Nunavut Canada LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT 2nd Session 6th Assembly HANSARD Official Report DAY 61 Friday, November 3, 2023 Pages 3845 – 3933 Iqaluit Speaker: The Honourable Tony Akoak, MLA

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Speaker Hon. Tony Akoak (Gjoa Haven) Officers Clerk John Quirke Clerk Assistant Stephen Innuksuk Law Clerk Michael Chandler Sergeant-at-Arms Michel Albert Hansard Production Innirvik Support Services Box 1200 Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0 Tel (867) 975-5000 Fax (867) 975-5190 Toll-Free (877) 334-7266 Website: www.assembly.nu.ca Hon. David Akeeagok (Quttiktuq) Minister of Economic Development and Transportation; Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for Labour Hon. P.J.

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

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

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

Table of Contents Opening Prayer ...........................................................................................................................3845 Speaker’s Statement ...................................................................................................................3845 Ministers’ Statements .................................................................................................................3845 Members’ Statements .................................................................................................................3850 Returns to Oral Questions ..........................................................................................................3856 Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ........................................................................................3857 Oral Questions ............................................................................................................................3858 Tabling of Documents ................................................................................................................3879 Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ......................................3881 Report of the Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................3930 Third Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................3931 Orders of the Day .......................................................................................................................3933

A. Daily References Friday, November 3, 2023 ..........................................................................................................3845 B.

Ministers’ Statements 333 – 6(2): September/October Community Visits (Akeeagok, P) ............................................3845 334 – 6(2): Nunavut Territorial Parks Awards (Qavvik) ...........................................................3846 335 – 6(2): Nunavut Housing Forum (Kusugak)........................................................................3847 336 – 6(2): Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission – Nunavut Consultations (Joanasie) ......................................................................................................3848 337 – 6(2): Human Resources Learning Series (Nakashuk) ......................................................3849 338 – 6(2): Minimum Wage Increase (Akeeagok, D) ................................................................3849 339 – 6(2): QEC’s New Baker Lake Head Office Community Celebration (Kaernerk) ............3850 C.

Members’ Statements 444 – 6(2): Happy Birthday to Wendel Quassa (Quassa) ..........................................................3851 445 – 6(2): Access to Prescription Medications (Quqqiaq) .......................................................3851 446 – 6(2): Invitation to Premier and Ministers (Sammurtok) ...................................................3851 447 – 6(2): Happy Birthday to Aviaq Lightstone (Lightstone) ..................................................3852 448 – 6(2): Young Hunters Program in Baker Lake (Simailak) .................................................3853 449 – 6(2): Success of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori (Nutarak) ......................................3854 450 – 6(2): Successful and Safe Weekend Hunting (Savikataaq) ..............................................3854 451 – 6(2): Minimum Wage Increase (Brewster) .......................................................................3855 452 – 6(2): The Passing of Meeka Arnakak (Nakashuk) ...........................................................3855 453 – 6(2): Successful Organ Transplant (Main) .......................................................................3855

D. Returns to Oral Questions Return to Oral Question 604 – 6(2): Country Food Initiatives (Akeeagok, D) ..........................3856 E.

Oral Questions 651 – 6(2): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori (Nutarak) ........................................................3858 652 – 6(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Positions (Simailak) .....................................................3860 653 – 6(2): Nunavut Housing Forum (Savikataaq) ....................................................................3861 654 – 6(2): Seasonal Time Changes (Lightstone) ......................................................................3863 655 – 6(2): Support for Community Programs (Killiktee) .........................................................3863 656 – 6(2): School Safety (Malliki) ............................................................................................3865 657 – 6(2): Air Transportation in the Kitikmeot (Anavilok) ......................................................3867 658 – 6(2): Allocation of Technical Professional Scholarships (Sammurtok) ...........................3868 659 – 6(2): Nunavut Bureau of Statistics (Hickes).....................................................................3870 660 – 6(2): Driver’s Licences (Quqqiaq) ...................................................................................3871 661 – 6(2): Territorial Immigration Policy and Initiatives (Brewster) .......................................3872 662 – 6(2): Water Infrastructure (Quassa) ..................................................................................3875 663 – 6(2): Individual Student Support Plans (Simailak) ...........................................................3876 664 – 6(2): Testing Walrus for Trichinosis (Malliki) .................................................................3877 F.

Tabling of Documents 188 – 6(2): 2023-28 Fisheries and Sealing Division Strategic Plan (Akeeagok, D) ..................3879 189 – 6(2): Nunavut Development Corporation Annual Report 2022-23 (Akeeagok, D) .........3879 190 – 6(2): 2022-23 Annual Report on the Operation of the Medical Care Plan (Main) ...........3879 191 – 6(2): Interim Financial Report of the Government of Nunavut March 31, 2023 (Kusugak) .............................................................................................................................................3880

192 – 6(2): 2022-23 Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s Annual Report (Kusugak) 3880 193 – 6(2): 2022-23 Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Board’s Annual Report (Kusugak) ...........3880 194 – 6(2): 2023-24 Letters of Expectation (Kusugak) ..............................................................3880 195 – 6(2): Ethics Officer for the Nunavut Public Service’s 2022-23 Annual Report (Nakashuk) .............................................................................................................................................3880 196 – 6(2): Minister of Languages 2021-22 Annual Report (Kaernerk) ....................................3880 G.

Bills Bill 32 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2022-2023 – Consideration in Committee ................................................................................................3881 Bill 33 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2023-2024 – Consideration in Committee ............................................................................................................................3894 Bill 30 –

An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – Consideration in Committee ..............3899 Bill 34 – Write-off of Assets and Debts Act, 2022-2023 – Consideration in Committee ..........3908 Bill 23 – Nursing Professions Act – Consideration in Committee .............................................3914 Bill 26 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act – Consideration in Committee ....................3922 Bill 28 – Opioid Damages and Health Care Cost Recovery Act – Consideration in Committee .............................................................................................................................................3924 Bill 29 –

An Act to Amend the Engineers and Geoscientists Act – Consideration in Committee .............................................................................................................................................3926 Bill 27 –

An Act to Repeal the Area Development Act – Consideration in Committee ............3929 Bill 32 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2022-2023 – Third Reading ......................................................................................................................3931 Bill 33 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2023-2024 – Third Reading ......3931 Bill 30 –

An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act – Third Reading ....................................3931

Bill 34 – Write-off of Assets and Debts Act, 2022-2023 – Third Reading ................................3931 Bill 26 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2023 – Third Reading ................................3932 Bill 28 – Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act – Third Reading ...................3932 Bill 29 –

An Act to Amend the Engineers and Geoscientists Act – Third Reading ...................3932 Bill 23 – Nursing Professions Act – Third Reading ...................................................................3932 Bill 27 –

An Act to Repeal the Area Development Act – Third Reading ..................................3932

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3845 Iqaluit, Nunavut Friday, November 3, 2023 Members Present: Hon. David Akeeagok, Hon. P.J. Akeeagok, Hon. Tony Akoak, Mr. Bobby Anavilok, Ms. Janet Brewster, Hon. Pamela Gross, Mr. George Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, Hon. Joelie Kaernerk, Ms. Mary Killiktee, Hon. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Adam Lightstone, Mr. Solomon Malliki, Hon. John Main, Hon. Margaret Nakashuk, Ms. Karen Nutarak, Hon. Daniel Qavvik, Ms. Joanna Quassa, Mr. Inagayuk Quqqiaq, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Craig Simailak. >>House commenced at 10:00 Item 1: Opening Prayer Speaker (Hon.

Tony Akoak) (interpretation): Good morning. Before we begin, Mr. Malliki, can you say the opening prayer, please. >>Prayer Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, my fellow Nunavummiut. Speaker’s Statement Before we proceed, (interpretation ends) I have a special message for a special person this morning. She will be heading to work pretty soon, so I would like to put it out. This would be for November 5, but I would like to announce it today due to the fact that we are not sitting over the weekend.

This would be for a special lady that I met a long time ago and words are only what they mean, but my feeling for her isn’t wrong and I love her very much. She has raised kids and we have grandchildren, and November 5 would be our 46th anniversary. I would like to wish her a happy anniversary for Sunday. Thank you. >>Applause (interpretation) If you are watching the proceedings, (interpretation ends) good morning. Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Minister’s Statement 333 – 6(2): September/October Community Visits (Akeeagok,

P) Hon. P.J. Akeeagok (interpretation): Good morning and thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Happy early anniversary on a very special day that happens to be my birthday coming up as well on November 5. Happy anniversary. It’s a major milestone that you’re going through, so (interpretation) I’m proud of you both. (interpretation ends) Ullaakkut, my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, when I am invited to communities, I try to take every opportunity possible to engage in conversations with people I meet along the way. This is how I learn about the differences in each community. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to acknowledge our colleagues who work hard for the communities I visited this fall: MLA for Kinngait and Kimmirut, Minister David Joanasie; MLAs for Rankin Inlet, both the Minister Lorne Kusugak as well as Alexander

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3846 Sammurtok; and MLA for Baker Lake, Craig Simailak. Mr. Speaker, when in communities, I do my best to meet with hamlet mayors and councillors, with educators, with health care staff, and Government of Nunavut employees. I chat with people at the grocery stores as well as the coffee shops. I was happy to meet with Rankin Inlet’s Mayor, His Worship Harry Towtongie, Baker Lake’s now former Mayor Richard Aksawnee, as well as Kimmirut’s Mayor Maliktoo Lyta and the hamlet council there.

