Nunavut Canada LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT 2nd Session 6th Assembly HANSARD Official Report DAY 60 Thursday, November 2, 2023 Pages 3717 – 3844 Iqaluit Speaker: The Honourable Tony Akoak, MLA

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Speaker Hon. Tony Akoak (Gjoa Haven) Officers Clerk John Quirke Clerk Assistant Stephen Innuksuk Law Clerk Michael Chandler Sergeant-at-Arms Michel Albert Hansard Production 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 Hon. David Akeeagok (Quttiktuq) Minister of Economic Development and Transportation; Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for Labour Hon. P.J.

Akeeagok (Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu) Premier; Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister responsible for Immigration; Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs Bobby Anavilok (Kugluktuk) Janet Brewster (Iqaluit-Sinaa) Hon. Pamela Gross (Cambridge Bay) Deputy Premier; Minister of Education; Minister responsible for Seniors George Hickes (Iqaluit-Tasiluk) Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Committee of the Whole Hon. David Joanasie (South Baffin) Government House Leader; Minister of Community and Government Services; Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council Hon.

Joelie Kaernerk (Amittuq) Minister of Culture and Heritage; Minister of Languages; Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation Mary Killiktee (Uqqummiut) Hon. Lorne Kusugak (Rankin Inlet South) Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Management Board; Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation Adam Lightstone (Iqaluit-Manirajak) Hon. John Main (Arviat North-Whale Cove) Minister of Health; Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention Solomon Malliki (Aivilik) Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Hon.

Margaret Nakashuk (Pangnirtung) Minister of Family Services; Minister responsible for Homelessness; Minister of Human Resources; Minister responsible for the Status of Women; Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Karen Nutarak (Tununiq) Hon. Daniel Qavvik (Hudson Bay) Minister of Environment; Minister of Energy; Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College Joanna Quassa (Aggu) Inagayuk Quqqiaq (Netsilik) Alexander Sammurtok (Rankin Inlet North- Chesterfield Inlet) Joe Savikataaq (Arviat South) Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Craig Simailak (Baker Lake)

Table of Contents Opening Prayer ...........................................................................................................................3717 Ministers’ Statements .................................................................................................................3717 Members’ Statements .................................................................................................................3722 Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ........................................................................................3724 Oral Questions ............................................................................................................................3726 Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters .................................3746 Tabling of Documents ................................................................................................................3747 Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ......................................3748 Report of the Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................3843 Third Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................3843 Orders of the Day .......................................................................................................................3843

A. Daily References Thursday, November 2, 2023 .....................................................................................................3717 B.

Ministers’ Statements 327 – 6(2): Nunavut Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee Annual Face-to-Face Meeting (Qavvik) ...............................................................................................................................3717 328 – 6(2): Baby’s Safe Sleep Campaign (Main).......................................................................3718 329 – 6(2): QTC Resources to Support the Implementation of the Made-in-Nunavut Curriculum (Gross) .................................................................................................................................3718 330 – 6(2): Team Nunavut – 2023 North American Indigenous Games (Joanasie)...................3719 331 – 6(2): Food Security Initiatives (Nakashuk) ......................................................................3720 332 – 6(2): Remembering the Contributions of David Webster (Kaernerk) ..............................3720 C.

Members’ Statements 440 – 6(2): Kivalliq Inuit Association Hosting Meeting in Baker Lake (Simailak)...................3722 441 – 6(2): Pond Inlet Grade 6 Class Watching Legislative Proceedings (Nutarak) .................3722 442 – 6(2): Speaking through an Interpreter (Kusugak) .............................................................3723 443 – 6(2): Cambridge Bay Participants at the North American Indigenous Games (Gross) ....3723 D.

Oral Questions 638 – 6(2): Increase in Grants and Contributions (Hickes) ........................................................3726 639 – 6(2): Compensation for Providing Care at Home (Anavilok) ..........................................3727 640 – 6(2): Contaminated Sites (Killiktee).................................................................................3729 641 – 6(2): Status of Collective Bargaining (Brewster) .............................................................3731

642 – 6(2): Usage of GN Staff Housing in Arviat (Savikataaq).................................................3732 643 – 6(2): Accommodation Options for Medical Travellers (Nutarak) ....................................3734 644 – 6(2): Patient Travel from Baker Lake (Simailak) .............................................................3736 645 – 6(2): Transient Housing (Lightstone) ...............................................................................3738 646 – 6(2): Selection of Participants for Tournaments (Malliki) ...............................................3739 647 – 6(2): Marine Protected Areas (Sammurtok) .....................................................................3741 648 – 6(2): Air Transportation in the Kitikmeot (Quqqiaq) .......................................................3742 649 – 6(2): Municipal Parking Garage Program (Quassa) .........................................................3744 650 – 6(2): Registered Education Savings Plan (Hickes) ...........................................................3745 E.

Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 025 – 6(2): Report on the Review of the 2023 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut: COVID-19 Vaccines in Nunavut (Hickes) ................................................................................................................................3746 F.

Tabling of Documents 184 – 6(2): Minister of Health’s 2022 Public Health Act Annual Report (Main) ......................3747 185 – 6(2): Contract Activity Report 2021-22 (Joanasie) ..........................................................3747 186 – 6(2): Procurement Activity Report 2021-22 (Joanasie) ...................................................3747 187 – 6(2): Lease Activity Report 2021-22 (Joanasie) ...............................................................3747 G.

Bills Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Health – Consideration in Committee .....3748 Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Finance – Consideration in Committee ...3756

Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Nunavut Arctic College – Consideration in Committee ............................................................................................................................3760 Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Justice – Consideration in Committee .....3783 Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Environment – Consideration in Committee .............................................................................................................................................3795 Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Family Services – Consideration in Committee ............................................................................................................................3812 Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Culture and Heritage – Consideration in Committee ............................................................................................................................3832 Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Legislative Assembly – Consideration in Committee ............................................................................................................................3840 Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Consideration in Committee ....................3842 Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Third Reading ..........................................3843

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3717 Iqaluit, Nunavut Thursday, November 2, 2023 Members Present: Hon. David Akeeagok, Hon. P.J. Akeeagok, Hon. Tony Akoak, Mr. Bobby Anavilok, Ms. Janet Brewster, Hon. Pamela Gross, Mr. George Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, Hon. Joelie Kaernerk, Ms. Mary Killiktee, Hon. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Adam Lightstone, Mr. Solomon Malliki, Hon. John Main, Hon. Margaret Nakashuk, Ms. Karen Nutarak, Hon. Daniel Qavvik, Ms. Joanna Quassa, Mr. Inagayuk Quqqiaq, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Craig Simailak. >>House commenced at 10:00 Item 1: Opening Prayer Speaker (Hon.

Tony Akoak) (interpretation): Good morning. Before we begin, Ms. Quassa, can you say the opening prayer, please. >>Prayer Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, my colleagues. We will be working hard again today. (interpretation ends) Today is November the tooth. >>Laughter I’m just making sure you guys are listening; November 2, so enjoy the morning. Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Minister’s Statement 327 – 6(2): Nunavut Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee Annual Face- to-Face Meeting (Qavvik) Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Good morning, colleagues, Nunavummiut, ammalu my constituency of Hudson Bay. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize this past weekend’s meeting of the Nunavut Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee here in our capital. My department created the committee to ensure that the ideas and perspectives of our youth inform our government’s climate change policies and programs and to enhance climate change leadership within the territory.

The committee’s objectives this weekend were threefold: to enhance their skills as committee members and climate champions; to learn directly from the knowledge of elders about how Nunavut’s climate and environment are changing; and to set the committee’s work plan for the next six months. Mr. Speaker, at the end of their meeting, I had the pleasure of sitting with and hearing from the committee members directly, and I am pleased to announce that the youth committee was successful in completing all three of their objectives.

I look forward to seeing the committee move forward as they engage Nunavut youth across the territory, bring forward their advice on climate change policies and programs, and strengthen their skills as climate champions and leaders.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3718 Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this dedicated committee on a very successful meeting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Minister’s Statement 328 – 6(2): Baby’s Safe Sleep Campaign (Main) Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my colleagues and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Uqaqtitsijii, bringing a baby home for the first time is an exciting moment, as my colleague sitting right next to me, I believe, recently learned.

From the beginning, a baby’s surroundings affect their development and the overall quality of their life. This includes where the baby sleeps. Establishing a safe sleeping environment for infants is critical. Despite all our medical advances in Canada, infant sleep-related deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome, remain the second leading cause of death in healthy infants. Uqaqtitsijii, evidence shows that a safe sleep environment can reduce the risk of infant sleep-related deaths.

The Department of Health is providing resources and training on safe maternal and child health practices while incorporating Inuit societal values. The Baby’s Safe Sleep Campaign and community-wide training initiatives are new efforts towards better health outcomes for Nunavut children. Health recently launched Newborn Wellness Kits that aim to build trust between caregivers and health care professionals as part of upholding a culturally safe health care system. Newborn Wellness Kits contain child care items and resources, carefully selected in preparation for a baby and to support a growing family.

Every kit includes items such as an infant sleep sack, an infant health care kit, along with infant and parent/caregiver supplies for the first months of life. Kits also include printed resources on the importance of a safe sleep environment. Expectant mothers or caregivers will receive a Newborn Wellness Kit during prenatal or well-child appointments. Parents with questions on safe sleep practices should call their local health facility for confidential advice. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Education, Ms. Gross.

