet who are build a skilled local workforce for this active in search and rescue activities in major economic development. the community.

Mr. Speaker, the participants in this Mr. Speaker, a number of my colleagues course were: have spoken during our current sitting on the importance of search and rescue in Kenny Allurut; Nunavut. Kenneth Barnabas; Richard Bohlender; Mr. Speaker, when incidents occur that Terry Ejangiaq; involve community residents, many of Darcy Enoogoo; my constituents are quick to respond. I Salmo Inutiq; pay tribute to their sense of Daniel Iqaqrialu; responsibility and willingness to risk Benjamin Issuqagituq; their own lives to come to the aid of Joseph Kalluk; others. Boisey Kilukishak; Joanna Koonoo; An Hon. Member: Hear, hear! Sandra Qamanirq; and Valerie Taqtu. Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Civil Air Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join Search and Rescue Association will be me in congratulating my constituents on offering training next month to residents their success and in expressing of Pond Inlet who are interested in appreciation to the Municipal Training volunteering with this organization. I am Organization, the Kakivak Association, pleased to see such initiatives taking the community learning centre, and the place and I encourage CASARA to work Municipality of Arctic Bay for their closely with the community’s current innovative and successful partnership. search and rescue organizations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, awareness of the >>Applause importance of search and rescue is growing by the day. Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Item 3. Members’ Statements. Member for I ask all members to join me in paying Tununiq, Mr. Enook. tribute to the residents of Pond Inlet who help make Nunavut a safer place. Thank Member’s Statement 428 – 3(3): you, Mr. Speaker. Search and Rescue in Pond Inlet (Enook) >>Applause

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3858

Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Enook. Item 3. looking forward to providing guidance Members’ Statements. Member for and to sharing her wealth of traditional Iqaluit West, Ms. Ell. knowledge.

Member’s Statement 429 – 3(3): Those who knew Martha will remember Tribute to Martha Michael (Ell) her fondly. I can still her distinctive voice and laughter. Her passing is a great Hon. Monica Ell: Thank you, Mr. loss, not only to her family but to Speaker. I rise today to pay tribute to a Nunavummiut as a whole. constituent and an elder, Martha Michael, a beloved community member Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the who passed away recently. My heart is Chamber to join me in expressing our with her and her family and Iqalummiut sincere condolences to the Michael as they are laying her to rest this family on their loss. Thank you, Mr. afternoon. Speaker.

Martha was a devoted wife and mother. >>Applause A much valued pillar of her community and Nunavut, Martha was involved in Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Ell. Item 3. various community activities over the Members’ Statements. Member for years, sitting on different boards in Rankin Inlet North, Mr. Curley. communities, tackling social and health issues. Member’s Statement 430 – 3(3): A Canadian Success to Defeat the Some of my colleagues may remember Up-listing of Polar Bears under that Mrs. Michael was an honorary elder CITES (Curley) who lit the Qulliq at the swearing-in ceremony during the first sitting of the Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Nunavut Legislative Assembly on April Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, people of 1, 1999. Rankin Inlet and Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and honour to represent Born on the land, Martha witnessed and Canada and Nunavut. It is very good to lived through great changes during her be home to Canada. lifetime, making her passionate about retaining and imparting Inuit culture and Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the values. Martha was a true Inuk, a people of Nunavut about the CITES genuine and straightforward person with convention held in Bangkok, Thailand. It a gentle nature. was a privilege and honour to represent Canada and Nunavut as one of the Just last year, Mrs. Michael was awarded delegates attending the CITES a Diamond Jubilee Medal in the field of convention in Bangkok, Thailand, heritage and history. opposing the up-listing of polar bears to Appendix I, the endangered species A respected elder, Martha was most category, from Appendix II, the special recently appointed a member of the Inuit concern category. Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit and was

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3859

I would like Nunavutmiut to know that I Mr. Curley: Thank you. wish to thank my good friend and colleague in this Assembly, the Minister Mr. Speaker, it is important from my of Environment, Hon. James Arreak, perspective that most of our audience, who invited me to join me in this Nunavutmiut communities, are given a difficult and challenging mission. bit of a story of our fight.