Our talks focused on the highlights in each community and areas where improvements are needed. I enjoyed chatting with students at Kimmirut’s Qaqqalik School and Kinngait’s Peter Pitseolak High School. These young people are the future of our territory. Mr. Speaker, at Baker Lake’s Nunavut Arctic College Community Learning Centre, I met with a few of teachers in training. I also spoke with young people with big dreams taking the Adult Basic Education Program, a solid step towards their future success. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to each community that welcomed me so warmly and shared their stories with me.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Minister’s Statement 334 – 6(2): Nunavut Territorial Parks Awards (Qavvik) Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House of the 2022-23 Nunavut Territorial Parks Awards recipients. This is an incentive from the Department of Environment to provide $500 grants.

This award is presented to high school students who have demonstrated academic excellence in courses such as Aulajaaqtut or Environmental Studies and have demonstrated our government’s Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principle of Avatittinnik Kamatsiarniq, respect and care for our environment. Mr. Speaker, this award is a commitment stemming from the Nunavut Territorial Parks Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement. My department is committed to providing an annual award to students who aspire to enter the environmental field. Mr. Speaker, our territorial parks are unique.

We as Nunavummiut take pride in our land and pass on our teachings of the importance of protecting, sharing, and enjoying our parks. Mr. Speaker, the 2022-23 Nunavut Territorial Award recipients are: • Tori Evalik of Cambridge Bay • Paul MacDonald of Kugluktuk • Dishita Rana of Rankin Inlet • Ryan Stanley Arreak of Clyde River

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3847 • James Qaunaq of Grise Fiord • Benjamin Alivaktuk of Pangnirtung • Ayla Marie Mickiyuk of Sanikiluaq • Cassidy Devereaux in Iqaluit • Adam Judeau in Kimmirut • Manumikalla Ashevak in Kinngait Mr. Speaker, I am proud of these outstanding students and future leaders. I wish them all the luck and success in reaching their educational aspirations. I am incredibly proud of their interest in territorial parks and environment-related studies. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating these recipients. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements.

Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Minister’s Statement 335 – 6(2): Nunavut Housing Forum (Kusugak) Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Good morning, Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, just over a year ago, our government announced Igluliuqatigiingniq, the Nunavut 3000 strategy for “building houses together.” Since then, the Nunavut Housing Corporation has been busy working towards the ambitious objectives we set out that day. For me, a highlight from the past year was the Nunavut Housing Forum held in Iqaluit over two and half days in June.

The objective of the housing forum was to bring together key stakeholders and other interested organizations to discuss strategies for improving housing in the communities and to share ideas for how we can collectively meet the target to create 3,000 new housing units across the territory by 2030. Over 200 people participated in the forum. Delegates included representatives from the municipal, territorial and federal levels of government, the housing industry, local housing organizations, community organizations, and some Members of the Assembly.

Participants discussed a wide variety of topics, including community housing priorities, building innovations, and training and employment, among others. The feedback that the Nunavut Housing Corporation received on policies and programs to improve housing conditions across the territory was invaluable and has helped to keep our work grounded in what matters most, which is supporting communities and Nunavummiut.

Through Igluliuqatigiingniq, our government seeks to expand Nunavut’s housing continuum and create more autonomy for Nunavummiut in choosing how we live and work in our communities, but we cannot do this alone. As I have said all along, partnerships will be the key to our success. The housing forum was an important opportunity to come together to forge new relationships and to reinforce existing ones.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3848 By building houses together, we can make significant strides towards our common goal of creating stronger, more resilient communities that Nunavummiut can call home for generations to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Minister’s Statement 336 – 6(2): Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission – Nunavut Consultations (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Good morning, Mr.

Speaker, and good morning to my fellow members and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, back in April and May of this year, it was with great hope that I sent letters to the ministers of Canadian Heritage and of Innovation, Science and Industry, urging the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to conduct a consultation session with Nunavummiut on the state of telecommunications. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to tell Nunavummiut that the Canadian Radio- television and Telecommunications Commission has reopened consultations to improve telecommunications in northern communities.

Recognizing that telecom services are critical for Inuit and Nunavummiut to fully participate in today’s digital society, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is committed to improving the coverage, quality, and affordability of telecom services in Nunavut and throughout Inuit Nunangat. Inuit and Nunavummiut voices are critical for the Canadian Radio- television and Telecommunications Commission to improve telecom services in Nunavut. Mr.

Speaker, I am standing here today to encourage Nunavummiut to participate in the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s invitation to share their thoughts on how to improve services in northern communities. Specifically, among the key focal points of the consultation, whether the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission should create a subsidy to make Internet services more affordable, how telecom providers should engage with Inuit and local communities, and how you believe competition in the telecom market can be improved. (interpretation) Mr.

Speaker, I encourage Nunavummiut, organizations, and businesses across Nunavut to go to www.crtc.gc.ca/north, where a notice of consultation is available in all four of Nunavut’s official languages to find more information, including how to submit your input online, by mail or fax. The deadline for submissions to the reopened consultations Canada’s Far North is 8 p.m. EST, November 29, 2023. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3849 Minister’s Statement 337 – 6(2): Human Resources Learning Series (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my colleagues and the people of Nunavut and Pangnirtung. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to share that the Department of Human Resources’ Public Service Training Division partnered with the University of Alberta to run two cohorts of the Human Resources Learning Series.

The series consists of nine distance learning courses on human resources management and planning, occupational health and safety, financial management, recruitment, and training. The series is ideal for Government of Nunavut employees who want to enhance or refresh their knowledge of current human resources trends and practices. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate 28 employees who completed the program. This reflects our government’s commitment to providing training to develop and strengthen employees’ skills, knowledge, and abilities under the Inuit societal value of Pilimmaksarniq. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Minister’s Statement 338 – 6(2): Minimum Wage Increase (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The Government of Nunavut is committed to making life more affordable for Nunavummiut. We recognize Nunavummiut face the highest cost of living in Canada and that, during this time of increasing costs and high inflation, the financial pressure on Nunavummiut has increased. These pressures can be especially felt by our lowest income earners who make the territorial minimum wage. With these issues in mind, over this past summer, the Department of Justice undertook a comprehensive review of Nunavut’s minimum wage.

The review included a survey and consultations with both employees and businesses, as well as a thorough financial and statistical review. I thank the public from every community in Nunavut, as well of the Nunavut business community, who took the time to participate in the minimum wage review and to share valuable feedback on the impact of a change to the minimum wage. Mr.

Speaker, based on the results of the survey and analysis, I am announcing today that the Nunavut government will increase the minimum wage rate in the territory from $16 to $19 per hour effective January 1, 2024. >>Applause This increase means that Nunavut will once again have the highest minimum

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3850 wage in Canada and we are confident will help address the impact of inflation and cost of living increases felt by Nunavut’s minimum wage earners. Mr. Speaker, in addition to the increase in the current minimum wage, the department is also exploring options to index future minimum wage increases to a specific formula, such as the Consumer Price Index, to ensure more consistent and regular increases going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Kaernerk.

Minister’s Statement 339 – 6(2): QEC’s New Baker Lake Head Office Community Celebration (Kaernerk) Hon. Joelie Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. Good morning to Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, on September 27, 2023 the Qulliq Energy Corporation held an opening ceremony for the new head office in Baker Lake, speeches were held, and staff guided and tours were in the new building. Unfortunately, fog prevented our flight from landing in Baker Lake.

I was pleased to learn the corporation’s staff and Premier Akeeagok proceeded with the opening ceremony followed by a community feast serving caribou stew, burgers, and bannock. I would like to thank the Premier, who was previously also serving as Minister for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, for stepping in to assist with this celebration. The Premier thanked and acknowledged three of the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s longest-serving employees: Ruth Tapatai, Ruth Stoddart, and Rosie Iyago.

I echo the Premier’s sentiment and acknowledge and thank these individuals for their dedication to the corporation and the Baker Lake community. The new Qulliq Energy Corporation building creates a stable hub where our team can serve our customers and partners more efficiently. The design and construction highlight the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s commitment to adopting energy-saving technologies, pursue Energy Star certification, and protect the environment.

On behalf of the Qulliq Energy Corporation, I would like to say thank you to the residents of Qamani’tuaq, the Hamlet of Baker Lake, and Member of the Legislative Assembly for Qamani’tuaq, Craig Simailak. Strengthening [piliriqatigiinniq], working together, and collaborations enables the Qulliq Energy Corporation to serve all 25 communities as efficiently and affordably as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 3. Members’ Statements. Member for Aggu, Ms. Quassa. Item 3: Members’ Statements

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3851 Member’s Statement 444 – 6(2): Happy Birthday to Wendel Quassa (Quassa) Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” to my colleagues and all Nunavummiut. I wish happy birthdays and anniversaries to those who are celebrating today. This was a reminder for me. I started counting and it has been 26 years since we were given a little boy. Today is his birthday and we hope he has a great day. Wendel Quassa, I wish you happy birthday and thank you for the help you provide. We love you and wish you a wonderful birthday. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq. Member’s Statement 445 – 6(2): Access to Prescription Medications (Quqqiaq) Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to address a concern raised by a number of my constituents with respect to regular access to prescription medications and supplies. Mr. Speaker, even though such supplies as medication or hearing aids are supposed to be provided on a regular basis through the supplier out of Cambridge Bay, on many occasions they are late or do not arrive for some weeks. Mr.

