Nunavut Canada LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT 2nd Session 5th Assembly HANSARD Official Report DAY 138 Monday, September 13, 2021 Pages 8561 – 8615 Iqaluit Speaker: The Honourable Allan Rumbolt, MLA

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Speaker Hon. Allan Rumbolt (Sanikiluaq) Officers Clerk John Quirke Clerk Assistant Stephen Innuksuk Law Clerk Michael Chandler Sergeant-at-Arms Charlie Audlakiak 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) Deputy Premier; Minister of Economic Development and Transportation; Minister of Human Resources Tony Akoak (Gjoa Haven) Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Hon.

Jeannie Ehaloak (Cambridge Bay) Minister of Community and Government Services; Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation Hon. George Hickes (Iqaluit-Tasiluk) Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Management Board; Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for Labour; Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Hon. David Joanasie (South Baffin) Minister of Education; Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College Joelie Kaernerk (Amittuq) Pauloosie Keyootak (Uqqummiut) Hon.

Lorne Kusugak (Rankin Inlet South) Minister of Health; Minister responsible for Seniors; Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention Adam Lightstone (Iqaluit-Manirajak) John Main (Arviat North-Whale Cove) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (Pangnirtung) Minister of Culture and Heritage; Minister of Languages; Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation Patterk Netser (Aivilik) Calvin Pedersen (Kugluktuk) David Qamaniq (Tununiq) Emiliano Qirngnuq (Netsilik) Hon.

Joe Savikataaq (Arviat South) Premier; Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister of Energy; Minister of Environment; Minister responsible for Immigration; Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs; Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council Craig Simailak (Baker Lake) Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik (Iqaluit-Sinaa) Government House Leader; Minister of Family Services; Minister responsible for Homelessness; Minister responsible for the Status of Women Cathy Towtongie (Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet)

Table of Contents Opening Prayer ...........................................................................................................................8561 Ministers’ Statements .................................................................................................................8561 Members’ Statements .................................................................................................................8564 Oral Questions ............................................................................................................................8572 Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters .................................8591 Tabling of Documents ................................................................................................................8593 Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ......................................8593 Report of the Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................8614 Third Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................8614 Orders of the Day .......................................................................................................................8614

A. Daily References Monday, September 13, 2021 .....................................................................................................8561 B.

Ministers’ Statements 677 – 5(2): Minister Absent from the House (Kusugak) ............................................................8561 678 – 5(2): 2021 Council of the Federation Literacy Award Winner (Savikataaq) ...................8561 679 – 5(2): Federal Funding Initiatives (Nakashuk) ..................................................................8562 680 – 5(2): Nunavut Teacher Education Program (Joanasie) .....................................................8563 681 – 5(2): Supporting Inuktut as a Working Language (Ehaloak) ...........................................8564 C.

Members’ Statements 976 – 5(2): RCMP Body-worn Camera Pilot Project (Qamaniq)...............................................8564 977 – 5(2): 2021 Baker Lake Bowhead Hunters (Simailak) ......................................................8565 978 – 5(2): Issues with Tammaativvik Boarding Home (Towtongie) ........................................8566 979 – 5(2): Nunavut Land Use Plan (Lightstone) ......................................................................8566 980 – 5(2): Strengthening Inuktitut (Kaernerk) ..........................................................................8567 981 – 5(2): Nunavut Arctic College Policies (Netser) ...............................................................8568 982 – 5(2): Impact of Suicide (Qirngnuq) ..................................................................................8568 983 – 5(2): Providing Employment Opportunities for Nunavummiut (Main) ...........................8569 984 – 5(2): A Successful Beluga Hunt in Kugluktuk (Pedersen) ...............................................8570 985 – 5(2): A Successful Baseball Season in Iqaluit (Hickes) ...................................................8571 986 – 5(2): Welcome to New Inuinnaqtun Interpreter (Ehaloak)...............................................8572 987 – 5(2): Marine Infrastructure in the High Arctic (Akeeagok) .............................................8572

D.

Oral Questions 1422 – 5(2): RCMP Body-worn Camera Project (Qamaniq) .....................................................8572 1423 – 5(2): Drinking Water (Simailak) ....................................................................................8574 1424 – 5(2): Minister of Languages Annual Reports (Kaernerk)...............................................8575 1425 – 5(2): Additional Teachers Needed at Chesterfield Inlet School (Towtongie) ................8577 1426 – 5(2): Apprenticeship Programs in QEC (Main) .............................................................8579 1427 – 5(2): Nunavut Land Use Plan/Nunavut Planning Commission (Lightstone) .................8581 1428 – 5(2): Nunavut Arctic College Policies (Netser) .............................................................8583 1429 – 5(2): Impact of Suicide (Qirngnuq) ................................................................................8584 1430 – 5(2): Fur Exchange Program (Keyootak) .......................................................................8586 1431 – 5(2): Airport Infrastructure (Akoak)...............................................................................8588 1432 – 5(2): Impact of COVID-19 on the Mining Industry (Pedersen) .....................................8589 E.

Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 044 – 5(2): Report on the Review of the 2019-2020 Annual Report of Nunavut’s Representative for Children and Youth (Main) ..................................................8591 F. Tabling of Documents 413 – 5(2): 2019 Report on the Administration of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1990 (Akeeagok) ..................................................................................................................8593 414 – 5(2): Photo: Donation of Computers to Baker Lake High School Students (Simailak) ...8593

G. Bills Bill 77 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2021-2022 – Consideration in Committee ............................................................................................................................8594 Bill 77 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2021-2022 – Third Reading ......8614

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8561 Iqaluit, Nunavut Monday, September 13, 2021 Members Present: Hon. David Akeeagok, Mr. Tony Akoak, Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak, Hon. George Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, Mr. Joelie Kaernerk, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak, Hon. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Adam Lightstone, Mr. John Main, Hon. Margaret Nakashuk, Mr. Patterk Netser, Mr. Calvin Pedersen, Mr. David Qamaniq, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq, Hon. Allan Rumbolt, Hon. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Craig Simailak, Ms. Cathy Towtongie. >>House commenced at 13:29 Item 1: Opening Prayer Speaker (Hon. Allan Rumbolt): Before we begin, I would like to ask Mr.

Netser if he would lead us in prayer, please. Mr. Netser. >>Prayer Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Netser. Before we begin, I would like to wish a warm welcome to our veteran page, Alexis, who will assist us all this week. Welcome. >>Applause Good afternoon, members. Good afternoon to the people of Sanikiluaq and the people of Nunavut, and who else may be watching our proceedings today. Orders of the day. Ministers’ Statements. The Acting Minister for our Government House Leader, the Hon. Minister Kusugak. Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Minister’s Statement 677 – 5(2): Minister Absent from the House (Kusugak) Hon.

Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Good day, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues. I wish to inform you today that our colleague, (interpretation ends) Hon. Elisapee Sheutiapik, (interpretation) will be absent from the House for personal reasons. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Ministers’ Statements. The Hon. Premier, Mr. Savikataaq. Minister’s Statement 678 – 5(2): 2021 Council of the Federation Literacy Award Winner (Savikataaq) Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the people of Arviat, I say “good day” to you. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to speak about the accomplishments and commitment Nunavut’s 2021 Council of the Federation Literacy Award recipient, Nunia Anoee of Arviat. Nunia is no stranger to the world of learning. With over 30 years of experience from teaching elementary school to high school, to developing Inuktitut curriculum for the Department of Education, Nunia is passionate about promoting Inuktitut to students across Nunavut. Mr.

Speaker, while her studies and work have taken her to different communities across the territory, she recognizes the importance of learning different dialects of Inuktitut to facilitate more meaningful communication with elders, community

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8562 members, students and family. Nunia is dedicated to meeting students where they are at and helping strengthen students’ Inuktitut language skills at all ages, and she encompasses all the qualities of a leader of literacy promotion. Nunia currently works as an elementary school teacher at Levi Angmak Elementary School in Arviat. Mr. Speaker, since 2004 the Council of the Federation has celebrated achievement, innovation, and excellence in literacy.

This annual award is presented to in each province and territory to celebrate the valuable contributions made by Canadians in the field of literacy. Mr. Speaker and colleagues of the Legislative Assembly, please join me in congratulating Nunia. Thank you for your work. I look forward to presenting your medallion, cheque, and certificate as soon as I’m back in Arviat. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Ministers’ Statements. The Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Nakashuk. Minister’s Statement 679 – 5(2): Federal Funding Initiatives (Nakashuk) Hon.

Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Good afternoon, my colleagues. I also say “good day” to the people of Pangnirtung. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I come here today with good news. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has provided additional funding for Nunavut through two separate funding programs. The Rapid Housing Initiative will provide $4.9 million to build 15 new units in Gjoa Haven and Kugluktuk.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation compromised its program criteria to meet Nunavut’s unique needs and extended the construction timeline to two years and allowed us to use the funding for stick builds. Without these accommodations, our unique logistical challenges would have made accessing these funds challenging if not impossible.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation has introduced the Canada Nunavut Housing Benefit, a National Housing Strategy initiative intended to provide a rent subsidy to ease hardship by facilitating access to housing on the private market for individuals, youth, or families who are experiencing vulnerability or crisis. This is a joint investment of $18 million to support over 670 low-income households. The Nunavut Housing Corporation will administer these funds with the Department of Family Services. Mr.

Speaker, the funds align with the Government of Nunavut’s Turaaqtavut mandate goals of Inuusivut: Self- reliance, and Piliriqatigiinniq/Ikajuqtigiinniq: Working together for a common cause. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Ministers’ Statements. The Hon. Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Minister Joanasie.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8563 Minister’s Statement 680 – 5(2): Nunavut Teacher Education Program (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, members and Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, I would like to update the members on the Pathfinder agreement and the expansion of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program. Mr. Speaker, in addition to securing funding from the Nunavut Implementation Panel, I can confirm that the college has signed a $37.3 million contribution agreement with the federal government.