(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, our Mr. Speaker, as I said, as you have heard Canadian team included our federal by now, the result of our fight, the government officials, the Nunavut Canadian team was successful in government, the NWT government, ITK, defending two very difficult proposals. NTI, and the wildlife organizations from The first one I did comment on earlier Inuvialuit, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and was the United States proposal. Why our own NGOs and Inuit wildlife was it difficult? Because it involved 170 organizations were all part of the team. nations to vote and the majority was in favour of the Canadian position. Mr. Speaker, all of our team members defended the Canadian position with Our team, the Canadians, had the fight passion and determined resolve to, of our lives with our pride and reputation number one, first of all, defeat the US pretty much at stake. We had formidable proposal and secondly, to tell the world opponents, Mr. Speaker. There was one that the Canadian and the north’s of the greatest nations on the face of the relationship on the harvesting rights of earth, United States, opposing our the polar bears for centuries was fair, position, including Russia, the European respectful, and that it included our Union, and some states in South rigorous wildlife regulations, including America, as well as mostly pretty active proper population surveys, and our were some Middle East nations, which regulated quota system was pretty fair in were not as large as the other nations. Canada. The world did not know that. Along with the other host counties that opposed our position were countries Mr. Speaker, as you have heard by now, from South America, Pacific nations, the result of our fight, the Canadian team Eastern Asia, the Middle East, and was successful. African nations.

Speaker: Mr. Curley, your time is up. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, in short, I Would you like to seek unanimous am proud and humble to say to consent to conclude your statement? Nunavutmiut that our Canadian team won the battle and defeated the two Mr. Curley: I do, Mr. Speaker. Thank proposals. We were very humble. The you. two proposals I mentioned were to convince our government to manage and Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Curley. The protect polar bears with the Canadian member is seeking unanimous consent to jurisdiction, the federal government, the conclude his statement. Are there any Government of Nunavut’s polar bear nays? There are none. Please proceed, management system, and our co- Mr. Curley. management partners with the regional

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3860 wildlife organizations and our local accepted. That position was vigorously hunters and trappers organizations. The presented by the nation of Israel. It said world did not know that there was a that it did not fit the criteria for an close working relationship between the amendment. That amendment, Mr. Canadian institutions, governments, Speaker, would have put Canada wildlife organizations, and HTOs. completely in a very difficult position Again, we had to tell the world out there about the management of polar bears. about the co-management system that We would have abdicated and passed the the Nunavut government uses. responsibility for surveys and management of polar bears, and (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I commercial quotas to the United Nations mentioned that the Canadian team faced Polar Bear Secretariat. That would be two very difficult versions of proposal, unacceptable. which required 117 nations to vote in two proposals. The first proposal was to This version of the amendment requires up-list the polar bear to Appendix I, two-thirds of CITES members to be which means that they were endangered accepted as an amendment. I am proud and therefore, banned commercial trade to say, Mr. Speaker, that even our own for all that matter, including the sport delegation, the deputy minister presented hunts of polar bears. This proposal a vigorous, defensive Canadian position required a vote of 50 plus 1 to pass. when speaking to the amendment. I spoke on the US proposal earlier. The When the debate began, US lead the Canadian government also spoke pack vigorously. They made it quite vigorously in opposing the amendment clear that our system was not adequate, by the European proposal. that polar bears were endangered, and the research that Canadians conducted So, Mr. Speaker, we are proud, including was not acceptable to them. all of our non-governmental spokespeople down there, particularly I Mr. Speaker, early in the debate, the US am grateful for Terry Audla, President of proposal and the European Union, which ITK, who passionately spoke and includes 30 nations, put forward an defended Inuit. Thereby, along with the amendment on the US proposal. The whole Canadian team, turned the tide in proposed amendment presented by the favour and the two votes that were European Union was not acceptable to presented did not pass as a result of the the Canadian position either because to vigorous Canadian passionate position. the Canadian delegation, it was not an amendment, but a new proposal. Mr. Speaker, our mission was successful and we have work to do for the next The rules of the United Nations three years to put our proposals and our Convention were, in my view, weird. It system in a better management system. should not have been accepted as an (interpretation) Thank you. amendment nor presented for nations to debate. One nation in particular >>Applause supported Canada that the European Union proposal should not have been

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3861

Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Curley. Item 3. Members’ Statements. We will move Darren Nichol; on in our orders of the day. Item 4. Eric Nukappiak; and Returns to Oral Questions. Item 5. General Manager Craig Collier. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Kusugak. Also the parents:

Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Christine Nukappiak, who is also the Gallery grandmother of my grandson, and the other grandfather is over there, Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Eric Nukappiak; Speaker. Thank you for this opportunity. Lewis Voisey Jr., (interpretation) my Last week, I came here and introduced father; and 15 people from the Department of Noah Paniyuk. Community and Government Services, and I got bombarded with questions. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I welcome the Rankin Inlet hockey team, This time, I bring 15 of our finest hockey moms and parents to the bantam hockey players in Nunavut and Legislative Assembly. they are here to support us today. We have some of the best hockey >>Applause coaching and volunteers in Rankin Inlet. I encourage them to keep up the hard Mr. Speaker, it’s my privilege to work because they produce champions. introduce the 2013 Bantam Hockey Tournament champions from Rankin Mr. Speaker, I would also like to Inlet. I would like to introduce the mention that these fine young hockey following: players are relying on us to help them get a new arena in Rankin Inlet. My buddy, Stephan Nukapiak; Jakob Voisey; >>Laughter Bubba Muktar; Randall Qiyuq; My colleagues, let’s welcome the Ethan Mukpah; Rankin Inlet Bantam Team. Thank you. Wager Tatty; Ian Paniyuk; >>Applause Nik Deagle; Sidney Nichol; Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Kusugak. Kaelan Collier; Congratulations to all of you and Tyrese Dias; welcome to the Gallery. Recognition of Kalaa Tartuk; Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Oshutapik. Nicholas Mukpah; Issaluk Tattuinee; Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank Jaden Sigurdson. you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the Bantam hockey players representing the And their fine coaches: winning team. I would love to see my

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3862 fellow residents in their place if they Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Curley. were to start earlier in their hockey Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. careers. We will move on in our orders of the day. Item 6. Oral Questions. Member for Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize a Baker Lake, Mr. Aupaluktuq. visitor to the Gallery, although he was recognized earlier. I wish to put another Item 6: Oral Questions hat on his head and recognize him in that capacity. I have worked with this person Question 550 – 3(3): Budget Address in the past, especially when I was the Announcement Concerning chairperson of the Pangnirtung Fisheries Sustainable Development for about six years. I would like my Committee (Aupaluktuq) colleagues to welcome him to the Gallery. Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad that people Although he is here in his capacity as a from the Kivalliq are here. I watch hockey coach, he does have a full-time hockey regularly. I say “hello” to the job elsewhere. I want my colleagues to people of Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, my share my recognition of Darren Nichols, questions are for the Minister of who is also the president of the Nunavut Finance. Development Corporation. Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in his >>Applause recent Budget Address, the Minister of Finance indicated that “nine departments Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Oshutapik. and agencies take part in environmental Welcome again to the Gallery, Mr. assessments for major mining projects.” Nichols. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Curley. The minister’s Budget Address subsequently announced that the Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, government will provide “additional Mr. Speaker. These players were already funding of $1.4 million” to the mentioned by my colleague from Rankin Sustainable Development Committee in Inlet as to their trip here to Iqaluit. As a order to “enable the government to member for Rankin Inlet North, I rarely participate continuously in assessments have the chance to welcome people from for major mining projects conducted by my constituency and some of the the Nunavut Impact Review Board.” players’ parents live in my constituency. Noah and the boy sitting next to him are Can the minister clarify what the total both sons of my constituents. As to the budget for the Sustainable Development other sons of various parents, I want you Committee will be during the 2013-14 to know that you are in this tournament fiscal year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. due to your hard work. (interpretation ends) You make us proud. Thank you. Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. Minister responsible for the Department >>Applause of Finance, Minister Peterson.

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3863

Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. additional funding of $1.4 million to Chairman. I thank Mr. Aupaluktuq for fulfill its responsibilities? Thank you, that question. Mr. Chairman, as Mr. Mr. Speaker. Aupaluktuq is well aware, there are major mining projects currently in the Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. very stages of exploration and Minister of Finance, Minister Peterson. proceeding through the environmental process. Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Aupaluktuq for the The Government of Nunavut supports question. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, I major initiatives. We wish to participate wasn’t at the PDAC last week. I at the hearings as much as we can. It was appreciate my colleague was there. I determined that to facilitate this, the know mining is a great interest to all government would increase the funding Nunavummiut. It has to be done and spread it through all the properly. We don’t want inappropriate departments, there are nine departments, development of our resources in increase the funding by $1,426,000 to Nunavut. enable us to participate meaningfully and actively at these hearings and Mr. Speaker, I have to apologize. I am expedite the processing of the hearings. not the Minister of Environment nor am Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation; I am the Minister of Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Finance. Perhaps the member would like Your first supplementary, Mr. to ask the appropriate minister that Aupaluktuq. question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Speaker. I appreciate that response as Your second supplementary, Mr. well because, no doubt, the people of Aupaluktuq. Baker Lake and other potential mines are all in support of employment and Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. opportunities for employment. As well, Speaker. I appreciate the redirection as with that in mind, there is also respect well and I will follow up with the for the environment and resources, such appropriate department. As the Minister as the animals that are there. of Finance, I just want to ask: can the minister indicate how the figure of $1.4 Mr. Speaker, during my time last week million was determined? Thank you, Mr. at the meeting of the Prospectors and Speaker. Developers Association of Canada, I noted that the issue of regulatory Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. processes and reform is always a topic of Minister of Finance, Minister Peterson. concern. Can the minister explain what problems with the current system of Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I environmental assessments led the thank Mr. Aupaluktuq for the question. government to decide that its Sustainable Mr. Speaker, I could take the member Development Committee required through a long, convoluted process from