Speaker, this creates hardships for those who need these medications or supplies. Individuals who suffer from arthritis or chronic pain should not have to bear the discomfort because the supplies are not available. Mr. Speaker, those who have difficulty hearing should not have to go through their day without their hearing aids because there are no batteries. Mr. Speaker, from time to time, community residents even turn to social media to ask others if they can help with medication or hearing aid supplies. This should not be happening. Mr.

Speaker, I raise this issue in order that the appropriate authorities hear these concerns. My constituents feel desperate at times and this creates personal hardships. Mr. Speaker, I hope the Minister of Health will hear these concerns and work with his department officials to ensure that service in this area can be improved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Rankin Inlet North- Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok. Member’s Statement 446 – 6(2): Invitation to Premier and Ministers (Sammurtok) Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Good morning to people of Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend an invitation to the Premier, the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, and the Minister responsible for Community and Government Services to visit Chesterfield Inlet at the earliest opportunity.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3852 Mr. Speaker, Chesterfield Inlet is a non- decentralized community. During our fall sitting, I have spoken on many occasions about the community’s priorities, which include new housing, a new power plant, improvements to existing water infrastructure, better access to reliable and high-quality granular supplies, and economic development opportunities for my constituents. Mr. Speaker, the construction of Chesterfield Inlet’s new airport terminal building is a good sign of progress.

As a non-decentralized community, we are also hopeful that the 20 new public housing and affordable units that are included in the Nunavut 3000 strategy will become a reality in the near future, and that their construction will provide an opportunity to residents to gain skills and experience. Mr. Speaker, it is important that our ministers have the opportunity to see how the government’s plans are impacting the communities. I know that the residents of Chesterfield Inlet will provide the warmest welcome to the Premier, and I look forward to hosting a visit in the very near future. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Member’s Statement 447 – 6(2): Happy Birthday to Aviaq Lightstone (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to start off by quoting a very old nursery rhyme, “Remember, remember the fifth of November.” However, unrelated to this rhyme, it’s clearly a very special day for many. Happy early anniversary and happy early birthday, Mr. Premier and Speaker. Mr.

Speaker, four years ago, I had to abruptly leave our Committee of the Whole proceedings and 12 hours later, I was filled with joy as I brought home another beautiful baby boy. Mr. Speaker, I’m very fortunate to rise in this House and share this announcement with all those watching on the worldwide web as well as listening through radio and television. I would like to stand and say happy birthday, Aviaq Lightstone, and would like to extend an invitation for the Premier to come and join our celebration, have some cake, and watch the toddlers run and have fun and play games. Mr.

Speaker, I have been very fortunate that November 5 has yet to conflict with our Saturday committee meetings, but I would note that this November 5 falls on daylight saving time. Another fortunate aspect will be that my boys will think they slept in when they inevitably wake me up at 7 in the morning. Again, I just want to say happy birthday, Aviaq, and I hope that the Premier and all other members, including you, Mr. Speaker, will be able to join us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3853 Member’s Statement 448 – 6(2): Young Hunters Program in Baker Lake (Simailak) Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to the residents of Baker Lake. I’m glad it’s Friday. Hopefully you will have a relaxing weekend. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce again that another young hunters program has begun in Baker Lake. This is the second cohort; the first one was earlier this year that I spoke to.

The Qamani’tuaq Young Hunters Program is driven by the Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization in partnership with Arctic Connexion and their management of the program. It is funded by the Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program and Climate Change Preparedness in the North until March 2025. It’s a 10-weeklong program that goes on three times a year, fall, winter, and spring. Mr. Speaker, this program wouldn’t be able to succeed if we didn’t have such talented instructors. There are two main instructors, John Etegoyok and Peter Tiktaalaaq.

Occasionally they do invite elders to share their wealth of knowledge with the youth. Mr. Speaker, the fishing and hunting they do depend on the season. Most days they have been mostly hunting caribou. When they are not able to go out due to weather, they are in the community, learning to make tools, qamutik-making and cabin-building workshops. Mr. Speaker, I would like to quickly mention the names of the youth that are taking part.

In group 1, there are: • Fernando Quinangnaq-Makayak • Ryan Tapatai • Marcus Tutanuaq • Nolan Angotingoar • Preston Lareau Group 2: • Chase Tiktaalaaq • Johnson Narkyagik • Amy Dawn Iqqaat • Brooke Tagoona • Kate Beth Etegoyok • Darla Campbell Iksiktaaryuk In the third group are: • John Kingilik • Koen Tapatai • Sylar Autut • Sigurdson Nukik • Jerry Aningaat • Darcy Amaruq I’m very glad this group of young hunters are learning as they prepare for when they become adults and I’m sure they will be able to provide for their future families, and I hope they have a successful fall hunt. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3854 Member’s Statement 449 – 6(2): Success of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori (Nutarak) Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say “happy anniversary” to you, and I wish you a happy birthday along with your son. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about a program that is very close to my heart, the Pirurvik Preschool Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori curriculum. Mr. Speaker, I stepped away from this program since I was elected to represent my constituents in this House.

However, I have been monitoring the progress and I am very pleased to note its ongoing success. Mr. Speaker, the Pirurvik Preschool Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori curriculum is an early childhood education initiative that blends Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Inunnguiniq, traditional Inuit child rearing, with Montessori methods. Mr. Speaker, self-direction, observation, and hands-on learning are key principles of the Montessori methods and are very similar to traditional Inuit approaches to child rearing.

I was very happy to receive very positive feedback from two teachers who deliver school classes to students who went through Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori. The students are patient, respectful, and have great stamina for their studies. Mr. Speaker, the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori program is running in two communities, and I believe the benefits speak for themselves. Mr.

Speaker, with the introduction of the new full-time kindergarten pilot project, I would like to encourage the Department of Education to implement the Pirurvik Preschool Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori curriculum in more communities. At an appropriate time, I will have questions on this issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq. Member’s Statement 450 – 6(2): Successful and Safe Weekend Hunting (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I say “good day” to the people of Arviat. Mr.

Speaker, as today is Friday, there will be time off work for the weekend starting tomorrow. People in Arviat know that there are many caribou coming their way and they will be hunting the caribou. Please be careful, as I was informed that there is not much snow yet, and they will probably go by Honda. Whenever there is heavy snow, you can get stuck with a Honda, so please be aware of that. However, it’s great that people in Arviat will be able to eat fresh caribou meat. Have a good day and successful hunting tomorrow. After another weekend, I will be able to see you again and taste the

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3855 fresh caribou meat. Have a good day, people of Arviat. Thank you. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Member’s Statement 451 – 6(2): Minimum Wage Increase (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to acknowledge the minimum wage increase. What I know is that I have many constituents who are living in overcrowded houses and there are many young people who are just entering the workforce.

To have a minimum wage that is increased from about $33,000 a year to approximately $39,000, I think, will importantly go towards creating healthier homes by allowing families to be better able to afford healthy food baskets and the cost of living. Sometimes it is really difficult to see the impact that we have as regular members in asking for change. Today I feel really good, and I appreciate the increased minimum wage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Pangnirtung, Ms. Nakashuk. Member’s Statement 452 – 6(2): The Passing of Meeka Arnakak (Nakashuk) Hon.

Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to speak to this and her husband agreed for me to do this. Many people have heard that Meeka Arnakak passed away October 30 at 3:30 in the morning at the Qikiqtani General Hospital. She was surrounded by her family. Many people knew her through her work with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. She was a previous teacher, author and singer. She was a social worker, counsellor, elder, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She was a cousin, an older sister, and a friend to many.

Nunavut has lost a very important person who has taught many people about having a good life, and she shared her wisdom. We will miss her dearly. Many people will recognize her song about a butterfly, tarralikitaakuluk. She sang that song. I extend my condolences to her family in Pangnirtung. Many people know her and her husband. They have been counsellors and they have helped correctional inmates and other elders. Her family wanted this to be announced because many people knew her in Nunavut and Nunavik. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Condolences to the family, the communities, and to Nunavut.

Members’ Statements. Member for Arviat North-Whale Cove, Mr. Main. Member’s Statement 453 – 6(2): Successful Organ Transplant (Main) Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to my colleagues.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3856 Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of a family in Arviat, the Kablutsiak family, namely, Francine and Quqquut Kablutsiak. They have a son named Hunter Kablutsiak, who is now 17 years old. He is a hunter, a hockey player, and a fox trapper. Mr. Speaker, he’s currently taking grade 12 classes. In September 2020 medical staff found that Hunter needed a new kidney, or (interpretation ends) kidney transplant. (interpretation) They had to search for a donor since his diagnosis in September 2020.

His father, Quqquut, or Daniel, wanted to donate his other kidney as a (interpretation ends) kidney donor, (interpretation) so he had to certain things like exercising for 30 months to lose weight. The resulting effect was that on June 29, 2023, Hunter underwent surgery in Winnipeg, which was successful and the donation went well. His father donated his kidney to him and everything worked out.