This funding is foundational to the success of this program’s expansion and will fund a range of activities related to curriculum development and program delivery, oversight, and leadership. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I can also confirm that at its August 30 meeting in Kinngait, the Makigiaqta Board of Directors approved $12.4 million to the Pathfinder project, securing funding for three years, beginning in fiscal year 2023 to 2026. This is a historic commitment, an opportunity for actioning on the intent of this organization, which is to provide funding and supports for training initiatives.

I applaud Makigiaqta for making such an important investment into language, culture, and post- secondary education in the territory. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, as members will recall, the four-year Nunavut Teacher Education Program is rooted in a two-year immersive Inuktut program, the Uqariuqsatittijiit Initiative. I am proud to recognize the communities of Arviat, Baker Lake, Naujaat, and Igloolik who are hosting the first cohort of this expansion. I can confirm that 44 students have been accepted into the program in these communities.

I know I speak on behalf of all of Nunavut when I say thank you for doing your part to support Inuktut in Nunavut’s education system, we believe in you and wish you every success in the program. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, these four communities join Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, and Rankin Inlet who are also hosting a new cohort of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program. I can confirm that across Nunavut, a total of 91 Nunavummiut will begin learning in this important program. Mr.

Speaker, in closing, I want to recognize the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Culture and Heritage, the Department of Education, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, who sat with the college on the Partnership Table on Education and Language. I would also like to recognize the Makigiaqta Board of Directors, which include representatives from Nunavut Tunngavik, the three regional Inuit organizations, and the Government of Nunavut.

These milestones are a direct result of the various levels of representation actioning on their commitment to strengthening learning in Inuktut for a bilingual education system for Nunavut. This is a success for all of Nunavut and I applaud the efforts of everyone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Ministers’ Statements. The Hon. Minister

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8564 responsible for Community and Government Services, Minister Ehaloak. Minister’s Statement 681 – 5(2): Supporting Inuktut as a Working Language (Ehaloak) Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Good afternoon. First of all, I want to send my condolences and prayers to my community during this difficult time. Uqaqtii, as part of Turaaqtavut, our government committed to continuing our efforts to increase Inuit employment by supporting Inuktut as a working language within the government and across the territory.

In 2020 the department, in partnership with the Pirurvik Centre, offered its first online Inuktut language course for departmental staff. The goal of the course was to support our Inuktut- speaking employees use their language in the workplace and to help our non- speaking employees become familiar with the foundations of the Inuktut. As a result of this language training opportunity, 21 employees successfully completed the Pigiarvik Level 1 course. The department will continue to explore opportunities to provide language training to its employees based on the success of this initiative.

Community and Government Services is also continuing its work to preserve the Inuit language through technology. In partnership with the Department of Culture and Heritage, the Language Commissioner, and Microsoft, the department has incorporated Inuktitut into the Microsoft Translator tool and is currently working on expanding its capability by incorporating Inuinnaqtun. The tool allows everyone using the Microsoft 365 suite of applications the ability to access technology supported Inuktut translation capabilities.

The translation tool represents an important step in advancing Inuktitut and promoting the use of the Inuktut across government and throughout the territory. Mr. Speaker, Community and Government Services will continue working with our partners to promote the use of Inuktut in workplace. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Ministers’ Statements. Item 3. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Tununiq, Mr. Qamaniq. Item 3: Members’ Statements Member’s Statement 976 – 5(2): RCMP Body-worn Camera Pilot Project (Qamaniq) Mr. Qamaniq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I say “good day” to my constituents in Tununiq and my colleagues as well as Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make a statement about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s body-worn camera pilot project. Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, I have raised this important issue on a number of occasions during the current Legislative Assembly. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to have had the honour of

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8565 participating in our Nunavut Senator’s roundtable on this initiative, and I thank the other members who served with me. Mr. Speaker, when I last raised this issue during our spring sitting, I noted that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had announced that its pilot project was moving to an “evaluation phase.” I also emphasized the importance of this project expanding to smaller Nunavut communities, including Pond Inlet. Mr.

Speaker, I will continue to be a strong advocate for measures to strengthen accountability and build trust between the police and the public whom they serve. At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the appropriate minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Member’s Statement 977 – 5(2): 2021 Baker Lake Bowhead Hunters (Simailak) Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Good afternoon, my colleagues and my fellow members. (interpretation) Mr.

Speaker, I am sure most Nunavummiut were checking for updates regularly about the Baker Lake bowhead hunt crew. People all over Nunavut saw that. Even though the weather was bad, even though it was windy, raining and in the sunshine, the bowhead hunters were out for five weeks and I am happy and proud that they caught their bowhead whale. >>Applause Mr.

Speaker, I’ll mention the names of the bowhead hunters: • Phillip Putumiraqtuq • Charlie Tautuaqjuk • Casey Tulurialik • John Avaala • Daniel Tagoona • Hosea Iksiraq • Patrick Attungala • Ukku Tanayuk • Jamie Kataluk • Umingmak Kabloona • Elijah Amarook • Koommak Amarook • Jonathan Joco Tootoo • Joe Uqayuittuq • Darren Itqilik • Malachi Avaala Mr.

Speaker, many people supported them in any way possible and I thank them immensely, especially the people of Naujaat who spent many hours helping the people of Baker Lake by boating, cooking, and polar bear watches and they shared stories of how they used to hunt their bowhead whales and what to watch out for. Mr. Speaker, in particular, I’ll mention the names of the people of Naujaat who provided assistance ever since Baker Lake people went to Naujaat: Joel Tigumiar, Mark Tigumiar, Paul Tigumiar, Richard Jr.

Angotialuk, as well as the conservation officer in Whale Cove and a resident of Rankin Inlet, Joefrey Okalik. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding the people of Baker

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8566 Lake for harvesting a bowhead whale. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Ms. Towtongie. Member’s Statement 978 – 5(2): Issues with Tammaativvik Boarding Home (Towtongie) Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express concerns that have been raised by Kivalliq residents who go to Iqaluit on medical travel and stay at the Tammaativvik Boarding Home. Mr.

Speaker, travel restrictions during the COVID pandemic have led to many more Kivalliq patients travelling to Iqaluit for medical care. The majority of these patients stay at the Tammaativvik Boarding Home. Mr. Speaker, a number of my constituents have complained that the environment at the boarding home is not at all friendly or comfortable. However, they do not know who to talk to or where to express their concerns and complaints. Mr. Speaker, the staff at the front desk are not from the north and do not speak Inuktitut.

Their approach is often intimidating and my constituents are frightened to ask for help or support. Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Tammaativvik Boarding Home is run under a contract. When complaints have been raised by my colleagues in this House, the Minister of Health in the past always stated that he would have to speak with the contractor to resolve issues. It is not clear what steps the contractor has taken. (interpretation ends) Uqaqtii, I would like to finish my statement. Thank you. Speaker: Thank you. The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays?

Being none, please continue, Ms. Towtongie. Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): It is not clear what steps the contractor takes to ensure a safe and welcoming environment that is open and accessible to Inuit and especially those whose preferred language is Inuktitut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I personally find it difficult when my constituents are so reluctant to stay at the boarding home that they ask to stay with me while I am in Iqaluit for Assembly business. It is not possible for me to host them. I wish I could.

I encourage the Minister of Health and his staff to work closely with the contractors operating the Tammaativvik Boarding Home and ensure that services are delivered in a culturally acceptable manner. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Member’s Statement 979 – 5(2): Nunavut Land Use Plan (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On July 8 the Nunavut

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8567 Planning Commission released a new draft of the Nunavut Land Use Plan. I wish to commend the Nunavut Planning Commission for the tremendous work in creating what will be the largest regional land use plan in the world. Finalizing and implementing the Nunavut Land Use Plan is one of the remaining pieces of unfinished business of the Nunavut Agreement. Since 2007 the Nunavut Planning Commission has been consulting with and listening to every community in Nunavut to create a land use plan for our territory.

Having a land use plan in place is crucial for the future of Nunavut. The land use plan is vital for the protection of the environment we depend on. Caribou, a species the Government of Nunavut manages, is particularly dependent on the land use plan. We know that our herds, whose populations are close to historic lows, need to have their calving grounds, migration routes, and wintering grounds protected to thrive. Without a Nunavut land use plan in place, we have no means to manage the cumulative impacts of industrial activity on our lands.

The Nunavut Land Use Plan is also critical to the economic development of our territory. A plan will provide certainty for the companies willing to invest in Nunavut and a plan can ensure that caribou populations bounce back, while providing clarity on those areas where everyone agrees that a mine or a road could eventually exist. Along with Nunavut Tunngavik and the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut is a signatory to the land use plan. Nunavummiut have been waiting a long time for this crucial element of the Nunavut Agreement to be implemented.

I urge our government to work with the other signatories and the commission to finalize the plan before the end of the year. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the minister to provide our Assembly and the public with an update on the matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Amittuq, Mr. Kaernerk. Member’s Statement 980 – 5(2): Strengthening Inuktitut (Kaernerk) Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, residents of Amittuq and Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about our languages.

We know, especially smaller communities, of the importance of language as we use it daily and this is also encouraged by the government, to use our languages in our workplaces and I am proud that the Minister of Community and Government Services supports this initiative to ensure the Inuit language is used more within the government workforce. Mr. Speaker, my main reason pertains to details listed in the report of the Minister of Languages. I think they are delayed and that’s why I rise today and for that reason, we are advised to appreciate our language and not to be shy to use it.

How can we further encourage our government? We as Nunavummiut, our language and our culture are still being sloughed off ungratefully, and I would

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8568 like to restart the focus on using our language more as it needs to be visible. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will have questions for the Minister of Languages on the reports she tabled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Minister responsible for…from Aivilik, Mr. Netser. Member’s Statement 981 – 5(2): Nunavut Arctic College Policies (Netser) Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You’re not the first one to refer to me that way.

I say “good day” to my constituents in Coral Harbour and Naujaat. I hope you enjoy your day as fall is coming. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise a concern with the policies and practices at Nunavut Arctic College with respect to students being accepted into courses. Mr. Speaker, I was recently approached by a constituent who had a very negative experience with the college. My constituent was accepted into a program and flew all the way from home, took two days to get here, only to be told on the first day of classes that the person should just go back home.

Apparently the formal acceptance letter that the student received was miscommunicated within the college. Mr. Speaker, as I am sure you can appreciate, coming from a small community yourself, it can be a difficult and intimidating experience for our students when they leave home and travel to a large regional centre to take up post-secondary education that will, hopefully, improve their opportunities for employment and a career. This is a big step that they’re taking. Mr.

Speaker, I find it totally unacceptable that a Nunavut resident who has made the effort to pursue their post-secondary education, who has taken the time to fill out the application forms and provide the necessary documentation, who has received a formal letter of acceptance into their program of choice, who has reorganized their personal life and travelled to the regional centre to continue their education, only to be told by the instructor when they walk into the classroom, “What are you doing here? You are not supposed to be here.” Mr. Speaker, this is an unacceptable way to treat anyone.

It is unprofessional and very inconsiderate. It is also very puzzling that one branch of the college doesn’t know what the other branch is doing in terms of accepting our students. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be asking the minister questions on the issue. (interpretation) Thank you. Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Qirngnuq. Member’s Statement 982 – 5(2): Impact of Suicide (Qirngnuq) Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to my fellow residents of Netsilik, my

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8569 colleagues, and my fellow residents of Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about suicides and to voice this concern while I am still nominally a Member of the Fifth Assembly. This matter of suicide has impacted many people, and I want to see how this government can address it to lower these rates as well as by us, the leaders. Mr. Speaker, when I first got elected as an MLA in 2017, I spoke to many elders about the issues and concerns that our people have, and one person, an elderly lady, said to me, “If you can, please mention our youth.

We care for their lives. We love our youth and we want them to live a full life. Please ask our government about preventing our youth from committing suicide.” Mr. Speaker, even though this lady no longer lives, her words still ring in my ears. I would like to conclude my statements. I would like to be approved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The member is asking if he could conclude his member’s statement. Are there any nays? Seeing none. Please continue, Mr. Qirngnuq. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, colleagues. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, we must be more active in preventing our young people from taking their own lives. Mr. Speaker, suicide touches everyone. It hurts families, friends and relatives. Mr. Speaker, we know that we do not control anyone’s life. However, there must be solutions to reduce the numbers of suicide that we experience in our territory. Mr. Speaker, I know that it will take teamwork and effort to get to the point where we can hope that we have begun to reduce suicides in Nunavut. Suicides will not stop unless we continue to fight to reduce its impact in our communities. Mr.

Speaker, Friday was World Suicide Prevention Day and the Embrace Life Council recognized it with a community walk. The work of such groups is very encouraging and I hope that their message is heard by all Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, I asked questions on this issue at the very beginning of my term as an MLA. Now that we are at the very end of our term as Members of Nunavut’s Fifth Legislative Assembly, I will be asking questions on this issue again. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Arviat North-Whale Cove, Mr. Main.

Member’s Statement 983 – 5(2): Providing Employment Opportunities for Nunavummiut (Main) Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to my colleagues and to my constituents.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8570 Mr. Speaker, I have brought this issue up repeatedly in the House and it’s in regard to unemployment. We all know that unemployment percentages are very large and there are probably thousands of people looking for jobs in their communities and it’s something that’s very hard to see, but we do have to talk about it and I do have good news. There are many job opportunities out there within construction and the mining sector. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, there are literally hundreds of jobs and careers available to Nunavummiut in the trades. Mr.

Speaker, a career in the trades begins with an apprenticeship. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize two local businesses in Arviat who have a solid track record in employing apprentices, getting them through their apprenticeship, and employing these local Inuit tradespersons. Those are Eskimo Point Lumber Supply and Arctic Traders, so I would like to recognize those two businesses. They do a great job. Mr. Speaker, it is not only up to the private sector to provide apprenticeship opportunities.

I believe that the Government of Nunavut’s departments and agencies should also be providing apprenticeship positions so that our young people can move up and become journeypersons. An Hon. Member: Hear, hear! Mr. Main: Mr. Speaker, in the last sitting, I asked two written questions on this subject, one to the Qulliq Energy Corporation and the other to Community and Government Services, and I was somewhat disappointed by the reply.

The response indicated that the department I asked the question to does not track the number of apprentices and the Qulliq Energy Corporation does track the number of apprentices, which is currently zero, Mr. Speaker. An Hon. Member: What a shame! Mr. Main: I do feel that there is room for improvement on this file and it is one that’s very important to increasing employment for our youth across Nunavut and the future of Nunavut. At the appropriate time I will have questions on this subject. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon.

Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Pedersen. Member’s Statement 984 – 5(2): A Successful Beluga Hunt in Kugluktuk (Pedersen) Mr. Pedersen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues. Before I do my statement, I would like to say something about multitasking and the dangers of it. Don’t cut your hair and multitask or you will end up like this. >>Laughter Thankfully it grows back. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Kugluktuk’s hunters and trappers and harvesters as well.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8571 Mr. Speaker, despite the hardships and tragedies that Kugluktuk has faced over the past year, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to share with the House the wonderful experience the community recently had this summer. Mr. Speaker, as you may know, Kugluktuk’s beluga harvest is a cyclical event. I believe that it has been about a decade since we last harvested the whales. Mr. Speaker, in late August of this year, several dozen hunters successfully harvested around 25 beluga whales.

I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to join the hunt, and I pay tribute to the leaders of Kugluktuk’s hunters and trappers organization, especially Chairman Larry Adjun. Mr. Speaker, occasions like this truly bring people and communities together. As is our tradition, the harvest was shared with elders and residents. Our values of generosity and sharing were on full display, and I join with my constituents in celebrating the spirit of togetherness. Mr. Speaker, as you may have noted, there was extensive news coverage of the event, and I am proud that the experience of J.J.

Ihumatak, a young resident, received a lot of attention. J.J. is a young man who had the experience of his first hunt, and I am proud of the guidance that he received from his elders. He caught his first whales, yes, whales, he caught two, and I know that the whole community is very proud of him. Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to the hunters and harvesters of Kugluktuk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes. Member’s Statement 985 – 5(2): A Successful Baseball Season in Iqaluit (Hickes) Hon.

George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the Iqaluit Slo-Pitch League on another successful season. Mr. Speaker, working closely within guidelines established by the Chief Public Health Office, there were more than 350 people registered in the co-ed league, which made for a great summer of ball for Iqalummiut. This weekend was the league championships, where the NuBrew Co. Brewers took home the A division title in a thrilling come-from-behind win over the Ballas this weekend. Mr.

Speaker, Shane Power lived up to his name and powered home the game- winning hit, while Shawna Kyak scored the winning run for the Brewers, who finally captured the league title after finishing second place the last two seasons. Mr. Speaker and members, I would like to take this moment to congratulate again to the league on another successful season and congrats to the NuBrew Co.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8572 Brewers on their league championship. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, Ms. Ehaloak. Member’s Statement 986 – 5(2): Welcome to New Inuinnaqtun Interpreter (Ehaloak) Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) First of all, I would like to apologize for not introducing a friend of mine who is new to this House, doing Inuinnaqtun translations, and please help me in welcoming Ms.

Eva Omilgoitok, who is our new interpreter/translator… >>Applause …from Cambridge Bay. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you and welcome. Members’ Statements. The Hon. Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Akeeagok. Member’s Statement 987 – 5(2): Marine Infrastructure in the High Arctic (Akeeagok) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In August 2019 the parties of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the federal government, and the Government of Nunavut arrived at an agreement to build future marine facilities in both Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord.

Through this agreement signed by the parties, it was to commence upon completion of the tripartite agreement and it was completed this year, so we can anticipate the future development of these projects. I am completely already antsy about their development as communities can face dangerous conditions without proper facilities. I am very pleased that we will initiate the building of these marine facilities and wish to thank the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the federal government, and the territorial government for working together in setting up these large projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you.

Members’ Statements. I have no more names on my list. We will move on in the orders of the day. Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions. Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Being none. Item 6. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Tununiq, Mr. Qamaniq. Item 6: Oral Questions Question 1422 – 5(2): RCMP Body- worn Camera Project (Qamaniq) Mr. Qamaniq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll ask my questions in English for clarity. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Justice, and they concern the Royal Canadian Mounted Police body-worn camera pilot project in Iqaluit.

When I last raised the issue during our spring siting, I noted that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police had announced that its pilot project was moving to an “evaluation phase.” At that time the minister indicated to me that he

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8573 did not have a timeline for the completion of this process. Mr. Speaker, it is now September 2021. Can the minister update the House on the status of the evaluation of the body- worn camera pilot project, and will he commit to ensuring that a copy of the evaluation report is provided to all Members of the Legislative Assembly through his office? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon. Minister responsible for the Department of Justice, Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll try to answer the member’s questions in my response.