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3864 start to finish. It takes five or six months. Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. I don’t know if he wishes that today if Minister of Finance, Minister Peterson. we have enough time in question period. Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Speaker, the departments know their Speaker. I thank Mr. Aupaluktuq again responsibilities, their priorities, and they for the question. Mr. Speaker, every develop business cases that are department will get a portion of the submitted to the Department of Finance, funding. It will either fund PYs or and then the deputies have regular research into the particular project so meetings to determine what the priorities that when hearings are scheduled, the are within the department. departments can participate at the hearings and be quite active and get the An appropriate department made a very message across to all the other solid case that they needed additional participants at the hearings. Thank you, funding, but the funding would be Mr. Speaker. spread through all the departments. So it’s not just for one department; it’s Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson. spread through all departments so all of Oral Questions. Member for Quttiktuq, the nine departments can all participate. Mr. Elliott. They have funding to participate meaningfully at these hearings. Question 551 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Intervention Respecting So if it was a solid case, it’s a priority Senate Reform Reference for the government. The FMB and then Questions (Elliott) ultimately this House would be approving it through the Committee of Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. the Whole process, hopefully. Thank My questions are for the Minister of you, Mr. Speaker. Justice in his capacity as the Attorney General for Nunavut. Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Your final supplementary, Mr. Last month, the Government of Canada Aupaluktuq. submitted a number of reference questions to the Supreme Court Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. concerning the issue of Senate reform. Speaker. I very much appreciate the The reference questions concern a communication from the Minister of number of options and issues related to Finance. Mr. Speaker, I guess, to avoid reform of the Senate. the convoluted process and also to enhance on the participation in On Tuesday of last week, Nunavut’s meaningful dialogue between the Attorney General joined a number of agencies, I want to ask: can the minister other provinces and territories in filing a indicate how this additional funding will notice of intervention concerning this be used by the Sustainable Development matter. For the benefit of Nunavummiut Committee? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. who are following our proceedings today, can the minister explain why our

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3865 government wishes to intervene in this to the placement of Gjoa Haven’s matter? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. sewage lagoon? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister responsible for the Department Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. of Justice, Minister Shewchuk. Minister responsible for Community and Government Services, Minister Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Thank you, Kusugak. Mr. Speaker. I would like to take that question as notice right now. Thank you, Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Whenever there is work ongoing in any water Speaker: Thank you, Minister reservoir or sewage lagoon, the Shewchuk. Your question has been taken municipal governments are consulted on as notice. Moving on to Oral Questions. the proposed project, especially when Member for Nattilik, Ms. Ugyuk. reviewing possible sites for these facilities. They look at potential Question 552 – 3(3): Status of Gjoa spillways or leaks. That is what the Haven Sewage Lagoon (Ugyuk) hamlets are consulted on for these types of projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to the Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. people of Nattilik. Just so that the people Your first supplementary, Ms. Ugyuk. watching the televised proceedings can know, it sure smells like a hockey Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, dressing room since it smells sweaty. Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) It is my understanding that some additional >>Laughter engineering work was required in order to expand the Gjoa Haven sewage Yes, I sympathize with the young lagoon. Can the minister clearly explain hockey players who are here and I hope what consideration was given to the they have a good tournament. location of the lagoon and why it is still so close to the runway? Thank you, Mr. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I Speaker. would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. Services. Minister responsible for Community and Government Services, Minister Mr. Speaker, the sewage lagoon for the Kusugak. community of Gjoa Haven is located on a high ridge very close to the Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): community’s runway. There are often Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated many birds in the area which can pose a earlier, whenever these types of projects significant risk to airplanes taking off or are planned for construction, the SAO landing. Can the minister provide an and community leaders of the hamlet are update on what consideration was given