The entire family is quite happy and would like to express their gratitude. (interpretation ends) The family would like to thank the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, the children’s hospital and staff, and medical travel for the Government of Nunavut. They would like thank Cayla Kablutsiak, who was the escort for Daniel, Transplant Manitoba, Dr. Pinsk, Dr. Offerni, and Dr. Peterson. They would also like to thank Julie Strong, Jody Zawatski, residents of Arviat, John Arnalukjuak High School, DOT and Marnie, as well as Arctic Connexion. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to congratulate Hunter and the Kablutsiak family, and thank all the people, organizations, and businesses that made this transplant possible. (interpretation) I share in your successful transplant and I thank everyone who made this possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Never give up hope. Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions. Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Item 4: Returns to Oral Questions Return to Oral Question 604 – 6(2): Country Food Initiatives (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was asked an oral question by Joanna Quassa, Member for Aggu, Question No. 604 – 6(2) on October [30], 2023 in regard to country food initiatives. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to supplement an answer I gave during question period on October [30], 2023. The Member from Aggu requested more information regarding the Country Food Distribution Program. I have confirmed with my officials that the policy update is drafted, but still in need of final review.

We anticipate having the policy approved and circulated by the end of the fiscal year. The annual reports for the country food distribution for 2020-21 and 2021-22 are just waiting for the translations to be finalized and I will commit to tabling the reports as soon as possible.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3857 Under the Katujjiluta mandate, we are committed to enabling elders to better access country food. The member also pointed out the high electricity costs associated with the freezer program. We have received additional funding for green energy infrastructure upgrades and working to ensure opportunities to shift to green energy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Pangnirtung, Ms. Nakashuk. Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) I was recently reminded that we should recognize some people in our society that are still here, especially before they pass. It’s what I was told, and I think it has been very good to recognize people that are hard-working and they commit to a lot of things. Today I want to recognize Ms. Laurel McCorriston, Executive Director of the Uquutaq Society for the last four and a half years. Ms.

McCorriston currently oversees a number of homelessness programs for the people in Iqaluit, including a 30-bed homeless men’s shelter, a 30-bed men’s transitional housing facility, a 17-bed low-barrier shelter for men and women, and 11 affordable housing apartments. Ms. McCorriston’s hard work led to the opening of the city’s first low-barrier shelter and the first day warming program. Ms. McCorriston is now in the process of building a new multi-service low-barrier facility and a new affordable single-room occupancy housing complex. Please join me in welcoming Ms. McCorriston to the House.

Her dedication to serving vulnerable populations in Iqaluit is admirable. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your House and thank you very much for looking after people who are in need. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Laurel McCorriston. Laurel and I met a few years ago. She came to work for Uquutaq after I left the society. However, we have developed a really good working relationship and I think it’s a good friendship as well. I have so much respect for Ms.

McCorriston for everything that she does and all of the sacrifices that she makes to be here in Iqaluit to serve our homeless population, including being far away from her own family. Thank you for being here, Laurel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your House. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3858 Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize Laurel McCorriston, as I first met Ms. McCorriston a number of years ago during the Iqaluit mayor’s housing taskforce. At that time, I came to the realization that she’s such a strong and fierce advocate for those vulnerable Iqalummiut. I would like to recognize the significant contribution that you provide to this community and I would like everyone to know that you have definitely made this community a better place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to the Assembly.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Item 6. Oral Questions. Just before I start, I would like to remind the members to have a short

preamble on both questions and answers. You did very well yesterday. Thank you very much. We even got one person to do a second round, so we can do that again. Oral Questions. Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak. Item 6: Oral Questions Question 651 – 6(2): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori (Nutarak) Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, as my colleagues will know from my statement earlier, I am a strong supporter of the Pirurvik Preschool Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori curriculum.

I am very proud that the curriculum is currently being followed in two communities. Can the minister inform this House as to whether her department has been following the success of this program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question. It was a pleasure to go to the member’s constituency early on, almost a few years ago now, and visit the very exciting Montessori program.

We have been working in the department with the Canada-wide early learning and child care funding that is very fortunate for Nunavummiut and all across Canada to have major advancements in this field. In terms of looking and seeing the model, our department is aware of the model. We know that they have great programming through the Montessori program model. Our department has just completed the quality framework for early learning and child care, and we have it “Nunavutized,” that emphasizes language and culture incorporated into that framework.

We don’t fully have the model integrated in the framework, but there are components that are captured to have similarities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Nutarak. Ms. Nutarak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Testimony from teachers who have students from the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori program in their grade 1 class shows that the

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3859 students are exceptionally well prepared for taking on a full day of studies. Can the minister indicate whether she would support the implementation of the Pirurvik Preschool Inuit Montessori curriculum in other communities across Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker. Quana to the member for that question. It’s a great program that is out there and as the Department of Education, we’re not responsible and we can’t force child care facilities to use that model. It is up to their direction.

It’s up to them to administer what they want as they are independent societies and often run through the hamlets. We can just encourage them to use that model and if there are other child care facilities or preschools that want to use that model, we can encourage them to speak with the Pond Inlet Montessori preschool and learn from them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Nutarak. Ms. Nutarak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Just to put it out there, there are two kindergarten classes in Nunavut that are offering this program, one in Iqaluit and one in Rankin Inlet, and it has had real success with these students. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education’s full-day kindergarten pilot project has begun in five Nunavut communities. As this program expands across the territory, I would encourage the department to look at implementing the Pirurvik Preschool Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Montessori curriculum. This curriculum is not only made for daycares and preschools.

Can the minister indicate when she anticipates expanding the full-day kindergarten program to other communities and which communities are being considered for delivering the program in the near future? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the questions there. I’ll try to answer the best I can. I think there were a few questions in there. Mr.

Speaker, we are aware of the great curriculum and we have incorporated the kindergarten curriculum with components of the Montessori style program and we are piloting that in the new curriculum for the full-day kindergarten classes that are in that pilot program. Once that pilot program is complete, we will have the assessment of how that’s going. I anticipate that it will go well, hopefully, that we can get this into more of our schools, funding permitted through this House, Mr. Speaker.

We do want to expand the program and are just working and looking at the details of which communities would be next, but we do have capital funds that need to be looked into and that would need to come before the House. As to which ones are next, I can’t fully say at this point, but when we do know, I can

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3860 ensure that we let the members know. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Question 652 – 6(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation Positions (Simailak) Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation. It just happens to be good timing with his statement here. He spoke about the Baker Lake office. I, too, would like to congratulate Ruth Tapatai, Ruth Stoddard, and Rosie Iyago.

I started with these three ladies way back in September 2000 when we first opened up this office. Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, the Qulliq Energy Corporation suffered a cyber-attack earlier this year. One of the consequences of that attack was the decision to transfer lead responsibility from the corporation’s information technology systems to the Department of Community and Government Services. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that one or more positions at this corporation’s Baker Lake office have been eliminated as a consequence of that decision.

I tried to enquire about this way back in June when I emailed the former Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Akeeagok, but I didn’t receive a reply. I’ll ask the new minister: can the new Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation confirm, if any, how many positions at the corporation’s Baker Lake headquarters have been eliminated or transferred within the past six months and will he commit to ensuring that any position losses are balanced by moving new positions into Baker Lake? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr.

Kaernerk. Hon. Joelie Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the member’s questions on information technology and the employees that are affected. Apparently, the Qulliq Energy Corporation is reviewing this process at this time around and there were no customers affected when the cyber or ransomware was around last year, I believe. There was no one affected through that information technology, but the QEC is reviewing the process of this ongoing process. At this time around, all I can say is that the Qulliq Energy Corporation is revising the process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. I’m hoping the review won’t take too long so that we can move forward and hopefully it’s for better operations in Baker Lake and that office with the proper support. Mr. Speaker, the government’s most recent quarterly employment report indicates that the Qulliq Energy Corporation had a total of 48 positions in Baker Lake as of March 31, 2023. Can the minister confirm how many positions are currently located in Baker Lake? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3861 Speaker: Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Kaernerk. Hon. Joelie Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thanks again for the member’s questions on the employee relations. At this time around, there are 45 positions in Baker Lake. The member is correct; there were a few technical difficulties, but at this time around, there are 45 employees at the Qamani’tuaq headquarters office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It would be interesting to find out what happened to those three other positions since March 31, but I’ll speak to the minister on that, in his office maybe. Mr. Speaker, the government’s most recent quarterly employment report indicates that the corporation had 13 vacant positions in Baker Lake as of March 31, 2023. Can the minister indicate what specific issues are preventing these positions from being filled? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Kaernerk. Hon. Joelie Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thanks again for the member’s questions on the employees affected on this. At this time around, the Qulliq Energy Corporation is revising the process and that they’re working hard to fill those positions. It’s a working process right now and they’re having difficulty in recruiting people. That’s one of the difficulties that they are having is to recruit people to be employed in the Qulliq Energy Corporation at the Qamani’tuaq office. They are working hard to make this happen. It’s unfortunate, but they are working hard to get those positions filled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions.

Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq. Question 653 – 6(2): Nunavut Housing Forum (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to question the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation on the minister’s statement. Mr. Speaker, on the first page at the bottom about the Nunavut Housing Forum, it says, “The feedback that the Nunavut Housing Corporation received on policies and programs to improve housing conditions across the territory was invaluable and has helped to keep our work grounded in what matters most, which is supporting communities and Nunavummiut.” Mr.