Mr. Speaker, we have been very clear with Public Service Canada that we’re in full support of a rollout of body-worn cameras, not only across Nunavut but across the country. Just to give the member an update, from what I understand, the evaluation is either complete or nearly complete, with an anticipated RFP coming out hopefully later this month, but I’m anticipating within the next few weeks that the RFP will come out for procurement for body- worn cameras for the RCMP across the country. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Qamaniq. Mr. Qamaniq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the member for his answer. Mr. Speaker, in June of this year the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced that it is: “… currently in the process to continue to issue body-worn cameras in a phased manner across Canada beginning in 2022. The initial test zones will be located in a mix of remote, rural and urban communities.

Iqaluit is targeted as one of the first locations in Nunavut to receive the newly acquired tool and technology once the national program is established.” When I last raised this issue with the minister, I emphasized the importance of this project being expanded to smaller communities, including Pond Inlet. Can the minister clarify how the territorial Department of Justice is working with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to determine which Nunavut communities will benefit from the use of body-worn cameras? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Department of Justice as well as my own office have been in constant communication with Public Service Canada to make sure that Nunavut is a part of the earliest rollout of body-worn cameras in the country. The intention is that all Nunavut communities will be able to participate in body-worn camera initiatives going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Qamaniq. Mr. Qamaniq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister.

As the minister will recall, information provided to Members of the Legislative Assembly in June of this year indicated that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police planned to select a vendor this summer to provide

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8574 body-worn cameras and a supporting digital evidence management system. Can the minister confirm which vendor received the contract and how much has been budgeted for the project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As that’s a federal budget amount, I don’t have access to that detailed information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Question 1423 – 5(2): Drinking Water (Simailak) Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions today are for the Minister of Community and Government Services. As the minister will recall, I have spoken on a number of occasions about the importance of ensuring that all of our communities have access to safe and clean drinking water. As the minister is aware, the community of Baker Lake has experienced a significant number of boil water advisories in recent years and my constituents are very frustrated. There were at least two boil water advisories this summer.

When I raised this issue with the minister during our recent spring sitting, I noted that her department’s current business plan indicates that one of its priorities has been to “Complete the Government of Nunavut’s Water Strategy and the Drinking Water Strategic Framework and Action Plan.” At that time she indicated her willingness to share these important plans with the Members of the Legislative Assembly. Will the minister commit to tabling these items in the House before the current Legislative Assembly dissolves? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon.

Minister responsible for Community and Government Services, Minister Ehaloak. Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for his question. I know that water in our communities is so important and for the health for our residents. Community and Government Services, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and the Department of Health, have been working strategically on developing a drinking water strategy. As the member is aware, the department did contact the Nunavut Water Board, who is developing a Nunavut water management strategy.

As of August 19, the department received a letter from the Nunavut Water Board. We indicated that we wanted to work towards the strategy and they were in agreement that we should start working on this. Just so the member is aware, the Nunavut Water Board is working on a water management strategy and what Community and Government Services wants in our water management strategy is to focus more on treatment methods and identifying training requirements for the drinking water produced and

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8575 delivered in our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for her response. I’m glad things are moving forward.

As the minister will recall, the government recently announced that “new standards for surveillance of Nunavut’s drinking water systems have shown high turbidity in many of the territory’s drinking water systems.” When I last raised the issue of drinking water quality during our recent spring sitting, the minister assured me that her department “will be seeking funds to ensure that Baker Lake’s water treatment plant is up to higher standards.” Can the minister provide an update today on what funding has been allocated to upgrade Baker Lake’s current water treatment infrastructure? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Thank you. Minister Ehaloak. Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Again I thank the member for his question. Community and Government Services did request funding from the Financial Management Board to ensure that the water treatment in Baker Lake was our first priority to make sure that the water that they’re receiving is up to health standards. I’m happy to say that the department did reprofile $150,000 to ensure that this work can be done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr.

Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister, for your response. I’m very happy that funds have been re- profiled to help Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, when I last raised the issue of drinking water quality during our recent spring sitting, the minister also assured me that her department has been “talking with the Municipality of Baker Lake on alternative sources to get water.” Can the minister provide an update today on what specific actions have been taken to accomplish this objective? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Ehaloak. Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Community and Government Services is working on, as the member has stated, alternatives and we will continue to work with the municipality to ensure that their drinking water, where the water is coming from will be resolved, hopefully, before snow falls. I would like to assure the member that we will continue to work diligently and keep in communication with the municipality so that this can be resolved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Amittuq, Mr. Kaernerk. Question 1424 – 5(2): Minister of Languages Annual Reports (Kaernerk) Mr.

Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated, my question is for the Minister of Languages.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8576 Mr. Speaker, on September 9 the Minister of Languages tabled three annual reports, starting from 2015 to 2018. Mr. Speaker, the question I wanted to raise relates to languages, as the most recent report from 2017-18 identifies that a fund of $5 million is available for disbursement through the Department of Culture and Languages using the Inuit Language Implementation Fund for government departments and agencies to promote the use of the Inuit language as the working language of the government.

Can the minister provide an overview of this $5 million for languages that is expended each year? Has this money created any jobs in the Amittuq region such as Igloolik or Sanirajak? Are the funds used to just educate and train people? How is that $5 million being used, just for training, through positions, or how is the funding supposed to be used for languages? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon. Minister of Languages, Minister Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for that question.

The annual funding is made available to be requested by the communities and the hamlets are able to request for young people and elders. Non-profit organizations are also eligible to ask for money from those funds. It’s supposed to be for all the communities in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated earlier, our language needs to be more prominent within the government and as I stated earlier, this is supported by the Department of Community and Government Services. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to ask this question now. Now, with our language, the government’s Uqausivut 2.0 five- year strategic plan was tabled in 2018. Can the minister provide an update on how effective this strategic plan has been to date? For example, you stated that some of the money can be requested for programs and the Department of Culture and Heritage can also ask for money from that as well. The question I would like to ask is: what sort of planning do you do for the language? Do you visit the communities and consult with the residents and elders?

Minister, perhaps you can explain to the House what you actually do when you’re planning for the language. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for that good question. The proposal for money is only a part of it; some of the money is given to the Department of Education for Inuktut language programming to support their efforts and also to the communities.

There are different pots of money made available to the communities and what you mentioned, Uqausivut 2.0, that board also receives money from that and they try to see how

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8577 the program can be spread around the communities. When we get requests from different communities, they outline how much money has been requested by that community before and once we see that a particular community has not been asking for many funds, we ask them why that is the case. However, recently we have not really been visiting the communities, but normally they let the hamlets know that there is money available that they can ask for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Kaernerk. Mr.

Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for that clear explanation regarding Uqausivut 2.0. Mr. Speaker, this is really important. If a job can be created in Sanirajak, I think the government’s planning would become visible if that happens. I would like to ask if the minister can provide an explanation or answer. It started in 2015 and there have been three annual reports that were finally tabled to the House on September 9 of this year. Why has it taken so long to produce the annual reports? Is it because you didn’t have enough money to do it?

What was the reason for the delay in the annual reports? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for the very good question. It’s unfortunate we were late due to lack of staff and the 2019 annual report is currently being worked on and it is also delayed, but the problem we have faced recently had been lack of staff and we work with different organizations. We also wait for reports to be submitted by non-profit organizations. Those are some of the factors of delaying annual reports. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Ms. Towtongie. Question 1425 – 5(2): Additional Teachers Needed at Chesterfield Inlet School (Towtongie) Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, on September 9 I tabled a letter in this House from the Chesterfield Inlet District Education Authority which makes a well-supported request for two certified teaching positions, an English teacher and an academic learning coach.

Can the minister confirm whether he has read this letter and tell this House on how he plans to respond to the request? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon. Minister responsible for Education, Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for the question. Mr. Speaker, the letter coming from the Chesterfield Inlet DEA was written in August and we

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8578 received it in our office by email on September 7 and I signed a response letter today. Mr. Speaker, each year the schools receive positions based on student enrolment numbers. This includes what we will be trying to implement over the upcoming three years of operations and we will keep trying to increase our teacher numbers, and this is included in that response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Ms. Towtongie. Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) As you will recall, amendments to Nunavut’s Education Act were approved by this Assembly in 2020. The DEA for Chesterfield Inlet has been working on these two positions for 15 years. During the review of the bill to amend the Education Act, members were given to understand that a new funding formula to determine the number of teaching positions allocated to Nunavut schools was being developed.

Can the minister provide an overview of the new funding formula, including how the number of teaching staff allocated to each school is decided and how the required academic level of each teaching position is determined? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The school positions are allocated. This plan will be over three years and we began in 2021- 22 in that student support assistants will see an increase and we have increased funding for the start of the school year in all of Nunavut.

For the 2022-23 year, any other positions like janitors and student support assistants will be included and will see an increase. The schools will be seeing more teaching positions being allocated, but first, we focus on the student-educator ratio and we also look at the student attendance, and we will now start focusing more on headcounts. It will be fully implemented in the 2023-24 year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Towtongie. Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

While I recognize that the Department of Education has a formula for determining the basic number of school staff needed in each community, I believe we must also take into consideration the actual academic needs for education staff to deliver courses and programming that will give our students, our children, the best options for advancing their education and their future. It is the start of the school year. Will the minister commit to reviewing Chesterfield Inlet’s request for certified teachers in English and academic studies and approving these two extra positions before the end of his term? Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The DEAs in our communities also work with our

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8579 staff. For example, in Chesterfield Inlet at the moment, in the 2021-22 fiscal year, 15.5 positions are allocated and that is the level of staff in the school, and the DEAs decide what to do with those positions or to be allocated with what academic background the teacher has. It may be for teacher assistants. As it is, the request from Chesterfield Inlet cannot be entertained at the moment. However, this will no doubt see more teachers in the community in two to three years, as we have all anticipated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions.