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3866 consulted regarding the potential consultations that are done within the location. municipality to ensure that it is not put into a dangerous place. Mr. Speaker, I don’t have the information in front of there are consultations that happen with me as to why a certain site was chosen, the municipal council, the municipality, especially as to why that location is and others that they may need input from abutting the airstrip or within close before putting such a facility near the proximity. I don’t have the information community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. to respond to the question, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. Your final supplementary, Ms. Ugyuk. Your second supplementary, Ms. Ugyuk. Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his Mr. Speaker. Yes, he partially answered responses. (interpretation ends) Gjoa my question, but I have another question Haven residents are concerned that the to direct to him. (interpretation ends) expansion of Gjoa Haven’s sewage Can the minister provide an update of lagoon poses additional risks for the what kind of community consultation community. Will the minister commit to was undertaken with respect to looking into these issues and providing expanding the Gjoa Haven sewage me and the community with an update lagoon? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. on his findings? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. Minister responsible for Community and Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. Government Services, Minister Minister responsible for Community and Kusugak. Government Services, Minister Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have stated Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): this several times now, but whenever a Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is the first sewage lagoon is being constructed time I have heard about any potential within a community, the hamlet council concerns. I have met with the mayor is consulted, including participation of during the Kitikmeot Mayors’ Forum the Department of Environment, when and this was never mentioned as a deliberating upon the potential site of the possible concern. Since this is the first sewage lagoon. This includes any time I have heard about this concern, I potential problems or conflicts that may will check to see what status this project have arisen over the review of the is at and what the problems are. Thank project. you, Mr. Speaker.

The capital projects are never Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. constructed by picking any old location Oral Questions. Member for Nanulik, since there are potential environmental Mr. Ningeongan. hazards associated with the project. (interpretation ends) There are very good

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Question 553 – 3(3): Communications Question 554 – 3(3): Help for with DEAs (Ningeongan) Homeowners under Age 60 (Ningark) Mr. Ningeongan: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. Prior to asking my question, I Subsequent to my Member’s Statement want to mention that today is my in regard to the importance of providing younger daughter’s birthday. I wish you help for Nunavut homeowners, I’m not a wonderful birthday, Faith, and tell you quite sure who would be the lead that I love you. minister to ask. The Senior Fuel Subsidy Program is administered by the (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I Department of Education. The would like to direct my question to the homeowner fuel rebate is by the finance Minister of Education. department.

Mr. Speaker, representatives from the (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. DEAs in my constituency have I spoke to the fact that some Inuit private approached me with some concerns homeowners who haven’t quite attained regarding their roles, duties, obligations, the age of 60 who are due to the upsurge and budget. On November 7, 2012, in prices related to the cost of living are correspondence from the DEA coalition severely challenged in keeping up was sent to the Minister of Education maintenance of their homes, especially requesting clarification in a number of heating fuel and utility bills, such as areas. I am confident that DEA power bills. Many homeowners are representatives from across Nunavut are faced with hardship in trying to keep up interested in her reply. For the benefit of with these rising costs. the listening public, I would like to ask the minister if she can confirm whether Perhaps I can direct my question to the or not she received this letter from the Minister responsible for Housing and if I DEA coalition regarding a number of have misdirected my question, Mr. DEA issues and, if so, when does she Speaker, please correct my mistake. To expect to provide a response? Thank whom can these private homeowners you, Mr. Speaker. turn to? I speak of people who haven’t quite reached the age of 60 and don’t Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. qualify for a subsidy. Some people are Minister responsible for the Department struggling to pay for these heating fuel of Education, Minister Aariak. and utility bills for their private homes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take the Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. question as notice. Thank you, Mr. I, myself, am not sure who you’re Speaker. directing… . Ningark, sorry. You got me confused. Speaker: Thank you, Madam Minister. Your question has been taken as notice. >>Laughter We will move on in Oral Questions. Member for Akulliq, Mr. Ningark.