Speaker, my first question is: can the minister state which policies and which programs may be improved from the feedback? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for the question about that program. Mr. Speaker, this program under the housing initiative has never

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3862 been changed for multiple years, especially the way the program is offered under the housing corporation. During our last deliberations on construction of our infrastructure, we considered and comprehended the different issues, perhaps most importantly, the need to explore other avenues related to how we construct buildings that are required to be built in our communities or alternatively, in renovating existing buildings. We should review the options as this was outlined to us, including other programs currently administered by the housing corporation.

The HAP program used to be provided to people under the GNWT, before Nunavut, and clients were supported in building their own homes or they would get assistance to pay for the contractor to construct their home. We reviewed the various programs at that time and we heard many different suggestions at the forum on how we could improve the housing situation in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

This was specifically to the policies about the construction of private homes, as the minister outlined in his response. If these will be amended, would you happen to know the rough timeline for the changes and tabling in the House? Can the amended policies be submitted for our review? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is pleasing to hear this question with my colleague trying to get more information.

There are several steps we need to undertake prior to submitting any amended policies of the housing corporation and any other departments under this government. We need to walk through this process to determine if the changes will be sufficient and in following the protocols used for amending existing policies. At this time, the review is done by the committee, so prior to the document being sent to cabinet, the subcommittee reviewing the policies is trying to ascertain if the changes are acceptable and whether the changes align with the legislation.

I believe that the review will be completed by the end of this week. I am anticipating this document prior to the end of November and approval shortly thereafter by the cabinet, and then we will announce it to Nunavummiut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As this is my last question, earlier you stated that there were over 200 delegates at the forum in Iqaluit. We all know funding is the biggest challenge with never enough capital for all the projects and items we want.

With over 200 delegates, how much did the housing corporation cover for this forum’s expenses? Perhaps you can respond with a total amount expended by the housing corporation for this forum. Thank you.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3863 Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The participants paid their own way to Iqaluit for this forum. The housing corporation staff members who were responsible attended, albeit not every staff member. Nonetheless, the housing corporation did pay for expenses and other miscellaneous fees. At this time, I don’t have the information on the actual cost, but the majority of the 200 participants paid for their own travel, including looking after their own expenses, Mr.

Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Question 654 – 6(2): Seasonal Time Changes (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Justice. Mr. Speaker, the first Sunday in November arrives this weekend, which will be a very special day for many, but once again, Nunavummiut will be required to change their clocks by an hour. As the minister is well aware, I have been one of a number of Members of this Legislative Assembly who have been vocal about the need to end the outdated practice of seasonal time change. Mr.

Speaker, as I have previously noted, the Iqaluit City Council recently voted unanimously to adopt a motion calling on all Members of the Legislative Assembly to “Join the call and end the participation in Daylight Saving Time.” Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to recently table a copy of correspondence on this issue that had been signed by the Mayor of Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, I would like to state for the record that I would like to see this year be the last and final year when Nunavummiut have to change their clocks.

I would like to ask: will the minister commit in principle today to moving in the direction of ending seasonal time changes in Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are closely monitoring what is being discussed throughout North America. I would prefer that North America changed their time. If they do, we’ve got mechanisms to change our regulations in an expedient manner. I am waiting for that to happen, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Uqqummiut, Ms. Killiktee.

Question 655 – 6(2): Support for Community Programs (Killiktee) Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Good morning to Nunavummiut. I also thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health offers support and funding for suicide

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3864 prevention and substance abuse prevention initiatives. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify how his department encourages community groups and individuals to get in touch with the department with their ideas on how to tackle these kinds of issues? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for that question in regard to this issue. The funding is available through the committees or hamlets for various entities.

It is called Upigivatsi; in English, (interpretation ends) suicide prevention initiatives fund. (interpretation) We try to inform the communities through various avenues, including the government’s news releases, and once the committee knows that it exists, they send information to the communities. Also, we go through the community health representatives to make sure that the information goes to the local level. The communities work with these funds at the local level and they produce very interesting programs. We would even like to provide support to the hamlets in various ways.

We will be working on this through different avenues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for informing us because in the past, you acknowledged and recognized the community health representatives when they came here for training. It was evident at the time and I have made mentioned many times that Qikiqtarjuaq is the only community that does not have a community health representative. That was just a comment. Mr.

Speaker, quite often, individuals or groups have ideas for activities or projects to address suicide prevention or substance abuse, but they struggle with the application process. Can the minister describe what kind of support is available to help community- based organizations or individuals through the application process so that their ideas can become reality? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for that question.

Yes, we provide support to the committees and organizations, and officials from the Department of Health provide support in the application process. Mr. Speaker, the funding for this fiscal year is currently $3,345,000. To date, $3.1 million has been approved and has been made available. We are always looking for ways to improve. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, very briefly, some of the recent improvements to our program delivery: the application form was recently modified to make it more user friendly; we continue to listen to feedback from applicants; and we are also working with the GN’s social and cultural grants and contributions

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3865 working group led by Family Services. The purpose of that group is to coordinate work with the granting and looking at ways we can streamline things for the betterment of organizations. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You can stop me if I’m taking too long. I will speak in English so that I will be faster. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, recently there have been a number of announcements for scholarships or funding opportunities, but the deadlines to submit those applications are often very tight. It is not clear whether the funding available through his department’s Inuusivut Division has specific deadlines. Mr. Speaker, can the minister confirm whether there are specific deadlines for community groups to apply for funding to deliver programs and activities to tackle these serious issues and, if so, what are they? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon.

John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have not set a closing date for these funds. In the fiscal year from March, we opened invitations for proposals of the funds that we call Upigivatsi. We informed them of the funds in March and they started submitting proposals. In August, we also informed them of the funds available. This will continue and remain open for proposals until the funds are gone. I hope that’s understandable. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Aivilik, Mr. Malliki. Question 656 – 6(2): School Safety (Malliki) Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Good morning to my constituents and my fellow MLAs. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, earlier in this sitting, I addressed the serious concerns regarding the safety of students in our schools. I would like to thank the Minister of Education for providing me with further information on steps that are being taken to address the situation at the Naujaat high school. Can the minister provide an update on what initiatives are currently underway to address this situation? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Hon. Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker. Quana to the member for the question. In terms of the correspondence and acting on requests that do come forward, we do look into all of our requests. The Department of Education has been working with the member’s constituency and we are planning on visiting the community of Naujaat. The Department of Education will be going there, I hope, in the next couple of weeks with the Nunavut Teachers Association,

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3866 if all goes ahead with schedule. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, since I raised this issue in this House, I have been advised that the district education authority will be hiring a security guard for the school. Earlier, the minister had advised me that school staff had asked the district education authority to employ a hall monitor to assist in supervision.

Can the minister confirm whether the district education authority has been requested to hire two individuals to enhance security at the school, a hallway monitor and a security guard? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question. In terms of requests, the Department of Education does receive requests for security in schools and they are dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Often our short-term solution for exceptional circumstances where they are requested, we do cover those costs if they are needed. We have had one. To what the member is asking about, we haven’t heard from the district education authority. They haven’t reached out to us for the additional support, but if they do want to speak to us about the request for security in the school or a hall monitor, we are happy to talk to them about that and work on solving the situation to get to a point where we don’t need the security and a hall monitor in our schools.

We do have other mechanisms as well to enhance safety in our schools. We have intrusion alarms as well as closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems in our schools. We have implemented the violent incident reporting mechanism, which our school leaders are encouraged to use if there are any incidents so that we can directly track and work with the school on any incident. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, while I appreciate that additional staff may help to maintain secure and safe environments at our schools, I am concerned that the district education authority will not have enough resources to employ these individuals as well as such other staff as cultural advisors. Will the minister commit to ensuring that Naujaat District Education will be provided with additional funding to hire security staff to ensure the safety of our children and students? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the member for the question. Once we receive the request, we will review it and from there, we will have the decision for the special request.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3867 It would be covered through the Department of Education, but those are on exceptional circumstances that we do use funds from within. As I mentioned before, we have had district education authorities pay for hall monitors from budgets of their own and if they do need it, but for a special request in this circumstance, we will review once we receive it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Anavilok. Question 657 – 6(2): Air Transportation in the Kitikmeot (Anavilok) Mr. Anavilok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation. I would like to follow up on questions that were asked yesterday by one of my Kitikmeot colleagues concerning air transportation services and infrastructure in our region. As the minister is aware, the recent correspondence from the president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association described the serious impact that the forest fires and mass community evacuations which occurred this past summer in the Northwest Territories had on air routes, medical travel, and supply chains in the Kitikmeot.

Can the minister describe what discussions he has had with Canadian North’s senior management to develop contingency plans to respond to another disaster of this magnitude? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have ongoing dialogue with Canadian North.

With this unfortunate event that took place in the Northwest Territories, it was a very good example of everybody working together and I think that was a testament that both the airline, our government, and the Government of the Northwest Territories reacted in a way that helped everybody and helped realize how our airline and the road system to our territory can be shattered in just moments. That’s something that we continue to monitor and work towards in making sure that we have contingency plans in any kind of event that occurs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Anavilok. Mr.

Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the response. (interpretation ends) The president of the KIA’s letter also addressed the importance of improving airport infrastructure in the region. As the minister will recall, he recently made a statement in the Legislative Assembly concerning progress on constructing Kugluktuk’s new airport terminal building. Can the minister confirm the current level of Inuit employment at the project? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3868 Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have the level of Inuit employment that is currently with that wonderful project, but I want to assure that the information is gathered and the project is coming along. I will be very happy to report to the member once I have that information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) The president of the KIA’s letter also indicated that Canadian North’s decision to replace its 737-200 jets with smaller ATR aircraft has resulted in a “backlog of air freight destined to the Kitikmeot region due to the ATR’s lower cargo capacity.” Mr. Speaker, I have heard it suggested that we need to pave our runways so that the airlines can utilize larger aircraft with better cargo capacities. Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the minister does not have an unlimited budget.

Can the minister describe what discussions he has with the federal government and senior leaders in the private sector to explore funding sources for a runway paving program in the Kitikmeot? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My dialogues have been ongoing when it comes to paving the airstrips. I have communicated to some of my members that have requested to have their airstrips paved.

It is a very costly initiative and with the operations and maintenance that come with it, it is higher than what we currently have. With that, I have been actively waiting and looking for any of the federal programs that come out that would help with that because, as my member acknowledged, we don’t have unlimited budgets and this is one that will be on my radar, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok. Question 658 – 6(2): Allocation of Technical Professional Scholarships (Sammurtok) Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to hear the recent announcement that the Department of Community and Government Services will again be offering technical and professional scholarships to Nunavummiut. Can the minister provide an update on how many students have received these scholarships to date and what communities the successful students were from? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the member for the question. Mr. Speaker, we do get interest

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3869 on the department’s scholarship for technical and professional studies on a year-to-year basis. Mr. Speaker, as per the minister’s statement that I provided, from 2022-23, we did have 25 students receive a total of $76,000, of which 18 were Nunavut Inuit. As for background information from previous years, I could provide further details at an appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) Supporting Nunavummiut who are studying in the fields of engineering, informatics, community planning, business, and land administration has the potential to greatly improve our home- grown labour force. I note that studies in fire prevention and firefighting can also be supported by these scholarships. Can the minister describe what specific areas of study have been supported through the awarding of these scholarships in recent years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

These scholarships in different fields, it’s a good opportunity that post- secondary students can receive up to a $5,000 scholarship through this program. Let me also point out and provide a public service announcement that we are soliciting applications at this time up until November 13. If any students out there are interested and eligible, we would like to support them further. Mr.

Speaker, as for the details around which fields that have been allocated scholarships, we have a list of different areas that are eligible and depending on the courses that the students are in, we would be more than willing to support them in that. Mr. Speaker, further to that, depending on the year they are in, the level of scholarship does increase over time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I strongly believe that we need to give as much assistance as possible to Nunavummiut to help them succeed in their studies.

I note that the Department of Health has also recently announced a scholarship for Nunavut Inuit joining the pre-health program. It is important that potential candidates are informed and encouraged to apply for these scholarships. Can the minister provide further information on how the availability of these scholarships is promoted and advertised to Nunavummiut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We want to promote these programs for the benefit of Nunavummiut as a whole.

We do try to put information out and it would be great if my colleagues and anyone that is aware to get that information out and make sure that whoever is eligible to get your applications in. Mr. Speaker, we are looking at reviewing this policy for the technical

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3870 professional studies with the intention of, perhaps, making it more valuable for those that are seeking support in this area. I expect and would hope to see something looking at revising this policy going forward through the next year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes. Question 659 – 6(2): Nunavut Bureau of Statistics (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question today to the Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to know what the current staffing status of the Nunavut Statistics Bureau is. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Hon. P.J. Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleague for asking that question. Mr. Speaker, the current staffing position right now is we just put out the director position, but I do believe that we have one person right now in that division. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

There have been many instances where not having access to recent accurate statistics has impacted many different reports and studies, such as the recent Office of the Auditor General’s reports and even recently, Elections Nunavut. What immediate steps has the Premier taken to fix this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Hon. P.J. Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I couldn’t agree more with how important it is to have up-to-date information to build strong business cases and to make informed decisions.

As such, in the last year, we have realigned the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs, specifically the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics, where we have really looked at the challenges that we faced. Since then, we have moved the positions here to a central function within the EIA here to Iqaluit and have since really pushed to bring the job advertisements out to fill, especially the very important role of the director position. As such, the advertisement right now is out and I really encourage many interested individuals to apply. I believe that the deadline for that application is November 10. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you. I’m glad the Premier brought up the impact on funding. For most third party or federal funding programs, various statistics are used to determine funding levels. I think it’s safe to say that these statistical gaps have already cost Nunavummiut many thousands, if not millions of dollars.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3871 What is the long-term plan for the bureau of statistics to make sure that this very important division is able to fulfill its mandated function? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Hon. P.J. Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again I would like to thank my colleague for bringing this very important topic up.

Again I can’t stress how important it is for the central function of having up-to-date and reliable statistics data that serves every department, from health all the way to the economic development department, but the importance behind it will be the steadfast focus on bringing employees there. It has been a struggle in the last few years, well before we came here, to fill the very important positions of the six positions that fall within that division. As such, we have really put the emphasis on filling the director position.

Once we have the lead member there, we very much look forward to filling the other positions, such as the survey manager, the senior analyst project manager, information officer, an analyst of economics, and then the statistical officer as well. The primary focus at this point in time is to fill the director position and I look forward to filling that and look forward to updating the member once it closes on November 10, and then obviously going through the process of filling that position will take some time as well, but I look forward to updating the member across as it gets filled. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq. Question 660 – 6(2): Driver’s Licences (Quqqiaq) Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation. Mr. Speaker, as the minister is aware, his department’s Motor Vehicles Division is responsible for the Traffic Safety Act and administering driver’s licence examinations. Mr. Speaker, the department’s current business plan indicates that one of its current priorities is to increase driver examiner capacity in all regions, including the Kitikmeot. Mr.

Speaker, as the minister is aware, the department has faced challenges in this area in recent years following the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s decision to stop providing this service in communities. Mr. Speaker, can the minister provide an update today on how many qualified driver examiners are in Taloyoak and Kugaaruk? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There hasn’t been anyone trained to become a municipal examiner for those two communities. However, we do have a driver examiner in the

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3872 Kitikmeot that travels on a regular basis to the communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Having a driver’s licence is absolutely necessary for many training and employment opportunities. Mr. Speaker, as the minister is aware, the Nunavut Driver’s Manual informs applicants that they are “required to take the road test in an appropriate vehicle for the class of licence applied for.” Mr.

Speaker, a common concern that I hear from many of my constituents is that they simply do not own their own vehicle or have access to a vehicle for the road test. Mr. Speaker, can the minister describe how his department works to accommodate applicants in this situation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When our examiners do go to the communities, they do try to assist those that are trying for a road test.

It’s one that having limited vehicles around the community does cause a barrier, but it’s also one that as communities, they have been very fortunate to find solutions and I applaud the folks that have their own vehicles and providing that for road tests. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister is aware, his department’s business plan indicates that one of its current priorities is to “Review the effectiveness of the Motor Vehicles Information System in advance of the contract expiration in November 2024.” Mr.

Speaker, that is a year from now. Mr. Speaker, can the minister provide an update on the status of this work? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to when we put out the business plans, we dedicate staff to examine these and that’s exactly what I have been communicating to my staff to make sure that we work on the business plans and that the Motor Vehicles Information System is up to date and current.

It’s one that we’re going to continue to observe and as minister, I will continue to direct my staff to getting this work done. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Question 661 – 6(2): Territorial Immigration Policy and Initiatives (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for Immigration. Mr. Speaker, it was exactly one year ago today that I asked the minister a number of questions about the Government of Nunavut’s initiatives in this area.

At that time, I lamented the heart- rending scenes of humanitarian crisis

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3873 that we were all watching on a nightly basis in places like Ukraine and Afghanistan. It’s now a year later and the suffering of the innocent seems to worsen by the week. Mr. Speaker, war is not healthy for children and other living things. I am proud of what our country has done to welcome refugees and immigrants. I am proud to be an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly representing a constituency in our territory’s most diverse community. Mr.

Speaker, when I asked the minister a year ago today about what his government was doing in this sphere, he told me that no funding and no staff had been allocated to the immigration file. Since that exchange, the Legislative Assembly approved close to $150,000 for a new immigration office in his department. Can the minister update us today on this office’s priorities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for Immigration, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Hon. P.J. Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for bringing that very important issue forward again.

I think it’s no secret that as Canadians, we’re very welcoming and in particular, as Nunavummiut, we’re very welcoming. As such, I was very proud to be able to bring forward a business plan that, for the first time in Nunavut’s history, where we brought in resources where we could start looking at what programs in territory we could provide for people who are less fortunate, even though we have our own challenges right here in Nunavut, as we have discussed many times here. Mr. Speaker, right now the update I do have is we are hoping to continue to fill the position.

We have yet to fill the position that I’m very fortunate the members here had approved, but the senior advisor in relation to immigration, we’re looking at all options to ensure we expedite the hiring of that particular position. Once we have the individual, we look forward to looking at what programs we could bring in, in territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: On Wednesday of this week, the Government of Canada announced its new national immigration targets for the next three years.

