Nunavut Hansard — 4 March 2024 (6th Assembly, 2nd Session, Day 73, Official Report, pp. 4545–4604)

2024-03-04, 6th Assembly 2nd Session, Day 73

Nunavut — Debates (Hansard)

Nunavut Canada LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT 2nd Session 6th Assembly HANSARD Official Report DAY 73 Monday, March 4, 2024 Pages 4545 – 4604 Iqaluit Speaker: The Honourable Tony Akoak, MLA

Legislative Assembly of Nunavut Speaker Hon. Tony Akoak (Gjoa Haven) Officers Clerk John Quirke Deputy Clerk Stephen Innuksuk Law Clerk Michael Chandler Sergeant-at-Arms John Topic 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 Culture and Heritage; Minister of Education; Minister of Languages; 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 Joelie Kaernerk (Amittuq) 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 the Qulliq Energy Corporation; 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 ...........................................................................................................................4545 Ministers’ Statements .................................................................................................................4545 Members’ Statements .................................................................................................................4550 Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ........................................................................................4554 Oral Questions ............................................................................................................................4556 Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters .................................4576 Notices of Motions .....................................................................................................................4576 Motions .......................................................................................................................................4577 Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ......................................4579 Report of the Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................4604 Orders of the Day .......................................................................................................................4604

A. Daily References Monday, March 4, 2024 .............................................................................................................4545 B.

Ministers’ Statements 384 – 6(2): Nunavut at 25 (Akeeagok, P) ...................................................................................4545 385 – 6(2): Bluenose-East Caribou Estimates (Qavvik) ............................................................4546 386 – 6(2): Physician Cultural Competency Training (Main) ....................................................4546 387 – 6(2): Lottery Administration Training (Joanasie) ............................................................4547 388 – 6(2): Expedited Direct Appointments (Nakashuk) ...........................................................4548 389 – 6(2): Chief Justice Sharkey (Akeeagok, D) ......................................................................4549 390 – 6(2): Child Day Care Act Consultations (Gross) ..............................................................4550 C.

Members’ Statements 511 – 6(2): Appreciation of Health Staff in Igloolik (Quassa) ...................................................4550 512 – 6(2): Hockey Tournament in Kugluktuk (Quqqiaq) .........................................................4551 513 – 6(2): Global News Article: Children in Care (Lightstone) ...............................................4551 514 – 6(2): Jenna Merkosak Graduates from Nursing Program (Nutarak) ................................4552 515 – 6(2): Happy Anniversary to Parents (Gross) ....................................................................4553 516 – 6(2): Bluenose-East Caribou (Anavilok) ..........................................................................4553 517 – 6(2): Inuit Heritage Trust Recognition in Baker Lake (Simailak) ....................................4553 D.

Oral Questions 771 – 6(2): Rankin Inlet Long-term Care Facility (Hickes) .......................................................4556 772 – 6(2): Bluenose-East Caribou Management (Anavilok) ....................................................4558

773 – 6(2): Addressing Tobacco Use in Nunavut (Killiktee) .....................................................4559 774 – 6(2): Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan (Brewster) ................................................................4562 775 – 6(2): Security Services Costs for Airports (Savikataaq) ..................................................4564 776 – 6(2): Ensuring Inclusivity in our Schools (Simailak) .......................................................4565 777 – 6(2): Children in Care

Article in Global News (Lightstone) ............................................4567 778 – 6(2): Medical Travel Transient Centre for Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok) ............................4570 779 – 6(2): Public Service Announcements in Nattilingmiutut Dialect (Quqqiaq) ....................4572 780 – 6(2): Community Infrastructure (Quassa) ........................................................................4574 E.

Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 026 – 6(2): Report on the Review of Official Languages Legislation (Savikataaq) .........................................................................................................................4576 F.

Motions 031 – 6(2): Suspension of the Member for Amittuq – Notice (Brewster) ..................................4576 030 – 6(2): Appointment to the Executive Council of Nunavut (Savikataaq) ...........................4577 031 – 6(2): Suspension of the Member for Amittuq (Brewster) ................................................4577 G. Bills Bill 37 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2024-2025 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee ..........................................................4579

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4545 Iqaluit, Nunavut Monday, March 4, 2024 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, 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 13:30 Item 1: Opening Prayer Speaker (Hon.

Tony Akoak) (interpretation): Good day. Before we proceed, Mr. Anavilok, can you say the opening prayer, please. >>Prayer Speaker (interpretation): Good day, everyone, and welcome to those who are watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast. We will be taking good care of our constituents today. (interpretation ends) Item 2. Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Minister’s Statement 384 – 6(2): Nunavut at 25 (Akeeagok,

P) Hon. P.J. Akeeagok (interpretation): I apologize. Good afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nunavummiut and my fellow MLAs, I say “good afternoon” to you, and I welcome the visitors in the gallery. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in a few short weeks, the Government of Nunavut will mark a significant milestone: 25 years. I am proud of our territory. Each year, since the formation of our public government, we have grown stronger. If we think of our government as an iglu, we have been assembling the snow blocks prepared by previous generations, laying the foundation, and building up.

Our territory is run by a consensus government guided by Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. The choice to govern our territory in this form was ours. It is our way of honouring the knowledge of our elders through the values they instilled in us. Our political structure is led by the societal value of Aajiiqatigiinniq, decision-making through discussion and consensus. Our communities are growing and increasingly prospering as we work toward diversifying local economies. Our young people are achieving their goals as they pursue careers in trades and professions such as medicine and law. They are our future.

The culminating accomplishment on our 25th anniversary is, of course, the signing of the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement, and the launch on February 14 of Inunnguqsaivik: Learning for a purpose. Developed by the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and the Government of

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4546 Canada, this new learning support initiative will help ensure Nunavut Inuit have the skills and knowledge to manage stewardship of Nunavut’s lands, waters, and resources when these roles and responsibilities are transferred from the federal government to the Government of Nunavut. As we grow as a territory and as a government, we need more young Nunavummiut to join public service. The Government of Nunavut is always hiring. Visit the Government of Nunavut’s website to find the job that is right for you. Public service is a worthy path forward.

Help us continue to build Nunavut, block by block, so that in 25 years’ time, we will have even more to celebrate. Finally, I am looking forward to 25th anniversary celebrations across our territory. I invite all Nunavummiut to join in marking this important milestone, but also to help build our future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Minister’s Statement 385 – 6(2): Bluenose-East Caribou Estimates (Qavvik) Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues and Nunavummiut. Mr.

Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the Bluenose-East caribou herd. Caribou from this herd regularly cross our territorial boundary, so we co- manage this herd with our neighbours in the Northwest Territories. The Northwest Territories leads the research on this cross-jurisdictional caribou herd. We participate in working groups and meet regularly with the Kugluktuk Hunters and Trappers Organization, the Kitikmeot Regional Wildlife Board, and the Northwest Territories co-management partners as we take actions to support recovery of this herd. Mr.

Speaker, we have seen documented declines in the Bluenose-East caribou since about 2010 to a low in 2018. In response to the population decline, there are harvest restrictions in both jurisdictions and Nunavut has a total allowable harvest of 170 that is allocated to Kugluktuk. In 2021 the Bluenose-East herd was estimated at 23,202 caribou. Results from fall composition and calving ground surveys in 2023 produced a new herd estimate of 39,525 caribou. We have not seen the final report from these surveys yet, but this increase is very encouraging.

Once we have the final report, we will be in a better position to inform potential management actions within Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Minister’s Statement 386 – 6(2): Physician Cultural Competency Training (Main) Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my colleagues and visitors in the gallery.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4547 Mr. Speaker, it is vitally important for physicians working in Nunavut to have a solid understanding of Inuit culture and history. Recognizing the benefits to our health care system, I am pleased to share that Health has established cultural competency training for all new physicians working in Nunavut.

This unified approach enriches their understanding, helping to ensure our health care team delivers culturally respectful care. (interpretation ends) Embracing cultural sensitivity training empowers our health care professionals with a deeper understanding and is a step towards enhancing the quality of care for Nunavummiut. This initiative acknowledges the unique history and traditions of Inuit and aims to integrate these insights into a compassionate and comprehensive health care experience.

By building understanding within our pool of physicians, Health is aiming to bridge the gap between past traumas and present healing. We want to ensure every interaction between patient and care provider is rooted in respect and empathy. Uqaqtitsijii, this training is supported by grant funding from Healthcare Excellence Canada. Our dedicated team worked to ensure this training was developed by Inuit for physicians to build their foundational understanding of Inuit culture, values, and the lingering effects of past traumas on health and well-being.

In early February we launched the first delivery of this new training and are pleased to advise it was a success. The next phase of this project will include an online module that for physicians to complete before coming to work in Nunavut. Uqaqtitsijii, this training program is a tangible step towards greater inclusivity and understanding within our health care system, one where everyone feels safe, understood, and respected. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie.

Minister’s Statement 387 – 6(2): Lottery Administration Training (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to Nunavummiut and members. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to share that in the 2023-24 fiscal year, the Consumer Affairs

Section has provided five lottery administration training sessions to charitable groups and volunteers. Of these five sessions, four were delivered in the communities of Igloolik, Sanirajak, Iqaluit, and Qikiqtarjuaq. The fifth training session was the first of its kind for the consumer affairs team, developing an online training model. This training was developed and delivered in the spirit of Qanuqtuurniq, being innovative and resourceful, with the support of Johnny Tuktoo, Recreation Coordinator for the Hamlet of Taloyoak. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Consumer Affairs Section, I would like to express my gratitude to the hamlets and

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4548 community members for their warm and generous hospitality. Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the consumer affairs team has been working to find ways to extend the reach of their work and broaden awareness through other Government of Nunavut service providers. In November the team was given the opportunity to provide a general overview of lottery operations to government liaison officers during a workshop held online territory-wide. In December our team also worked with the Sport and Recreation Division to connect online with recreation coordinators across Nunavut. Mr.

Speaker, I am pleased to see increased awareness and support for lottery initiatives and I want to recognize the tireless work of organizations for the causes they support. The training sessions provide guidance and support to conduct lotteries in accordance with the Criminal Code, Lotteries Act and Regulations for organizations to meet and achieve their charitable and/or religious objectives in Nunavut communities. Finally, Mr. Speaker, Consumer Affairs plans to continue to broaden its reach, expanding the training schedule, and provide more resources to organizations in-person and online.

We look forward to navigating and exploring opportunities to connect, develop, and strengthen relationships with stakeholders and improving our service delivery. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Minister’s Statement 388 – 6(2): Expedited Direct Appointments (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my fellow MLAs and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, I want to take a moment to update my colleagues on the Department of Human Resources’ expedited direct appointments process for appointing qualified Nunavut Inuit candidates to indeterminate and term positions in the public service. In just seven months, 106 Inuit were direct appointed into positions, more than doubling the total number of direct appointments made the previous fiscal year. This has resulted in greater employment and financial stability for long-term Nunavut Inuit employees, and truly demonstrates our government’s goal of increasing Inuit representation in our public service. Mr.

Speaker, most appointments to the public service are done through an open, transparent and competitive process, but we recognize that direct appointments are sometimes necessary. This is particularly true for those Nunavut Inuit who have been long-term employees filling casual or relief positions. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4549 Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Minister’s Statement 389 – 6(2): Chief Justice Sharkey (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok: All rise, Mr. Speaker. >>Laughter (interpretation) It is with heartfelt gratitude and respect that I rise to recognize (interpretation ends) Chief Justice Neil Sharkey (interpretation) to mark his upcoming retirement from the Nunavut Court of Justice, effective April 12, 2024. (interpretation ends) Chief Justice Sharkey has been a prominent member of the legal community of Nunavut for many decades, embodying the principles of integrity, fairness, and dedication throughout his career.

His retirement marks the conclusion of his time as a judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice which was characterized by a commitment to access to justice and fairness. Admitted to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1976, when I was still crawling… >>Laughter …Chief Justice Sharkey practised as a Crown attorney, staff lawyer with Saskatchewan Legal Aid, and in private practice until 1983. Venturing north to Yellowknife, he served as a federal Crown attorney for three years before moving to his adopted home of Frobisher Bay in 1986 to become the executive director of Maliiganik Tukisiiniakvik.

He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1991, and at the insistence of his legal colleagues, he was the first lawyer ever called to the Nunavut Bar in April 1999. Beginning in 1999, Chief Justice Sharkey was Director of Administration and Education for Nunavut’s Justice of the Peace program. In 2005 he returned to private practice, opening his own firm where he practised until his appointment to the Nunavut Court of Justice in 2008. On October 1, 2016, he was elevated to Senior Judge, later renamed Chief Justice, of the Nunavut Court of Justice.

Throughout his term as Chief Justice, Justice Sharkey has demonstrated leadership and wisdom, guiding our judicial system with a steady hand. His contributions to the administration of justice in Nunavut have been invaluable, leaving a lasting mark on our legal landscape. On behalf of the Department of Justice and all Nunavummiut, I extend our gratitude to Chief Justice Sharkey for his decades of service to the law and administration of justice in our territory. Thank you, Your Honour, and enjoy your well-earned retirement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon.

Minister of Education, Ms. Gross.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4550 Minister’s Statement 390 – 6(2): Child Day Care Act Consultations (Gross) Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker. Good day, Nunavummiut and everyone here in the House with us today. Mr. Speaker, in Katujjiluta, our government committed to transforming Nunavut’s early learning and child care sector. Over the last two years, we have acted to improve the accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and quality of child care for Nunavut families.

Now, the Department of Education is supporting this transformation by launching Nunavut-wide consultations on developing new, made-in-Nunavut early learning and child care legislation. Nunavut’s current Child Day Care Act was inherited from the Northwest Territories and currently sets the standards for child care centres across our territory. Unfortunately, the Act has not been updated since 1988. New legislation that reflects Nunavut’s culture and our vision of early learning and child care programs and services is needed.

To support our vision for early learning and child care, we will improve on the existing legislation by advancing: • Inuit-centred early learning and child care programs and services; • Accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and quality child care; • Accountability of licensed child care centres; and • The safety and well-being of children. Mr. Speaker, we want to give all Nunavummiut the opportunity to provide input on Nunavut early learning and child care legislation.

To support meaningful discussions on the proposed improvement areas, the department will travel to selected communities to hear directly from early learning and child care operators, staff, hamlet offices, district education authorities, parents and guardians, elders, and community members on proposed improvement areas. A webpage and public survey are also in place to share information and gather input on this legislation. Early learning and child care is a shared responsibility that requires involvement from all our partners and stakeholders.

New legislation is an essential part of our commitment to transforming Nunavut’s early learning and child care sector. Feedback from these public consultations will help ensure new early learning and child care legislation meets the needs of Nunavut families and children. I want to encourage Nunavummiut to make their voices heard. Quana, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 3. Members’ Statements. Member for Aggu, Ms. Quassa. Item 3: Members’ Statements Member’s Statement 511 – 6(2): Appreciation of Health Staff in Igloolik (Quassa) Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today, first of all, to say “good afternoon” to Nunavummiut and my colleagues and for Igloolik

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4551 residents and my communities, I’m thinking of you. Mr. Speaker, in December there was a COVID outbreak in our communities and there were lots of colds happening there and the health centre was always full. At this time, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the nursing staff for working tirelessly and to make sure that the population heals. I thank them very much for going through hardship and working tirelessly. Let’s appreciate our nurses because they help us out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Netsilik, Mr.

Quqqiaq. Member’s Statement 512 – 6(2): Hockey Tournament in Kugluktuk (Quqqiaq) Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to acknowledge that over the weekend, Kugluktuk hosted a senior men’s hockey tournament and that is the Kitikmeot Senior Men’s Hockey Tournament 2024, which goes as far back as the 1990s, which is held annually. I want to thank the community of Kugluktuk and I personally thank all the volunteers, the 2024 planning committee in Kugluktuk, funders, fundraisers, and most of all, billets who took the hockey players into their homes over the weekend. Mr.

Speaker, I say “congratulations” to Gjoa Haven’s Snowy Owls as they are the 2024 Kitikmeot Cup champions; second place, Taloyoak Trailblazers, and third place is Cambridge Bay Islanders, followed by Kugaaruk Whalers, Team Kugluktuk, and Kugluktuk Team 2. Mr. Speaker, I say a big thank you to the people of Kugluktuk for being a great host to a weekend fun of hockey, which was live-streamed for viewers to watch who couldn’t attend. Thank you, qujanaqquq, and quana, they would say in Kugluktuk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone.

Member’s Statement 513 – 6(2): Global News Article: Children in Care (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, members. It’s great to see so many members of the public joining us in the Visitors’ Gallery today. Mr. Speaker, it’s unfortunate that I regret to raise concern and bring attention to another very heavy topic. Mr. Speaker, this morning, Global News published an

article titled, “Nunavut kids in care face loneliness, despair as millions spent to send them south.” Mr. Speaker, this is a very lengthy

article and I encourage all members to read this with care as well as all those members of the public listening today. Mr. Speaker, this very horrifying

article paints a very ugly yet realistic picture of the issues that children in care are facing.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4552 Mr. Speaker, the

article indicates that there is some unwarranted solicitation from group home operators, which former Government of Nunavut employees have described as predatory in nature. Further, they go on to state that these group homes are “essentially vultures to children and youth who are suffering.” Mr. Speaker, it’s not just the unsolicited proposals that the government officials are receiving from these group homes. The

article goes on to indicate that the Government of Nunavut is actually paying 53 percent more on average for the Nunavut children than the non- indigenous children in the exact same facility. Mr. Speaker, the

article gets very serious with further allegations that some of these group homes are highly punitive. I would like to quote from the article, but I would like to request unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote from the article.

One of the residents of Iqaluit had shared her story about the time she as a teenager was flown to one of these group homes and she was initially excited to live in Ottawa. However, once inside the walls of this facility, “she was immediately overwhelmed by the rigidity and ‘brutal’ realities of life” in this group home. She stated that “Youth were violently restrained, food access was restricted, and there was little to no” connection to her language or culture. It goes on to state that Nunavut Inuit children were being sworn at for speaking Inuktitut in these facilities. Mr.

Speaker, these allegations are not something you would expect to hear about in today’s group homes, but these allegations are something that you would expect to hear from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of the horrors of residential school. Mr. Speaker, these are very significant matters of concern that have been highlighted on numerous occasions, but maybe not to this extent in comparison to residential school. Mr. Speaker, these very real events that were continuing in recent years… .

I’m not sure if these are still ongoing today, but that is something that we really need to get to the bottom to and I just want to give notice that I will be questioning the minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak. Member’s Statement 514 – 6(2): Jenna Merkosak Graduates from Nursing Program (Nutarak) Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. During lunchtime we heard very interesting news. Also, I wanted to inform the public out there that Jenna Merkosak had completed her nursing training program in Nunavut.

She was unable to do her exam, but she completed and passed her nursing exam and she is now a certified

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4553 nurse, which I am very pleased to announce, and she will be working in the field. I would like to ask my constituents and colleagues to join me in congratulating her. We have an additional Inuk nurse now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Cambridge Bay, Ms. Gross. Member’s Statement 515 – 6(2): Happy Anniversary to Parents (Gross) Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon to those in Cambridge Bay. Mr. Speaker, today is a special day in our family.

I have my mother, Susie Fletcher, here with me and I’ll be introducing her when we get to Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to say a very special happy anniversary to my mom, Susie, and my stepdad Rodney. They’re celebrating their 30th anniversary and they have been together through various different places in Canada, as my stepdad was in the armed forces, and they travelled a lot throughout the Northwest Territories, BC, and back in Cambridge Bay and in Alberta as well, Mr. Speaker. I know it takes a lot. My mom raised my brother in different places around Canada.

I just want to thank her for being here, Mr. Speaker. She has been with us for the past five months, being a strong anaanattiaq, raising my panik here while we’re working and my partner was in school. I just want to thank her for her dedication to the life of my baby and us as a whole for me to complete this job. She will be leaving back to go see my stepdad today, so I just want to thank her formally for all that she has done and thank him as well for gifting her the time to come and be with us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Anavilok.

Member’s Statement 516 – 6(2): Bluenose-East Caribou (Anavilok) Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to my fellow MLAs and the people of Kugluktuk. I just wanted to comment on what the Minister of Environment has stated with regard to the Bluenose-East caribou herd. These are in very close proximity to our community of Kugluktuk and the HTO has been the co-management partners for the herd. I will be asking the minister questions in that regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak.

Member’s Statement 517 – 6(2): Inuit Heritage Trust Recognition in Baker Lake (Simailak) Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues and to the people of Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, the Inuit Heritage Trust, every two years, provides an elder’s recognition award in recognition of

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4554 contributions to help other Nunavummiut understand Inuit culture, heritage, and archeology. (interpretation) I’ll speak in Inuktitut. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to say this year, a Baker Lake elder, Susan Toolooktook, was awarded the Inuit Heritage Trust award in February for her work promoting Inuit culture within the community, especially teaching the youth. Mr. Speaker, Susan is very well respected by the community, as her exploits locally are well known. She spends all year hunting or fishing, whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall.

Let me remind you that there are clouds of mosquitos in Baker Lake during the summer, but she works outdoors non-stop. For many years now, Susan has been teaching youth and adults on Inuit culture and I thank her for her continued contributions. I’m sure that she will keep going strong. I ask my fellow MLAs to join me in congratulating her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 3. Members’ Statements. Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions. Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Cambridge Bay, Ms. Gross. Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr.

Chairman. Thank you to everyone that’s here with us. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to formally recognize my mother, Susie Fletcher, and welcome her to our House and thank her once again for her love and support and unconditional ways of nurturing my panik and for being with us here as the main caregiver for my daughter, especially while I have been working and my partner was away at school. He has since returned back, and my mom will be leaving. I know it’s always special to have a loved one with you and have that intergenerational love and support and I can’t thank her enough for all she has done. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As per my minister’s statement, it is a privilege that our Chief Justice, Neil Sharkey, is here in the House. I wanted to welcome him. Alongside him is his lifelong partner, Anne Crawford, with him. Also, his colleague, Chief Justice Christian Lyons, (interpretation) and (interpretation ends) his dedicated staff, Taukie Taukie, (interpretation) and Mark Mossey. I would like to welcome them to the House. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Hon. P.J. Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to rise to

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4555 recognize the incredible people that have been recognized. I have the privilege to be able to serve the members that were just referenced in my beautiful riding of Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, which I say is the most beautiful place in Nunavut. I might be biased.

I would like to recognize Chief Justice Neil Sharkey for his incredible public service to Nunavummiut, his lifelong service to Nunavummiut, as well as the incredible partner, Anne Crawford, to their House. (interpretation) I warmly welcome you. (interpretation ends) I was very fortunate to have had Susie Fletcher in my riding as well. I would like to wish her a safe journey back. I am as well very thankful for the incredible upbringing you did to the very Deputy Premier we have here, who now serves all Nunavummiut, and how strong, capable, and passionate the upbringing you did.

I’m very lucky to have a colleague here who cares so much and it’s through your upbringing. I, too, would like to welcome you to your House. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >>Applause Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Pangnirtung, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome to those who were recognized. (interpretation ends) I rise today during National Social Work Month to recognize and appreciate all of the amazing, hard-working social workers employed by the Department of Family Services.

A few of our social workers are here with us today. From headquarters, we have Bernadine Rogers, Sandy Kownak, Kim White, Ashley Biles, Shanna Batson-Zwennes, Nancy Kisa, Katara de Guzman, and Holly Ferguson. From the Iqaluit Family Wellness Team, we have Vanessa Tutalik, Jeff Vedo, Christopher Cho, Kanajuk Nowdlak, Cleopatra Siwela, Amanda Davis, Emesong Njabnjem. I apologize if I don’t say your names right, and Jessie Ambate, and of course, our Deputy Minister, Jonathan Ellsworth, is providing leadership to his team as well.

I encourage everyone in the House and across Nunavut to take the time to learn about the positive contributions that social workers make in our communities and to identify ways to support them. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all and for your dedication and commitment to improving the lives of others. (interpretation) Thank you. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to rise today to recognize my friend, Chief Justice Sharkey.

It was Anne Crawford who has been a steadfast supporter of me for as long as I can remember. She gives very good advice and especially during those independent parenting years of a handful of teenagers, she helped me get through it and thank you for that, Anne. My friend, Taukie Taukie, it’s great to see

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4556 you here. Just so we get it right, I would also like to recognize Justice Christian Lyons to our House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize one of my constituents from Taloyoak, Vanessa Tutalik. She’s a community social worker here in Iqaluit and she has a Bachelor of Social Work completed. Mr. Speaker, I welcome Vanessa to our House. Also, Mr.

Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and recognize Anne Crawford, whom I had the privilege of getting to know when I first joined the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation Board of Directors prior to me becoming an MLA, as well as I thank my colleague from Iqaluit-Sinaa for recognizing her as well, which we’re privileged to serve on the Inuit Broadcasting Board of Directors prior to being Members of this Legislative Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I welcome my constituent from Taloyoak, Vanessa Tutalik, and Anne Crawford to this House of Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Item 6. Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes. Item 6: Oral Questions Question 771 – 6(2): Rankin Inlet Long-term Care Facility (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on my questions from last week with the Minister of Community and Government Services. Mr. Speaker, in October of last year, the status of the project in Rankin Inlet for the elders facility there was at 90 percent completion. Last week it was announced that the same facility was still at 90 percent completion.

I would like to get an update from the minister on what work has been done since October on that project. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question. My department, working with the Department of Health, is continuing to support the long-term care needs for Nunavummiut through this particular project. We are anticipating the construction of the facility to be completed by early in the new fiscal year.

The last 10 percent of work to be done is still ongoing, but we expect it to be done early on in fiscal 2024-25. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure why the minister seems so vague on what work has been done in the last four to five months on this project. We often ask questions on different pieces of infrastructure and getting updates on the work that has

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4557 been done. I just don’t understand why the minister is being so vague. Mr.

Speaker, the next question I would like to ask is, during the back and forth we had last week, the minister was again stated as saying that with the $25 million secured through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Department of Health and the Department of Community and Government Services was able to save $25 million, and in doing so that those monies would be redirected to “other potential capital projects that are in our plans or that we’re trying to advance into construction.” Mr.

Speaker, I would like to get some confirmation from the minister on how those monies would be used for other projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With that funding announcement, it was a different and unusual circumstance wherein the project is quite far in advance and then the funding came through. However, given that situation, we are trying to best utilize our financial resources accordingly on what is the greatest need.

Of course, our capital planning processes are continuing to go through the same channels we go through year after year, and I can assure the member that we will continue to address the highest priorities with the funding that we do have and that we get through the different federal programs as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll follow up with that in a little bit at another date. Mr.

Speaker, over the weekend I received a phone call and subsequently an email with some information regarding the contractor in Rankin Inlet going into receivership. My Curious George factor kicked in, if that is one of the reasons why the minister seems so hesitant on bringing forward an update of this project. Mr. Speaker, I know it’s no fault of the government when a business has financial difficulty.

I’m assuming that that is contributing to the delays in the project and I’m not sure why the minister isn’t just informing us of why and how this came about and to just give us an update on some realistic expectations when we can expect this facility to open. I would like to ask one more time to the minister: can the minister update this House on what work has been done in the last four months on that project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The member is correct in that this project has gone into receivership. My department recently became aware of this information. Regarding this, the receiver is providing financial controls and support for the general contractor. As well, the receiver has also committed that the general contractor will maintain

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4558 its delivering of the project this spring as planned and in the latest construction schedule. In terms of the detailed work on what has been done, I can follow up with the member on that, but I can assure you that we are trying to make sure that this facility is completed, done, and ready for our elders to come back to Nunavut, alongside the Department of Health to be ready for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Anavilok. Question 772 – 6(2): Bluenose-East Caribou Management (Anavilok) Mr.

Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Environment, and they concern the issue of the Bluenose-East caribou herd. As the minister is aware, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board will be holding its first meeting of 2024 later this month. One of the first items on the agenda is an application by the Kugluktuk Angoniatit Hunters and Trappers Organization to increase the total allowable harvest from 170 caribou to 450 caribou and to remove the non- quota limitation for Bluenose-East caribou in Nunavut. I strongly support my HTO’s request.

What is the Department of Environment’s position on the application? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, member, for that question. The minister’s statement I provided this afternoon was very encouraging to see the increase of the Bluenose-East caribou herd in the western part of Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, at this time, further consultations and discussions with co- management partners are being planned for this calendar year to discuss the survey results and potential management actions.

Once the Department of Environment engages with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s decision, our department will be in a better position to make the decision after the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s recommendation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you for the response. (interpretation ends) As the minister will recall, his department issued an announcement in June 2023 in which it indicated that: “The Total Allowable Harvest was established by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board to support the recovery of the Bluenose East Caribou population and is a critical piece in the co-management efforts to allow the herd to recover and provide harvesting opportunities for future generations.” Can the minister provide an update today on what co-management activities have been taking place to support the recovery

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4559 of the herd? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, member, for that question. There’s a management tool that the Department of Environment uses in regard to the intention of the recovery of any barren-ground caribou herds and one of those tools is implementing a total allowable harvest, as the member indicated. Mr.

Speaker, since 2016, the Kugluktuk Angoniatit Association has implemented various management options, including no tags being issued for sport hunting of the Bluenose-East caribou, no organized community caribou hunts, the creation of a no-harvest zone around the community, and advocating for the harvest of alternative species, such as muskox. Mr. Speaker, our department supports the efforts of the Kugluktuk Hunters and Trappers Organization in this area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you for the information. (interpretation ends) Can the minister confirm if any violations of the herd’s total allowable harvest occurred during the 2022-23 season? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There’s a total allowable harvest implemented starting from the 2020-21 fiscal year with 170, and before that, there was a total allowable harvest of 340 before the 2020-21 fiscal year. We do have conservation officers within each community that enforce the Wildlife Act and the regulations.

Based on the information provided to me, the Department of Environment has been alongside with the hunters and trappers organization to manage the total allowable harvest right onto the total allowable harvest intake for the community of Kugluktuk. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Uqqummiut, Ms. Killiktee. Question 773 – 6(2): Addressing Tobacco Use in Nunavut (Killiktee) Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to the people of Nunavut and Iqalummiut. I’m really glad it’s Monday. The weekend is over and I’m happy about that.

I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health. I would like to go back to the legislation that was made regarding tobacco use in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on the issue of tobacco use in Nunavut. This issue was raised during our recent Committee of the Whole discussion of the Department of Health’s 2024-25 budget. Tobacco has a big impact on the health of Nunavummiut, some people very badly.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4560 Mr. Speaker, when I asked the minister about the enforcement of those sections of the Tobacco and Smoking Act, this was back on May 31, 2023, it was brought out through policy. (interpretation ends) The minister replied that he could not speak to the enforcement activities of landlords and that was “beyond the Department of Health’s responsibilities.” Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Acts Designation Policy clearly states that Health is responsible for the Tobacco and Smoking Act.

Section 24 of the Act clearly states that smoking is prohibited in publicly-funded housing. Can the minister clarify his remarks and inform this House on how his department intends to enforce the legislation? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for asking those questions about the use of tobacco. It is worrisome that 70 percent of our fellow residents of Nunavut who are 16 years of age and over say they used tobacco in 2018.

This is worrisome because it can cause many different diseases. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in terms of the enforcement piece of the legislation, in my comments in Committee of the Whole, I was not trying to put the entire onus on landlords. I believe that I was trying to delineate that there is a point where certain things are a landlord’s responsibility and certain things are the Department of Health’s responsibility.

Regarding the enforcement piece, we are in the process of developing a request for proposals that will be specifically seeking expertise to build out a tobacco education and compliance program for Nunavut. Following that work, I will be able to provide more details around enforcement. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for saying that this will be looked at again. I’ll be expecting that. Mr.

Speaker, in his responses to my questions on February 28 of last year, the minister replied that 73 percent of pregnant women in Nunavut smoke and that it is important to reduce those numbers. I totally agree with what the minister said at the time that the numbers need to go down. However, I am sure that the minister will also agree with me that men in Nunavut also smoke. In fact, the smoking rates for both men and women in Nunavut are probably very similar. Even if a pregnant woman does not smoke, second-hand smoke from men smoking in the same household can also have an impact on an unborn infant.

For that reason, (interpretation ends) can the minister describe what tobacco use prevention initiatives his department provides that focus on male smokers as well as women smokers, whether they

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4561 are pregnant or not? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for the question. (interpretation ends) In terms of the ability or to access supports for trying to quit tobacco, they’re available to all Nunavummiut, whether they’re male, female, pregnant, or what have you.

There’s a number of different supports that are available, there’s counselling that’s available, there’s a quit line that’s available, there are also free-of-charge support products like nicotine gum or patches. Those are available, as well as we have a lot of educational materials. Mr. Speaker, the member highlighted some of the unfortunate statistics around tobacco use, but we do know that 7 out of 10 tobacco users do want to quit and it can take an average of 30 times for a smoker to quit until they can quit for good. As well, medications and counselling can triple one’s chances of quitting tobacco.

We encourage all Nunavummiut, if you’re a smoker and you want to end the habit, we are here to support you. If you try to quit and you don’t succeed the first time, please try again. We’re here to support. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for your response. Yes, I agree that tobacco is being used by many individuals, children, men and women. It has a lot of negative impacts and it causes illnesses. For that reason, we have these supports available.

It’s only if you decide to take it that you can quit. However, I want to state further that (interpretation ends)

section 26 of the Tobacco and Smoking Act provides that the minister may appoint enforcement officers for the purposes of the Act. Enforcement officers could make sure that all housing providers are aware of their obligations and ensure that both landlords and tenants follow the law. As I mentioned on February 28 of last year, a lot of students smoke outside the schools where there are no-smoking zones. This restriction also needs to be enforced to deter our youth from smoking.

Can the minister provide an update on what consideration has been given to appointing enforcement officers under the Tobacco and Smoking Act? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for that question. (interpretation ends) Currently, as I mentioned earlier, we are moving towards having a contractor develop a tobacco education and compliance program. Following that, there will be training on this matter with environmental health officers.

The environmental health officers are the ones who conduct retailer inspections and they work with tobacco retailers that they understand and that they’re following the rules.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4562 We know that Nunavummiut want to see more enforcement. That came through consultations on the Act. Following the completion of the tobacco education and compliance program, we will have more to share on this matter. It’s unclear at this point whether the enforcement function would be carried out by Government of Nunavut staff or by a contracted service, but that would be a decision to be made at a later date. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster.

Question 774 – 6(2): Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Environment. I want to follow up on questions that I asked the minister during our fall sitting concerning the draft Nunavut Land Use Plan and to link them to responses that my colleague from Baker Lake received the other day from the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation. Mr.

Speaker, it has now been almost nine months since the Nunavut Planning Commission submitted the draft Nunavut Land Use Plan to the Government of Canada, the Government of Nunavut, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated for review. When I asked the minister about the status of this process back in October, he informed the House and Nunavummiut that he was in the process of considering the draft plan and that he was preparing to meet with the federal government and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated in the new year. Mr. Speaker, it’s almost spring.

Can the minister provide a substantive update today on where the review is at? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question. In terms of the recommended Nunavut Land Use Plan, my department has been meeting with the Interdepartmental Land Use Plan Working Group, which is the working group within departmental agencies and departments of this government to identify the issues and concerns found within the 2021 recommended Nunavut Land Use Plan.

My department has met with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated along with our federal counterpart. I have personally sat down with the president of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to meet and greet in terms of the plan. We’re still in the review process as we speak and the government will have a better position at the end of spring or early summer of this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister, I look forward to hearing more about that at our next sitting.

As the minister is aware, I have participated in the engagement sessions concerned land use planning and I very much appreciate the complexities and

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4563 dynamic tensions that are inherent to this process. When my colleague from Baker Lake asked last week about the impact of the draft Nunavut Land Use Plan on our ability to develop new sources of critical minerals that are needed to decarbonize the economy, the Minister responsible or Mines indicated that although his department is involved in the review of the plan, it is the Department of Environment that has been taking the lead in this process.

For the record, who has the authority to make the final decision on whether the Government of Nunavut signs off on the Nunavut Land Use Plan: is it the Minister of Environment or the cabinet as a whole, based on his recommendations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question.

There are three signatories within the plan, the three signatories being Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the federal government, and the Department of Environment as being the lead, but at the final position will come through my Executive Council colleagues whether we reject the plan or accept the plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. Mr.

Speaker, complex processes such as developing a comprehensive land use plan for the nation’s single largest jurisdiction requires the input of a diverse range of stakeholders. Environmental organizations, companies in the natural resources extraction sector, municipal governments, and hunters and trappers organizations all bring valuable insights and input into this process. I believe that it is very important that these processes be transparent.

For the record, can the minister confirm if he or his cabinet colleagues have been lobbied by mining companies, environmental organizations, or other entities since the submission of the draft land use plan and, if so, will he commit to tabling a list of meetings that have been held? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The recommended Nunavut Land Use Plan for 2023 is going to be the largest land use plan in the world, and how the plan will roll out is going to be pretty complex and dynamic.

It’s under the Nunavut Agreement that the Government of Nunavut is legislated to have a Nunavut Land Use Plan. Before the submissions were made in September 2023, the Nunavut Planning Commission required all stakeholders to provide their comments and concerns. The timeline for their submissions was September 20, 2023. There was some feedback from the mining companies submitted to the Department of Environment as well as my colleague, the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4564 Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq. Question 775 – 6(2): Security Services Costs for Airports (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to the people of Arviat. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, since the Minister of Environment mentioned the Minister of Economic Development and [Transportation], I’ll have a question for that minister. Mr. Speaker, last week one of our colleagues mentioned about the security service in Rankin Inlet at the airport.

The Minister of Economic Development and Transportation confirmed that there was a contract there and the workers were from out of the territory and have special skills that were needed to do the job. Mr. Speaker, I travel through Rankin Inlet a lot, coming here and going home, and I do see them there too. Doing my rough calculations, if you give them the government per diem rate, which might be what they get plus the hotels, it comes out to $500 a day times 30 days, if they stay in the hotel, it is $15,000 a month.

The minister did confirm that the workers are from the south, so that’s a roughly $4,000 return airfare from Rankin Inlet to Winnipeg, if it’s monthly, which translates to $19,000 a month or $228,000 a year. My first question to the minister is: what is the monthly or yearly contract for providing security service at the Rankin Inlet Airport? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As this is very operational in nature, I don’t have that level of detail and nor should I.

It’s one that I rely on the department to do. The department has indicated that they are going to be retendering it with different options. I’m not as good at mathematics as my colleague from the other side, so I will not get into how much of that is per month. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Health has no problem saying how much agency nurses cost the health department; it’s very operational, so I’m not sure why this minister can’t comment on how much it’s costing this government to provide security in Rankin Inlet. I hope that the member will get back to me so that we can see how much it is costing. When I travel through there, the security guard is friendly and not doing too much. Luckily there has been no need for security any of the times that I travelled through there.

My second question is, since there is security in Rankin Inlet, the minister did state earlier that he hopes there is no other security needed anywhere in any of the airports as they are very friendly places other than Rankin Inlet, I guess, since there’s security there, what is the threshold to provide security at an airport? What threshold do you use? Is it if there’s a violent incident weekly or monthly? Is it if there is a yelling match

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4565 daily? What is the threshold when the government starts providing security that may be up to $228,000 a year, even before the salary is given? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I will definitely commit to providing that number. I don’t have that with me, but I have asked my staff to provide me that number in terms of how much the contract is costing our government. Those are public dollars that I will disclose.

I just wanted to indicate that I did not have that level of information at this time, but I definitely have committed to providing the dollar figure. In terms of the thresholds and that and how many times, I think it’s one that our staff determines in terms of how many incidents have taken place. I’m confident that there have been enough incidents to allow that Rankin Inlet does need security. I just want to state that’s not the only airport that does have security. Iqaluit has had security for a number of years now.

From what I sense with health centres, schools and that, it is a sad trend that is happening, but I certainly hope that our airports are always friendly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question will be that on my way here to come to the sitting, I was in Rankin Inlet. I was there for quite a long time, sometimes waiting for the next flight.

There was one of the regional flights that were boarding a plane and the people were lined up and ready to go to the door to walk to their plane, and the security guard was checking every one of their carry-on luggage, searching it. The people that were getting ready to board the plane, their carry-on baggage was being searched by the security guard, and I did see it myself. Under what authority were the searches being done? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the member for putting this to my radar and something that I’ll definitely investigate and find out the reasons why, if it happens, and what justifications there were. I’ll commit to bring it back to the member. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Question 776 – 6(2): Ensuring Inclusivity in our Schools (Simailak) Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to follow up on a line of questioning that I raised with the minister last week on the topic of inclusivity. Popular word today; I have heard that a few times now today. I am certain that many schools across Nunavut require certain specific

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4566 modifications to ensure that all students with special needs are accommodated. Can the minister describe how her department records and keeps track of the different modifications and specialized equipment that are installed in Nunavut schools and how her department evaluates whether these modifications and equipment are meeting the needs of students as they move through the school system? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for the question. Mr.

Speaker, we have a wonderful division within the Department of Education, Student Achievement, which works on inclusive education and ensuring that our students are well taken care of for various needs that they may have if they have needs that need to be supported in our schools. We do have educational supports that are there for the increased support for the time and education, and we most notably have student support for mental health which was increased.

We also have support services for other areas that people might need assistance with, as well as we’re piloting a neurodiversity project that we’re working in our schools with. We have also expanded our supports for deaf and hard of hearing. In terms of the support and the equipment that is there, we used AssetPlanner, which we have with the Department of Community and Government Services and that’s how we record and keep track of that equipment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I was interested to note the minister’s responses to questions from my colleague from Tununiq on February 28 on a similar issue. The minister stated that the Department of Education works to increase supports in schools when they are brought forward by school leaders or district education authorities or community members. However, in some cases, supports have been requested, but the scope of work provided does not meet the needs that were originally identified. Can the minister describe what mechanisms are in place to determine whether specialized supports actually address the requests that are brought forward?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for the question. There are various ways where we can support students and that the information comes forward. Sometimes it’s through the parents as the child is entering the school or if something does change with the child’s needs that they do need extra assistance with.

We also work with them when they do come into our schools to work with the school team that works on assessments and support for the student to require whatever they do need and that goes to our regional school operations and to the department.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4567 We support, whether it is extra support, for example, a student support assistant. If the child does need that, we will work to accommodate if the school has used the number of student support assistants that is allocated and they might need an extra one for an additional student, we do have that available. We go on an individual basis based on the student’s needs, but there is quite an array of different areas where we can support the students and we work to go through a referral process as well with the mental health and the health centre for low vision. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On February 27 I posed questions to the minister respecting the need to modify a school washroom to accommodate a wheelchair, a lift, a table, and staff members to help the students. Modifications were completed, but they do not adequately meet the need that was identified. The minister stated that she would look into the matter further.

Can the minister tell this House whether the process to look into this matter further has begun, has she communicated with her colleague in Community and Government Services, or received an update from school staff and, if not, can she clarify what will be done to ensure that the initial inadequate modification at the Baker Lake Jonah Amitnaaq School is re-evaluated and revisited so that the proper modifications can finally be made? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for the question.

Yes, those discussions have begun. Yes, we have looked into the situation. I can say that there is a special accessible washroom in the school. I know the member brought up the size of the washroom, but we have pictures of the washroom and are looking into the member’s concern. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Question 777 – 6(2): Children in Care

Article in Global News (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my member’s statement earlier, my questions today are for the Minister of Family Services and are regarding the

article which was published this morning in Global News titled, “Nunavut kids in care face loneliness, despair as millions spent to send them south.” Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by taking another quote from the article.

It states, “Internal emails from Nunavut’s Department of Family Services and reports from Highland Shores CAS between 2015 and 2021 raised serious concerns that staff at Bayfield [Treatment Centre] were improperly restraining children, were making ‘errors/falsifications’ in some incident reports and omitting information from others, while children were punished for speaking their language. ‘Given the seriousness, we need to seriously consider moving the child/youth,’ said a worker” from the Department of Family Services.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4568 For my first question, I would like to ask: what reporting mechanism is in place to notify the Department of Family Services when children in care in southern facilities are facing such horrific treatment and why has this never been identified in the department’s annual reports? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Family Services, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also thank you for asking that question. (interpretation ends) I think a lot of the information that we are reading from Global News as well as the information that we are hearing from previous OAG reports, a lot of the information is dating back to the historical experiences in the years that you just outlined.

The department has not had its full capacity, as we all know, but the department is trying its best to ensure that the strategic framework that we have laid out and tabled last week will help us to strengthen the department to ensure that these out-of-territory youth in care get the proper support they need. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The minister had previously indicated that of the 84 children out of territory in care, 18 are in placement for serious medical needs and the other 65 are in southern facilities because of physical or sexual abuse that they have experienced and their parents can no longer care for them or their personal challenges prove too much for their families. Mr. Speaker, another incident that was identified in this

article notes “A 2017 safety plan, obtained by Global News, showed this teenager was identified as ‘high risk’ for sexual encounters with older males and required ‘100% supervision in the community at ALL times’ because ‘she can be easily taken advantage of by others.’” It also states that “The plan was not followed just three weeks after its creation when the youth and an adult male were left alone together, according to an internal company email obtained…” That email states that “(An adult male) disclosed that he has a crush on (the youth) and that they kissed,” stated in an email from the director of operations at Alliance.

Mr. Speaker, so far, a lot of the issues have been on the poor treatment of the children, such as restraints, excessive use of force, and not allowing Inuit children to use Inuktitut, but here’s a clear indication that there are instances where children are being sexually exploited. I would like to ask: is the Department of Family Services aware of any other instances when children in out-of- territory care have been sexually abused or sexually exploited? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Family Services, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also thank you for that follow-

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4569 up question. (interpretation ends) Just to go back to the previous question on how the clients are being overlooked, if there are issues, as I have stated before, we do have client liaison officers that we have in the cities and we have recently increased that to ensure that we have a better overview of the clients in care as well as working with the contracted companies that we deal with. The department faces a lot of issues. As you mentioned, this is dating back to 2017. There have been some changes from 2017.

We are continually trying to improve the programs and services as well as increasing our capacity, increasing our staff to provide better supports to our children in care. These are things that we do not support, that we do not want to see, and we have tried making the appropriate steps to make changes to support the youth better, especially the youth in danger. We are trying to improve it.

The OAG report has been very clear on the flaws that the department has and we are working really hard to try to increase our capacity to ensure that our kids in care outside the territory or within the territory get the proper support they need. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do appreciate the minister’s response. I do know that the minister is very much committed to addressing this situation and I do appreciate that.

For my last question, a lot of the focus thus far through the OAG reports as well as this very extensive investigative journalism has focused on the children in out-of-territory care. As the minister indicated, there are a total of 84 children currently out of territory. However, the minister also indicated that there are also a further 108 adults in residential care out of territory. I would like to ask for my last question: is the Department of Family Services aware of any instances, occurrences, allegations, or reports of abuse that have been suffered by any of these adults in out-of-territory care?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Family Services, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for that follow- up question. (interpretation ends) In terms of the adults that we do get under the contracts, this is true that at most times, they are done through the guardianship. In the process of going under a public guardian, we do not decide who we should have and within the adult care. That is done through the judge system. That is done through the judges saying, “This will go under public guardian.” They are transferred to the department.

We have no say in that. I am not aware of any kind of activities in the area that he is stating. I’m not trying to say that we don’t support the public guardian adults that are in our care. We will provide any care that we can that is transferred to us; same with the children in care. We do our best to provide the safest support and we do have a bad history in this, but we are really trying to improve in the department. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4570 Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok. Question 778 – 6(2): Medical Travel Transient Centre for Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok) Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, as the minister is aware, I and a number of my colleagues from the Kivalliq region have been calling for the establishment of a boarding home for medical travellers in Rankin Inlet. I would like to acknowledge the minister’s letter of December 8, 2023 in response to our enquiries.

The minister’s letter notes that there were on average 3.6 medical travellers and escorts staying in Rankin Inlet per night and this number, which I remind you is an average, does not justify a medical boarding home. Can the minister clarify whether this issue has been raised during his department’s recent discussions and negotiations with representatives from Indigenous Services Canada regarding Non-Insured Health Benefits supports for boarding homes? 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 asking that question. (interpretation ends) In terms of the recent discussions with Indigenous Services Canada, they have been focused on the elephant in the room, which is our continuing lack of a contribution agreement for the medical travel program. We’re this late into the 2023- 24 fiscal year and we’re still without a contribution agreement, so that has been dominating every meeting between my officials and officials from Indigenous Services Canada.

In terms of the member’s question around the need for a boarding home in Rankin Inlet, in the correspondence, we cite the low numbers of travellers, but also, I did commit to having some work done in terms of the possibilities of looking at putting together a plan that could see the member’s wishes or desires realized, although we’re still in the early stages of that work. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I do appreciate that looking at the basic math, an average of 3.6 medical travellers overnighting in Rankin Inlet may not seem to justify establishing a boarding home. However, when the weather is out, when a plane goes mechanical, or when there are no pilots to fly the planes, large numbers of medical travellers end up stranded and sitting at the airport. The department does not manage to secure enough hotel rooms for all of them. They need a comfortable place to go and wait until they can go home.

Can the minister indicate whether any consideration has been given to opening a transient centre facility in Rankin Inlet for stranded medical travellers? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4571 Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for raising this. It’s a concern to the department. Anytime you have a medical traveller stranded, whether it is in Rankin Inlet, whether it is here in Iqaluit or it is Winnipeg, Ottawa, anywhere, we want the journey from the traveller’s home to their destination and back again to be smooth. When we do have stranded medical travellers in Rankin Inlet, it is a very important matter to have resolved.

For that reason, we do have hotel rooms that are booked in Rankin Inlet for the purpose of accommodating medical travellers when required. The use of these rooms is being monitored quite closely. We have been making sure that we have enough capacity there in Rankin Inlet. As far as we can ascertain, there is very low vacancy at the hotels. We’re not sure if it’s due to construction activity going on in the community, but that’s definitely a contributing factor. We’re also beyond just booking hotel rooms in Rankin Inlet.

We’re also looking at things like putting medical travellers on morning flights out of Winnipeg because the trend is that it’s later in the day that travellers get stranded at the end of the day and it appears to be a couple of communities in particular, as well as looking at working with our airline partners to have travellers going directly from their home community to Winnipeg, which would avoid some of the, maybe, bottlenecking in Rankin Inlet. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am confident that the minister himself has experienced a delay while travelling through Rankin Inlet, and I imagine that when he was stuck and if the hotels were booked solid, he called friends or family for a place to go until he could resume his travels. When there are several medical travellers in that situation, they do not always have friends or family they can stay with.

Will the minister commit to revisiting this issue and to work with his officials to identify more options, including the establishment of a transient centre, to ensure that medical travellers have a safe and comfortable place to rest when they get stranded in Rankin Inlet? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also thank my fellow MLA for that question. (interpretation ends) In terms of moving this work forward and looking at options for Rankin Inlet, that’s something that I believe I committed to previously and I am working with my officials in terms of next steps.

We’re currently looking to bring somebody on in terms of having that detailed analysis done around not just the travel volumes but also other things that might support establishing a boarding home in Rankin Inlet, taking a forward-looking approach in terms of looking at expansion of dental capacity in the community, as well as the establishment of the long-term care

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4572 facility in Rankin Inlet, looking at what the future trends are going to be and not just the past trends. That’s work that’s going to continue and I thank the member for raising this, and I encourage medical travellers to call the 24 hours a day, seven days a week number if and when they encounter any travel delays. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq. Question 779 – 6(2): Public Service Announcements in Nattilingmiutut Dialect (Quqqiaq) Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions are for the Minister of Languages and they concern the issue of the Nattilingmiutut dialect in the Government of Nunavut’s public service announcements. Mr. Speaker, a number of my constituents in both Taloyoak and Kugaaruk have voiced their concerns to me about the Government of Nunavut’s public service announcements not being available in the Nattilingmiutut dialect. Mr. Speaker, I am strong advocate for the promotion, preservation, and revitalization of the Nattilingmiutut dialect. My concern is that my constituencies do not have public service announcements available to them in their dialect.

I believe having them available in the Nattilingmiutut dialect would strengthen and promote its use in our region. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Culture and Heritage’s Translation Bureau has a total of 30 positions allocated to its branch. Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify how many positions in this branch are filled and how many are vacant? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Languages, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for the question. Sorry; if the member can please repeat what branch he mentioned. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Mr.

Quqqiaq, please repeat the branch part. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was referring to the Department of Culture and Heritage’s Translation Bureau has a total of 30 positions allocated to its branch. The question was: can the minister clarify how many positions in this branch are filled and how many are vacant? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Languages, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for repeating the question. Mr.

Speaker, I can say that the Department of Culture and Heritage does have 78 percent Inuit employment within the department, which is very admirable. I would like to also say that we do have vacancies within our department and our department vacancies… . Sorry, while I just pull up the information that we have,

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4573 out of 110.8 positions, we have 48.5 vacancies across the department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On June 14, 2018 the minister tabled Uqausivut 2.0, the second phase of the government’s plan to implement the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act. The plan focuses on language of learning, language of work, language services, and language revitalization Mr.

Speaker, Uqausivut 2.0 indicates that one of its priorities is to “Increase the capacity of the territorial public service to communicate with and serve the public in the official language of their choice by identifying, recruiting, and staffing designated bilingual positions, and developing and delivering language orientation workshops.” Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify what specific steps her department is undertaking to achieve this priority? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Languages, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for the question.

In terms of Uqausivut 2.0, in August 2023 the Department of Culture and Heritage issued a letter to all departments and public agencies to plan for their language obligations and prepare for funding applications to address the resources and capacity needs to support the comprehensive language plan of 2024-29. Right now, Culture and Heritage is working to extend our current language plan, Uqausivut, in the meantime as we implement the strategies for addressing the four areas of focus which are in Uqausivut 2.0 and the relevant and critical information.

We also have some implementation initiatives that were sadly interrupted by COVID-19, but we are working to address Uqausivut 2.0 and work on implementing a new or revised plan and that’s underway with the Department of Culture and Heritage. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Inuktut Language Incentive Policy indicates that “the Inuit Language Protection Act ensures that the Government of Nunavut identifies and implements measures to increase the use of the Inuktut Language as a working language of Nunavut and ensures that services are provided in the Inuktut Language.” Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut’s Inuktut Language Incentive Policy formally recognizes five distinct dialects of the Inuit language, including Nattilingmiutut. Mr.

Speaker, can the minister commit to hiring a Nattilingmiutut-speaking translator and having the Government of Nunavut’s public service announcements available in Nattilingmiutut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Languages, Ms. Gross.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4574 Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for that question. The Department of Culture and Heritage does have funding available for the member’s constituency to apply for funding to run programs and learning opportunities if there are agencies, not-for-profits, or municipalities that want to run language programming or enhance Nattilingmiutut. We have that opportunity out there.

We start the fiscal year in April and the call deadlines are in for the funding to go forward, but we do have availability sometimes throughout the fiscal year if there are groups that want to put in applications. In terms of the member’s questions for hiring somebody that can work in the department that speaks Nattilingmiutut, that’s something that we can look into, but I can’t make any commitments at this time. I encourage all community members to use our language and speak our language to help keep it alive and promote it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Aggu, Ms. Quassa.

Question 780 – 6(2): Community Infrastructure (Quassa) Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions today are for the Minister of Community and Government Services. Mr. Speaker, as the minister will be aware, Igloolik’s community arena was acquired in the year 1990, almost a quarter of a century years ago. Concerns have been raised with me that the arena is in need of repairs and upgrades.

Can the minister confirm when the Igloolik arena last received a condition inspection and can he clarify how much funding is available from his department’s small capital budget to assist municipalities with repairs and upgrades to recreational infrastructure such as arenas? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The question around when the arena in Igloolik last received a building condition assessment, my department, of course, we work with each hamlet and municipality regarding the integrated community sustainability plans, which look at these very details. I don’t have a specific time as to when the last building condition assessment was completed. In terms of funding where hamlets try to address their capital needs, my department works with hamlets in trying to get those needs met based on their priority list in their integrated community sustainability plans.

One avenue that is typically used is through the Canada Community-Building Fund, which is up for renewal, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As the minister is aware, Igloolik’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan identifies a number of priorities, including the repurposing of the old community hall, which was originally

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4575 acquired in the year 1981 and which has exceeded its useful lifespan of 40 years. Can the minister clarify how his department prioritizes funding for such projects as the construction of new community arenas? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our department, of course, we work with all the other departments as well as hamlets on where their greatest needs are and try to identify which priority is the top. Mr.

Speaker, of course, with that, our capital planning process is rigorous in the sense that if anything is going into the planning envelope, it gets prioritized. Also, we have to balance what are the needs and looking at every department and every community. Of course, a new initiative that my department has done and we’re grateful for is that we have implemented a new design funding for local government priorities, which will allow for community priorities to have a design pot of funds that they can draw from and hopefully, it will lead to an expedited way for them to get into construction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister. (interpretation ends) I hope, certainly, that not only depending on the community sustainability plans; that inspection is done first within the communities before prioritizing. The minister recently made a statement about the important role of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities.

Can the minister describe how his department is currently working with the association to update integrated community sustainability plans for all Nunavut communities? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m thankful to have the Nunavut Association of Municipalities as partners because we do have common interests and priorities around trying to get the huge lack of infrastructure that every community would like to see.

With that, my department works very closely with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities on setting our local priorities. Further to that, we do have annual general meetings, as an example, and the resolutions that come through from the association. We are preparing a response and we do want to ensure that we address those resolutions appropriately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members, be aware that the time allotted for question period is now over. Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to continue the time for oral questions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4576 *See Appendix for full text of Committee Report 26 – 6(2). Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to extend question period. Are there any nays? There is a nay. Item 7. Written Questions. Item 8. Returns to Written Questions. Item 9. Replies to Opening Address. Item 10. Replies to Budget Address. Item 11. Petitions. Item 12. Responses to Petitions. Item 13. Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters. I recognize the Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq.

Item 13: Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 026 – 6(2): Report on the Review of Official Languages Legislation (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation to provide the report of our review of Nunavut’s language legislation. Mr. Speaker, the Official Languages Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act require that the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut conduct a review of the provisions and operations of the legislation.

On November 7, 2022 the Legislative Assembly approved a motion for the Standing Committee on Legislation to conduct the review and report back to the House. The committee carefully reviewed the statutes and several related documents, invited key stakeholders and members of the public to provide submissions on the legislation, and held televised hearings during the week of September 25 to 29, 2023. I would again like to thank all those who participated in the review process.

The standing committee has considered the provisions, operation, administration, and implementation of the legislation and reviewed the status of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit. The standing committee makes 14 recommendations with respect to possible amendments to the legislation and other issues for the government’s consideration. With that, I move that the report of the standing committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read. Ma’na, quana, merci and thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: The member has moved that the report of the standing committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read. Do members agree? Some Members: Agreed. Speaker: It is agreed. Item 14. Tabling of Documents. Item 15. Notices of Motions. I recognize the Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Item 15: Notices of Motions Motion 031 – 6(2): Suspension of the Member for Amittuq – Notice (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: I extend my appreciation to you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, I will move the following motion:

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4577

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for South Baffin, that Mr. Joelie Kaernerk, Member for Amittuq, be suspended immediately from sittings of the House and meetings of its committees and caucuses until the end of the spring 2024 sitting of the Legislative Assembly; At the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 16. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Item 17. Motions. I recognize first the Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Anavilok.

Item 17: Motions Motion 030 – 6(2): Appointment to the Executive Council of Nunavut (Savikataaq) Mr. Anavilok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My motion is the appointment to the Executive Council of Nunavut.

WHEREAS

section 60 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Executive Council of Nunavut shall be composed of persons appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly; AND

WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is prepared to recommend an appointment;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of Nunavut that Karen Nutarak, Member for Tununiq, be appointed to the Executive Council of Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: The motion is in order. All those in favour. Opposed. The motion is carried. >>Applause I now recognize the Member for Iqaluit- Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to deal with her motion today. Are there any nays?

There are none. Please proceed, Ms. Brewster. Motion 031 – 6(2): Suspension of the Member for Amittuq (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.

WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, by virtue of parliamentary privilege, enjoys the sole prerogative to regulate its own proceedings and internal affairs, including the discipline of members; AND

WHEREAS sections 2 and 18 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provide that the Legislative Assembly has the power to discipline its members; AND

WHEREAS these powers include the authority to suspend or expel a member from the Legislative Assembly;

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4578 AND

WHEREAS it is incumbent on all Members of this House to act in a manner befitting the trust that has been placed in us by Nunavummiut; AND

WHEREAS the Member for Amittuq has engaged in conduct that is unacceptable, including intoxication while in this House; AND

WHEREAS the member was previously suspended from the House by way of motion unanimously adopted at its sitting of June 2, 2022;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for South Baffin, that Mr.

Joelie Kaernerk, Member for Amittuq, be suspended immediately from sittings of the House and meetings of its committees and caucuses until the end of the spring 2024 sitting of the Legislative Assembly; AND FURTHER I MOVE that the Management and Services Board of the Legislative Assembly be authorized to impose such restrictions on the member’s use of his constituency budget and Legislative Assembly funds as it deems appropriate; AND FURTHER I MOVE that the Member for Amittuq be strongly urged to reflect deeply on his responsibilities to his constituents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: The motion is in order.

Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As members will recall, I volunteered to make the motion regarding Mr. Joelie’s suspension in June 2022 and I did so because I was the person that brought to the attention of the Speaker that Mr. Kaernerk appeared to be intoxicated within the Assembly. Subsequently, Mr. Kaernerk admitted that he was, in fact, intoxicated and he committed to his constituents and to Members of this House to do better and to seek help for his addictions. I also, yesterday or on Saturday…it was on Saturday, not yesterday, because today is Monday. On Saturday, I observed that Mr.

Kaernerk seemed to be intoxicated from across the room. When we moved from our sitting directly into Committee of the Whole and the member got up and left the House, I followed him and I went and talked to him and I confirmed that he was, in fact, intoxicated. That’s why I again volunteered to make this motion. To Mr. Kaernerk, I again offer my compassion and my support for him, knowing that in this House, we are expected to be able to conduct ourselves in a manner that provides excellent governance for Nunavummiut, and when someone is intoxicated, they cannot, and Mr.

Kaernerk has admitted in the past that he has problems with addictions. Many of us have offered support and I ask that his community wrap around him in compassion, knowing that so many people, so many Nunavummiut suffer the same issues and problems and fight every day to do their best to come out of addictions, to deal with their trauma, and to be the best citizens that they can be. Having said that, I once again offer my support, my compassion, and my understanding to the member from Amittuq and I hope that his community

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4579 and all Nunavummiut do the same. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: To the motion. An Hon. Member: Question. Speaker: The motion is in order. All those in favour. Opposed. The motion is carried. Item 18. First Reading of Bills. Item 19. Second Reading of Bills. Item 20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills 37, 38, 39, and 40 with Mr. Hickes in the Chair. Before we proceed with the Committee of the Whole, we will take a 20-minute break.

Sergeant-at-Arms. >>House recessed at 15:43 and Committee resumed at 16:14 Item 20: Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters Chairman (Mr. Hickes): Thank you. I would like to call the committee meeting to order. In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 37, 38, 39, and 40. What is the wish of the committee? Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We wish to continue with the review of the 2024-25 operations and maintenance main estimates of the Department of Community and Government Services and, if time permits, we will then proceed with the Department of Education. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Is the committee in agreement that we first deal with Bill 37? Some Members: Agreed. Bill 37 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2024-2025 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee Chairman: Thank you. Minister Joanasie, are there officials that you would like to appear before the committee? Hon.

David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree to allow the witnesses before the committee? Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- Arms, please escort the witnesses in. Thank you. For the record, minister, can you introduce your officials to the Assembly? Thank you. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left and your right is Assistant Deputy Minister Kyle Seeley and to my right and your left is Assistant Deputy Minister Mandy Hickey of Corporate Services. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you, minister. We are now on page J-7.

Information Management and Information

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4580 Technology. Amount being appropriated, $53,152,000. Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll be asking questions; it’s for general public’s information. First one will be the department’s 2021- 24 business plan indicated that it was “working closely with an industry leader in digitization on the development of information management digitization standards and potential creation of the Information Management Act.” Now my question is: which industry leader is the department referring to and who is the industry leader? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

That’s my first question. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My apologies; I don’t think we have that detailed information with us here at this moment, but we can look into that. Thank you. Chairman: Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll move on to the next one. Your departments draft 2024-25 main estimates indicate that the number of positions in its Information and Communications Technology Division is increasing by 10.2 percent, from 49.0 in the 2023-24 fiscal year to 54.0 in the 2024-25 fiscal year. What new positions are being created? Thank you, Mr.

Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: We have six positions, I believe. There’s a business relationship manager, a structured cabling technician, a call centre agent, a technical specialist, collaboration systems, two senior information technicians, and one information technician. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is a follow-up question. How many positions in the Information and Communications Technology Division are currently vacant? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

As of November 2023, we have about 24 vacancies. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I will refer to Priorities (2023-24) of the business plan on page 210, which states, “Work to identify and develop requirements with Human Resources and Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs for the new IM/IT Resource tools for Government of Nunavut employees.” The status states that “The division has implemented a Cyber Security Awareness training for all users and continues work on the development of additional tools to advance this priority including Help Desk videos for troubleshooting to support end-users.” The question is: when will the training be completed for all users and is the help desk video for troubleshooting to support any users readily available?

The reason for the question is to prevent

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4581 cyber-attacks and security in the future. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My department and this division in particular continue to remain diligent on making sure our users on our network are aware of potential attacks on our system. With that, we do have security awareness and training.

This is going to be an ongoing thing that employees and end-users are able to use so that they can recognize what’s legitimate or illegitimate when they’re using our computer systems, our networks, and other components to it. Given that there have been more and more activities around this, this is an area that we continue to try to put ample resources to ensure that our network remains safe and we will keep doing that on an ongoing basis. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

For my first question when I asked about industry leaders, I would love to get that answer as soon as possible because I’ll be following this Information and Technology Division until my time is up as a member. I’ll move on to the next one, Mr. Chairman, and this will be my last question.

Your department’s 2021-24 business plan indicates that it was “working closely with an industry leader in digitization on the development of information management digitization standards and potential creation of the Information Management Act.” What is the timeline for introducing new legislation and to what extent has the department been consulting with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner on this initiative? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That will be my last question on this topic. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We are continuing to work with the industry leaders in this area. This work requires expertise in this very technical field and with that, we will continue, again, on an ongoing basis, to work with the Information and Privacy Commissioner to ensure that we are complying with the requirements of the Act as well as other pertinent internal mechanisms and functions that we have. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. We’re on page J-7. Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

In the current year priorities, the minister had informed us last year that the department would begin the implementation of a telecommunications strategy to transition technologies, such as low-earth orbit and community wireless. At the time the minister indicated that the Department of Community and Government Services would begin piloting Starlink Internet technology. I was wondering if the minister would be able to provide an update on that pilot project. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4582 Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Information Management and Information Technology [Division] is currently deploying Starlink low-earth orbit services in all 25 communities and we are further investigating the viability of the OneWeb service. My department has tendered low-earth orbit service bandwidth in all communities and we are still in the process of also evaluating these opportunities and how effective they will be in meeting our needs.

We do anticipate that many of our departments would also like to expand upon what they currently are limited to in this area. Once we have more data around this on the evaluation part, I’ll be sure to share it with members here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The minister indicated that the pilot of Starlink is transitioning to all 25 communities, with the intent of expanding the limited bandwidth in this area.

Can the minister indicate how many communities have successfully installed Starlink ground infrastructure and how much bandwidth that can accommodate? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: If you will allow my deputy to respond. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Please proceed, Mr. Seeley. Mr. Seeley: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the member for the question. Currently the Information Management Technology Branch is making full use of low-earth orbit technology. Contracts are lined up with multiple providers.

Right now we are entirely dependent on satellite linkages. Approximately 60 to 65 percent of our traffic is currently deployed to low-earth orbit,

whereas T- 19V, the other satellite system, the geostationary satellite system, remains our redundancy, so that’s the older system. Currently, there are contracts with multiple providers to provide low-earth orbit satellite service in multiple communities. All 25 communities do have this technology, which has been deployed in each of the communities. There are some capital costs to starting up and to wiring in the GN server and network into this system, but there has been a significant level of deployment over the last year since we last discussed this item. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Seeley. Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Seeley. You have indicated that 65 percent of the current bandwidth is through GEO or Telesat technology and you’re currently utilizing 35 percent of the Government of Nunavut bandwidth through LEO, Starlink, and other providers. Is that correct? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want confirmation. Chairman: As it’s a follow-up from your last question, I’ll go directly to Mr. Seeley. Mr. Seeley: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, that’s correct.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4583 Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Seeley. The business plan on page 208 has a line item for Telecommunications (Voice and Satellite), including the “Satellite Network that supports the Core Business Network of the Government of Nunavut,” and the total budget is $18.6 million. Does that $18 million represent the current bandwidth that’s utilized through GEO or Telesat? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My apologies.

It would be for both and voice bandwidth is at $4,386,000, or to that tune, and then low-earth orbit as well as geostationary satellites are combined at $14,250,000. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The current GEO Telesat bandwidth is $10 million and the low- earth orbit, Starlink, and others is $4 million. I think that’s how I understand what the minister had indicated, but just further to that, what is the current cost comparison per gig between the current Telesat service and low-earth orbit service providers? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: I’m just going to confer here with my deputy. Thank you. My apologies. We don’t have a breakdown of the costing per gig. We will have to bring it back to the committee at some point. Thank you. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Moving on to my next line of questions, under the current year priorities for 2024-25 is “Continue the implementation of the…transition technologies for network optimization.” What are included in the plans?

Is the Department of Community and Government Services intending on sort of balancing the Internet provided by both LEO and GEO technologies? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We’re committed to improving telecommunications to all of our communities and we’re using a hybrid of technologies. Of course, we’re trying to bring undersea fibre to Nunavut, and then of course there’s the low-earth orbit, there’s microwave, there’s 5G community wireless.

We’re trying to maximize the use of these and we hope that they can be a great benefit to our communities. Again, going back to the departments, health care, education, economic development, I think there is room for expansion that we would like to see and it will create greater access to broadband Internet. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Chairman. If I recall correctly, the Telesat bandwidth, the $10 million that the minister provided, I believe that seems

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4584 about the same that the minister had previously indicated in previous years, the $10 million cost for Internet services through Telesat. What would be the cost of the Internet service if 100 percent of the bandwidth was provided through LEO technology? Thank you, Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If you will allow my deputy to respond. Chairman: Mr. Seeley. Mr. Seeley: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think, to answer that question, we need to take a step back and take a look at how the contracts are structured.

Currently we’re paying for the amount of the bandwidth we utilize for different services. Currently with the services split between the GEO and LEO contracts, we’re seeing different services provided on the different satellite systems. As our demand goes up, so will the contract fees. As the usage goes up, so would the overall cost. The member’s point about the static budget fees, I think it’s important to point out two things. In ‘23-24 a lot of the low-earth orbit contracts came into place late in the fiscal year, so there was a minimal expenditure in the fourth quarter of the ‘23-24 fiscal year.

And then secondary to that, as some of the expenses on the low-earth orbits have increased so have the existing contracts on the GEO providers decreased because some of those expired and we have replaced those expenses with other technologies, so they’re offsetting one another. The projection for ‘24-25 is at $9.6 million to $10 million based on the services we’re contracting. As we access more services, as more services require very low latency transmission for services like health and education, those contract costs will go up because we would need faster service.

I hope that answers your question without giving you a dollar amount. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. We’re on page J-7. Information Management and Information Technology. Amount being appropriated, $53,142,000. Agreed? Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Please go to page J-8. Infrastructure. Total Operations and Maintenance requested, $137,720,000. Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Chairman. I would like to return to the topic of surplus assets and specifically buildings owned by the Government of Nunavut.

There are two different areas around this topic that I would like to get into; the first issue is specifically with regard to the old residence at the federal building, and then I would like to continue on to the overall surplused assets or buildings currently surplused under the Department of Community and Government Services. I would like to ask the minister if he would be able to provide an update on the old residence building. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Joanasie.

Monday, March 4, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4585 Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you. I feel like there was a recent discussion on this, but to the question, the old residence continues to be in the surplus process. There’s some interest from other departments on remediating it and there are some further assessments that need to be done, though, through that as of now. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, minister, for that update. I’m glad to hear that there are other departments that are interested in remediating this asset.

I’m sure there are several different ways that that building could be put to good use. The next question that I would like to ask is, as the minster, said there are some more considerations that must be made before any decisions can be finalized, but does the minister know when that determination can be made on specifically what to do with the old residence building? I assume it’s unlikely that that

Document details

Collection	Nunavut — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	2024-03-04, 6th Assembly 2nd Session, Day 73
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20240304 Hansard
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	TERRITORIAL
Identifier	a12c5a58c5f68e5b77c4bc039d30dd957d0c5e41

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