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You mentioned three ministers, so if you Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ningark. can indicate which minister you would Minister responsible for the Nunavut like to direct that question to. Mr. Housing Corporation, Minister Taptuna. Ningark. Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. I again thank the member for I was asking for direction which minister that question. Mr. Speaker, homeowners I should be asking this question, but I do have difficulty at times in paying for will choose the Minister of Nunavut their number of expenses. If a Housing Corporation for now. Thank homeowner encounters that, I would you. suggest that they go to their local LHOs to get assistance and once it’s reviewed, >>Laughter eventually down onto the regional district offices. I suggest to the member Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ningark. that the person writes a letter and take it Minister responsible for the Nunavut from there, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Housing Corporation, Minister Taptuna. Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Oral Questions. Member for South Speaker. I thank the member for that Baffin, Mr. Schell. question. Mr. Speaker, through the Nunavut Housing Corporation, we Question 555 – 3(3): Status of promote the programs, we administer the Kimmirut Airport (Schell) programs and look at applications, but through the criteria that are required in Mr. Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. these applications, we then evaluate, My questions are for the Minister of analyze, then approve accordingly Economic Development and through the corporate managers. Thank Transportation. you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister will recall, I asked Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. questions on March 7, 2011 concerning Your first supplementary, Mr. Ningark. Kimmirut’s airport. At that time, his responses to my questions indicated that Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. his department would be “undertaking First supplementary, I received work on the runway surface and on the [correspondence] by fax from a airport electrical system.” Can the constituent of Repulse Bay who has not minister confirm if this work was attained the age of 60, but he’s having successfully completed? Thank you, Mr. difficulty maintaining his home because Speaker. he did not have the sufficient to pay for fuel and power bills. So will the minister Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Schell. inform this House where this person Minister of Economic Development and would get help in order to pay for his Transportation, Minister Taptuna. monthly power bills and heating fuel? Thank you. Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3869 question. Mr. Speaker, I understood that international airport. Can the minister there’s ongoing work that was taking indicate what would be the approximate place. There are a certain number of cost of a new airport for Kimmirut? phases that were ongoing. Once I get Thank you, Mr. Speaker. that information from my officials, I will certainly share it with the member. Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Schell. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Taptuna. Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Your first supplementary, Mr. Schell. Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not going to assume a Mr. Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. certain figure for construction of an The minister’s responses to my airport in Kimmirut. I don’t have those questions in 2011 also indicated that the figures in front of me. Usually, in the department would “consider allocating early days of estimating actual costs of funds to a preliminary study on the whether it’s renovations and upgrading feasibility of relocating the airport” after of the airport, I don’t have those figures it had “completed the required in front of me, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. resurfacing of the runway.” Can the minister indicate if the department has Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. initiated this much needed study into Oral Questions. Member for Quttiktuq, developing a new airport for Kimmirut? Mr. Elliott. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question 556 – 3(3): Update on the Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Schell. Resolute Bay Utilidor System Minister of Economic Development and (Elliott) Transportation, Minister Taptuna. Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Community and Government Services. I Speaker. There are a lot of needs within would like to take this opportunity to the 25 communities when it comes to the thank the minister, our MP, and the airport facilities and Kimmirut is one of federal government for their them. As I indicated, once I get the finer commitment of capital dollars to the details of what actually happened there, I community of Resolute Bay. will get back to the member with the details and the report. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Speaker, last year’s capital budget Speaker. saw a commitment of $32 million to the Resolute Bay utilidor system. Could the Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. minister provide an update on the Your second supplementary, Mr. Schell. progress of this project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister is aware, the need for a new Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. airport has been a top priority for the Minister responsible for Community and community of Kimmirut for many years. Government Services, Minister We know that Iqaluit is getting a new Kusugak.

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Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. done in a timely manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Gladly, Mr. Speaker. There has Speaker. been a lot of work between the different levels of government in working towards Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. the Resolute Bay utilidor work. Mr. Your second supplementary, Mr. Elliott. Speaker, as I understand it, the construction tender documents are Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. expected to be issued some time this Currently, the utilidor is struggling to spring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. keep up with the demand of the community. From what I have been told, Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. for every 250 litres that flow through the Your first supplementary, Mr. Elliott. system, 150 litres go missing. This is a tremendous expense on the community. Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the same time, some residents, When the program was initially because of freeze-ups, have been without introduced to the community, the water for a number of weeks. What is department committed to keeping the the department doing to provide community informed about the progress adequate service to the community until of the project on a regular basis. Could the new system is operational? Thank the minister explain how his department you, Mr. Speaker. is communicating with the community of Resolute Bay on this huge Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. infrastructure project? Thank you, Mr. Minister responsible for Community and Speaker. Government Services, Minister Kusugak. Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister responsible for Community and Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Speaker, our Government Services, Minister department is working very hard to Kusugak. ensure that the system keeps going, trying to keep it from freezing up. We Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. live in the harshest territory, but they Speaker. As I said, the tender documents live in one of the harshest communities will just be awarded in the next couple within the harshest territory, Mr. months. Following that, the equipment Speaker. With failing equipment like has to arrive on the sealift and we will that, I commend our staff to try to keep keep the community informed as to its the system working, Mr. Speaker. They progress as it proceeds. Most of it will work tirelessly and a lot of water has to be visual. You will see the actual flow through the utilidor in order to keep earthwork happening in the community, it from freezing, Mr. Speaker. Thank but if there are other work that are you. happening in the community that are not visual, our department will work closely Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. with the municipal government there to Your final supplementary, Mr. Elliott. ensure that whatever communication needs to be done with the municipality is Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently, the new arena and the RCMP

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3871 buildings in Resolute Bay are not a part Based on information that is available, of the utilidor system and receive service we have been apprised that the interim through trucked service. During my most period from when an advertisement is recent constituency visit, the issue was made for a position to the time it takes a raised as to whether or not these new candidate to be hired is approximately infrastructure projects would be 300 days. Can the minister provide an connected to the new utilidor system that update whether or not the hiring process would be provided to the community. has been expedited? Thank you, Mr. Could the minister clarify if the new Speaker. arena and the RCMP buildings would be included in this infrastructure? Thank Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Enook. you, Mr. Speaker. Minister responsible for the Department of Human Resources, Minister Ell. Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister responsible for Community and Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank Government Services, Minister you, Mr. Speaker. I am unsure which Kusugak. number of days he is referring to. Is the member talking about the number of Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. days the advertisement runs or is he Speaker. In a nutshell, I have no talking about the length of time between documentation I’m aware of that says advertisements? At that time, prior to my that they wouldn’t be. Thank you, Mr. assuming this ministerial position, there Speaker. was a decision as to the number of days they would take to hire employees, Speaker: Thank you, Minister Kusugak. which was a decision while Mr. Schell Oral Questions. Member for Tununiq, was the minister. Mr. Enook. Further, we are always trying to improve Question 557 – 3(3): Expediting the the hiring process to lower the time GN Hiring Process (Enook) period and this occurred. When the directors or other senior managers are Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, aware of certain positions, they are Mr. Speaker. I wish to direct my required to discuss the position with question to the Minister of Human their departmental staff. They try to Resources. lower the number of days set for the hiring process and they have been able Approximately two years ago, we to lessen the number of days required for debated the issue of job advertisements this process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. for positions that resulted in long periods before any candidate was chosen for the Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ell. Your position. Those of us from Nunavut have first supplementary, Mr. Enook. a preference to hire Nunavummiut for government positions, especially Inuit Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, from our Nunavut communities. Mr. Speaker. I also thank Madam Minister for her response. With respect to the shortening of the hiring process

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3872 and, if indeed, the number of days has many improvements related to lessening been diminished, can the minister the days required for the hiring process provide an update as to how many days when you are talking about government it still takes for a candidate to find out civil service positions. We have tried to about the successful placement for the make the hiring process more position? I am asking for the number of transparent. days from the advertisement to the actual hiring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With respect to the casual staffing actions, we have tried to lower the Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Enook. number of casual hires. Regarding the Minister responsible for the Department casual hires, we have tried to employ of Human Resources, Minister Ell. them for longer periods or in other words, retaining them. As an example, Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank there are many reasons for the hiring you, Mr. Speaker. Although I have that process period becoming shorter. Mr. number somewhere amongst my briefing Speaker, I can provide my colleague this notes, I can’t find it right now. information outlining all of the changes, as there are quite a few to date. Thank Mr. Speaker, if my recollection is you, Mr. Speaker. correct, I believe it is slightly over 100 days and the push was to shorten that Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ell. Your further. We are still working to lower the final supplementary, Mr. Enook. amount of days for this process. Once I have that information, I will ensure I Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, pass it along to my colleague. Thank Mr. Speaker. For my last question, can you, Mr. Speaker. the minister inform me as well as this House that the improvements to the Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ell. Your hiring process, including changes she second supplementary, Mr. Enook. referenced in her prior response, that she is satisfied with these changes? Are they Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, adequate in her opinion? Thank you, Mr. Mr. Speaker. For this subject, perhaps if Speaker. I rephrase my question to clarify the matter. The minister’s response was that Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Enook. the period has been shortened. Now I Minister responsible for the Department wonder exactly what was done or what of Human Resources, Minister Ell. changes were made to lessen the amount of days for the hiring process. Thank Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, personally they seem adequate given the history. I am Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Enook. quite pleased with the senior Minister responsible for the Department management officials who work with of Human Resources, Minister Ell. their counterparts in the various departments to try to improve the hiring Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank process. It is obvious that in the short- you, Mr. Speaker. There have been term future, more improvements will be

Monday, March 11, 2013 Nunavut Hansard 3873 forthcoming. They are quite dedicated decision on what we’re discussing and I am proud of their work in this between the parties involved, including regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. the communities. Once it comes to a conclusion, I’ll certainly let the member Speaker: Thank you, Minister Ell. Oral know. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Questions. Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Elliott. Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. Your first supplementary, Mr. Elliott. Question 558 – 3(3): High Arctic Transportation Strategy Update Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (Elliott) This issue has been ongoing even before Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I I started my term as MLA for Quttiktuq. would like to direct my questions to the In 2008, we just kind of ramped it up Minister of Economic Development and and were able to meet with our Nunavut Transportation, the Hon. Peter Taptuna. Senator. Minister Taptuna was there as well. It seems like we’re having baby Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the cost of steps in terms of progress and movement transportation is very expensive in on this. Will the report and the strategy Nunavut, especially for the High Arctic be done or will something be presented communities that I represent. to the three High Arctic communities before the completion of this Assembly? As the minister will recall, on October Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 31 of last year, he made a statement in the House concerning the status of the Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. High Arctic Transportation Strategy. He Minister responsible for Economic indicated that “As we conclude the Development and Transportation, study, we will have recommendations to Minister Taptuna. this government and to bring forward to the federal government.” Can the Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. minister provide an update on the status Speaker. I think the discussions were of the High Arctic Transportation ongoing before Nunavut became its own Strategy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. territory from the NWT days. It has always been ongoing. There is a lot of Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. difficulty in coming up with solutions. Minister responsible for the Department Mr. Speaker, I’ll do my best to make of Economic Development and sure that the report is complete and a Transportation, Minister Taptuna. solution looked at with all parties involved, including the community Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. mayors, hamlets, and other groups that Speaker. We all know that it’s a huge are looking at this report. Thank you, impediment for families that live up in Mr. Speaker. the High Arctic in Nunavut. The costs of food, transportation, and travel are one Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. of the most phenomenal costs that Your second supplementary, Mr. Elliott. anyone bears up there. At this point, Mr. Speaker, we’re fairly close to making a

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Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Can the minister give any indication of Speaker. I thank the member for that what the Government of Nunavut is question. Mr. Speaker, we completed a thinking of as possible solutions that preliminary study on the high cost of they would be bringing forward? Thank transportation in the past and we did you, Mr. Speaker. share that information with the three communities that were involved in this. I Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. intend to do the same again before we Minister of Economic Development and come to a solution or conclusion, Transportation, Minister Taptuna. whatever the case may be, to have the information report forwarded on to the Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. I cannot divulge on discussions that are happening now. At this point, Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. we’re looking at several options. Mr. Rumbolt. Through discussions with community mayors, hamlets, and partners that are Motion 045 – 3(3): Adjournment for involved, I’ll certainly let the member the Day (Rumbolt) know once a decision is made. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna. move, seconded by the Member for Your final supplementary, Mr. Elliott. Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that we adjourn for the day. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. The Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt. The 2012-15 business plan indicates that the motion is in order. It’s a weather-related department will implement the Nunavut issue, I believe. All those in favour. Any Transportation Strategy, including opposed? The motion is carried. We will specific initiatives to address the needs adjourn for the day. of High Arctic communities, following direction from cabinet. Can the minister Item 22 in our Orders of the Day. provide an update on the status of the Orders of the Day. Mr. Clerk. Nunavut Transportation Strategy, and can he provide details on the specific Item 22: Orders of the Day initiatives that will help address the needs of High Arctic communities? Clerk (Mr. Quirke): Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker. Orders of the Day for March 12: Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Minister responsible for Economic 1. Prayer Development and Transportation, 2. Ministers’ Statements Minister Taptuna. 3. Members’ Statements 4. Returns to Oral Questions

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5. Recognition of Visitors in the Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Tuesday, Gallery March 12, at 1:30 p.m. 6. Oral Questions Sergeant-at-Arms. 7. Written Questions

8. Returns to Written Questions >>House adjourned at 14:51 9. Replies to Opening Address 10. Petitions 11. Responses to Petitions 12. Reports of Standing and Special 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 47  Bill 48  Bill 49 20. Report of the Committee of the Whole 21. Third Reading of Bills 22. Orders of the Day Thank you.