The federal Minister of Immigration’s announcement indicated that the Government of Canada will “work closely with the provinces and territories, employers, stakeholders and Indigenous peoples to help Canada adapt to the realities of immigration-driven population growth.” For the record, can the minister confirm what input and recommendations he made to his federal counterpart in the development of the new national immigration targets and plan? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for Immigration, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Hon. P.J. Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I again thank the member for that very good question. Mr. Speaker,

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3874 there are many different venues where we participate that address immigration. I have the pleasure and honour to be able to advocate for Nunavut in different forums.

I look at the Western Premiers’ Conference where immigration is really at the forefront of the discussions that we’ve had, further to the discussions of our Council of the Federation, where we know that immigration has really a huge impact but also a huge opportunity to address a lot of the long-standing issues we see and the challenges of filling positions and the discussions around specifically health care, as an example, where we could really tap into the challenges but also the opportunities that are there. Mr.

Speaker, without really an individual, it’s hard for us to be able to bring concrete examples where we could look at what types of programs. Hence, we really focus around hiring the individual who then will start looking at, from the lens of Nunavut, what programs we could bring in to address immigration, such as the opportunity that I just mentioned with the health care shortages we see not only in Nunavut but across the country and around the world, how we could really play that role. Mr.

Speaker, the primary focus has been to bring that employee in to start looking at that foundational opportunity for us to seize. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s common knowledge that Iqaluit is a fast-growing capital city, which is why investments in water infrastructure are so critical to accommodating population growth and the construction of new housing. Mr.

Speaker, I recognize that the minister’s department is in the process of trying to rebuild its statistics bureau here in Iqaluit, but I believe that it is very important for the government to have a clear picture of the extent to which our city’s population is increasing as a result of movement from other communities, other Canadian provinces and territories, and other countries. Can the minister indicate approximately what percentage of Iqaluit’s population is composed of residents who moved here within the past five years? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for Immigration, Mr.

Pauloosie Akeeagok. Hon. P.J. Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for bringing that question forward as well. Mr. Speaker, I think there is a lot of data that we could rely on to determine that. I don’t have that level of detail. We could look at Stats Canada to see what numbers that they have in terms of the census numbers that they brought forward. As I have said here in the House, the stats bureau has been understaffed for many years.

We have made the hard decision as a central agency to bring that central function here to start looking at ways where we could bring employment to ensure we have people to start collecting data. As such, without the individuals right now, I’m unable to provide the member specifically those numbers, but I very much look forward, once we start

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3875 bringing employees in the stats bureau division, to really start focusing on that basic statistic, which really is the basis of our applications for the funding that we are lobbying for. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Aggu, Ms. Quassa. Question 662 – 6(2): Water Infrastructure (Quassa) Ms. Quassa: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Community and Government Services. Mr.

Speaker, I want to revisit the issue of water infrastructure and I will begin by thanking the minister for the additional information that he provided to me earlier this week, which I subsequently tabled in the House for the benefit of all members. Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, the government issued a boil water advisory reminder for Igloolik on Wednesday of this week. Igloolik has now been under a boil water advisory for over 100 consecutive days. Does the minister consider this situation to be acceptable? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon.

Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for bringing this topic up again. Mr. Speaker, water infrastructure is one of the major pillars in our communities where we’re trying to make good headway around such things as water turbidity and the quality of drinking water across the territory. Mr. Speaker, given that the water treatment plants were built to the standards for when they were built, we do try to support municipalities on a seasonal basis when they experience such turbidity or otherwise. Mr.

Speaker, as for the question, it is a tough one to state and it’s an area that my department is trying to address with our capital planning process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you, minister.

We have to work on it in order to fix the problem. (interpretation ends) The minister’s recent letter to me indicated that his department is “proactively ensuring that all…water treatment plants will be designed and constructed to meet the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, anticipating the new regulations.” Can the minister provide a timeline for when Igloolik’s water treatment plant will be upgraded or replaced so that my constituents do not have to live under boil water orders for months at a time? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr.

Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My department continues to support the Municipality of Igloolik by

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3876 working together to optimize filters and operations of the water treatment plant and is continuing to monitor the quality. With regard to when Igloolik can expect to see when they would stop having boil water advisories, we don’t have definitive plans around that, but I can say that, again, we are dealing with multiple communities having challenges around their water treatment and trying to meet the standards. Mr.

Speaker, once we have further details around Igloolik and how to address the issues experienced there, I’ll be more than happy to share it with my colleague. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. I hope that it’s fixed as soon as possible. (interpretation ends) I appreciate, recognize, and understand that the minister does not have an unlimited budget.

Earlier this year, Canada’s provinces and territories called on the federal government to start working with them on a new national infrastructure program, and the federal government has stated that it wants to end long-term boil water advisories across the country. Can the minister update the House on what discussions he has had with his federal counterpart concerning funding for water infrastructure? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Again I thank the member for raising infrastructure challenges in our territory. Mr. Speaker, whenever my department and I are engaging our federal counterparts, we always try to relay the critical infrastructure, such as water and sewer. Those are pillars of our communities that are needed. It’s a basic need. Given that multiple communities have experienced aging infrastructure and it has impacted residents on multiple folds, but again, we are trying to make headway on our capital plans and we would like to see more funding toward these types of local infrastructure needs.

Hamlets are right there with me singing that same song, so I look forward to continuing our work within this area and working with our federal counterparts to address these. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Question 663 – 6(2): Individual Student Support Plans (Simailak) Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for recognizing me again. Mr. Speaker, my second line of questioning is for the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker,

Part 6 of Nunavut’s Education Act mandates the provision of inclusive education for Nunavut students.

Section 43(5) of the Act provides that individual student support plans shall be made for students who are entitled to them.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3877 Can the minister provide an update on how many Nunavut students currently have individual student support plans? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question. We do have individual student support plans. There are currently two types of individual student support plans with standardized templates. We have an individual accommodation plan and an individual education plan.

These types of plans are used to help students overcome barriers for achievement and these barriers maybe learning and/or behavioural and/or environmental. We have guidelines that we work with that were developed in 2022 and this is through a new handbook that reflects these changes with the new 2020 Education Act. In terms of the number of students on these individual student support plans, that’s not a number that I have. It’s a technical number, but I can look into seeing if I can get that detail to the member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr.

Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for committing to get back to me with more information. Mr. Speaker, in discussing this issue with educators in my community, it seems that the number of students with individual support plans is increasing. Can the minister describe how her department tracks and monitors the growing number of students with individual student support plans and provide an explanation as to why that number is increasing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member again for the question.

The individual support plans for students, if they do have one, fluctuate in numbers because some of them are quarterly and they’re placed only on a short-term basis. For that reason, the numbers do fluctuate for the length of time and the number of students that are prescribed or on an individual student plan. We are incorporating a tracking mechanism into our student information system that will reflect the students and we will be able to track the students that are on those plans. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Aivilik, Mr. Malliki.

Question 664 – 6(2): Testing Walrus for Trichinosis (Malliki) Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will seemingly be in two areas. Nonetheless, I am going to direct it to the Minister of Health and it concerns trichinosis. When walrus are tested for trichinosis, there are delayed responses to send the lab results to inform the community. Inuit prefer not spoiling the meat while it is awaiting the results. Actually, the hunters do not wish to give diseased

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3878 meats to their fellow residents. That is why they send out the samples for testing. I would like to ask if the testing process can be quicker. I am asking if there is any way to speed up this process and delivering the results to the community a bit faster. That is my question to the Minister of Health. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for that question.

Yes, the member’s comments for that process are supported by the Department of Health, specifically for the testing of meat, and we are working with Arctic College and the Department of Environment on that. (interpretation ends) The Department of Health encourages the consumption of country food, but for walrus and polar bear, recommends that harvesters have it tested for trichinella prior to eating it raw, undercooked, or fermented. Mr. Speaker, samples are currently processed here in Iqaluit. Communities can obtain results in approximately three days. That’s our timeline.

Prior to the current testing at the Nunavut Research Institute here in Iqaluit, samples were sent to Northern Quebec and so the current testing arrangement has been set up in order to enable quick turnaround for harvesters. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The minister has stated that there is only the laboratory in Iqaluit providing the testing. I wonder if the communities that conduct the most hunting can be identified and provided sampling kits beforehand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This was initiated in Iqaluit in partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. The Department of Health to this day has been providing support to ensure that this testing continues and the research labs have to be set up properly. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, any laboratory conducting testing for trichinella must have a quality assurance program as inaccurate results can lead to serious illness.

They have to provide a sustainable and timely service, including weekend testing, and they also have to have a logistics chain in terms of getting samples from different locations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for his responses.

Can the minister provide an outline of the typical time it takes for the testing to be conducted on samples, perhaps even how long it takes to inform the harvester of the test, who may not receive the information, or even the average estimate of time when a hunter gets informed of the results after they submit their sample for testing,

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3879 mainly the walrus tongue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. According to the documents that I have, it would take approximately three days, but in regard to the lateness of the results being relayed to the harvesters, I will try to get that information from my staff. Mr. Speaker, we appreciate everyone for their support in this. (interpretation ends) Health supports hunters with preparing sample submissions and covers the costs for shipping.