Minister’s Statement 329 – 6(2): QTC Resources to Support the Implementation of the Made-in- Nunavut Curriculum (Gross) Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker. Ublaatsiaq to everyone here listening as well as Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that the Department of Education is working with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association to develop age-appropriate educational resources incorporating historical material from the Qikiqtani Truth Commission report.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3719 A group of educators and staff from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Department of Education will be working together to produce teaching guides, theme kits, and student journals at each grade level to provide engaging educational resources that teach our children… . Sorry; part of my speech is gone. We are delighted to be partnering on this multi-year project. We look forward to seeing these important resources and content incorporated into our education system and curricular learning outcomes across the Qikiqtani. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Minister’s Statement 330 – 6(2): Team Nunavut – 2023 North American Indigenous Games (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, Nunavummiut and members. Mr. Speaker, this past July I had the honour of joining Team Nunavut in Halifax, Nova Scotia in the traditional and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people for the 2023 North American Indigenous Games. Mr.

Speaker, this was my first attendance at an edition of the North American Indigenous Games and the atmosphere of having over 5,000 participants from 756 indigenous nations celebrating, sharing, and reconnecting through sport and culture will always be a highlight for me. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Team Nunavut had a very exciting and successful set of Games, bringing home a total of nine medals, including two gold medals. >>Applause Mr.

Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our two gold medallists, Eekeeluak Avalak from Cambridge Bay in wrestling as well as Tina Kudlualik from Qikiqtarjuaq… >>Applause …who battled to secure a gold medal in the sport of badminton. Mr. Speaker, Team Nunavut will soon be at it again, as they prepare for the 2024 Arctic Winter Games in Mat-Su, Alaska this coming March. I would like to remind athletes and parents planning to travel with Team Nunavut that a valid passport is required. For any questions, please contact the Sport and Recreation Division or your territorial sport organization.

This process must be started early and sport organizations will be required to provide this information in the near future to ensure their athletes and coaches are able to travel with Team Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to invite members to cheer on their athletes as they gather across the territory this fall to compete for their communities and vie for their chance to represent Team Nunavut and remind all athletes to try their best, have fun, and be safe. Go Team Nunavut! Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3720 Speaker: Go Team Nunavut! Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Family Services, Ms. Nakashuk. Minister’s Statement 331 – 6(2): Food Security Initiatives (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my fellow members and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Department of Family Services’ food security initiatives are of deep value to our families and communities. Food feeds our physical selves and brings us together to feed our emotional wellness.

Food creates the space from which we can live and learn our culture and language. Mr. Speaker, Family Services is committed to supporting the stability and growth of community food organizations. In 2023-24 the department provided core funding to four community food organizations in Igloolik, Baker Lake, Clyde River, and Iqaluit. Through our work in the Nunavut Food Security Coalition, the department funded nine community food security projects in 2023-24.

This includes cooking and budgeting classes in Igloolik, Pond Inlet, and Cambridge Bay, a program to teach families to hunt and preserve caribou in Coral Harbour, and cooking classes and breakfast programs in various communities through Nunavut Arctic College. Later this month in Rankin Inlet, the coalition will host a training workshop for community-based food organizations. This workshop will provide an opportunity for community food champions to share projects, learn about establishing a society, managing food programs, and funding opportunities. Mr.

Speaker, please join me in thanking our food champions across the territory for their efforts to help develop food secure communities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Culture and Heritage, Mr. Kaernerk. Minister’s Statement 332 – 6(2): Remembering the Contributions of David Webster (Kaernerk) Hon. Joelie Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, members and Nunavummiut. I rise this morning in remembrance. On June 7, 2023 the Kivalliq lost a friend and cultural advocate, David Webster, who passed away in Ottawa, Ontario.

Mr. Webster came to Nunavut in the 1960s as a teacher and adult educator in Baker Lake and Arviat. There he met and married Sally Qimmiu’naaq. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Webster is known for the contributions he made to Nunavut, which include initiating the collection of thousands of quotes from Inuit elders about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit that came together in the book Uqalurait: An Oral History of Nunavut. He also helped spearhead the development of the Inuit

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3721 Heritage Centre in Baker Lake, and assisted in the development of two national historic sites in the Kivalliq region: the Fall Caribou Crossing National Historic Site of Canada and the Arvia’juaq and Qikiqtaarjuk National Historic Site of Canada. David Webster also served terms as Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, in 1991, Mr.

Webster was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his contributions in helping reverse language and culture loss in Nunavut and for retraining unemployed youth and introducing elders into classrooms to help revive and strengthen Inuit heritage. He is survived by his wife, Sally, children Deborah Kigjugalik, Linda Akumalik, John Ujumngat, Diane Mannik, Peter Qaqsauq, and seven grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in sharing our condolences to Mr. David Webster’s family and friends as we recognize his contributions to Nunavut. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Minister of Education, Ms. Gross, has asked to redo her minister’s statement. With time left on the clock, this will be allowed. Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I apologize for the little fumble earlier. I think maybe we’re starting a bit too early for my page, but I’m so happy to redo the statement. Thank you once again. Mr.

Speaker, I am proud to announce that the Department of Education is working with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association to develop age-appropriate educational resources incorporating historical material from the Qikiqtani Truth Commission report.

A group of educators and staff from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Department of Education will be working together to produce teaching guides, theme kits, and student journals at each grade level to provide engaging educational resources that teach our children in the Qikiqtani region the history of the decisions and events that affected Inuit living in the region and their long-term impacts on Inuit life. Mr. Speaker, this work aligns with our department’s made-in-Nunavut curriculum development plan, as well as the recommendations from the Qikiqtani Truth Commission’s Final Report.

We aim to ensure that Inuit culture, language, and history are foundational in the educational program from kindergarten to grade 12. The content developed through this project will primarily support and enrich social studies and health and wellness, knowing that other subjects will also benefit from this educational initiative. Mr. Speaker, several years ago, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and the Department of Education signed a memorandum of understanding recognizing shared goals for a culturally reflective education with an emphasis on Inuit language learning.

We are delighted to be partnering on this multi-year project, and we look forward to seeing these important resources and

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3722 content incorporated into our education system and curricular learning outcomes across the Qikiqtani. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 3. Members’ Statements. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Item 3: Members’ Statements Member’s Statement 440 – 6(2): Kivalliq Inuit Association Hosting Meeting in Baker Lake (Simailak) Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my fellow members and staff, as well as the people of Baker Lake who are listening to the proceedings this morning. Mr.

Speaker, the Kivalliq Inuit Association announced on their website that they will be holding a public meeting in Baker Lake from seven o’clock until nine o’clock. They will hold a public meeting with the Inuit of Baker Lake and they would like to hear from them. They would like to make a decision as to what they will do once the Meadowbank mine is closed and the KIA will be providing $1 million to be available to the local Inuit. The meeting will be held at the community hall from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. They will be holding another meeting tomorrow with the people of Baker Lake regarding the usage of the funds.

I encourage the residents of Baker Lake to attend this meeting and to comment on the usage of the funds after the closure of the Meadowbank mine. We have to start planning for 2026, when the Meadowbank mine will be closed. We have to start planning, so I urge the Baker Lake Inuit and residents to attend the meeting tonight and tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak. Member’s Statement 441 – 6(2): Pond Inlet Grade 6 Class Watching Legislative Proceedings (Nutarak) Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I say “good morning” to Nunavummiut and the residents of Pond Inlet, and especially the grade 6 students at the Ulaajuk School who are now watching the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly. The grade 6 students are learning about governmental affairs in their social studies program and their teacher is Jeneca. Jeneca called me yesterday morning to inform me that they are learning about governmental affairs. I told her that we will be holding a session in the morning. I was sent a photograph of the class watching the proceedings. I send my greetings to them.

I would also like to thank the teacher, Jeneca, for welcoming us. Once I get home, I will be visiting the grade 6 students. They will be able to ask me questions as to how the government operates. Please join me in welcoming the elementary school students in Pond Inlet who are watching the proceedings. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3723 Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Rankin Inlet South, Mr. Kusugak. Member’s Statement 442 – 6(2): Speaking through an Interpreter (Kusugak) Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also say “good morning” to the students who are watching the proceedings. Mr.

Speaker, we hear through Nunatsiaq News and CBC’s online news that when they quote a person speaking Inuktitut, they always say that they are “speaking through an interpreter.” Although it was a good statement that was made in Inuktitut, they write that they spoke through an interpreter. Mr. Speaker, the Inuktitut language is the real language of Inuit and a regional language of Nunavummiut. Ever since we were born, we started speaking Inuktitut and there were no interpreters. They were not speaking through interpreters.

To those who write and broadcast media, I urge them not to say “speaking through an interpreter” because every time a member speaks in Inuktitut, we understand. They should be saying that they understood through the interpreter. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Inuktitut was the first language of Nunavummiut, a little bit before you and I were here. I’m constantly reading the Nunatsiaq News and CBC website talk about quotes of unilingual people or just people who speak in Inuktitut, saying “speaking through an interpreter.” Mr.

Speaker, let me make it very clear that when Inuit speak in Inuktitut, they do not speak through an interpreter, they speak very fine in their own language, and it is time for the media to stop quoting people who speak Inuktitut as speaking through an interpreter. It puts them down a couple of notches. They speak very well in their own language. Maybe just as a suggestion, the reporter should start writing, “I understood through an interpreter.” That may be more appropriate. Mr. Speaker, it’s time we stop downgrading the usage of Inuktitut in this territory and the rest of the country. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Cambridge Bay, Ms. Gross. Member’s Statement 443 – 6(2): Cambridge Bay Participants at the North American Indigenous Games (Gross) Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to everyone listening and especially to our colleague’s constituents in Pond Inlet and those in Iqaluktuuttiaq as well. Mr. Speaker, this summer, many athletes and coaches from Cambridge Bay participated in the North American Indigenous Games that were held in Halifax, Dartmouth, and Millbrook First Nation in Nova Scotia this past July. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to acknowledge all of our wrestlers from Cambridge Bay who attended the games: Eekeeluak Avalak, Juisipi Dimitruk, Kiana Ekpakohak, and Kristen McCallum, and their coaches,

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3724 Christopher Crooks and Loryn Muswagon, and manager, Paula Czianka. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Eekeeluak Avalak for his remarkable performance and successful achievement of a gold medal in wrestling. I know I speak for all residents of Cambridge Bay when I note how proud we are. It was such a pleasure to watch you shine on stage as you became a crowd favourite, with people tuning in from coast to coast to coast to root for you. I know one day that we will be watching you compete in the Olympics, as you have told me that you’re working towards that dream.

You are an inspiration to us all, Eekeeluak. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the coaches, parents, friends, and our community for their continued support of our athletes and for helping them to attend and maximize these opportunities. To all of our youth who took part, please know your community is behind you and our next generation of youth that is looking up to you. Thank you for dreaming, aspiring, and then taking action. Quana, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions. Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Cambridge Bay, Ms. Gross.

Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure this morning to welcome some very fine guests into our House this morning from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Olayuk Akesuk, Inukshuk Aksalnik, Manager of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission Implementation and Programs with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, Inukshuk’s daughter, Aubrey Sheppard. It’s Take Our Kids to Work Day for grade 9 students at Inuksuk High School, so welcome, Aubrey.

I would also like to welcome Simon Cuerrier, Inuit History and Governance Program Coordinator with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. I would also like to welcome Hagar Idlout-Sudlovenick, Director of Inuit Programs and Services with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. Thank you for coming. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Hon. P.J. Akeeagok (interpretation): Good morning and thank you, Mr. Speaker, for acknowledging me.

We say “good morning” to Nunavummiut, my fellow MLAs, and the students who are watching the proceedings. I’m sure that you will be sitting in this House sometime in the future and we’re proud of you. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituency. Some of my constituents are here and although they have been recognized, I want to recognize residents from Iqaluit- Niaqunnguu. I’m very proud of them and I would like to recognize them because they work very hard.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3725 I have worked very closely with Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, who is the President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. I thank them very much for working with me before I sat here as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. Hagar Idlout-Sudlovenick and Inukshuk Aksalnik and her daughter are here. I’m very proud of the fact that she’s here. I expect her to sit in the House in the future. I urge her to continue her education so that she could move forward in the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.

Member for South Baffin, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome to all the visitors. However, I would like to especially recognize someone who is in grade 9. It is Take Our Kids to Work Day, and I would like to say how proud I am of my son, Qulittalik Joanasie. >>Applause He will be here paging today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Earlier in my member’s statement, I spoke about the Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee and the important work they are doing on climate change. Mr. Speaker, this group of young people provides ideas and perspectives that inform our government’s climate change policies and programs and those that enhance change leadership within the territory. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to recognize members of the Nunavut Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee and our staff for the critical work they are providing and supporting the work of the advisory committee. Mr.

Speaker, representing the advisory committee today in the gallery across the table is Jennifer Kilabuk… >>Applause …who is a member of the youth committee, and Cameron DeLong, the Director of the Climate Change Secretariat. >>Applause Mr. Speaker, the other members of the Climate Change Youth Advisory Committee are Seané d’Argencourt- Printup from Iqaluit, Cassidy Devereaux from Iqaluit, Charlotte Lapôtre from Iqaluit, Katie Yu from Iqaluit, Kaylie Naullaq from Sanirajak, and Nolan Qamanirq from Arctic Bay. Mr.

Speaker, our Climate Change Secretariat Division is looking to recruit members from the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq regions, and I look forward to getting more youth committee members to the Climate Change Secretariat Division. Mr. Speaker, once again, please join me in congratulating this dedicated

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3726 committee on providing their service on climate change to Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Is that a member’s statement? I don’t know. Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Item 6. Oral Questions. Before going to the first name, I would like to ask again for all the members to respect the House, respect one another, and I would ask again to shorten your

preamble, and most of all, just respect each other in the House and the Rules of the House. Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit- Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes. Item 6: Oral Questions Question 638 – 6(2): Increase in Grants and Contributions (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question today to the Minister of Culture and Heritage. Mr.

Speaker, the other day, the minister made a statement in the House on the elders and youth grants and contributions increase update and stated that it has increased its elders and youth grants and contributions from a budget of $800,000 to $2,225,000, which is fantastic news. For my first question, I would like to ask: how did the minister determine this amount of increase? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Culture and Heritage, Mr. Kaernerk. Hon. Joelie Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for the question to Culture and Heritage.

It was through the budgetary process that grants and contributions were looked into. Through the process, that’s how they determined to increase the grants and contributions funding, through the budgetary process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My next question is: did the Department of Culture and Heritage fully expend its grants and contributions budget last fiscal year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Culture and Heritage, Mr. Kaernerk. Hon. Joelie Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also thank the member for asking that supplementary question. The previous minister at that time before I became minister, when the budget was being put together, tried to have a good review before they came to that amount. (interpretation ends) Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand that. My question was, as I’m sure all ministers were paying attention during my line of questioning to the Minister of Finance, on grants and contributions and the delays and how it impacts especially non-profit organizations.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3727 Mr. Speaker, my next question is: what is the expected turnaround time from approval to payment under the grants and contributions administration of the Department of Culture and Heritage? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Culture and Heritage, Mr. Kaernerk. Hon. Joelie Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the member’s questions. Yes, I understand the question. When we are dealing with the grants and contributions, it is stated here that the policies have been changed accordingly to enhance program objectives.

Culture and Heritage is trying to make these payments once they get their applicants. They have been keeping track of their payments, and hopefully it will stay on the right path for these payments to go ahead when it comes to grants and contributions applicants. Hopefully, we will do well with the grants and contributions when it comes to providing programs to Nunavut communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Anavilok. Question 639 – 6(2): Compensation for Providing Care at Home (Anavilok) Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I say “good day” to the residents of Kugluktuk and Nunavut and members. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health regarding the fact that when some Inuit are suffering from health issues, they are cared for in their homes. I would like more ideas on how to provide more help to them. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my questions today to the Minister of Health on compensation for providing care at home. Mr.

Speaker, on October 23 I asked the minister whether there was any kind of financial compensation available for family care providers who look after family members with an illness at home. At that time, the minister stated that there was no such compensation available through his department and he committed to looking into the idea. During our recent Committee of the Whole debate on the Department of Health’s capital budget, I was very pleased to hear the minister say that a family caregiver compensation program could be one way of addressing elder care needs in Nunavut.

Can the minister provide an update on what further consideration he has given to this idea since I first asked about it on October 23? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for raising this issue again. In the Katujjiluta mandate, we all know that elders need help and their expectations are our priority. We all agreed on that priority. When the member first raised this matter, I stated that I would look into it.

We have not really worked on it up to now, but once we put together the priorities, we will start with a

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3728 jurisdictional scan and look at the Canadian jurisdictions to see what kind of care payments they have for family members. That will be one of our priorities, and I thank the member for raising this issue. Whenever regular members come up with an idea in the House, there are things that we are asked to do, that we are asked to look into, and I try to use all of my hearing abilities as a minister, and I thank the member for it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you for that response. Sometimes Inuit lead in some of these initiatives of care when looking after a relative who is suffering health issues and confined to their home. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I understood from the minister’s comments on November 1 that a number of other jurisdictions in Canada have caregiver compensation programs. A quick search shows that in Nova Scotia, for example, a caregiver can receive up to $400 a month for providing care to someone at home.

Can the minister indicate whether he has worked with his officials to determine whether the cost of providing family caregiver compensation in Nunavut would be a worthwhile investment to support more elders to be able to stay in their home communities and age with dignity? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The data or the jurisdictional comparison that the member just highlighted is exactly the kind of work that we would be looking to do to develop this concept in Nunavut.

This is where I have to be careful, Mr. Speaker. My colleague, the Minister of Culture and Heritage, just spoke about the budgetary process and so I have to be careful. I can’t commit to things or say that we’re going to do things. Whatever we aim to do or bring forward as the Department of Health or any of our partner departments, of course, it would have to go through the budgetary process, through the Financial Management Board, and then ultimately come here to the House for consideration. When you look at the cost of long-term care, Embassy West, for example, we’re paying close to $17,000 a month, Mr.

Speaker. Looking at it from a financial and budgetary perspective, if there are things that we can do to support family caregivers who carry a very heavy burden both emotionally and physically and it can also impact them financially, if there are things we can do to support them in their home community to keep elders in their homes longer, from a purely financial perspective, there would appear to be a compelling argument in terms of a business case. That would be the kind of work that we would be looking to further develop. Again, I thank the member, and I’m trying to keep my response short, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3729 Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I agree with the minister on doing things carefully and doing them really good. That way we can make sure that we help Nunavummiut all the time; same as to our government. Mr. Speaker, I was very encouraged to hear that the minister seems to have given the idea of a family caregiver compensation program further thought.

When will the minister be in a position to tell this House whether he will be bringing in a Nunavut family care compensation program? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) That’s going to be a difficult question for me to answer. Unfortunately I can’t provide a timeline in terms of when we could potentially bring that for consideration in the House.

There are a number of different factors that could play into it, but as I mentioned in Committee of the Whole recently, the work that’s being led by Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs on the seniors strategy is really exciting.

When you look at what the Department of Health can do, we have the ability to make improvements and bring on initiatives, but when you look at the ability of the combined efforts in terms of seniors, whether it’s housing, family services, or taxation through the Department of Finance, Culture and Heritage, Education, there are so many different pieces that could come forward and bring improvements. It’s really exciting work that’s being led.

Unfortunately I can’t provide a timeline on the member’s question, but I would like to reassure him that his comments have been taken to heart, I have taken them to heart, and I really thank him for pointing out an exciting avenue for us to pursue in the future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Uqqummiut, Ms. Killiktee. Question 640 – 6(2): Contaminated Sites (Killiktee) Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions today are for the Minister of Environment, Daniel-ngai, (interpretation ends) and they concern the issue of contaminated sites in Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, I was very proud to have participated in our recent televised hearings with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada during which this important issue was discussed. As the minister is aware, his department is responsible for administering the government’s Contaminated Sites Policy and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Contaminated Sites Liabilities Working Group. Mr.

Speaker, can the minister provide an update today on the working group’s current priorities? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3730 Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for asking that question. Mr. Speaker, most contaminated sites in Nunavut are legacy sites that pre-date the establishment of the territory. The Department of Environment is working with other departments to implement the Contaminated Sites Policy. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment maintains an inventory of contaminated sites on Commissioner’s Land in Nunavut and conducts site assessments to inform management decisions.

Fuel investigations are prioritized based on potential environment and human health risk, and to support decision-making among our Government of Nunavut departments. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment has re-established the Contaminated Sites Liabilities Working Group. The purpose of that group is to provide decision-making and support on procedures and policies for policy making for managing contaminated sites and environmental liabilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also appreciate the information. (interpretation ends) By saying that with your response, my next line of questioning is, as the minister is aware, the Cape Christian contaminated site, (interpretation) and in Inuktitut the place name is Pingurjuaq, (interpretation ends) project is located in my constituency near the community of Clyde River. Mr. Speaker, information published by the federal government indicates that remediation of this site was scheduled to have been completed by the year 2010, followed by a 25-year monitoring program. Mr.

Speaker, can the minister clarify what role his department has in monitoring the program? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have assessments regarding the site that the member indicates which are not outdated and will be renewed. It is a priority for field work this coming spring of 2024, but under our jurisdiction, the Government of Nunavut contaminated sites inventory lists 280 sites and the Government of Nunavut has accepted responsibility for 80 sites. Mr.

Speaker, it is a federal responsibility, so our department mainly focuses on our area of responsibilities within Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In your ministerial portfolio, I really want to direct you to become really concerned, as there is a lot of potential cleanup work in Clyde River, as it is on the other side of the community and the cleanup was not completed. It is quite hazardous. People can fish there and you can see the small hillock from the community.

There are materials on the seafloor and many of the materials are decomposing, with

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3731 many rusted metals that have surfaced from the old dumpsite. I really want you to be really concerned about this site as it is in close proximity to the community. My constituency communities, (interpretation ends) Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq, you indicated approximately the cost of fully remediating detailed sites. (interpretation) I want clarity on this language as this is quite concerning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the member for her continued advocacy for her constituency. Mr. Speaker, I take note of the member’s question in regard to further looking into the contaminated sites that have been identified for the community of Clyde River. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to finding ways to remediate, we need to find whether it is a priority that will fall under health risks. Our pristine environment is one of our responsibilities and our priority as a department. I will look into the issue surrounding the question with my staff and get back to the member with more detailed information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Question 641 – 6(2): Status of Collective Bargaining (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Human Resources, who is responsible for the government’s collective agreements with the Nunavut Employees Union and the Nunavut Teachers Association. Mr. Speaker, the current collective agreement with the Nunavut Employees Union was finally signed in August 2022, just over a year ago. The current agreement expires in September 2024, about 11 months from now. Mr.

Speaker, we know that the Government of Nunavut employees went without a collective agreement for almost four years. This degree of uncertainty is unacceptable, and I sincerely hope that we will not see this situation repeated. Can the minister provide a clear update today on the status of negotiations between the government and the union? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also thank you for the question. (interpretation ends) I will have to get back to the member on this because I haven’t had current updates in terms of where we’re at with the negotiations. I know that we have been in discussion with our department. I’ll have to get back to the member in terms of where we’re at right now. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Brewster.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3732 Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The collective agreement that was finally signed last August contained a number of positive provisions, including paid family abuse leave, paid leave for Inuit cultural pursuits, and increased allowances for employees to access support from psychologists or other mental health professionals. Can the minister assure me today that the government will not try to remove these provisions in the next round of bargaining? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon.

Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for the question. (interpretation ends) Like you mentioned, it’s great to see new things come up within the agreement that we just signed last time. I can’t promise anything, but I don’t see anything being excluded or removed from the agreement that we have put in place at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have heard from many public servants that they’re really happy with those new additions, so I’m happy to hear that it seems like they won’t be dropped off. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to collective bargaining, it is my understanding that the government’s negotiators receive a mandate in respect to what they are authorized to offer and accept. However, it has always been somewhat of a black box to me as to who sets the parameters of the negotiating mandate.

Can the minister clarify if the negotiating mandate is set by the Minister of Human Resources on her own, the Minister of Finance on his own, or the Financial Management Board as a collective? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for the question. The negotiation process is handled between the Department of Human Resources and the Nunavut Employees Union, including the negotiation items.

With respect to how the newly restructured items would be undertaken, it is not part of our plans to remove other issues. Nonetheless, the actual details are in the agreement. We are also reviewing the salary grid parameters to determine how best to restructure. This review is ongoing. However, the actual agreement is being completed by the Department of Human Resources and the Nunavut Employees Union, and I will be informed as to the progress in these talks which I will pass on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq.

Question 642 – 6(2): Usage of GN Staff Housing in Arviat (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning”

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3733 to the people of Arviat. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Human Resources and they pertain to Return to Oral Question 596 – 6(2). That was a return to oral about the government staff houses being used by the Nunavut Housing Corporation. In the minister’s reply, the minister stated, “The Nunavut Housing Corporation allowed the NCCD to utilize” two government “staff housing units in Arviat for approximately four weeks during the assembly of two modular units.” Mr.

Speaker, I would like to get confirmation from the minister whether the NCC is still using the staff housing because this refers to past tense and I believe that modular units are being used now. Last night there was a telehandler and a construction type vehicle in front of the staff housing, and this morning they were not there and they were at the construction site of the NCC. Can the minister confirm whether these government staff houses are still being utilized by the NCC Development Corporation? Thank you. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon.

Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for that follow- up question. We often collaborate with the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Housing Corporation (interpretation) as they are also responsible for the staff housing units, so we continue to work with them on these issues. As I stated previously, when an emergency arises, they are temporarily used. However, they generally do not cause hardship when government employees want to enter the unit.

With regard to the NCC employees temporarily using the units, the agreement was from October 30 up to the completion of the (interpretation ends) modular homes (interpretation) construction, and they were supposed to move out by October 30 into the buildings they are working on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There seems to be a blurring of lines here.

I understand fully that the Nunavut Housing Corporation is responsible for making the staff houses in communities that are requested by Human Resources, and Human Resources is the authority to decide who goes into government staff housing. Was the Minister of HR consulted that the Nunavut Housing Corporation was going to authorize the use of these staff houses? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for the question.

We have an (interpretation ends) allocation committee (interpretation) that decides who is going to be moving into staff housing. They are the ones who make those decisions, but the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Housing Corporation (interpretation) is involved. We work with the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Housing

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3734 Corporation (interpretation) on housing issues. As I indicated earlier, when there’s a need to move our staff to staff housing, they are involved when there’s an emergency situation. I can say that we work collaboratively on that. The Department of Human Resources is responsible for that, but as I said, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is also involved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The minister said that they use government staff housing units when there’s an emergency situation. In Arviat, there is a bunkhouse that is privately owned that can be used by the construction workers. I know that it is currently vacant and it was vacant last month. I will now ask the minister a question. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the minister stated that the issuing or authorization of houses go through a housing allocation committee. Did the Nunavut Construction application go through a housing allocation committee? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon.

Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for that question. They did not ask the Department of Human Resources if they could use staff housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak. Question 643 – 6(2): Accommodation Options for Medical Travellers (Nutarak) Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, it has come to my attention that medical travel clients who are Inuit are not being given the opportunity to stay at the medical boarding homes if they are Government of Nunavut employees. For the benefit of the listening public, can the minister clarify his department’s policy with respect to Government of Nunavut employees being permitted to stay at the medical boarding homes? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for the question.

In terms of boarding homes, we had quite a lot of discussion on boarding homes during this sitting and I welcome it because it’s an important service that is provided to Nunavut Inuit through the Non-Insured Health Benefits program. It’s a program that we’re always looking for ways to improve. We work very closely with our federal partners. For Nunavut government employees, their medical travel benefits are provided through a separate stream. It’s an employee benefit, so ultimately, it’s through the Department of Finance and so the Government of Nunavut

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3735 employees are provided accommodations during medical travel. Typically, it’s in hotels and there is no policy that prevents Government of Nunavut employees staying in boarding homes. There are some boarding homes that are able to accommodate Government of Nunavut employees into boarding homes. It’s a choice that the employee has in that case.

It’s largely driven by capacity issues at existing boarding homes where, when we’re tight for capacity, the priority is given to Non-Insured Health Benefits clients, which leaves the Government of Nunavut employee medical travellers to stay in hotels. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Nutarak. Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and minister, (interpretation ends) for explaining that. Mr. Speaker, sometimes medical travel clients have to stay in another community for long periods of time in order to receive medical care.

If they have to stay in a hotel in Iqaluit, for example, it can get very expensive to eat out every day. I add that when you’re put in the hotels in Iqaluit, a lot of these hotels don’t have kitchenettes; you’re put in just a bedroom. In addition, not everyone has enough money to pay for these meals up front even if they can get reimbursed afterwards. Can the minister describe what kind of support is provided to medical travellers to ensure they have sufficient money on hand to pay for their meals if they are not able to stay at the boarding home? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main.

Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In terms of Government of Nunavut employee medical travel, there is a single standard medical travel referral process that exists for all clients and escorts, regardless of whether they’re through Non-Insured Health Benefits or through the Government of Nunavut. The Department of Health is involved in authorizing travel and facilitating the medical travel. In terms of the benefits for Government of Nunavut employees, the transportation, the accommodation and the meal benefits are provided through the Department of Finance.

As I previously mentioned, prepaid meal and ground transportation expenses are not available. There are some exceptions in very rare cases that Finance may allow for accountable advances to employees to pay while on medical travel, but it’s something that we are committed to working on as a business plan priority. In this fiscal year, Finance, in consultation with Health, is developing an employee survey for employee medical travel to guide improvements on program delivery. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Nutarak. Ms. Nutarak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you for your response, minister. Mr. Speaker, many Inuit, whether they are GN employees or not, would prefer to stay at the medical boarding home where they can be with other Inuit and where they don’t have to worry about having enough money to pay for meals.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3736 While I recognize that the Government of Nunavut’s health benefits for employees do cover accommodation and meals, it is not clear why those benefits are not used to pay for their meals and accommodation at the boarding home in the same way that Non-Insured Health Benefits pay for food and accommodation at the medical boarding homes. Mr.

Speaker, will the minister commit to working with the boarding home operators and his department’s medical travel staff to provide Inuit medical clients who are also GN employees with the option of staying at the medical boarding home? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for that question. In regard to your question, we are currently working with the Department of Finance, and we will make sure that we work with the operators and look at some of their ideas or what they would like to see.

We will be looking at how we can improve it. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I’ll just reiterate that there is no policy that’s preventing GN Nunavut Inuit employees from staying in boarding homes. It’s more an issue of capacity. I think, through the item that I mentioned earlier in developing an employee survey, that’s going to be an important exercise to guide our future improvements. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Question 644 – 6(2): Patient Travel from Baker Lake (Simailak) Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have a question to the Minister of Health who I have yet to direct questions to during this fall sitting, so let me direct some questions to him. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know if the Department of Health conducts surveys, for example, the number of medical travel patients from Baker Lake who travel either to Rankin Inlet or Iqaluit or Winnipeg. Do they have monthly figures on the number of patients who have to travel for medical reasons from Baker Lake? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also thank the member for that question. Yes, we know how many clients are travelling from which community to their point of destination. Travel through Rankin Inlet is one of the frequent questions we hear. We’re looking at how we can improve the system. Some communities are asking the airlines if they could go directly from their point of departure to their destination without going through Rankin Inlet and fly directly to Winnipeg. This route may be considered by the airlines, as they fly from Arviat and Baker Lake, but it depends on the flight

schedule and the day they are flying out. However, we do monitor monthly travel numbers, so we do have the information

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3737 available and we wish all travellers to be safe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. I’m very glad that you know how many medical travellers are going from point A to point B. In the Kivalliq region, we usually have to go through Rankin Inlet. There are quite a few medical patients who get stuck from their point of departure to their destination and we hear of people looking for accommodation.

Has the Department of Health looked at the possibility of building a boarding home in Rankin Inlet or have they looked at possibly leasing a building, to say it in English, (interpretation ends) lease an infrastructure to use as a boarding home? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for that question. Yes, we have looked at the numbers and we are looking at how we can improve the system for people who get stuck between their departure and their destination due to weather.

We see them sleeping in the terminal, which is not very good to see. We did start an initiative to lease rooms from the hotels. We have been doing that since last year and it has definitely provided easier logistical support, but it does create another expense. We prefer that all medical travel patients remain safe and we began the initiative for that reason. We have discussed the numbers here in the House and they seem too low.

I’ll respond to you in English. (interpretation ends) In terms of the prefeasibility numbers, as has been discussed in this House, they are low in terms of looking at a boarding home in Rankin Inlet and whether we need to move to the next step of a feasibility study.

Looking at some of the factors, looking forward, looking at the new long-term care facility, looking at the dental services in the community as well as what we are hoping to stand up again, the birthing centre in Rankin Inlet, through stronger staffing, looking forward, there are things that are moving us towards a feasibility study for looking at a boarding home in Rankin Inlet. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for the responses.

I’m glad the department is now looking at doing a prefeasibility study on either building or leasing a boarding home in Rankin Inlet. I think it’s time to make it happen with the feasibility study and not just look at it. Far too many times we all have heard stories of people getting stuck in Rankin Inlet either because of weather in their home community or the airline going mechanical while in Rankin Inlet. Can the minister respond to when a feasibility study would be done? Would that be in next fiscal year or is that something five years down the road that

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3738 a feasibility study would be done on whether building a boarding home or leasing a boarding home in Rankin Inlet? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: You answered some of those types of questions before, but you can answer it in a shorter version. Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In terms of when we would move to a feasibility study, we would be looking to move soon. We would be approaching Indigenous Services Canada to ask for financial support to complete the feasibility study. Mr.

Speaker, I’m trying to keep this short, but I have to mention that when we talk about working with Indigenous Services Canada, we have a huge item that’s also on the table and it’s the funding agreement for Non-Insured Health Benefits. It’s a big item of concern for the department right now. I should mention that because it is in the same funding stream. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Question 645 – 6(2): Transient Housing (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation regarding the issue of transient housing. Mr. Speaker, I have been raising this issue for a number of years and in response to my written question, the Nunavut Housing Corporation had indicated that in the fiscal year 2019- 2020, the housing corporation had leased over 200 units for transient use, costing approximately a quarter of a million dollars a month and in excess of $3 million a year. I was wondering if the minister would be able to provide the House with an update on the transient housing situation. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently we have 140 units under MOUs from across the different departments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It has been indicated in the past that the Nunavut Housing Corporation does not build staff housing units in Iqaluit because there is a viable private rental market.

However, it also has stated that if the supply does not meet the demand, the NHC will seek opportunities to build multi-unit buildings and staff housing units in Iqaluit and other large communities. Mr. Speaker, looking at the CMHC’s Northern Housing Report, it has indicated that Iqaluit is undersupplied with significantly higher demand of a limited supply which has resulted in a critically low, virtually non-existent vacancy rate in the rental market. This is the fourth consecutive year that Iqaluit’s

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3739 vacancy rate in the rental market has been below 1 percent. The construction and leasing priorities are discussed and determined in consultation with the Nunavut Housing Corporation and Human Resources. I would like to ask if this specific matter has come up in discussions and, if not, will the minister commit so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This discussion or issue comes up all the time because there is a real lack of housing everywhere in Nunavut. Less than 1 percent is very low in terms of vacancy and it does come up in a lot of discussions, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for that response. Another issue that I have raised with the Minister of Health is the utilization of transient housing units by the department here in Iqaluit.

The Minister of Health had indicated that 48 units are currently being leased in Iqaluit for use by transient employees, removing these 48 units from Iqalummiut that really are in desperate need of units to rent. I would like to ask if the Minster of Human Resources would support the idea of the Department of Health submitting a business case to the Department of Finance proposing a budget request for construction of staff housing units in Iqaluit, separate from and in addition to the NHC’s annual staff housing budget request. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s a loaded question. It’s something that we would definitely have to take a look and see the pros and cons of doing that. I don’t foresee anything coming to our department on that, but if it does, it definitely deserves a good look, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Aivilik, Mr. Malliki. Question 646 – 6(2): Selection of Participants for Tournaments (Malliki) Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Good morning to my constituents and my fellow MLAs and ministers. Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services regarding recreation and sports activities. Our young athletes go out and play in tournaments and some of them are very talented. I would like to know what the process is for selecting athletes to participate in tournaments. Can the minister inform me of the process to select athletes for tournaments? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3740 Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my fellow MLA for the question on the selection process within sport and recreation. Mr. Speaker, there is a non-profit organization that forms the (interpretation ends) territorial sports organization (interpretation) that operates separately from the government, but they are provided assistance for tournaments that help select our athletes for the larger tournaments. For example, we provide support for the athletes like the basketball association and the volleyball association.

These associations select the athletes who will participate in tournaments. During the tryouts, they are provided support for their transportation so that they can go to the tryouts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister, for that response. Perhaps the minister can relay the information to the public that young athletes can go and try out. I know that in each community there is a recreation committee. The associations that he just mentioned are not in most communities.

How can you relay this information to the smaller communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This association is for all the communities. It represents all the communities of Nunavut and they try to inform all the communities as to which stages and competitions they are going to be able to try out for. Also, Mr. Speaker, the municipalities all have recreation committees. My department provides monthly reports around activities and events.

They provide information to the municipal recreation committees. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the past, the athletes did have tryouts, but it seems like they don’t even go through that process. We don’t hear about the tryouts in our communities. Can you provide that information back to our communities so that more of our young people can participate and are treated equally so that they can go try out for the games? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr.

Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These bodies operate independently from the government, but we use them as both our link and partners so that these events can proceed smoothly. We want every community to participate in these sporting events and communities anticipate these events, including many of our youth. We will try to provide this information as we want to host exciting and fun tournaments within sport and recreation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3741 Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok. Question 647 – 6(2): Marine Protected Areas (Sammurtok) Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Good morning to the residents of Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet and my colleagues. (interpretation ends). Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Environment and they concern the issue of marine protected areas in Nunavut.

As the minister will recall, his predecessor made a formal minister’s statement earlier this year in which he indicated that: “In recent years, the Government of Canada has proposed several land and marine protected areas in Nunavut without much input and consultation with our government.” Mr. Speaker, as the minister is aware, work has been underway in respect to the Southampton Island Area of Interest, which may lead to a new marine protected area near the communities of Chesterfield Inlet and Coral Harbour. Can the minister clarify his department’s current involvement with this project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that question. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Kivalliq Inuit Association have collaborated to promote Southampton Island area of interest for potential designation as a new Oceans Act Marine Protected Area. Mr. Speaker, the area under consideration covers the near-shore ocean around Southampton Island and Chesterfield Inlet in the Kivalliq region. Mr.

Speaker, the Government of Nunavut officials provide insight and feedback on assessments and consultations through both the working level co-development committee and executive-level steering committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As the minister will recall, his predecessor informed the Legislative Assembly that the Department of Environment is working to develop a new Protected Area Strategy.

Can the minister provide an update on the status of this work and can he indicate when the new strategy will be ready for tabling in the Legislative Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that question. To answer the member’s question, we are still in the initial stages and it is too early to confirm what strategies will be in place for the Nunavut marine protected areas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3742 Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As the minister is aware, the community of Chesterfield Inlet needs new marine infrastructure and more economic development opportunities. For example, the potential for a scallop fishery has been identified by the community, which is a perfect example of a sustainable blue economy initiative. Can the minister assure me that his department will oppose any attempt by the federal government to block economic development initiatives such as this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I again thank the member for questioning that area and having an interest for his constituency of Chesterfield Inlet North. Mr. Speaker, that level of detail is not in front of me, so I will get back to the member directly as to answer his questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq. Question 648 – 6(2): Air Transportation in the Kitikmeot (Quqqiaq) Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Good morning, colleagues, Nunavummiut, Kitikmeot residents, and my constituency communities of Taloyoak and Kugaaruk. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation. Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, I tabled correspondence during yesterday’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly that was submitted by the president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association concerning the issue of air transportation services in the region. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the important work that the Kitikmeot Inuit Association does for our people. Mr.

Speaker, the president’s correspondence raised a number of concerns regarding the state of air transportation in the region, including high fares, high freight costs, and reduced service. Mr. Speaker, can the minister assure me that he will provide a formal response to the president’s correspondence, and can he assure me that his reply will be shared with all Kitikmeot MLAs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There will be a response.

This was addressed to our Premier; as it is a government-as-a-whole issue that our good friends from the Kitikmeot Inuit Association have identified that there are concerns and I share those concerns with the president. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister will recall, the Government of Canada issued an

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3743 announcement in April of this year in which it indicated that it had reached an agreement with Canadian North on new terms and conditions respecting the merger that had previously been approved. Mr. Speaker, the federal announcement also indicated that quarterly auditing by an independent monitor would take place and that there would be “regular oversight…to ensure that the public interest is maintained.” Mr.

Speaker, can the minister confirm what information, if any, is currently being shared with his office by the federal minister in respect to these oversight mechanisms? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It was very unfortunate when the Minister of Transport Canada lifted those terms and conditions. As part of those terms and conditions, we had an advisory board that oversaw those terms and conditions.

With the new terms and conditions that the Minister of Transport has laid out, there is no information sharing on that front at this point as they are deemed as business-wise confidentiality. That’s one of the continued discussions I am having with Transport Canada on these. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I recognize and understand that this is a complex issue and that the territorial government does not have the authority to simply order the airlines to lower fares and improve services. Mr.

Speaker, we know that Canadian North is the primary service provider to Nunavut and we know that it is jointly owned by the Makivik Corporation and the Inuvialuit Development Group. Mr. Speaker, it has been suggested to me that it is time for Nunavut interests to achieve an equity stake in the airline. Mr. Speaker, is the minister open to working with the Inuit development corporations to explore options in this area? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Our government, through our medical and duty travel contract, has secured the airlines for the next two years to ensure that we have some form of say in how the airline is currently working and it’s something that we continually assess. Also, whether to have equity or not, all options are out there, but our current practice right now is using our government contracts to influence the airline costs. That is what we remain to ensure that Nunavummiut don’t suffer from high costs, but we are suffering right now as a result of lifting those terms and conditions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions.

Member for Aggu, Ms. Quassa.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3744 Question 649 – 6(2): Municipal Parking Garage Program (Quassa) Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to my colleagues and to everyone in Nunavut as well as my constituents. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Community and Government Services, and they concern his department’s Municipal Parking Garage Program. Mr.

Speaker, information published by the department indicates that the program provides funding to municipal corporations to “plan, design, build or purchase municipal parking garages required to store critical municipal equipment.” Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the hard- working employees at the Municipality of Igloolik. Can the minister confirm how much funding is available under this program for the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. I thank the member for the question. Mr. Speaker, we are very excited about this program and we had initially requested $4 million in the last and this current fiscal year, ’23-24, and are requesting $8 million for 2024-25. Mr. Speaker, we have several proposals that we have received and working with the hamlets around this, and we hope to be making some good progress as we proceed throughout the year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for that information. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, I recognize that the Municipal Parking Garage Program is an application-based program and that it is the responsibility of municipal corporations to submit applications to the department. Can the minister confirm which municipalities have applied to date for funding under the program? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As of the April 10, 2023 deadline, the department had nine municipalities submit proposals, submitting for the planning phase of the project as well as the design phase.

We approved nine proposals, six of which are in the planning stage and three of which are in the design phase. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for answering my question. (interpretation ends) Information published by the minister’s department concerning Igloolik’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan indicates that the municipality is also experiencing problems with its maintenance garage. Can the minister clarify if the Municipal

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3745 Parking Garage Program provides funding to assist municipalities with addressing problems with these types of facilities? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What I will say is that for the next fiscal year, 2024-25, my department is seeking funding and we went through the Committee of the Whole process to set aside design dollars to proceed with local government priorities.

Under that, we do have the Igloolik Maintenance Garage as one of those projects to be considered for funding alongside the Arviat Fire Hall as well as the Whale Cove Fire Hall. We want to proceed with those three projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes. Question 650 – 6(2): Registered Education Savings Plan (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question today to the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College. Mr.

Speaker, many families work hard to save for their children’s education through a federal program that matches a portion of those savings, up to $500 a year or $7,200 lifetime, called a Registered Education Savings Plan. Mr. Speaker, especially important today after a recent media coverage where regional Inuit organizations are unexpectedly denying student funding due to a lack of funds, is the minister familiar with this federal program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Qavvik, Hon. Daniel Qavvik: I thank the member for that question. Mr.

Speaker, in all honesty, I am not aware of that program. I wish to know more in that area within my responsibilities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As mentioned a couple of days ago in a line of questioning I had for the sane minister, Nunavut Arctic College has a number of degree programs as well as many other programs. Is the minster aware that Nunavut Arctic College is not listed on the national list of designated educational institutions that permit students to use funds provided by the federal government under this program?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We were not aware for the member’s line of questioning and I thank the member for bringing that information. I lost my train of thought, Mr. Speaker. The question in line, I do not have that information in front of me, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Hickes.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3746 *See Appendix for full text of Committee Report 25 – 6(2). Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am assuming that the minister won’t have this information as well, but I would appreciate a response when he does have the information. Mr. Speaker, what criteria does Nunavut Arctic College need to meet that would allow students wanting to study in Nunavut to be able to access all the funds in their Registered Education Savings Plan to support their education here in Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Qavvik.

Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Within our Nunavut Arctic College Registrar Division, our team ensures that our students receive financial payments in time and also looking into ways to making our students succeed in education. Working with families is also one of the priorities within our Student Services Division. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members, be aware that the time allotted for question period is now over. Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to extend question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to extend question period. Are there any nays? There is a nay. Item 7. Written Questions. Item 8. Returns to Written Questions. Item 9. Replies to Opening Address. Item 10. Petitions. Item 11. Responses to Petitions. Item 12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters. I recognize the Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes.

Item 12: Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 025 – 6(2): Report on the Review of the 2023 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut: COVID-19 Vaccines in Nunavut (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present the Report of the Standing Committee on the Review of the 2023 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut: COVID-19 Vaccines in Nunavut. Mr.

Speaker, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts held a televised hearing on this report on September 22, 2023. The standing committee’s hearing was held in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly and was televised live across the territory and throughout the globe. The hearing was open to the public and news media to observe from the Visitors’ Gallery, and was livestreamed on the Legislative Assembly’s website. The transcript from the standing committee’s hearing is available on the Legislative Assembly’s website. Mr.

Speaker, witnesses appearing before the standing committee included a number of senior officials from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and the Government of Nunavut’s departments of Health, Executive and

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3747 Intergovernmental Affairs, and Community and Government Services. Mr. Speaker, the standing committee notes its appreciation to these witnesses. Mr. Speaker, the standing committee’s report contains six sets of formal recommendations directed to the Government of Nunavut, which cover a number of thematic areas, including: • Pandemic preparedness and emergency planning; • Annual reporting; • Orientation, training, certification, and licensing of health care staff; • Public Health Surveillance; and • Inventory management. Mr.

Speaker, I wish to note for the record that the standing committee is requesting that the government provide a comprehensive response to this report, pursuant to Rule 91(5) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker, with that, I move that the report of the standing committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: The member has moved that the report of the standing committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read. Do members agree? Some Members: Agreed. Speaker: It is agreed. Tabling of Documents. Item 13. Hon.

Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Item 13: Tabling of Documents Tabled Document 184 – 6(2): Minister of Health’s 2022 Public Health Act Annual Report (Main) Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table in the House this report, (interpretation ends) the Minister of Health’s 2022 Public Health Act Annual Report. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie.

Tabled Document 185 – 6(2): Contract Activity Report 2021-22 (Joanasie) Tabled Document 186 – 6(2): Procurement Activity Report 2021-22 (Joanasie) Tabled Document 187 – 6(2): Lease Activity Report 2021-22 (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table today the Contract Activity Report, the Procurement Activity Report, and the Lease Activity Report for the 2021-22 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 14. Notices of Motions. Item 15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Item 16. Motions. Item 17. First Reading of Bills. Item 18.

Second Reading of Bills. Item 19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 and Tabled Documents 1 – 6(2), 120 – 6(2), 163 – 6(2), and 174 – 6(2) with Mr. Hickes in the Chair.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3748 In accordance to the authority provided to me by Motion 22 – 6(2), the committee will stay in session until it reports itself out. Before we proceed with the Committee of the Whole, we will break for lunch and report back at 1:30 p.m. Sergeant-at-Arms. >>House recessed at 11:55 and Committee resumed at 13:29 Item 19: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters Chairman (Mr. Hickes): Thank you. I would like to open the Committee of the Whole.

In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 as well as Tabled Documents 1 – 6(2), 120 – 6(2), 163 – 6(2), and 174 – 6(2). What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We wish to continue with Bill 31 and carry on with the review of the 2024-25 capital appropriation for the Department of Health, followed by the review of the Department of Finance, which includes Arctic College, and then proceed with the following departments: Justice, Environment, Family Services, Culture and Heritage, and the Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree that we deal first with Bill 31? Some Members: Agreed. Bill 31 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2024-2025 – Health – Consideration in Committee Chairman: Thank you.

Minister Main, do you have officials that you would like to appear before the committee? Hon. John Main (interpretation): Mr. Chairman, yes, I do. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree to allow the witnesses to appear before you? Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- Arms, please escort the witnesses in. Thank you. Just for the record, Minister Main, if you could introduce your officials. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Chairman. (interpretation ends) I have Deputy Minister Megan Hunt here as well as Executive Director of Corporate Services Greg Babstock. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. I’ll go to the first name I have on my list. Please, committee members, acknowledge the Chair if you want me to add your name to the list. Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome back, minister and your officials. I just have a follow-up question to last year. Last year on Wednesday, November 2, I asked the minister about the thresholds for the size of the

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3749 community and what other metrics are considered in the decision to build a birthing unit or a birthing centre into any new health centres that are built in communities. I did look back in my emails because the minister, in his response, indicated that he didn’t have the specific threshold in front of him and he would look into it and respond in writing. I haven’t been able to find that response. It might be my terrible filing system. However, I do wonder if the minister can give us an update on what those thresholds and metrics are. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for the question and I apologize for any lack of follow-up. In terms of the threshold for a birthing centre being put into a community, in terms of birthing centres, they’re currently only formalized in the regional hubs and the only one that’s operational is Iqaluit and the Qikiqtani General Hospital. The birthing centre in Rankin Inlet is currently not accepting expectant mothers from the region. That’s primarily driven by staffing issues.

Cambridge Bay is in a similar situation. Moving forward, we want to strengthen our service provision in terms of birthing and see it available in more communities and closer to home, but in terms of what the threshold is for “This community is large enough to support a birthing centre and this community is not,” there is no hard-set threshold as of yet. I think the questions, if I recall correctly, came from reference to Arviat’s planned…it’s not planned yet, but scoped out expansion.

That has been identified due to the community’s size as well as the birthrate as being an element that would be included should that project move forward into planning. Other than saying that we need a certain population threshold to justify that type of investment, I don’t have any specifics to offer in terms of what that threshold would be. We are working on initiatives to expand or re-strengthen midwifery work in Nunavut and a lot of it is around human resources as well as legislation, but there may or may not be a capital component to that as well in the coming years. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you for that response, minister. I can’t stress enough how important it is to give Nunavummiut the opportunity to give birth in their home community, surrounded by everybody who will be caring for the mother and for the babies that are born. The hardship of convalescing away from your community and away from your family is not just an impact on the parents who are convalescing; there is an impact on any children who are left behind while the parents are away. I just would like to fully support birthing centres in new builds.

I know it’s an operations discussion as well, so I’ll bring that part up at a later time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That’s all I have. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Main, did you want to… ? Minister Main.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3750 Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I appreciate the member’s comments and I will, for the second year in a row, look at what specifics we can provide in terms of the threshold or the metrics that we would look at for birthing centres. It is an O&M component, but from a high level, what we’re trying to do in Nunavut right now is stabilize the delivery of care services in terms of our staffing Nunavut-wide.

Once our staffing situation has been stabilized, we will be in a better position to move to add to expand in the future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Next name I have on my list: Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for recognizing me a second time. I’m not going to have a question; it will just be a closing comment on the topic of long-term elder care. Mr. Chairman, when a project is put forward and a budget is being asked for, the project should go forward or should not go forward on its merit.

It should not be stopped or go forward because of who presents it for the budgetary request. Mr. Speaker, for the record, the current minister voted to delete the exact same project three years ago. If that project had not been deleted, we would probably be breaking ground right now; maybe we would be in the midst of constructing these two long-term care facilities in Qikiqtani and Kitikmeot. That is the biggest beef I had, the fact that the exact same project could have and should have gone ahead, but we have a chance here to make it go ahead.

To end on a positive note because we shouldn’t always be negative, and I believe I was not negative, I’m just making a point, I’m very thankful that the Government of Nunavut Department of Health takes care of our elders that have to leave town and the ones that don’t leave town through home care. I’m very thankful that the Department of Health and the Government of Nunavut don’t charge elders for when they are put in a long-term care facility or elders’ care facility.

In other jurisdictions, elders have to come up with the money or the family would have to come up with the money in order for them to stay in long- term care or elders’ care. I’m very thankful that the Nunavut elders are being taken care of to the best of the ability of the Department of Health, but as I stated, a project should go or not go because of who presents it. It should go or not go based on its own merit. Lastly again, I’m just thankful that the Government of Nunavut, through the Department of Health, is taking good care of our elders to the best of their ability. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you.

Next name I have on my list, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In terms of the capital budget and the member’s comments, I would like to thank him for ending things on a positive note. I think that it’s fair to say that as minister in my relatively new role here, changing opinions and changing positions on topics is not something that’s out of the norm for me, and I

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3751 thank the member for quoting extensively from past debates. To be honest, I was quite flattered that he was speaking, pulling from, but I don’t want to dwell on the past. I think, looking at the present and the future and the Arviat elders’ home in particular, it is a facility that needs extensive work in the upcoming years. Given that the member didn’t ask any specific questions on it, I’ll just offer some information.

There are short-term renovation requirements to some real significant parts of the building, there are building infrastructure items in the early-medium term that are identified for replacement, such as the roof, and these are coming in at millions of dollars. It was mentioned in our opening comments, but the member didn’t pick up on it. From the Department of Health’s perspective, what we’re looking at for the Arviat elders’ home that we’re hoping to bring forward, that we have identified as a priority for planning, is either to renovate it and expand it or replace it.

It’s key for us to maintain the existing capacity within Nunavut. We don’t want to see what happened in Baker Lake repeated, where a facility unfortunately was lost to our assets in the territory. For the coming years, we’re going to continue working on new facilities as well as maintaining and possibly expanding our existing facilities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yesterday, after Mr. Simailak’s questions, the minister indicated that there’s prefeasibility study in Rankin Inlet.

When are you going to decide whether they’re going to be building that facility or not? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Main. Hon. John Main: Did you catch that on the mic? It depends on a few factors, but a prefeasibility study shouldn’t take that long. As I indicated yesterday, in Committee of the Whole, there are a few new factors that we’re looking at that might change the dynamic or the potential need. We are planning to approach Indigenous Services Canada and seek funding support to conduct a feasibility study.

Our earliest timeline to have that work completed would be the end of the fiscal year, by end of March or into April of 2024. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. I have no more names on my list. Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, all. I thought I was done my line of questioning, but Minister Main just quickly spoke about the Arviat elder care facility and how they’re now starting to plan on either extensively renovating it or replacing it in the coming years.

Why is that not being considered for the facility that was in Baker Lake, which is a Government of Nunavut asset, and was being used as an elder care facility? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Main.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3752 Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) In terms of the Martha Taliruq Centre, there had been considerations given to reopening it in terms of its former role, but right now, our efforts are focused on repurposing that facility to make use of it for a number of different community health needs, including mental health as well as others. That’s an item that we’re currently working on and it’s partly driven by the situation at the health centre in Baker Lake, which is very small.

We’re delivering tuberculosis programming out of a broom closet basically. We’re bursting at the seams in Baker Lake. Where it’s right across the street, we are working with CGS on bringing that facility back online for health needs in the community. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, minister.

If I understand correctly, the reason why the Martha Taliruq Centre is now being considered for extensive renovations or replacement by the Government of Nunavut is because of the size of the health centre in Baker Lake “bursting at the seams.” Is that what the minister is saying? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Main. Hon. John Main: It’s not exactly what I’m intending to say. Maybe Mr.

Babstock can offer some more details in terms of the Martha Taliruq Centre, the building across from the current health centre, in terms of the work that we’re looking at, if you will allow. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Babstock, go ahead. Mr. Babstock: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks again for the question. The Martha Taliruq Centre has been one of those projects that we have been working on for quite some time.

Where we are right now with it is the functional plan has been developed in conjunction with our operational staff and we’re in the process now of completing a building condition assessment such that we can then inform going to detailed design for the renovations, at which point we will get, again, another class estimate and then we will be able to determine how best to fund those renovations. They will either be going through ongoing lifecycle if it’s of a value that’s sufficiently low enough. If it’s a larger capital project, we will be coming back to the Legislative Assembly with a capital project request.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Babstock. If you can please clarify, so the plan is to turn it into some other government asset for government use after renovations, not to reopen as an elder care facility. Can you please clarify it? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Same line, Mr. Babstock. Mr. Babstock: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Our intended plan for the Martha Taliruq Centre is to use it as a bridge to help expand the facilities and

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3753 the services that we can provide, given that the health centre is of such a small size. We have always been planning and looking to get a new health centre planned for Baker Lake and we have taken the first step on that through this capital plan with getting it pushed through as a planning project. The intent for the Martha Taliruq Centre is to get us through the next five, six, or seven years, until the new health centre can be put in the community and help maintain the services that we’re providing and delivering within the community.

It’s essentially looking to be an extension of the health centre while we’re in the process of developing the new building that will encompass all of those services in a single facility. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you again for the responses. I keep going back to what the minister said and what they’re planning now for Arviat and it could take millions of dollars to renovate or replace it. The same could be said for Baker Lake. It could be done there as well.

There is other infrastructure that could be renovated as an extension for the current health centre until the new health centre is built. Would the department be willing to consider that so that they use another infrastructure for an extension of the health centre and also work on doing extensive renovations to the Martha Taliruq Centre and reopen it as an elder care facility? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I understand where the member is coming from and I appreciate his interest in this area.

When we look at the Martha Taliruq Centre, there are a number of code issues there where we would run into in terms of the fire retardancy, with the corridors in the building, so there are a number of kind-of-hard barriers we would push up against if we were looking to open it for residential care. That’s why we’re going in this direction. We want to make use of the facility for Health.

As for the Arviat facility as well as the Gjoa Haven and Igloolik facilities, which are being prioritized for planning potential expansion-wise, that flows out of the mandate where it’s identified in our mandate that looking at adding additional capacity to existing facilities is an item, so it’s flowing out of there. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you again for the explanations.

I’m wondering, the Arviat facility and the Gjoa Haven facility and whatever else we have in Nunavut for elder care facilities, I think Igloolik has a facility, do they currently meet codes? Does it mean that the corridors are wide enough, are the doors wide enough, or are they pretty much in the same situation as the Martha Taliruq Centre building in Baker Lake? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3754 Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, they meet the requirements. I think the next oldest facility in our asset mix is Arviat and that’s where I highlighted some of those concerns we have around keeping the building operating and to adequate standards. We don’t want to lose any of our existing capacity; we need every single bed we have right now. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you again for the minister.

It would be a lot easier, I must admit, if the elder care strategy was actually completed to make me feel more comfortable with this. The minister mentioned how it’s in the Katujjiluta mandate to continue working on existing facilities. At this moment, I’m not too sure how I’m feeling. I’m not too comfortable about what has been said here, how the minister mentioned that they’re looking at doing extensive renovations in Arviat or even replacing it, which would be millions of dollars, which is what they could do for Baker Lake. It could have started planning two years ago.

Can I get a response as to why that hasn’t been thought of at the beginning of this Assembly and government? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for raising this again. As I mentioned earlier, we have heard loud and clear from standing committee as well as members in Committee of the Whole that there is a desire for more facilities in more communities. That has come through loud and clear.

Looking at our mandate, the top of the list right now is to get Rankin Inlet complete, Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit rolling on through planning and design and into construction, while the existing facilities are also being maintained and/or potentially expanded. I think, after that, a natural progression, if there is still a desire from the members, would be to look at additional facilities. I can’t commit to anything specific, but there has been some discussion around potential alternative models that might work, that could be beneficial for Nunavummiut.

We’re trying to balance our priorities, but it’s all driven by the mandate. That’s where the starting point was roughly two years ago, a little bit less than two years ago in Cambridge Bay. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank again, minister, for the response. I’ll just do one last statement here. Yes, it has been almost two years since we all put together this Katujjiluta mandate. Elder care has always been, I think, at the top of our lists or wants.

Here we are almost two years later and we still don’t have an elder care strategy, which some of your budgets are being tied into, yet we haven’t seen this elder care strategy. It’s just more of a statement. I don’t have any more questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3755 Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for the questions. We understand the frustration, but it is an important piece of work. As was mentioned previously, supporting elders is much larger than just long-term care. At the Department of Health, there are a lot of different levers we can pull on or add to in terms of providing better care in territory. It’s exciting work from where we sit. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you.

Just before I continue, I would just like to get clarification on one of Mr. Simailak’s questions and the response. The minister stated that the facility in Baker Lake cannot be renovated back into residential living because of the building code requirements. As we know from COVID, there has been an immense amount of attention on residential facility building codes. With the existing facilities in Arviat, Igloolik, and Gjoa Haven, if those walls get broken down to make an addition or any major renovation to a facility, what building code standards would have to be conformed to? Minister Main. Hon.

John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Currently, those existing facilities are grandfathered into the new long-term care building code standard, a national standard that has been released. There are two; there is one for the operation and there is one for the capital side of things. Our new facilities, Rankin Inlet being an example, are in compliance with those new standards. In terms of the expansions to the older facilities, if you will let Mr. Babstock take a crack at that. He’s much more technical than I am. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Man of many hats, Mr. Babstock, please proceed. Mr. Babstock: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With respect to specifically the Martha Taliruq Centre, one of the key considerations there is the fact that there are no washrooms in each of the client rooms, which is a significant code consideration. As a result of that, that is a major renovation and it would essentially mean tearing down the building and building new. There is no renovation that could happen to the building considering that it was mentioned that there are certain restrictions and regulations around fire and egress time.

It would essentially mean redoing walls. It would be stripping it down to the studs. We partner with our project management team at CGS that helps guide us through all of the code requirements through our engineering and architectural experts that guide us through the code requirements, and we take that advice from them to ensure that we provide a safe, appropriate and comfortable living experience for all elders across all of our facilities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. I’ll leave it alone at that. Any other names? We’re looking at the Department of Health. Directorate. $21,720,000. Agreed?

Some Members: Agreed.

Thursday, November 2, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3756 Chairman: Thank you. Do members agree that we have concluded with the Department of Health? Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Minister, do you have any closing comments? Minister. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) For my closing comments, I’m going to quote from Hansard eight years ago. No, I’m just kidding. >>Laughter I want to thank all the members for their comments, including the Member for Arviat South.

I think that it’s clear that elder care is a really important issue for everyone in this room and I really appreciate the support and the votes in favour here. Please know that the Department of Health is pushing hard. The people sitting next to me and the people who are not here are working very hard trying to implement our mandate and I would lik