The Hon. Member for Arviat North- Whale Cove, Mr. Main. Question 1426 – 5(2): Apprenticeship Programs in QEC (Main) Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my statement, I am proud of private sector…I would characterize them as good corporate citizens that do their

part in training future journeypersons in Nunavut, and I feel that Nunavut government departments and agencies and corporations such as the Qulliq Energy Corporation should also be doing their part to train future journeypersons and taking on apprentices. Mr.

Speaker, the written question I submitted earlier this year to the Qulliq Energy Corporation covered three years and it showed that in 2018-19, 2019- 2020, and 2020-21 that the Qulliq Energy Corporation employed between 31 and 32 journeypersons in the positions such as heavy equipment technician, power system electrician, power line technician, and a few others. Unfortunately, based on this response from the Qulliq Energy Corporation, it shows that in those three years there were zero apprentices under those approximately 30 journeypersons and so that’s my first question for the minister.

Why does the Qulliq Energy Corporation not have any designated apprentice positions to work and train underneath your approximately 30 journeypersons? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Minister Ehaloak. Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for his question.

The Qulliq Energy Corporation’s apprenticeship program has been put on hold due to lack of capacity in the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s human resource department, as in the last few years, and the Qulliq Energy Corporation last had an apprentice in the 2017-18 fiscal year. This employee is now a full-time employee of the Qulliq Energy Corporation. With our human resource department now functioning and with our new president in place, the board and the staff are looking into creating more apprenticeship programs within the Qulliq Energy Corporation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you.

Your first supplementary, Mr. Main.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8580 Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. (interpretation ends) It’s good to hear that there are discussions around this issue. However, it is troubling that this program was put on hold in the first place, Mr. Speaker. It seems quite important in terms of increasing Inuit employment and increasing Nunavummiut employment within the Qulliq Energy Corporation. Can the minister further elaborate in terms of what led to the apprenticeship program she just described being put on hold? Was it a lack of money?

What caused this program to be put on hold for what appears to be a number of years? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Ehaloak. Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for his question. The lack of apprenticeship programs within the Qulliq Energy Corporation for the last few years, as I had stated, is our human resource department. Our human resource department had lack of staff. We were short-staffed within our human resource department.

The Qulliq Energy Corporation was focused more on assisting the staff within the organization, but working towards filling all our positions within the human resource department, we will, as I stated earlier, create and work on trying to hire apprentices. I am very proud to say that the Qulliq Energy Corporation, at this time, our Inuit employment rate right now is at 56 percent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Main. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Thank you, minister.

Fifty-six percent is a number and I believe it could be a higher number with things such as apprenticeship programs that are not put on hold and that continue year after year. My last question for the minister is: when can youth and members of the public who are interested in careers in the trades…when can these Nunavummiut expect to hear announcements regarding apprenticeship openings within the Qulliq Energy Corporation? What is the timeline for bringing this program back online? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Ehaloak. Hon. Jeannie Ehaloak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for his question. I can assure the member that once we have our plans to create our apprenticeship programs, announcements will be made to the public to inform them of the types of apprenticeship positions that will become available within the Qulliq Energy Corporation. I agree with the member that our Inuit employment rates within the Qulliq Energy Corporation should be higher and more Inuit should be employed within our communities, and I thank the member for his question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8581 Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Question 1427 – 5(2): Nunavut Land Use Plan/Nunavut Planning Commission (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Premier. As I had indicated in my member’s statement, the Nunavut Planning Commission recently released a new draft of the Nunavut Land Use Plan. The Government of Nunavut is a signatory of the Nunavut Land Use Plan, along with Nunavut Tunngavik and the Government of Canada.

I would like to ask the Premier if he would be able to provide the Assembly with an update on this matter, including the process that’s necessary to finalize the draft land use plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I’m glad the member is giving me the opportunity to update Nunavummiut on the land use plan that is being in the works by the Nunavut Planning Commission. Mr.

Speaker, the most current draft plan is out and the plan for the Nunavut Planning Commission is to do a consultation process in the Kivalliq and in the Kitikmeot, and they have an application process for funding to the federal government also to do the Baffin in 2022. Once all the consultations are done, then the Nunavut Land Use Plan may be revised or may stay the same. That depends on the consultation. Mr. Speaker, just so that Nunavummiut will know, the Nunavut Planning Commission is an independent body. As the Nunavut government, we cannot try to influence them.

The timeline as to when the Nunavut Land Use Plan will be done is the Nunavut Planning Commission’s timeline. This is their project and when they deem their project is done, they will present the Nunavut Land Use Plan to the Government of Nunavut, to the federal government, and to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Premier for providing that information.

One aspect of the Nunavut Land Use Plan is, of course, the protection of the environment as well as wildlife in a manner that enables sustainable economic development, and one particular aspect of the Nunavut Land Use Plan is the protection of caribou. Mr. Speaker, I would like to state that I enjoy my tuktu as much as the next Inuk, but looking at the significant decline in our caribou herds over the last number of decades, I’m quite concerned that the current caribou protection is insufficient. Mr. Speaker, there are two opposing methods to wildlife protection.

There is one which is a blanket protection of calving grounds, migration routes, and

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8582 wintering grounds, and another method is mobile protection of critical habitat. My next question for the Premier is: what is the Government of Nunavut’s position on which method is better suited for ensuring the rebound of our caribou herds? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Premier Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just about all caribou herds in Canada are on the decline, the barren- ground caribou herd. It’s not a Nunavut- specific problem that we are facing right now, Mr. Speaker.

Just so the member will know that most caribou herds in Canada are on the decline and there is a cycle. We know that caribou populations do cycle in Nunavut and most are on the down cycle. Mr. Speaker, in terms of caribou protection, the Department of Environment looks at each individual caribou herd individually and manages each herd separately. For example, in Baffin the caribou herd made a drastic decline and there was a moratorium, and there was a total allowable harvest put and the total allowable harvest is at 250 caribou in Baffin right now. Mr.

Speaker, we can’t make a blanket caribou management plan for all of Nunavut. We will manage each caribou population on its own individual merit, but rest assured, the polar bear population is a critical concern for the Department of Environment. We know that Nunavummiut are used to eating their caribou and using the fur and they use it all, and we want to make sure that future generations will still have caribou meat and the fur to enjoy. Mr. Speaker, we will do whatever it takes to protect the caribou population. When they are in a critical situation, we will deal with it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Knowing that minerals will remain in the ground forever and caribou herds have experienced substantial declines, I would like to ask: will the Government of Nunavut go back to its original position of protecting critical caribou habitat rather than relying on mobile protection zones that are untested and do not provide certainty here in Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Premier Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq: Mr.

Speaker, we do have calving ground protection areas that come into effect when the caribou are calving. Mr. Speaker, like I told the member, we will be relying on managing each caribou herd on its merit and the demand by the harvesters on that herd.

For the land use plan, as there will be total protection, mixed use, or individual places, the Nunavut Planning Commission is working on the land use plan and once the land use plan is approved and signed off by the federal government, our government, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, that will be the plan and we will abide by the plan, but until the finalized plan is presented to us, we’re waiting on the

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8583 Nunavut Planning Commission to present the plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Aivilik, Mr. Netser. Question 1428 – 5(2): Nunavut Arctic College Policies (Netser) Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated in my member’s statement, my constituent was sent here for a course at the beginning of this month. Firstly, on his first day of college, his instructor asked what he was doing there because he was not supposed to be here. I would find that embarrassing.

When he first applied for college courses here, he was approved by Arctic College. Afterward, instructors told him in this process that he should not even be here at the college. I would like the minister to elaborate as the Minister responsible for Arctic College on the procedures they have for people who apply for courses in the college. If approved centrally from here where they go to another part of the college, they’re told not to be there. Do these different divisions within the college not work together?

We would like further clarification on what procedures they have for people applying for college courses. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon. Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for that question. I also share my colleague’s concern on this issue. Mr. Speaker, people apply for different courses in the college and the applications are available annually.

There are different criteria in some cases for those just starting their courses and for those who are continuing their courses year after year. They go back for the second, third or fourth year in courses as different courses have different year requirements. Nonetheless, we ensure the applications are filled properly and that’s how they go through with it before the start of their courses. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Netser. Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It seems to be a lack of communication between different divisions with Arctic College and college administration. That is unfortunate to see, as we need to correct that type of systemic problem which could be easily fixed. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as those of us from Nunavut’s smaller communities are well aware, it can be a difficult and challenging experience to leave home and go to the larger regional centres to pursue their dreams.

Can the minister clearly explain why the college does not provide better support in terms of what I just pointed out, for Nunavummiut to access and attend post- secondary education? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What my

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8584 colleague is saying, he singled out one person’s experience from his constituency. As he was saying, I cannot talk about them separately as there can be confidentiality issues. Nonetheless, I can say that we encourage all students to complete their courses, even if there are any challenges or if they are running into seemingly insurmountable problems, then they get advise on completing their courses. Mr. Speaker, if there was an error in the carrying out of those procedures, I would like to be notified.

I also thank my colleague for bringing this up and perhaps he can talk to me more about it outside of this sitting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Netser. Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Indeed, but if we don’t publicly speak about a problem in this House, then usually nothing is done to rectify the problem and we see that transpire time and again. Can the minister announce procedures in this House so that people who experience this type of barrier don’t repeat it?

Maybe through the senior staff and the board of directors, as he probably meets with them, they must meet occasionally with the minister. Can he request the directors or administrators so that no other student experiences this and to fix it now so that our descendants who want to go to college won’t be going through that again? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I can inform all my colleagues to be aware that while in session, they can express their concerns outside of the session or at any time.

If we see anything in the future outside of the session, we would want to be informed right away. We only meet here occasionally after so many months. We feel for students who experienced that and we will keep that in mind. Mr. Speaker, when I meet with the Nunavut Arctic College Board of Directors in the future, I think they meet monthly, but our officials know these details so that they can be clearer that we all don’t want to see that repeated for any students wanting to continue their education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Qirngnuq.

Question 1429 – 5(2): Impact of Suicide (Qirngnuq) Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health, who is also the Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention. Mr. Speaker, the elder who urged me to raise the issue of suicide in this House is no longer with us, but her words ring loud in my ears. Can the minister provide an overview of what specific initiatives or activities are currently being provided to prevent the loss of young lives to suicide in

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8585 Nunavut? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon. Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention, Minister Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Health is responsible for suicide prevention programs and services, and independent organizations to talk about suicide prevention and we usually get quite a lot of requests for funds to provide suicide prevention programs and services within the community.

It’s usually organizations that are non-profit that can access those funds in the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Qirngnuq. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for that clarification. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, during the Fourth Assembly, the government tabled the 2017-2022 Inuusivut Anninaqtut Action Plan.

This document includes many very good initiatives to help support those who may be thinking of suicide, to help prevent suicide, and to encourage family members and community leaders to address the issue. Can the minister tell us how the Inuusivut Anninaqtut Action Plan is currently being implemented and whether it has been effective in preventing suicides across Nunavut? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Inuusivut Anninaqtut Action Plan was tabled in the House and it was for 2017-2022.

We are currently looking at how the program went and we will be doing a review up to 2021. Of the recommendations that were made in the action plan, 25 percent of them have been implemented and 56 percent is currently implemented. Moving forward, we are continually looking at the other recommendations that were given so that they can be implemented and utilized in the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Qirngnuq. Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to thank the minister because that will not only help just the youth but also the communities as a whole. There are 25 communities in Nunavut, and within the communities there have been many suicides that have occurred in each one. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the suicides that are happening all across Nunavut will not stop unless we continue to fight to stop it, in our communities, in our regions and across the territory. I would like to thank the Embrace Life Council for their work in this area.

Will the minister commit to pushing this issue forward so that it is at the top of the priority list for our next government when the Sixth Assembly comes together in this House? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Kusugak.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8586 Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When we say that one suicide is one too many, we mean it. That is still what we are saying today. Suicide hurts the whole community and it also hurts all the people of Nunavut. Even if the person who commits suicide isn’t known personally by everyone, it still had an impact on the total population of Nunavut. It is a top priority of our department to address the recommendations in the Inuusivut Anninaqtuq Action Plan.

To that end, we are closely following the priorities set out in the Inuusivut Anninaqtuq Action Plan to monitor our progress. We also urge the volunteers, the youth councils, and everybody else to apply for funds that are made available if they want to hold workshops on the importance of embracing life. Mr. Speaker, before I sit back down, let me say that the Department of Health’s website also has documents related to the Inuusivut Anninaqtuq Action Plan, what the objectives are, and where we are at in achieving those objectives. It’s available on the website.

For those who don’t have access to the website, we can make paper copies available upon request. Mr. Speaker, before the end of our term, we will make sure that suicide prevention continues to be a top priority for the next government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Uqqummiut, Mr. Keyootak. Question 1430 – 5(2): Fur Exchange Program (Keyootak) Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to the people of Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq who are watching the proceedings and my colleagues. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Environment. Mr. Speaker, I wasn’t able to participate in part of the spring sitting and I do apologize, but I’ve brought this question up on more than one occasion. This spring we heard about hunters that were sending out their furs to various auctioneers and that some of them were waiting quite a long time to receive their payments. I am sure some of the furs are still good. Can the minister tell us if the furs that were sent out but not paid for will be returned to their owner or to Nunavut?

Can the minister give us an update on what is happening with this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon. Minister of Environment, Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the member is referring to polar bear hides. There were more than 300 hides at the auctioneers in southern destinations. I indicated at that time that the polar bear hides were not being bought. To date, 345 polar bear hides were returned to Nunavut and are now in Iqaluit. Some of the harvesters have received their money. Usually how we do it is the

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8587 hunter brings in the hide, they get paid a portion of the price of the hide, and then the hide is sent out to the auctioneer. The hunters are then given the remaining balance upon the ultimate sale of the hide. If the hide is not purchased, then it is at the discretion of the Department of Environment as to how they will dispose of the hide and further compensate the hunters. The hides in question are now in Iqaluit. Some of the harvesters opted to have their hides returned and about 80 to 100 hides were donated to sewing organizations.

The remainder of the hides will be sold online. There are approximately 50 to 60 hides still in possession of auctioneers in the south. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Keyootak. Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for that clarification. Mr. Speaker, usually the harvesters are not in the wage economy because we can’t hire everybody. However, it is important that full-time hunters should be given more support by this government.

Can the minister clarify if the individuals who do not want their hides returned will end up owing money? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the individuals who were paid for their hides do not want their hides back, they don’t end up owing money. The hide is at the discretion of the Department of Environment on how they want to dispose of it. Initially the polar bear hides were selling for a very good price and the harvesters were given 50 percent of the price.

At that time one hide was worth $3,000, but the price has gone down quite a bit as of today. If they do not want the hides returned to them, then the hide will become an asset of the Department of Environment. For the information of Nunavummiut, some of the harvesters are no longer with us, so therefore no money will be asked of these individuals and the hides will be returned to their families. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Keyootak. Mr. Keyootak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for explaining that very clearly. Mr.

Speaker, it is not only polar bear hides have been sent out; the hides of other furred animals have also been sent out to auction. Is this current work only being done for the polar bear hides right now? Does it exclude the other hides? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Savikataaq. Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is only the polar bear hides that are currently being worked on. Sealskins fall under the Department of Environment. The sealskins are purchased by the Department of Environment with a full, one-time payment, so this issue does not affect them.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8588 However, when it comes to the hides of foxes, wolves, and wolverines, harvesters get paid only for part of the price of the hide and once it is sold at the auction, they receive the rest of the money. There is a good demand for foxes, wolves, and wolverines, but there is a low demand for polar bear hides. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. Akoak. Question 1431 – 5(2): Airport Infrastructure (Akoak) Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you.

First of all, if I can say this, I send my condolences to the people of Cambridge Bay, Taloyoak, Tuktoyaktuk, and my wife, who has lost a loved one. I love you and I hug you. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and they concern the issue of airport infrastructure.

As the minister will recall, I wrote correspondence to him in July of this year regarding concerns that had been brought to my attention about safety deficiencies and other problems at a number of Kitikmeot airports, including the runway lighting system at Gjoa Haven’s airport. Mr. Speaker, can the minister confirm what specific actions have been taken to address the problems at Gjoa Haven’s airport, and will he commit to providing the municipality and my office with a comprehensive report on the status of repair work at the airport? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The Hon.

Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have the level of detail in terms of what work was done in the Gjoa Haven Airport at this time, but as he asked for a comprehensive report, I will commit to providing him an update on the work that have been progressing with in the Gjoa Haven Airport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Akoak. Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As the minister will recall, his recent reply to my correspondence indicated that “One of the key deficiencies that we have identified in the Kitikmeot airports is a lack of maintenance facilities and secure heated storage for airport maintenance equipment.” Mr. Speaker, in August of this year the federal government announced $30.0 million in funding for the construction of new facilities at seven Nunavut airports, including Gjoa Haven. Can the minister confirm whether or not a formal contribution agreement for this funding has been signed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Akeeagok. Hon.

David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give thanks to the member for asking this very important question. This was approved through the proposal that

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8589 we submitted to the National Trade Corridors Fund, all those seven communities. As part of this, the next step is to enter into a contribution agreement. Also, the next step will be, as members are aware with the National Trade Corridors Fund, is that the 25 percent of the funding has to come from this House. As part of our capital request that’s going to be coming forward in the new year, we will include those seven.

There are a number of steps that still need to take place, but the announcement was very welcoming from the federal government that provided 75 percent of these funds. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Akoak. Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister will recall, his recent reply to my correspondence indicated that “The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is not considering extending the Gjoa Haven runway at this time… to extend or attempt to pave it would be extremely expensive from both a capital and maintenance perspective.

The project is beyond the financial means of the Government of Nunavut and would not meet the criteria of any current federal programs.” Mr. Speaker, that is very disappointing to hear. For the record, can the minister confirm what the cost would be to extend and pave the runway at Gjoa Haven’s airport? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To extend and accommodate for jet traffic at the minimum for any of our airports, I’m including Gjoa Haven, will be in excess of $100 million, $100 million that we don’t currently have in any of our budgets.

With our current airstrips that are throughout our territory, all of them except for a very few are able to use the current planes that our private carriers are flying. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Oral Questions. The Hon. Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Pedersen. Question 1432 – 5(2): Impact of COVID-19 on the Mining Industry (Pedersen) Mr. Pedersen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and they concern the issue of COVID-19’s impact on our territory’s mining industry.

This is an important issue for my region, given the recent acquisition of TMAC Resources by Agnico Eagle Mines. Mr. Speaker, when my colleague from Baker Lake raised this issue at the beginning of the spring sitting, the minister informed the Legislative Assembly that his department was working with the mining sector to develop plans to get our territory’s residents safely back to work. Can the minister provide an update on the status of this work? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Akeeagok.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8590 Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was planning to make a ministerial statement on the return to work and I will continue to do that. It is very important that our workers for the mines be able to come back. For Baffinland and also the two gold mines in the Kivalliq with Agnico Eagle, those two have been able to bring Nunavummiut back to work. We are still working with the Kitikmeot operations for Agnico Eagle and that work will still continue with our Chief Public Health Office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr.

Pedersen. Mr. Pedersen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his response. Mr. Speaker, when this issue was last raised during the spring sitting, the minister informed the Legislative Assembly that vaccinations for workers at the mines is a key component of the reopening plan. Based on his discussions with the mining companies, can the minister indicate today approximately what percentage of the Nunavut mining workforce has been fully vaccinated? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I don’t have that information at this time and it would be a fluid number in terms of the jobs that are there continue to change, but I will definitely look into that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Pedersen. Mr. Pedersen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to seeing those numbers, Mr. Minister. Mr. Speaker, although Nunavut’s operating mines have not shut down completely, it is my understanding that they may not have not been producing at full capacity during the pandemic.

Can the minister indicate what the economic impact of the pandemic has been on the mining sector in Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Minister Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I need to quantify that in terms of how much impact it has. They have been operating in very much smaller capacity and we haven’t had that in terms of the impacts that it has for our economy yet, but I’ll definitely get that information also. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Members, please note that the time allotted for question has now ended. Mr. Main. Mr.

Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pursuant to Rule 39(7) and seconded by the Member for Amittuq, I move that the time for question period be extended. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Main, under the new rules, it’s not a motion that needs to be put forward; it has to seek unanimous consent. If you could rephrase, please. Mr. Main. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8591 *See Appendix for full text of Committee Report 44 – 5(2). (interpretation ends) Pursuant to Rule 39(7), I seek unanimous consent to extend the time allotted for oral question period by 30 minutes. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The member is seeking unanimous consent to extend question period. Are there any nays? There is a nay, so we will proceed with the orders of the day. 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. Mr. Main. Item 12: Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 044 – 5(2): Report on the Review of the 2019-2020 Annual Report of Nunavut’s Representative for Children and Youth (Main) Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have the honour of presenting the report of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts on its review of the 2019-2020 Annual Report of the Representative for Children and Youth. Mr.

Speaker, the 2019-2020 Annual Report of the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on September 21, 2020. The appearance of the Representative for Children and Youth and her staff before the standing committee took place in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly on June 21 and 22, 2021. Witnesses from the Government of Nunavut’s departments of Education, Family Services, Health, and Justice also participated in the hearing and the standing committee greatly appreciated the frank and detailed nature of the input provided.

Uqaqtitsijii, a number of themes emerged during the standing committee’s review of the Representative for Children and Youth’s 2019-2020 annual report to the Legislative Assembly. Accordingly, the standing committee makes the following recommendations: 1. That the Representative for Children and Youth include in her annual report information on performance measures to track the success of her office in providing its core services. 2. That the Representative for Children and Youth and Government of Nunavut departmental representatives work together to better align information collection and reporting processes. 3.

That the Government of Nunavut ensure that the Department of Family Services receive adequate resources and support, especially in areas relating to data collection and addressing staffing needs.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8592 4. That the Representative for Children and Youth collaborate with the Government of Nunavut departments of Education, Family Services, Health and Justice to identify and implement specific ways to support parents and families in addressing issues related to the care and provision of services to Nunavut’s children and youth. 5. That the Government of Nunavut finalize its comprehensive interdepartmental protocol for the coordination of services in respect of Nunavut’s children and youth.

Uqaqtitsijii, as the term of Nunavut’s Fifth Legislative Assembly draws to a close, I would like to note a number of transitional issues for the next Assembly to take into consideration with respect to the Office of Nunavut’s Representative for Children and Youth. • Subsection 40(1) of the Representative for Children and Youth Act provides that the Legislative Assembly or one of its committees shall review the provisions and operations of the Act.

While the review will be conducted in a manner determined by the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, it is anticipated that the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth will contribute substantively to the process. Of note,

section 4(1)(

b) of the Act, which provides that the representative may review any matter related to the death or critical injury of any child or youth, is not in force. • Nunavut’s Representative for Children and Youth has indicated that a report on her office’s systemic review of child protection services will be completed by the end of the current fiscal year.

Given the high rates of violence and sexual abuse across Nunavut, the Sixth Legislative Assembly of Nunavut may wish to consider striking a special committee to explore this issue in depth. • The Office of the Auditor General of Canada has twice conducted audits on programs and services for children, youth and families in Nunavut. The 2011 report, Children, Youth and Family Programs and Services in Nunavut, included 20 recommendations for Government of Nunavut departments.

The 2014 report, Follow-up report on Child and Family Services in Nunavut, contained six recommendations for Government of Nunavut departments. The Office of the Auditor General of Canada may wish to consider conducting another follow-up audit in this area which could contribute greatly to addressing issues that have been identified. Uqaqtitsijii, in closing, the standing committee commends the Representative for Children and Youth for her effort and focus on advocating for the rights and interests of Nunavut’s children and youth. With that, Mr.

Speaker, I move that the report of the standing committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. The member has moved that the report of the standing

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8593 committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read. Do members agree? Some Members: Agreed. Speaker: There is agreement. Moving on. Item 13. Tabling of Documents. The Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation, Minister Akeeagok. Item 13: Tabling of Documents Tabled Document 413 – 5(2): 2019 Report on the Administration of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1990 (Akeeagok) Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased to table the 2019 Report on the Administration of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1990. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Tabling of Documents. The Hon. Member for Baker Lake, Member Simailak. Tabled Document 414 – 5(2): Photo: Donation of Computers to Baker Lake High School Students (Simailak) Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to table a photograph of 13 Dell laptop computers donated by Mr. Paul Summers of Steelcraft Incorporated to the students of Baker Lake High School to help with their studies.

This is a wonderful example of an individual and organization outside of government doing their part to encourage and support our students during the difficult times of this pandemic. Mr. Speaker, these laptops will go a long way in helping the high school students with their studies. On behalf of the students of Baker Lake, I again take this opportunity to thank Paul Summers for his generosity. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Tabling of Documents. 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. Bill 77 with Mr. Akoak in the Chair. Before we proceed to the Committee of the Whole, we will take a 20-minute break. Sergeant-at-Arms. >>House recessed at 15:38 and Committee resumed at 16:09 Item 19: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Good afternoon, Inuit (interpretation) who are watching the proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast. (interpretation ends) I would like to call the committee meeting to order.

In Committee of the Whole we have the following item to deal with: Bill 77. What is the wish of the committee? Ms. Towtongie.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8594 Ms. Towtongie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We wish to commence with the clause-by-clause review of Bill 77. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Bill 77 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2021-2022 – Consideration in Committee Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Towtongie. We will now proceed to the review of Bill 77. I would now like to ask Minister Hickes: do you have officials that you would like to appear before the committee? Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I do. Chairman: Thank you.

Does the committee agree to let the officials appear before you? Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. For the record, Minister Hickes, please introduce your officials and proceed with your opening comments. Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No strangers to the House, Dan Carlson, Deputy Minister of Finance, to my left and to my right, Stephen Mansell, Deputy Minister of Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members. I appear before you today to present Bill 77, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2021-2022.

Through this bill we are seeking to increase the government’s capital appropriation by $4.36 million in the 2021-22 fiscal year. Of this, about $3 million relates to capital carryover adjustments. For those listening, the need for carryovers comes when departments do not fully expend the capital funds appropriated to them in one fiscal year but still require the authority to spend this money in future years to complete projects.

As the Government of Nunavut’s appropriation process requires annual approvals, the government asked to carry over funding approved for projects in one year so we can continue to work on them in the next. Through Bill 71, which members approved in June of 2021, our government agreed to carry over about $136 million from 2020-21 into 2021-22 in respect of 140 capital projects. I thank the members again for supporting that bill.

To prepare Bill 71 in time for me to introduce it into our Assembly’s spring sitting, we needed departments to finalize their carryover requests in late April 2021, just a few weeks into the new fiscal year. Mr. Chairman and members, at that stage, departments may not have had all the information they required to calculate their carryover requirements precisely. They must often estimate their needs using available information. Bill 71 was based on these April estimates. Throughout spring and summer months, our departments work to finalize year- end amounts and may receive new information related to projects.

For example, vendors may submit invoices related to the prior year or accountants

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8595 revise their estimates of work in progress. This new information can result in the need to adjust capital carryover amounts. Mr. Chairman and members, through Bill 77 we are seeking to make about $3 million in such adjustments across various departments. Your briefing materials include additional information about the specific projects. For any of these carryover adjustments, we are not seeking new money now; instead we are asking to adjust the timing of when already approved funding is available for use. Mr.

Chairman and members, we do have one request not related to carryovers. Specifically the Department of Justice requires an additional $1.3 million for its Aaqqigiarvik Correctional Healing Facility here in Iqaluit. I do appreciate members will want to know more. The core concern relates to ensuring the safety of our inmates and employees in case of fire. The issue relates to the building’s fire suppression system, its sprinklers. As part of planning and designing this project, we tested the water pressure coming into the building from the City of Iqaluit’s water pipes.

Our designers selected and built a fire suppression system based around these measurements. The facility itself is now built and, contrary to my opening comments, already has accepted inmates. Unfortunately, when testing the building as part of its final certification process, inspectors found the water pressure coming in from the City of Iqaluit had dropped significantly. As there was less pressure in the municipal systems, it means water does not flow into the building with enough strength to be reliable in the case of a fire emergency.

We have raised our concerns to the city directly, but they indicate there is nothing they can do to reliably increase municipal pressure. This is obviously not something we can risk. An unreliable system is a major concern for the safety of the inmates, our employees, and the facility itself. We need our fire sprinklers to work every time we need them to. Our inmates need those sprinklers to work. There is a solution. We can install an industrial pump that takes incoming city water and pressurizes it enough so that it enters our facility at the right strength.

The city has accepted that installing such a pump would address safety concerns and has agreed to certify the building on these grounds. The cost of materials and installation will be about $1.3 million. The department does not have these funds internally. To move forward with this plan and continue to have the doors open to this facility, the Department of Justice requires a supplementary appropriation through Bill 77. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Hickes. Do members have any general comments? Mr. Main. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Welcome, minister and your officials. I will support this bill to appropriate $1.3 million, the new funding for the Aaqqigiarvik facility. I will support it personally and I have comments to this. We all know that the funds for the new Aaqqigiarvik facility have been

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8596 discussed here in the House for a time now, and the funds allocated for above allocation was something we didn’t expect in going back several months. However, the Department of Justice and the finance department have really identified thoroughly how much they have exceeded or what has not been anticipated, which is before us and I will support, and we don’t want any safety concerns, which is a possibility if a fire broke out. I will personally support it, Mr. Chairman.

Irrespective of my support, we shouldn’t be exceeding the allocated funds based on the government’s budget, but I still believe that this is a very important issue, so I raised it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Main. Mr. Netser. Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, minister. Welcome. I will also be supporting the request made by the Department of Justice for the new healing facility. We understand now that when capital projects are being planned, sometimes they don’t anticipate what they will need and that’s understandable.

For that reason, I will be supporting this. Mr. Chairman, if we can ask a question to the minister’s opening remarks, can we ask a question? Thank you. Chairman: Questions to the opening comments? Mr. Netser. Mr. Netser: Thank you. I just have a question to the minister regarding his opening comments on the third page where he says that the city has accepted that installing such a pump would address the safety concerns and has agreed to certify the building on these grounds.

My question to the minister is: when the government builds capital projects such as these just in the city, does the city have to certify the project in order to make safety standards? I just need a simple explanation on that. (interpretation) Thank you. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Netser. My apologies. Once we go to page by page, you can ask the questions, but at the moment, any general comments? Ms. Towtongie. Ms. Towtongie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) I will be supporting this as well. As the minister stated, they’re not looking for new funding.

However, these are funds that have already been approved previously. I’m thinking that Aaqqigiarvik already has inmates in it and this would be urgent to me if they haven’t started utilizing the facility. It states here that Aaqqigiarvik has already accepted inmates. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Qamaniq. Mr. Qamaniq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I, too, will be supporting this. However, when it’s time to ask questions, I will want to ask the minister when they first looked into this.

The water pressure was appropriate at the time and when they tested it again, it didn’t have enough pressure. I will have a question on that when it’s time to ask questions, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Any more general comments? Mr. Qirngnuq.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8597 Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also support the minister’s request. It’s appropriate and useful. We have to use new technologies today. We have a school now that doesn’t have such things as sprinklers. They don’t have any sprinklers and it has been a problem during the cold season. I don’t want to see that elsewhere. I don’t think I’ll have any questions, but I will support this. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. General comments? None. We will now go to the page-by-page review starting on page 4.

Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) No. 2, 2021. Mr. Netser. Mr. Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to reiterate my question or repeat my question on page 3 of the minister’s opening comments where he said that the city has accepted that installing such a pump would address safety concerns and has agreed to certify the building on these grounds. My question is: when the government does big capital projects throughout the city, is it normal practice for the city to approve what the government has been building? I realize that this is for safety concerns. (interpretation) Thank you.

Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To bluntly answer the member’s question, yes, the city does have… . With the development permit, there were two conditions that they put into putting this facility into service; one that this water pump would be installed and two, in the meantime, we actually have people on staff that their sole duty is fire watch. Until we get the sprinkler system up and operational, we have to keep fire watch staff on duty. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Netser. Mr. Netser: Thank you. Thank you for the explanation, minister.

My next question is: when do you expect to have this pump installed in the new facility? Thank you. Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Due to the urgency of this addition to the facility, we have ordered the pump already, using our contingency fund that was available until such time as the House does approve these funds. Hopefully, as many members have spoken in support of it, so until such time as… . We took the opportunity to order the pump already.

We barely made the last boat because of the timing, so it is going to be coming this fall and will be installed immediately upon arrival. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Next name on my list: Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the pump, was that the cheapest and the best option to go with? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the demand of what it needs to do to increase the water pressure, from what I understand, it was one of the only options, but Mr.

Mansell would have more intimate knowledge of what, if any, other options were looked

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8598 at, through you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman: Mr. Mansell. Mr. Mansell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for the question. The original testing came back in April that showed us that we were not at the pressure we were expecting. The pump was the solution that was come up with between the city, the contractor, CGS, and our justice team.

Rather than order it then, we directed staff to go back and come up with…w ell, first work with the city to see if we could resolve the problem and see if there were any other solutions. In June-July it was clear to us that the city was unable to identify the reason why, and between CGS, Justice, and the contractor, they weren’t able to identify any other options but with the option we’re going with. (interpretation) Thank you. Chairman: Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your responses. For the installation of the pump, will it be tendered out or will it be sole sourced?

I assume it wasn’t part of the scope of the work, so this is something new for the project. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It was done as a change order through the existing contractor. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. The next name on my list: Mr. Qamaniq. Mr. Qamaniq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In his opening comments, it states that the water pressure was tested before the completion and that the water and pipe system had been appropriate the first time that they had tested it.

However, when they tested it again, it was apparently lowered. It was enough at first, but then the water pressure dropped and they ultimately had to get a pump and now $1.3 million is being requested for this new pump. The city has an obligation to provide such services that the hamlets and communities provide. It would seem appropriate that the city would provide assistance with the cost of the pump through funding since they are responsible for the water system. Perhaps after the project was completed, I don’t know if Aaqqigiarvik was handed over to the Government of Nunavut.

Furthermore, I would like to know if the city was asked if they could provide assistance through funding, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There was not a request to the city to provide any funding per se for this project. Although the water pressure did drop, it still exceeds the minimum standards that they are legally obligated to provide water pressure to the city. It lowered the water pressure to a point where we had to install the pump, but it didn’t go low enough that the city is not meeting their minimum standards that they need to provide.

Thank you. Chairman: Mr. Qamaniq.

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8599 Mr. Qamaniq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I asked earlier if he can respond to my question. Did you only notice after the project was completed that the water pressure had dropped or was it before the building was handed over to the Government of Nunavut? Did you only realize it afterwards or before that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

If I understand the member’s question correctly, when it was tested during the design and architectural phase of the facility, the water pressure was measured, so then the sprinkler system was designed around that threshold. Subsequently, when it was tested in April, as we were bringing the systems online, they could actually see what impact it has when there was notice that there was a drop in pressure. There are a number of different communications and issues that are spoken about with Community and Government Services and the City of Iqaluit with their municipal city planning.

Unfortunately they were not able to increase the pressure sufficiently. We tested again in June and tested again in July. When the building came into play in September, under the condition that… . Like I said earlier, the city has put two conditions on handing over the authority to open up the building and one is that a fire suppression system with the water pump needed to make that pressure threshold was going to be installed and two, that there would be on-call fire watch people. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Qamaniq. Mr. Qamaniq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I think I’m going to rephrase my question in English, if I may. Every major construction, there is a contract signed between the contractor and the owner of the facility. I guess my question is: when somebody found out that the pressure had dropped, was the building already turned over to the Government of Nunavut by the contractor or was it before the building was turned over to the government from the contractor? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

It was before the building was turned over to the government, during the normal process of making sure that the condition ratings and all the applicable building codes were in place so that the city could provide the declaration on it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Qamaniq. Mr. Qamaniq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Isn’t it the contractor’s responsibility to install the pump or that was not part of the contract? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the question. Just to make it clear, when the water pressure

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8600 was measured during the design phase of the building, the contractor, the City of Iqaluit, and even we have no control over why it dropped exactly. Basically, to be able to turn the building over to the Government of Nunavut, we had to meet those minimum standards of a fire suppression system, which we weren’t able to do without the water pump. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Qamaniq. Mr. Qamaniq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the minister for his answers.

I would like to ask whether the City of Iqaluit waived the development permit fee since this problem is looked after by the city. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, to put it frankly, and to be blunt, probably the legal battle that would come out of that and ultimately it would be our responsibility as the builder to make sure that we’re designing and building to meet these minimum requirements. I would anticipate that there would be no fault to who would be to blame for the drop in water pressure.

There have been other construction projects around the city. There have been leaks identified in the past that they looked into. It’s just an unfortunate set of circumstances where the water pressure dropped just below the threshold needed to be able to sign off on turning the building over to the Government of Nunavut without having an adequate fire suppression system available. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Qamaniq. Mr. Qamaniq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate Mr. Minister’s answers.

I wonder if it will affect the old Baffin Correctional Centre and perhaps this new pump will eventually be used by the two facilities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think this is my last question. Thank you. Chairman: Minister Hickes. Hon. George Hickes: I’m going to say with all sincerity that I hope this fire sprinkler system never gets used in either sides of the building, but it was taken into consideration during the phase 2 operations and renovations of the Baffin Correctional side of things. This pump will be adequate to provide sufficient water pressure when both buildings are back online. Thank you, Mr.

Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Last name on my list on this page: Mr. Main. Mr. Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I don’t have too many questions. The briefing material that has been provided to us mentions on page 2 of 2 that “Installing the pump will allow the department to open the facility on time. This means the GN can move inmates from the Baffin Correctional Centre into the facility and bring about 30 inmates home to Nunavut from Ontario, and begin the next phase of the project to renovate the Baffin Correctional Centre.” I’m just trying to understand.

I know that there was an opening ceremony that was held recently. At what phase or at what

Monday, September 13, 2021 Nunavut Hansard 8601 point is this project right now? Is the first phase complete? Have these 30 inmates that are mentioned been brought home to Nunavut from Ontario? (interpreta