We encourage harvesters and community members to contact their local health and/or conservation officers to assist with testing and sending out samples. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Members, be aware that the time allotted for question period is now over. 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. Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation and Hon.

Minister of the Nunavut Development Corporation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Item 13: Tabling of Documents Tabled Document 188 – 6(2): 2023-28 Fisheries and Sealing Division Strategic Plan (Akeeagok,

D) Tabled Document 189 – 6(2): Nunavut Development Corporation Annual Report 2022-23 (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased to table two documents: • (interpretation ends) The 2023-28 Fisheries and Sealing Division Strategic Plan; and • The 2022-23 Annual Report of the Nunavut Development Corporation. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the translations into Inuktitut are not complete. Once they’re completed, I will provide them to the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Tabled Document 190 – 6(2): 2022-23 Annual Report on the Operation of the Medical Care Plan (Main) Hon.

John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the 2022-23 Annual Report on the Operation of the Medical Care Plan. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Kusugak.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3880 Tabled Document 191 – 6(2): Interim Financial Report of the Government of Nunavut March 31, 2023 (Kusugak) Tabled Document 192 – 6(2): 2022-23 Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s Annual Report (Kusugak) Tabled Document 193 – 6(2): 2022-23 Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Board’s Annual Report (Kusugak) Tabled Document 194 – 6(2): 2023-24 Letters of Expectation (Kusugak) Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased to table four reports: • The Intern Financial Report of the Government of Nunavut for the year ended March 31, 2023; • The 2022-23 Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Annual Report; No, there are no samples? • The 2022-23 Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Board’s Annual Report; and • The Nunavut 2023-24 Letters of Expectation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Tabled Document 195 – 6(2): Ethics Officer for the Nunavut Public Service’s 2022-23 Annual Report (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table the Ethics Officer for the Nunavut Public Service’s 2022-23 Annual Report. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Languages, Mr. Kaernerk. Tabled Document 196 – 6(2): Minister of Languages 2021-22 Annual Report (Kaernerk) Hon. Joelie Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am also pleased to table to the House the Minister of Languages 2021-22 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 14. Notices of Motions. Item 15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Item 16. Motions.

Item 17. First Reading of Bills. Item 18. Second Reading of Bills. Item 19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, and 34 and Tabled Documents 1 – 6(2), 120 – 6(2), 163 – 6(2), and 174 – 6(2) with Mr. Malliki in the Chair. In accordance to the authority provided to me by Motion 22 – 6(2), the committee will stay in session until it reports itself out. Before we proceed with the Committee of the Whole, we will break for lunch and report back at 1:30 p.m.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3881 Sergeant-at-Arms. >>House recessed at 12:12 and Committee resumed at 13:30 Item 19: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters Chairman (Mr. Malliki): I would like to call this committee to order. In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, and 34; also Tabled Documents 1 – 6(2), 120 – 6(2), 163 – 6(2), and 174 – 6(2). What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Chairman, we wish to commence with Minister Kusugak and the review of Bill 32 along with the budgetary documents, Bill 33 along with the budgetary documents, and Bill 30 and Bill 34, followed by Minister Main on Bill 23, and then with Minister David Akeeagok for Bill 26, 28, and 29, and finally finishing off with Minister Joanasie for Bill 27. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Are we in agreement that we first deal with Bill 32? Some Members: Agreed.

Bill 32 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2022- 2023 – Consideration in Committee Chairman: I would like to ask Minister Kusugak: do you have officials that you would like to appear before this committee? Hon. Lorne Kusugak: I do, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Chairman: Does the committee agree to let the minister’s officials appear before you? Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the officials in. For the record, Minister Kusugak, please introduce your officials and then proceed to your opening comments. Minister Kusugak. Hon.

Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my right is Deputy Minister of Finance Jeff Chown and to my left is Megan Hunt, Deputy Minister of Health. Mr. Chairman, I appear before you today to present Bill 32, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2022-23. Through this bill, the government is seeking to increase its overall operation by $35,735,000 in 2022-23 for four departments: Health, Environment, Community and Government Services, and Family Services. The Department of Health is seeking the bulk of this appropriation, requiring $31.7 million to cover overspending.

The department requires $5.6 million to cover a shortfall in compensation and benefits; $8 million for agency nurses and paramedic services, which are used to backfill vacant positions and keep

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3882 health centres open; $8.6 million for travel, mostly relocations of employees; $5.7 million to cover medical travel expenses which were not reimbursed by Canada because they are ineligible under Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits program; and $6 million for out-of- territory physicians and hospitals. The department was able to offset some of these overages with small amounts of underspending in other areas. The Department of Environment is requesting a supplementary appropriation of $780,000.

Environment overspent in two program areas: Renewable Energy Support programs and the Nunavut Trapper Education Program. The department was able to offset some of the overspending in these areas by re-profiling funds from other items. The Department of Community and Government Services is seeking $382,000 to cover shortfalls related to several items, mainly energy rate increases affecting Government of Nunavut operations and corresponding grants given to municipalities to cover their increased electrical costs.

This request represents less than 0.14 percent of the total Community and Government Services budget for 2022-23. The Department of Family Services requires $2,941,000 to cover overspending in compensation and benefits and other program areas, such as travel, residential care, and purchased services. Adjustments were made in the department’s 2023-24 budget to attempt to avoid this overspending in future years. Mr. Chairman, this is the second and final operations and maintenance supplementary funding request submitted for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

If departments did not have to absorb the added and unforeseen costs of covering additional expenses related to various union agreements in 2022-23, supplementary appropriation requests for operations and maintenance budgets would have been reduced. Even after including this request, the Government of Nunavut will end the 2022-23 fiscal year with a surplus. This concludes my opening comments. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Do members have any general comments? I don’t have any names on my list.

Bill 32 on the fourth tab, (interpretation ends) Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) No. 2, 2022-23. Department of Health. Not Previously Authorized. Total Department Expenditure. $31,664,000. Questions? Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would just like to get some clarification.

I know that a few years ago, there was a year-by-year agreement with Non-Insured Health Benefits that, for the first time in probably recorded history or at least in my history, Health actually had surpluses for a year or two and then, understandably and I think correctly, took the budgeted amount that was being provided by Non-Insured Health Benefits over and above the original funding. I know these are year-by-year agreements that are discontinuing and

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3883 the Department of Finance decided to take that budgetary amount and reallocate it out of the Department of Health, where they were continuously overspending before, and then now we’re back in the same boat. If I recall correctly, it was about something like $33 million of that money was given back to Health for different programs and priorities.

I’m wondering why that amount might have been chosen now that we’re back into the same boat of these traditional overages in the Department of Health, where we were looking at previously of doing actual- related budgeting, taking actual expenses from the previous years. There is always some incremental growth in some things and I know medical travel is a very difficult budget line to be able to accurately predict. That being said, there is still quite a significant amount of money that’s coming back to the Government of Nunavut through Non-Insured Health Benefits.

I’m just wondering how that allocation was decided and if there are going to be any future adjustments. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It was good to see, as my colleague said, finding some top-up or offer funding in some sectors from Non- Insured Health and my colleague was the minister of the department and me also at the time. In terms of the details around those parameters, if I could have Mr. Chown respond through you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Chown, please proceed. Mr. Chown: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The member is correct; there was quite a significant savings within the department and the intent was to flow the majority of those funds back into Health to help realign the departmental budget. In the first year after that change in the departmental budget as a result of the NIHB, I think we did fund… . I don’t have the exact information in front of me, but I believe we funded almost all of the department’s funding requests or a very significant portion of them that first year.

Not to the tune of the full amount that the member mentioned, but by the second year, I believe we have actually increased the department’s budget quite significantly over the last couple of years and Health could probably talk to it better than me. We have also seen significant increase in spending in those cost areas above and beyond the incremental funding we got. We know there was quite a lag in a buildup of demand during the COVID years as a result of a lot of health care not being able to be provided.

I think that we have seen the growth in the budget as a result of that and I do think that with such a large departmental budget and inflation and whatnot, we have seen growth just exceeding those additional funds. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Are there any more questions? Mr. Lightstone.

Friday, November 3, 2023 Nunavut Hansard 3884 Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On the issues identified in the Department of Health’s supplementary appropriation request is the cost associated to paramedic services. The Minister of Health has previously indicated that paramedics are utilized to prevent health centre closures. I’m wondering if the committee would be able to get some more information on how and when the Department of Health started utilizing paramedic services to reduce the amount of health centre closures. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Minister Kusugak.

Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Paramedic services are a vital part of the services that provide health care for those communities where otherwise they would not be able to be serviced other than remotely. If I could have more details provided by Deputy Minister Hunt through you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Ms. Hunt, please proceed. Ms. Hunt (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Qujannamiik to the member for the question.

I don’t have the specific date that our paramedics started, but what I can tell you and it will build on some of the questions that we had when we met as cabinet committee, from April 2023 to September 2023, we had 314 advanced care paramedics and we also had 30 primary care paramedics, so a total of 344 working across all of our communities in the territory, with only one community not requiring that being Chesterfield Inlet.

The full-time equivalent to all of those paramedics providing advanced care and supporting our nurses on the ground is roughly 66 PYs, so a significant area of support on the ground with our primary care teams and supporting our nurses and after-hour responses. (interpretation) Thank you. Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr