Nunavut Canada LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT 2nd Session 6th Assembly HANSARD Official Report DAY 74 Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Pages 4605 – 4690 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 Hon. 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 ...........................................................................................................................4605 Ministers’ Statements .................................................................................................................4605 Members’ Statements .................................................................................................................4609 Returns to Oral Questions ..........................................................................................................4610 Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ........................................................................................4612 Oral Questions ............................................................................................................................4613 Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ...........................................................4633 Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters .................................4634 Tabling of Documents ................................................................................................................4635 Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ......................................4636 Report of the Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................4690 Orders of the Day .......................................................................................................................4690

A. Daily References Tuesday, March 5, 2024 .............................................................................................................4605 B.

Ministers’ Statements 391 – 6(2): Minister Absent from the House (Joanasie) ............................................................4605 392 – 6(2): Community Visits – Chesterfield Inlet, Whale Cove, Taloyoak, and Cambridge Bay (Akeeagok, P) ......................................................................................................................4605 393 – 6(2): The Move to Fusion Cloud (Nakashuk) ..................................................................4606 394 – 6(2): Isirvik (Qavvik) .......................................................................................................4606 395 – 6(2): Simata Pitsiulak Aviation Scholarship Funding Increase (Akeeagok, D) ...............4607 396 – 6(2): FANS Comprehensive Review (Gross) ...................................................................4608 C.

Members’ Statements 518 – 6(2): Recognizing Gina Pizzo and Elizabeth Lyall (Quqqiaq) .........................................4609 519 – 6(2): Inuktut-speaking Teachers (Lightstone) ..................................................................4609 D. Returns to Oral Questions Return to Oral Question 741 – 6(2): Contracted Positions in the Public Service (Nakashuk) ...4610 Return to Oral Question 738 – 6(2): Property Taxes (Kusugak) ................................................4611 Return to Oral Question 747 – 6(2): Out-of-Territory Remote Hiring Policy (Nakashuk) ........4611 E.

Oral Questions 781 – 6(2): Legal Services Board Activities in the Kitikmeot Region (Quqqiaq) .....................4613 782 – 6(2): Inuktut-speaking Teachers (Lightstone) ..................................................................4614

783 – 6(2): Mine Training Strategy (Simailak) ..........................................................................4616 784 – 6(2): Preparing for Health Outbreaks (Quassa) ................................................................4618 785 – 6(2): Status of Vacant Positions in Arviat (Savikataaq) ...................................................4620 786 – 6(2): Homeownership Programs (Killiktee) .....................................................................4622 787 – 6(2): Long-term Care Facility in Rankin Inlet (Hickes) ...................................................4624 788 – 6(2): Children in Care (Brewster) .....................................................................................4625 789 – 6(2): Cannabis Reduction Program (Lightstone) ..............................................................4627 790 – 6(2): Update on Bill 55 Court Procedures (Savikataaq) ...................................................4629 791 – 6(2): Accounting for Surplus on Capital Projects (Hickes) ..............................................4631 792 – 6(2): Direct Appointments (Brewster) ..............................................................................4631 F.

Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 027 – 6(2): Presentation of the Report of the Standing Committee on the Review of the 2021-2022 Public Accounts of Nunavut (Hickes) ........................................4634 G. Tabling of Documents 252 – 6(2): Utility Rates Review Council 2023 Annual Report (Akeeagok, P) .........................4635 253 – 6(2): Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Comprehensive Review (Gross) .........4635 254 – 6(2): Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Executive

Summary (Gross) ...............4635 H. Bills Bill 37 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2024-2025 – Education – Consideration in Committee ................................................................................................4636

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4605 Iqaluit, Nunavut Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Members Present: Hon. David Akeeagok, Hon. P.J. Akeeagok, Hon. Tony Akoak, Ms. Janet Brewster, Hon. Pamela Gross, Mr. George Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, Ms. Mary Killiktee, Hon. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Adam Lightstone, Hon. John Main, Hon. Margaret Nakashuk, Hon. Karen Nutarak, Hon. Daniel Qavvik, Ms. Joanna Quassa, Mr. Inagayuk Quqqiaq, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Craig Simailak. >>House commenced at 9:59 Item 1: Opening Prayer Speaker (Hon.

Tony Akoak) (interpretation): Good morning. (interpretation ends) Before we proceed with the session this morning, I ask Mr. David Akeeagok to lead us in prayer. >>Prayer Speaker: Welcome, everyone, to the proceedings this morning, people watching on TV and listening to the radio and people in the Assembly. Item 2. Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Government House Leader, Mr. Joanasie. Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Minister’s Statement 391 – 6(2): Minister Absent from the House (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie: Good morning, Mr. Speaker and Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise members that the Hon.

John Main is currently not in the House and may be arriving later this morning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Minister’s Statement 392 – 6(2): Community Visits – Chesterfield Inlet, Whale Cove, Taloyoak, and Cambridge Bay (Akeeagok,

P) Hon. P.J. Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” to my fellow MLAs and Nunavummiut who are listening to the proceedings. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, after Christmas, I as well as several other cabinet members took the opportunity to visit Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet. Most recently, as we headed to Cambridge Bay for the Kitikmeot Trade Show, I had the pleasure of visiting Taloyoak.

I would like to thank the regular members, our good friends, Alex Sammurtok, Joseph Quqqiaq, as well as my Deputy Premier, Pamela Gross, as well as Minister Main for their invitations and their organizational help, as well as the warm welcome we all received. Mr. Speaker, our 25 Nunavut communities are spread over more than two million square kilometres. Each of these communities, whether small or large, sees themselves at a great distance from the seat of this government. Nothing can replace meeting with municipal leaders on their home ground.

This is where we learn about community innovations and community needs. I met

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4606 with Mayors Oliver Shipton, Simionie Sammurtok, Lenny Panigayak, as well as Wayne Gregory as well as all their councillor members. From face-to-face conversations with leaders, meeting with the students at our schools, and elders, we learn the details about our communities, even more so at community feasts, and tours allow us to be able to appreciate the communities we serve firsthand. It’s no surprise that each community emphasizes the need for more housing.

We cannot build fast enough, yet I know that Nunavut 3000 will make a major difference, with 3,000 new homes by 2030. By the end of 2024, each community will have new housing under construction. Each community was so warm and welcoming. With that, each community and each visit will inform our work. Qujannamiik to all who had shared their time with us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Minister’s Statement 393 – 6(2): The Move to Fusion Cloud (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Good morning, my fellow MLAs and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my department’s progress on the transition to Fusion Cloud, an enterprise resource planning system that will modernize and improve human resource operations across the Government of Nunavut. This comprehensive, integrated system will simplify and automate our human resources processes and will streamline data, leading to increased efficiency, accountability, and reliability of information. My department’s current priority is to focus on streamlining our hiring processes and leave and attendance practices.

Advances in these two areas are needed to be able to staff vacancies more efficiently and to ensure more timely and accurate processing of employee pay. While other Fusion Cloud human resource modules are still in the planning phase, our implementation teams are busy preparing human resources data for system migration to ensure a greater degree of accuracy and reliability when the modules are launched. Many of our Human Resources Manual directives are being updated to reflect and align with the modernized and more efficient processes. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Qavvik. Minister’s Statement 394 – 6(2): Isirvik (Qavvik) Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues (interpretation) and Nunavummiut.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4607 (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, with this statement today, I am pleased to formally launch Isirivk. Isirvik is a new website and research portal hosted by the Nunavut Research Institute, which is the science division of Nunavut Arctic College. As members are aware, Isirvik means “entrance” and this website is meant to be an entrance into Nunavut’s exciting world of research.

Isirvik houses information about over 2,000 research projects that have taken place in the territory since 2004 and were licensed under the territory’s Scientists Act, which is administered by the college. Through Isirvik, Nunavummiut now have much easier access to information about research underway in our territory in the social, health, physical and natural sciences disciplines. The portal has a user-friendly interactive interface that allows people to search research projects by location, research discipline, research topic, and time frame.

Search results are displayed on interactive maps that show the location of research field activities and provide plain-language

summary information about each project. Mr. Speaker, it is our hope that Isirvik will not only be used by Nunavummiut to learn more about research, but also help guide institutions and researchers interested in conducting future studies in Nunavut. Information shared on Isirvik will help reduce duplication of research efforts and facilitate partnerships that meaningfully involve Nunavummiut in addressing research questions of importance to us.

The college also hopes the users of this portal will recognize that scientific research in Nunavut can only succeed with the direct involvement, support, and leadership of Nunavummiut. This site can be found at www.isirvik.ca. In closing, I would like to recognize Sylvia Pewatooalook, an artist based in Mittimatalik, for designing the logo and illustrations on the website. Like me, Sylvia is a graduate of the Environmental Technology Program. I would like to thank Sylvia for her contribution to this important initiative. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon.

Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Minister’s Statement 395 – 6(2): Simata Pitsiulak Aviation Scholarship Funding Increase (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to announce that the Simata Pisiulak Aviation Scholarship funding will be increased in the coming fiscal year. The total funding available will increase from $30,000 in total available funding to $105,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2024, an increase of $75,000. (interpretation ends) One of our airline carriers has committed to provide aviation training in our territory and our department’s commitment to assist in their endeavours as we like to see more training for Nunavummiut in Nunavut.

The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is committed to building Nunavut’s transportation workforce by promoting careers in our aviation industries. The

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4608 Simata Pitsiulak Aviation Scholarship supports this objective by providing grants to Nunavut students actively enrolled in an aviation-based program area of study. This fall I recognized four Nunavummiut that have been successful recipients of this scholarship and pursuing their careers in aviation, and I hope that in the coming years, I will make more of these great announcements. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Minister’s Statement 396 – 6(2): FANS Comprehensive Review (Gross) Hon.

Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to Nunavummiut and everyone here in the House with us today. Mr. Speaker, reinvesting in education is one of the key pillars in Katujjiluta. Under this priority, this Assembly committed to improving the effectiveness of the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) program.

To explore potential options for how we can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students program, the Department of Education, with the active participation of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, put in the hard work needed to complete a comprehensive review, which I look forward to sharing with all Members of this House later today. Mr. Speaker, the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Comprehensive Review provided an opportunity to collaboratively and thoroughly examine the entire program to target areas for improvement.

Through this review, officials have shared numerous options and recommendations designed to better support our students’ journey to higher learning. Mr. Speaker, our Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students program should provide Nunavut students with the support needed to move forward on their post-secondary path and help them create new opportunities for their future. Through advanced education, our students can contribute even more to their families, communities, and the overall governance of our territory. This is why the values of Pijitsirniq and Pijariuqsarniq were at the forefront of this critical work.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize this is one step in the process and that we need to continue to work together to identify the best approach to actioning recommendations from this review. As we have committed to in Katujjiluta, I am tasking my officials to move forward with costing out each of these recommendations to determine feasibility and possible timelines, along with practical options and actions for further consideration. Given the scope of the recommendations, this government and this House will need to make critical decisions regarding the resources and legislative changes required to improve this program.

I look forward to working with my colleagues and this House to advance this goal. I commit to keeping

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4609 you updated at this work in progress. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 3. Members’ Statements. Before we proceed to the first name, Mr. Malliki and Mr. Anavilok will not be in the House this morning. Members’ Statements. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq. Item 3: Members’ Statements Member’s Statement 518 – 6(2): Recognizing Gina Pizzo and Elizabeth Lyall (Quqqiaq) Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to acknowledge Gina Pizzo of Taloyoak, who received a 30-year service award, 39 years to be exact, Mr.

Speaker, and that was six days ago at Netsilik School. My acknowledgements to say congratulations to Gina Pizzo, who is a great teacher and, in many of those years, has been a great principal and a great contributor to our community of Taloyoak, leader, and role model to many. Thank you, Gina Pizzo. Also, Mr. Speaker, I rise today also to recognize Elizabeth Lyall, who also received a long-term service award and it is a 30-year service award, which she received here in Iqaluit during the conference for early learning childhood meeting that was held. Mr.

Speaker, Elizabeth Lyall will retire from Aboriginal Head Start as a manager for the preschool after the school year. Mr. Speaker, Ms. Elizabeth Lyall’s wish was always to get a new building for the little preschoolers. Today, in this time and age, Ms. Elizabeth Lyall’s wish is fulfilled as they have a new building for the little preschoolers located at the same location as the new Kitikmeot Inuit Association building in Taloyoak. It is my acknowledgement to say “thank you” to Gina Pizzo and Elizabeth Lyall, and congratulations for the long-term service awards. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Member’s Statement 519 – 6(2): Inuktut-speaking Teachers (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In November 2020 during the Fifth Assembly of Nunavut, we passed Bill 25, which made significant changes to the Education Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act and amendments respecting Inuktut education in our schools. The changes were deemed necessary, in part because the government was running out of time to meet its legislated deadline to provide Inuit language of instruction in every grade. Mr.

Speaker, last week I tabled a document containing information that was provided by the Department of Education on the number of educators in Nunavut schools who, in 2023, received a language allowance based on their proficiency in Inuktut. Mr. Speaker, this document demonstrates the importance of information that can be used to

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4610 evaluate the government’s progress towards meeting its mandate. Mr. Speaker, in the table that I tabled last week, this situation does not look promising. Out of the 810 filled teaching positions, only 230 teachers spoke Inuktut, and that is less than 30 percent. Mr.

Speaker, of note, 27 out of our 45 schools were actually below this 30 percent mark and what is most concerning is that 5 out of the 45 schools have less than 10 percent, between 6 and 9 percent of their teachers are bilingual in Inuktitut, and most concerning of all is the fact that four of our schools don’t have any Inuktut-speaking bilingual teachers. Mr. Speaker, the legislation now provides that by July 2026, just two years from now, the first deadline to provide language of instruction in Inuktitut will come into force. Mr.

Speaker, I do appreciate that the Department of Education provides regular progress reports on the development of its Language of Instruction Regulations and curriculum. However, we also need teachers who can speak Inuktitut and who can deliver the education programs in the Inuit language at all grade levels. Mr. Speaker, my statement is nearly complete and I seek unanimous consent to conclude it. 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.

As I was saying, I do recognize that the Department of Education does provide updates on the progress towards Language of Instruction Regulations and curriculum, but it does not include information on the number of bilingual speaking teachers. With that being said, I believe it is imperative for our Assembly to push the government to address this issue once again, or it will not be possible to meet these deadlines provided under

Part 4 of the Education Act and

section 8 of the Inuit Language Protection Act and we may be forced to pass another amendment to this legislation. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have questions to the minister on this topic. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members’ Statements. Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions. Hon. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Item 4: Returns to Oral Questions Return to Oral Question 741 – 6(2): Contracted Positions in the Public Service (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am returning to an oral question asked by Mr.

Adam Lightstone, Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Question No. 741 – 6(2), on February 27, in regard to contracted positions in the public service. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an answer to a question I took as notice from MLA Adam Lightstone on whether

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4611 *See Appendix for full text of Return to Oral Question 738 – 6(2). the Public Service Act allows non- Government of Nunavut employees to supervise Government of Nunavut employees. Many of the powers and delegations in the Public Service Act that are given to senior managers cannot be given to a contractor. In addition, the Government of Nunavut’s Financial Administration Manual states that personal service contracts are not contracts of employment and must not inadvertently establish an employer/employee relationship between the Government of Nunavut and the individual.

Personal service contracts must not be used to circumvent the regular recruitment and hiring processes. While the Government of Nunavut does have contractors retained to perform specific functions, they should not be taking on senior management responsibilities. The Department of Human Resources will [work] with all government departments to ensure these rules are understood and that we do not have contractors fulfilling tasks beyond their authority. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Kusugak.

Return to Oral Question 738 – 6(2): Property Taxes (Kusugak) Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. I have a return to Oral Question 738 – 6(2), asked by the Member for Rankin Inlet North- Chesterfield Inlet on February 27, 2024, concerning property taxes. Mr. Speaker, this return is quite detailed. I have filed it with the Clerk for transcribing into the Hansard for the public record and for distribution to all members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: My apologies to the members. Item 4 is Returns to Oral Questions. Returns to Oral Questions. Hon. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk.

Return to Oral Question 747 – 6(2): Out-of-Territory Remote Hiring Policy (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for recognizing me again. (interpretation ends) This is a question asked by Ms. Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster, Member of Iqaluit-Sinaa, Question No. 747 – 6(2), asked on February 28, 2024, in regard to the Out-of-Territory Remote Hiring Policy. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to supplement an answer to a question from MLA Janet Pitsiulaaq Brewster. The Remote Hiring Policy became operational on March 1, 2024.

The Government of Nunavut can now begin to recruit using this policy. To date, no employees have been hired under this policy. This policy is an interim measure to address critical gaps in the provision of critical services to Nunavummiut. Employees hired under this policy will work remotely on a temporary term basis. With the new policy in place, departments have been advised that any previously approved remote arrangements must conclude by August 31, 2024, and the staffing of positions remotely must be in accordance with the new Remote Hiring Policy framework.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4612 Guiding criteria for these positions include professional-level positions, positions that apply a body of highly specialized knowledge, positions that require a professional designation and/or post-graduate degree or a bachelor’s degree in a highly specialized field of post-secondary study, positions that are unique to a department, positions that do not supervise staff, positions that are chronically underrepresented by Inuit, are hard to fill, and must be suitable and appropriate for remote work.

Reasons why a position may not be suitable include providing regular in- person services to clients, positions that require regular access to government facilities, equipment, or records. A position is not suitable if it is required to maintain physical copies of confidential documents or protected private information. The positions cannot engage Nunavut-based stakeholder groups on a regular basis and cannot allow the government to incur substantial costs by being located outside of the territory.

The Department of Human Resources has actively increased its recruiting activities on social media and has participated in career fairs in communities which have a high population of Inuit. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Pangnirtung, Ms. Nakashuk. Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to congratulate the graduates of the Hivuliqtikhat Emerging Leaders Cohort 9 Leadership Program that were in Iqaluit last week and completing their final module. The graduates are all Nunavut Inuit from 11 departments and corporations. I would like to acknowledge the following graduates who are present: Lena Duggan, Jody Palluq, Ineak Ipeelie, and Leesa Ikkidluak.

I would also like to recognize students who are unable to be here: Lillian Aglukark-Lundrigan, Joanna Kailek, Darlene Metuituk, Russell Akeeagok, Kevin Sudlovenick, Herbert Bolt, Sandra Carter, Mavis Ell, Andrea Phillips, Bobbie Isnor, Mila Kamingoak, Monica Mala, Norma Jean Kablutsiak, April Wadland, Janice Simailak, Deanna Ishulutak, and Kathy Idlout. And finally, the staff of the Department of Human Resources: Mary Taukie and Michel Rheault, and our deputy minister, Kristie Cronin. Our government is committed to Pilimmaksarniq, providing education and training to Government of Nunavut employees.

Since 2015, a total of 312 Government of Nunavut employees have graduated, 67 percent of who are Nunavut Inuit. Congratulations to all and I would ask that everyone celebrate with me and recognizing the graduates. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly and congratulations to the graduates.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4613 Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to recognize some friends in the gallery: Leesa Ikkidluak, who promised not to pick me up and swing me around because she thought she would get kicked out of the House; Mary Taukie as well. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my friend, Michel Rheault. (interpretation ends) Merci, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Item 6. Oral Questions.

Before we start oral questions, I acknowledge that Minister Main is now in the House. >>Applause Oral Questions. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq. Item 6: Oral Questions Question 781 – 6(2): Legal Services Board Activities in the Kitikmeot Region (Quqqiaq) Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Justice and they concern the issue of the Legal Services Board of Nunavut’s activities in the Kitikmeot region. Mr. Speaker, as you are well aware, in March 2022 a fire destroyed the Government of Nunavut leased office building in Gjoa Haven.

The building housed a number of essential services, including the Legal Services Board headquarters. Mr. Speaker, as you also know, the fire displaced a number of Legal Services Board employees. The Minister of Community and Government Services previously indicated that a new lease has been signed to house the Government of Nunavut’s offices that were impacted by this fire. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Legal Services Board for its continued efforts to ensure that the Kitikmeot region still has access to legal services. Mr.

Speaker, can the minister confirm that the Legal Services Board headquarters is one of the entities that are now placed in the Government of Nunavut’s recently leased office space? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You and I can agree that is a wonderful question that’s coming from the member and yes, I want to confirm that the LSB has secured space in Gjoa Haven. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister, for your response. Mr.

Speaker, information provided by the minister indicates that a total of “five Government of Nunavut positions are allocated to the Legal Services Board Headquarters in Gjoa Haven.”

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4614 Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that securing staff housing for the Legal Services Board employees has been an issue in the past. Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify what specific actions his department is currently undertaking to secure housing in Gjoa Haven for the Legal Services Board employees? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a couple of positions that we have done the paperwork ready and are awaiting for staff housing to be actioned before we advertise them.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe it is very important that there be a strong Legal Services Board presence in the Kitikmeot region to serve all communities, including Kugaaruk and Taloyoak. Mr. Speaker, the Legal Services Board’s mandate indicates that one of its priorities is to “increase knowledge of the law, legal processes, the administration of justice, and to provide public education and outreach with respect to human rights.” Mr.

Speaker, I am aware of a number of situations where constituents would benefit from access to advice and professional guidance for complex and challenging situations. Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify what specific actions that the Legal Services Board is undertaking to enhance public knowledge and education of the law in the Kitikmeot region? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I commend the Legal Services Board. That’s an arm’s-length entity.

They have done wonderful work throughout the territory, including the Kitikmeot, and that’s something that they continue to thrive and something that I continue to support for them to continue. Both of them, along with our Community Justice Division, had been working to trying getting public engagement and that work is done. It is getting done. I also want to celebrate that in the Cambridge Bay office, we have a full- time lawyer now that’s an Inuk from the Kitikmeot. These are baby steps, but they are good steps that are taking place in the Kitikmeot region and I applaud the Legal Services Board for doing that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Question 782 – 6(2): Inuktut-speaking Teachers (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned during my member’s statement, my questions today are for the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, I addressed the need for our government to ensure that there are

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4615 sufficient Inuktut-speaking teachers in our schools in order to deliver Inuit language of instruction. Mr. Speaker, I do recognize that the Department of Education does provide detailed reports on the progress made towards developing curriculum and curriculum resource development. However, these progress reports do not include information with regard to the number of Inuktut-speaking bilingual teachers.

I would like to ask: can the minister describe what targets have been established with respect to the recruitment and retention of Inuktut- speaking teachers in order to meet the first legislated deadline of providing Inuktut as a first language in grade 4 in all schools by 2026? 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.

The Department of Education is very committed to increasing the number of Inuktut- speaking teachers within our schools, and we have partnered with Nunavut Arctic College to foresee that more teachers are being trained through the Nunavut Teacher Education Program. We are very promised on the number of students that are in the program at the moment and we are very intentional on our hiring of those students from that program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the minister’s response and collaboration and partnership with Nunavut Arctic College to train and hire more Inuktut-speaking teachers, but I guess I’ll rephrase my question. As the first legislated timeline states that all schools must provide Inuktut as first language of instruction up to grade 4 by 2026, two years from now, what targets have been established to meet this legislated timeline and is the department on track to meeting this objective? 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.

The Department of Education is currently reviewing the language of instruction models and we have done community consultations to 22 communities and the remaining three will be consulted this month. There will be a second round of consultations of the language of instruction models. We’re working to update the Language of Instruction Regulations as well so that we can complete the full review of the language of instruction models used in our schools.

At this point, we are ensuring that we have mechanisms in place to review the language of instruction models and that we are on track with curriculum development, as well as that it’s a key component to ensuring that we have Inuktut in our schools from kindergarten to grade 12. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Lightstone.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4616 Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I noted in the information that I tabled last week, the average number of Inuktut-speaking teachers in all of our 45 schools is 29 percent. However, a majority of our schools are below this mark and in addition, there are five schools which only have one or two Inuktut-speaking bilingual teachers, representing less than 10 percent. Further, there are four schools with zero Inuktut-speaking teachers. Mr.

Speaker, here in Iqaluit where we are one of the communities that are unfortunately suffering from language loss, of our 134 teaching positions, we have 23 Inuktut-speaking bilingual teachers, or 17 percent. With those facts being highlighted, has the department recognized that there are significant areas that require a more strategic approach in order to achieve the legislated timelines to provide language of instruction in Inuktut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you once again to the member for the question.

Currently, we use the language allowance for our teachers based on levels 1, 2, and 3 and those are the numbers that we reflected in the numbers for the number of teachers who speak Inuktut, but we do highly encourage teachers… . They may not be receiving the bonus at this point. We do highly encourage them to apply and get assessed with the Nunavut Teachers Association so that we can further have more accurate numbers to that.

The Department of Education is also working on an Inuit-specific recruitment strategy which I hope will also increase the number of Inuit teachers that will become recruited and work in the department as teachers. I would like to also highlight that we currently have people that are working employees that have been in the schools and are taking the Sivuliqtiksat Internship Program as well as other training opportunities, working in our schools to directly become trained.

I encourage those that might be listening, if they would like to become a teacher, that there are great employment opportunity programs available and are offered in our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Question 783 – 6(2): Mine Training Strategy (Simailak) Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning and good morning to the people of Baker Lake and good day wishes to you. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation mentioned a minister’s statement last week on the Mine Training Strategy. “…there is huge potential for Nunavummiut to close the gap in mine-related jobs,” and it goes on further down. “Mr. Speaker, we have worked closely with the Department of Family Services and Nunavut Arctic College…to develop the Nunavut Mine Training Strategy.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4617 Our aim is to increase awareness and access to mine training programs…” Mr. Speaker, this morning my questions are for the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College. Mr. Speaker, I’m wondering if the minister can speak to what extent that Nunavut Arctic College took

part in this Mine Training Strategy, if he can speak to it. Are they offering college-based [programs] in their classrooms or developing curricula? If the minister can speak to that a bit, please. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that question. Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College is excited that the Nunavut Mine Training Strategy is now public and we do recognize the importance of mine training for the territory’s economy.

There are some priorities within the whole of government that we are working towards in providing mine training in areas and communities that have current mines. It is an approach that Nunavut Arctic College is creating to provide awareness within the K to 12 schools and also awareness in career fairs, awareness in advancement opportunities, and there are benefits for the pathways to access these opportunities. We’re not alone on this Mine Training Strategy.

We have Economic Development and Transportation and also the Department of Family Services that will have more strategies for mine training opportunities in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m wondering: is Nunavut Arctic College now planning to expand mine- related training programs to outlying communities so that constituents can begin training in their home communities? Is that what was borne from this Mine Training Strategy that’s being worked on? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nunavut Arctic College recognizes the multiple demands for training and education opportunities across the territory. Acting on calls for program development and delivery requires dedicated financial support, human resources, and capital within communities.

Currently, the mine training centre is the focus to build phase 2 of the trade school in Rankin Inlet and the college continues to work with Community and Government Services for this important mine training centre that will be in development in the coming years. I do recognize that there will be opportunities for other communities outside of Rankin Inlet that will need to be implemented by the government once we identify more financial support. That comes with finding instructors for the Mine Training Strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4618 Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister, for your response. It sounds to me like the key priority focus right now is the regional facilities, but I did hear the part where he mentioned that they’re looking at expanding to other communities if they can find funding or instructors. I’m wondering: when can my constituents in Baker Lake expect to see mine-related courses being offered at home so that my constituents can stay home and begin courses?

There are federal funding programs that are available and I’m sure there are other instructors that can be sought. I mentioned in this House before that Peter’s Expediting Ltd. did find federal funding on their own, so there are partners out there that can help make this happen. I’m wondering: when can my constituents expect to see some mine- related courses being offered in Baker Lake? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for his continuance of mine employment opportunities for his community.

There is an Agnico Eagle mine very close to the Baker Lake community. Currently, our college has a chair and Industry Trades Division where we have three coordinators from each region. They are based in Pond Inlet, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay, but Pond Inlet and Cambridge Bay communities are currently vacant. These are crucial coordinators that will identify mine training opportunities in communities. Once those vacancies are filled, they can work towards reaching out to the mining companies.

They work closely with the mining sector to identify, plan, delivery, and various training opportunities throughout the territory. Nunavut Arctic College does not have base funding to provide mine training at this time and we would need our college to find proposals or contribution agreements to provide mine training in any community. At this time, for the member’s question for Baker Lake, when training will be provided to the community, we do have the Heavy Equipment Operator Program where the college teaches heavy equipment operations and those are also areas we’re trying to work towards. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Aggu, Ms. Quassa. Question 784 – 6(2): Preparing for Health Outbreaks (Quassa) Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” to Nunavummiut and my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, the spread of measles across Canada is a top story in the media these days. It seems to be developing into a serious concern. Can the minister provide an update on whether there has been an increase in the number of measles cases being reported in Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4619 Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my fellow MLA for asking that question. Mr. Speaker, I concur with the assessment of this disconcerting matter voiced by our colleague as portrayed by the mainstream media, as it is a hot topic. At this current time, we have not been informed of any cases in Nunavut, at least to my knowledge. The chief public health officer would make a public announcement and would have to report this emergence if any cases were found in any part of Nunavut.

To reiterate in English, it is a (interpretation ends) reportable disease. (interpretation) There would have to be an announcement and a report provided in this case. This discussion is a good reminder to ensure we keep an eye on this in my view and to remind our residents about prior vaccination shots or (interpretation ends) immunizations (interpretation) and their efficiency in providing immunity against this disease, especially with relation to our young children who haven’t received this immunization throughout Nunavut.

Based on the information provided to me, any person who received an immunization shot in their youth are immune, but the younger generations may be a concern as it was considered eradicated but seems to be coming back. It’s a good reminder to ensure that everyone without previous immunization ought to receive measles vaccinations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also appreciate the minister’s response to this matter by providing more information, and we must provide further public announcements to ensure the general public receives this pertinent evidence so that no one is infected by this disease. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I recognize that outbreaks of such illnesses as flu, COVID, whooping cough, measles, chickenpox, and other viruses are always a possibility, especially as more people travel outside of their communities.

Can the minister describe what specific measures are in place to help prevent the spread of such viruses as measles and what steps his department is taking to promote such preventative measures as vaccinations and health awareness campaigns? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Chairman. (interpretation ends) If there was a case of measles in Nunavut, the response would be directed through the chief public health officer’s office and that would be in terms of whether public health measures are needed, whether there’s contact tracing that needs to happen. I have every confidence in the excellent staff working in that office. In terms of the importance of vaccines, it’s a multi-pronged effort. We are continually looking to encourage and

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4620 support Nunavummiut who want to get vaccinated. There are currently 14 publicly funded vaccines that we administer in the territory and they cover all kinds of illnesses or diseases. Our current efforts to increase vaccine coverage include work being done by public health nurses and community health nurses to track individuals’ need for immunizations using Excel spreadsheets. We also hold well-child clinic days specifically for immunization at health centres. We aim to follow up on appointments and rebook those.

We also have immunization fact sheets available in all four official languages, and there are also our community health representatives that play a role in increasing awareness. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for the response. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in reading the news about the spread of measles across Canada, I wondered how long it would be before Nunavut would be impacted.

Our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that we can never be too well prepared for outbreaks. As an illness spreads across the country in the south, there is a strong possibility that it will eventually make its way up north. Can the minister update this House on what kinds of changes have been made to Health’s pandemic preparedness plan since the COVID-19 pandemic to better address outbreaks of such viral illnesses as measles? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for the question. Health is currently in the middle of an exercise to do exactly what the member was asking in terms of updating our pandemic preparedness plan, learning the important lessons from the very exceptional and difficult times dealing with COVID. One of the things that were learned is the importance of immunization registry and I’m happy to report that we are moving towards the development of that immunization registry.

In terms of additional changes to the pandemic preparedness plan, I can’t speak to much detail yet, but we are in the middle of an exercise examining the COVID response, what was learned, what worked, what didn’t, and how we can be prepared for the next pandemic. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq. Question 785 – 6(2): Status of Vacant Positions in Arviat (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” to the people of Arviat. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, I would like to question the Minister of Environment. Mr. Speaker, I would like an update from the minister on the three positions

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4621 in Arviat that I asked about back in the fall: the manager position, wildlife deterrence specialist position, and environment protection officer. These were all vacant and they were at different stages of hiring. I would like to remind the minister of his reply on October 19, 2023. When I asked about these positions being filled in Arviat by a person sitting on a desk in Arviat, not done remotely, the minister responded, “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All three positions mentioned are not specialist positions and therefore will not be filled remotely.” Mr.

Speaker, I would like an update on each one of those positions and what stage of employment process they’re at now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Question to CGS? Hon. Minister, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The three positions that the member questioned during the last fall sitting, the Arviat Kivalliq regional manager is still vacant, but working with staffing to have reposted. For the wildlife deterrent specialist, it is still vacant; reviewing job description prior to submitting to staffing and requesting housing allocation.

For the environmental protection officer for Arviat, that position is currently filled through casual staffing action that is based in Rankin Inlet. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m confused with the minister. The minister clearly stated these positions would be in Arviat and now the minister stated that the environment protection officer is filled casually in Rankin Inlet. Rankin Inlet is not in Arviat.

I would like an explanation on why that job is not filled casually in Arviat, where the position is located and where the minister assured this House that none of these positions would be filled remotely. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question. Mr. Speaker, the question is very operational and detailed. In terms of why the position is currently filled remotely is something my department and I can work towards providing the answer to the member at a later time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m looking forward to that information as the minister, on October 19, clearly stated that none of these three positions, the manager, the wildlife deterrence specialist, and the environmental protection officer, who are stationed in Arviat, would not be filled remotely. The minister stated that in the House, but apparently now the environmental protection officer is being filled casually and remotely in Rankin Inlet.

Can I get reassurance again from the minister that these three positions will be filled in Arviat when they are filled with a person sitting on a desk in Arviat and

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4622 not doing the work remotely? The minister has told me on October 19 that that is the minister’s position. Can I just get confirmation that that is still the minister’s position that these jobs will be filled by a person living and working in Arviat? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was a very new minister during that time and I’m still learning as of today.

When we were exchanging our question period and answering, I did provide that there was no housing available for the current environmental protection officer’s position. At this time, we cannot commit to when there is no housing available for the position in the community of Arviat, but we are still waiting for the environmental protection officer position to make it on the housing list. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Uqqummiut, Ms. Killiktee. Question 786 – 6(2): Homeownership Programs (Killiktee) Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I say “good morning” to Nunavummiut and my constituents in Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq. I would like to welcome the people who just entered the House. I would like to ask my questions on the topic of homeownership support programs to the (interpretation ends) Minister of the Housing Corporation. (interpretation) I want to follow up today on the issue of support for Nunavut homeowners, especially the elders. (interpretation ends) Uqaqtii, the Nunavut Housing Corporation currently administers no fewer than ten different programs to support homeowners.

I have raised this concern about the need to simplify the application process, especially for homeowners in smaller communities like Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River. Information published by the Nunavut Housing Corporation indicates that it is “currently in the process of developing a new Homeownership Support Policy and the introduction of the new and redesigned homeownership programs.” Can the minister indicate if the number of different homeownership support programs will increase or decrease or remain the same? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon.

Minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): I thank the member for asking that question. It’s good to have the information that we need. Mr. Speaker, we are currently reviewing the process of developing a new homeownership support policy because there are emergency cases where there might be a leaking fuel tank or broken windows and there are different pots of money made available to those homeowners. We’re trying to simplify the process and probably give the programs new titles so that they will be easier to access. We are currently working on them.

I don’t know if the number of homeownership support

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4623 programs will increase or decrease or remain the same, but there will be no cutting of programs that are being made available to homeowners. We’re trying to simplify the process at this time, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for indicating that the process will be simplified. That’s how I understand it. Thank you.

Now, during the recent fall 2023 sitting of the Legislative Assembly, we approved the housing corporation’s $4.62 million budget for homeownership support programs for the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year. Can the minister indicate if the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s budget for its new Homeownership Support Policy and new homeownership support programs will increase, decrease, or remain the same? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very glad that you brought this question up. Mr.

Speaker, we’ve had meetings with the Regular Members’ Caucus about housing and we reviewed the programs. There are some programs that are being utilized more than others and there are pots of money that deplete and there are others that have funds remaining. We’re currently looking at all those and re- profiling some of the funding. Usually there’s a limit on the amount of money you make and some are too low. Some individuals seem to be making a lot of money, but then again, they can’t cover some of the maintenance costs of their house.

We would like to make sure that funds are available to everyone in Nunavut, especially in an emergency situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s good to hear. I hope that attention on this matter continues.

Earlier this week, I spoke about the exciting pilot project that the Qikiqtarjuaq Housing Association and the Inuksuit School have started to encourage young people to become skilled tradespeople. (interpretation ends) Uqaqtii, one of the concerns that I hear from my constituents about the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s homeownership programs is the difficulty in accessing skilled tradespeople to perform repairs and renovations and the difficulty in accessing good quality materials for these projects.

Can the minister indicate how the corporation’s new Homeownership Support Policy will address these issues? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I really appreciate this line of

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4624 questioning. Mr. Speaker, we do realize that there are homeowners in communities where there are no maintenance personnel to maintain the private homes’ boilers or furnaces and/or repair their windows and doors. One of the things that our housing corporation is looking at is to see if we might now be able to solve some of these very important issues by way of, I’ll use an example, Mr.

Speaker, to maybe put out a request for proposals to see if there’s a contract or contractors that might be interested in going to a number of isolated communities and dealing with some of the home maintenance issues, such as repairing their boilers and/or replacing windows and/or using the local housing association staff to do some of that work. We’re trying to figure out the best ways to deal with those which are very noticeable in communities where there are shortages of tradespeople. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes.

Question 787 – 6(2): Long-term Care Facility in Rankin Inlet (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services again. Mr. Speaker, we’re going on day 4 now and I would like to just make a comment that “open and transparent” isn’t just a catchphrase. Mr. Speaker, it shouldn’t take three days to get an update on a piece of important infrastructure with the long-term care facility in Rankin Inlet. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the minister acknowledged that the contractor is currently under receivership.

Most people are aware that there is a bond that’s deposited with most large infrastructure contracts and it has been stated that this project is anticipated to remain on budget. I would like to get the minister’s position on his comfort level with the bond amount being sufficient to complete this project next month. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the member pressing on this matter for the third or fourth day now. Mr.

Speaker, this again is an unusual situation where, when a company goes into receivership, the Government of Nunavut does have options to choose from. With that, the current option that we have gone through is to put the company in default and rely on the bonding company to step in, which is what has happened here. This is by far the best outcome for cost and schedule. As for the cost for the total budget of this project, we continue to make sure that we take the appropriate steps to minimize and mitigate any financial impacts going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Hickes.

Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the other questions I asked in one of the previous three days was the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program provided $25 million towards

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4625 this project. Has that $25 million been received? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister Fraser came to Nunavut to announce this and that would mean that the contribution agreement had been signed and there’s funding that will come through to Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

With the $25 million, it was mentioned by the minister in one of our previous exchanges that the Department of Health had come forward with… . Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I’m quoting from the Blues here. With the ability to secure the $25 million towards that project, the minister said, “In doing so, the monies that the Department of Health had come forward with, we can redirect those funds to other potential capital projects that are in our plans or that we are trying to advance into construction.” Mr.

Speaker, the minister may want to have a chat with his colleague, the Minister of Finance, on how appropriations work in this House. Monies that were appropriated for that specific project have to go back to this House for redistribution to other capital plans. The department cannot unilaterally make the decision to reallocate funds that haven’t been approved in this House to a specific project. I would just like to get the minister’s position on what he meant by having the ability to be able to redirect those funds to other potential capital projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question. To clarify on that, we do have a process in place for capital funds to be directed for and in consultation with the Minister of Finance, any financial decision of a capital project that we’re proceeding with, in this case, there are additional funds, $25 million, to that amount, it has to go through that process of the Financial Management Board making the decision on where to spend those funds. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms.

Brewster. Question 788 – 6(2): Children in Care (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on some questions that were posed by Member Lightstone yesterday to the Minister of Family Services. Mr. Speaker, there was an important question right at the outset regarding whether or not there is a reporting mechanism for kids in care. The minister responded that there are client liaison officers that people could make use of.

The minister has also publicly committed to ensuring that history is not repeated related to the issues of concern of children in the care of family services in the territory and out. Just for clarity, can the minister give us an email address, a toll-free number, or a web address to a complaint form that

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4626 any member of the public who is a guardian of or who has a family member or a friend in care can use in order to bring a complaint forward about the care that they’re receiving. 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 that question. (interpretation ends) I do appreciate the question you’re bringing. I was talking about how we work with outside clients or the client liaison officers.

The reporting system is usually to work directly with the director that could be located right here in Iqaluit at the headquarters office, and I have to mention that it’s going to take time for things to change. Like I had stated, with the framework that we just put out recently, we are trying to work towards improving a lot of the services that we provide, especially for children in care outside of the territory. In terms of how we can better provide toll-free numbers, I could certainly get back to the member on the details of that.

As I had stated, we are working directly with most of our staff to ensure that they work directly with the clients in care. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I still don’t have what I’m aiming for, which is a number that any citizen can call if they have a complaint today. Mr. Speaker, it’s really important to be able to provide that information because often, when people feel that clients in care are in any danger or are receiving substandard care, we want to act on it immediately.

I would encourage the minister to get a number out there as soon as possible. Mr. Speaker, I would like to know from the minister: what are the standards and protocols for review and response to concerns and complaints? Can the minister tell us: is there a complaints policy and procedure for employees to follow and importantly, for the public to follow? 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 question. (interpretation ends) When we’re talking about kids in care outside of the territory, I understand that they also have close communication with the family members. When we’re talking about how they can better contact our offices, we have social workers in each of the communities throughout Nunavut, so that’s another way of contacting the social workers at a local level. Also, like I had mentioned, we work directly with contractors or children in care. The client liaison officers have direct contact with the headquarters office, so there is always communication going through.

We are continuing to improve our incident reporting framework that we’re working on. That’s being monitored. That’s something that we are trying to improve on, as well as like I had mentioned, the OAG report. There is a lot of work that we need to do to

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4627 improve the programs and services that we offer. Like I stated with the strategic framework that we’re working on, there are a lot of things on the go, not just communication-wise but how we can better enter into the data system that we’re working on to improve our communication and reporting system. There are different ways that the department is doing and not just in one area of work. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I think I heard an answer in there related to an incident reporting framework and I’m still not clear about whether or not that’s available to the public and whether or not it outlines standards and procedures that they can refer to in making a complaint. Mr. Speaker, the minister just now referred to the framework and I’m assuming that’s the framework for action that was tabled. Can the minister tell us when a strategic plan will be developed and tabled? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Family Services, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thought I outlined how further our office may be notified of a concern. The clients outside of Nunavut work with our staff and they have a director to that end. The director also notifies our headquarters office here in Iqaluit. Just last week, we gave a document on what improvements are to be made, what changes will be made, and what further work will be needed, particularly towards clients under the Department of Family Services.

The Office of the Auditor General’s report and the plans that ensued and what progress had been made in our plans are something we are continually monitoring if there are any things that need to be rectified. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Mr. Lightstone. Question 789 – 6(2): Cannabis Reduction Program (Lightstone) Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, earlier during the sitting, the minister provided a minister’s statement on Tobacco Reduction Month.

Of course, I do appreciate the minister and the Department of Health’s role with regard to the Tobacco and Cannabis Reduction Program, but it seems like a majority of the emphasis is placed on the harm of tobacco and efforts to reduce tobacco in the territory. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken on numerous occasions in this House about the risks of cannabis use on a developing brain. I would like to ask the minister: with regard to this tobacco and cannabis program, what sort of emphasis has been placed specifically on cannabis? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4628 Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for that question. (interpretation ends) The work on cannabis since the legalization has been bringing it into our existing tobacco reduction programs. We have seen an addition of that material and expansion of different types of resources. Instead of just calling it tobacco reduction program, it’s the Tobacco and Cannabis Program. We are currently working on staffing in terms of those activities. We currently have five person years within the Tobacco and Cannabis Program.

Two of those positions are filled, which are the cannabis program coordinator and the Tobacco and Cannabis Program analyst. We’re currently looking to put out ways to fill those other three positions. Mr. Speaker, the member makes an important point in terms of how important it is to keep youth from using cannabis. It has been shown to be harmful. It can lead to mental health issues later in life. A lot of our focus right now is around awareness and education.

We have a strong footprint on social media and that’s one thing that is helping us to get the messaging out there in terms of telling youth to avoid using the substance. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have heard some very dramatic radio advertisements on local radio informing the public about the harmful impact that second-hand smoke has on children’s lungs. I think this is a very strong message to get the awareness and education out there.

I would like to ask the minister to commit to having a similar, very strongly worded education and awareness radio broadcast being advertised on our local radios specifically with regard to harmful impacts of cannabis on children. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member. (interpretation ends) We are using mass media currently. We are sharing our messaging around tobacco prevention.

I will admit that in terms of the cannabis prevention or cannabis use information, we are still building up our resources there, so it might be a little bit less developed. In terms of committing to specific radio ads being put out around cannabis, I’m not going to commit to that today. I think that would be getting way down into the weeds, so to speak as minister, but I can commit to working with my staff to make sure that they are using mass media to the best extent possible, specifically on our cannabis program messaging. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Radio is an excellent targeted initiative to reach out, which is why I think that utilizing radio advertising to spread awareness and education about the harmful impacts cannabis has on youth’s brains is imperative to inform adults. I really hope that the minister will

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4629 have some positive discussions with his officials in this area. I do recognize the Department of Health’s efforts in utilizing social media as well as Facebook with regard to their tobacco reduction campaigns. Mr. Speaker, I strongly believe that such targeted initiatives through social media is the best way to connect with our youth. Mr.

Speaker, in the ‘90s there was a very strong advertisement campaign about the impact of drugs on your brain, and these were video advertisements that were put on commercials across Canada and there was very strong imaging incorporated into those commercials about your brain on drugs, very strong images such as breaking an egg into a frying pan or clipping wires that were in the form of a brain.

I would like to further request the minister to consider or even commit to creating such video social media campaigns to spread the awareness about the harmful effects of cannabis on the developing brain on social media to target youth so that they can be informed equally. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that question. (interpretation ends) In terms of the use of video or the use of mass media, we absolutely want to be engaging with youth and with Nunavummiut and meet them where they’re at, basically.

If they’re on Facebook, we want to be on Facebook. I’ll add that that’s an approach that the department wants to take with programs beyond tobacco and cannabis reduction. We want to have an increased social media presence for many different programs. In terms of the member’s request, I can certainly take that suggestion back and have a discussion around the use of mass media and the use of video in terms of communicating the harms of cannabis. We are seeing the impacts of cannabis use in terms of the mental health clients that we do receive.

Many different issues can be combined in one patient, or one Nunavummiuq can be affected by many different health issues, but it’s not uncommon to see cannabis use or cannabis addiction as part of one of the factors that can lead to serious mental health issues or contribute to other illnesses. It is something we are committed to helping to educate Nunavummiut around. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq. Question 790 – 6(2): Update on Bill 55 Court Procedures (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Finance’s return to oral on property taxes squeezed my interest a bit. In his last statement, there was the property tax on Nunavut’s four major mines. It was at $307,000. I would like to ask the Minister of Justice on Bill 55. On August 11, 2022, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated legally challenged Bill 55, which is the Property Assessment and Taxation Act, where the landowners on Inuit-owned land would have to collect the property tax. I just

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4630 want an update on the legal proceedings. I know that we can’t talk about the legal stuff, but has there been a court date set or just an update on it? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m looking through my information, trying to get information as fast as possible in terms of the progress of the courts. It is before the courts and it is in their timeline.

If I do have that particular information in terms of where it is at, I’ll be happy to share that with the member, but at this time, I don’t have that specific date. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like the commitment from the Minister of Justice saying that he will get back to this House on the court date of that proceeding if there is one or what state it’s at before the end of this winter sitting. Can I get that assurance or commitment? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon.

David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will provide the commitment right now. There is a three-day hearing being planned in September 2024 between the parties. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That bill was passed and the House approved this bill and we’re all behind it. I just wanted to get the minister’s position to make assurance that the Department of Justice is fully behind this bill and will defend the contents and the purpose of this bill when the court date is made and when they represent them. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The whole reason why this is before a court is because one party does not like what the Legislative Assembly has passed. This was passed by this Legislative Assembly and work is underway to ensure the passage and those regulations are in place. I have my ministerial colleague working specifically on those. In terms of the court itself, that’s a judicial part that looks at our legislations and the parties that attest to it and to try to find that balance. That’s happening right now and that’s before a judge.

We are relying on the judge to make an

interpretation of what the two parties have brought forward and that’s going to continue in terms of getting the relevant information, going back and forth, where the courts will determine. Whatever the courts will determine and if they find it one way or another and it has to go to the House, we will have to go back to the House. As it stands now, our government is firm that what was passed here is before the courts right now and that stands. There have been no attempts from our

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4631 government to make any changes towards that legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes. Question 791 – 6(2): Accounting for Surplus on Capital Projects (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask how a surplus is accounted for a completed infrastructure project if there is money left over after the project is complete. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Kusugak. Hon.

Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On a rare occasion where there would be a surplus, it would come back to our department and we would look at putting it into our general revenue, Mr. Speaker, the way I understand it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the recent Budget Address, the minister stated what the deficit is anticipated for this fiscal year. Was that number taken into consideration, given the fact that $25 million was received through the Rankin Inlet Long-term Care Centre project? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister of Finance, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll have to confirm that, but I believe it does. I will have to just confirm that with the officials in terms of what kind of details they are with that announcement and where it works in with our current estimates. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Question 792 – 6(2): Direct Appointments (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you for recognizing me a second time today, Mr. Speaker.

My questions today are for the Minister of Human Resources and they concern the statement that she made yesterday concerning “expedited” direct appointments to positions in the territorial public service. Mr. Speaker, the minister’s statement was quite short in length, so I am happy to provide her with the opportunity today to unpack it together with me. In her statement, the minister indicated that 106 Inuit were direct appointed to positions in a period of seven months. I am going to make an assumption that the minister is referring to the current 2023- 24 fiscal year.

If that assumption is wrong, I’ll assume that she will correct me in her response. Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues have spoken passionately about the need for job opportunities to be more equitably distributed between Nunavut communities. Can the minister clarify how many of the 106 expedited direct appointments were

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4632 made to headquarters positions and how many were made to positions in decentralized and non-decentralized communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you for asking that question. (interpretation ends) I really do appreciate the question and I do agree that we do need to do more direct appointments throughout Nunavut.

At this time, I don’t have the details as to how many are outside of Iqaluit, in the communities, but we have been working with different departments, trying to find out how many long-term casuals we have that could go into direct appointments. We have been working quite well in trying to get all the information from the communities through the department. I can certainly provide you more information in regard to how many have been from the other communities outside of Iqaluit. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I really appreciate that response. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, information published in the government’s quarterly employment reports indicates that there are approximately 5,500 positions in the Government of Nunavut. The occupational category with the highest rate of Inuit employment is the “Administrative Support” category. Roughly 85 percent of these positions are filled with Inuit employees. That’s almost nine in ten positions. By contrast, the occupational category with the lowest rate of Inuit employment is the “Senior Management” category. Just 20 percent of these positions are filled with Inuit employees.

That’s only one in five positions. Can the minister indicate today how many of the 106 “expedited direct appointments” of Inuit were to management or professional positions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) That’s a very good question. I think, this morning, I approved that.

When we have government employees getting into the Hivuliqtikhat programs or other leadership programs, it really proves that we are trying to ensure that Inuit employees are getting the management or director positions they need within their workplace on top of training at the same time. We certainly want to see more of that come through, but in terms of what levels the direct appointments have been appointed to, I will certainly have to get back to the member on that. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As we work our way through the main estimates, it is impossible not to notice

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4633 the significant number of assistant and associate deputy minister level positions that are currently vacant or are being filled on an acting basis, often by non- Inuit. Can the minister clarify how many non- Inuit received direct appointments during the 2023-24 fiscal year and will she commit to ensuring that all vacant executive-level positions are first put out for competition before a direct appointment is considered? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) That’s a multi-question right there, but I can say that all associate deputy ministers are Inuit. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members, be aware that the time allotted for question period is now over. Before we proceed to the next item, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to return to No. 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery, in our Orders of the Day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Item 5 on the order paper. Are there any nays? There are none. Item 5.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Ms. Brewster. Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am so happy to stand today to say “hello” to my neighbour who has moved away, Ooleepeeka Veevee, who we all know as a very important person and media personality, a champion of teaching about good nutrition, which is so important for us. It’s so nice to see her back here today and I hope that she will enjoy her visit back home to Iqaluit. (interpretation) Mr.

Speaker, today I would like to welcome my friend to the House, (interpretation ends) Marie Boileau and two of her young nephews as well. Damien Boileau, who is 13, he is named after Elijah Nauyuk. Tristan Boileau is 10 and he is named after Akaka Sataa. They’re here from Quebec City during their spring break and I would like say bienvenue chez quoi, welcome to your House and enjoy your visit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for getting us back to Item 5.

I rise today to recognize my cousin. Her late father and my mother are siblings. I would like to welcome you. Just recently we had stated that we have not seen you for a long time in Iqaluit and we were wondering when you were going to visit, so welcome back to Nunavut for a visit and meeting your family members. Your aunt is back in the elders’ home so that you will know. I was very pleased to see you and that brought me up. Welcome. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4634 *See Appendix for full text of Committee Report 27 – 6(2). >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. 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 Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes.

Item 13: Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 027 – 6(2): Presentation of the Report of the Standing Committee on the Review of the 2021-2022 Public Accounts of Nunavut (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present the Report of the Standing Committee on the Review of the 2021-22 Public Accounts of Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts held a televised hearing on the most recently tabled set of Public Accounts on September 21, 2023.

The standing committee’s hearing was held in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly and was televised live across the territory. Mr. Speaker, the hearing was open to the public and news media to observe from the Visitors’ Gallery, and was livestreamed on the Legislative Assembly’s website. The transcript from the standing committee’s hearing is available on the Legislative Assembly’s website. Mr. Speaker, witnesses appearing before the standing committee included a number of senior officials from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and the Government of Nunavut’s departments of Finance and Environment.

The standing committee notes its appreciation to the witnesses. Mr. Speaker, the standing committee’s report contains six sets of formal recommendations directed to the Government of Nunavut, which cover a number of thematic areas, including: • Budgetary and financial management transparency, sustainability and flexibility; • Risks and uncertainties; • The activities of the Government of Nunavut’s Contaminated Sites Liabilities Working Group; • Future changes in accounting standards; and • The status of Comptrollership Branch priorities and initiatives. Mr.

Speaker, looking ahead, the standing committee looks forward to holding a televised hearing later in 2024 on the next set of Public Accounts. This hearing is anticipated to allow for detailed consideration of a number of emerging issues and themes, including: • Results of audits of the Petroleum Products Revolving Fund and the Petroleum Products Stabilization Fund;

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4635 • Enhancement of transparency in respect to reporting of territorial tax revenues associated with the natural resources extractive sector; • Impact of the recently signed Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement on reporting of territorial royalty revenues and liabilities in respect to contaminated sites; • Expansion of the range of electronic formats in which the Government of Nunavut’s financial reporting publications and data are made publicly available and achievement of greater alignment of and consistency between figures and formats in the Public Accounts and other publications, including annual reports on grants and contributions expenditures, contracting, procurement and leasing activities; and • Lapses in respect to departmental grants and contributions budgets.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to note for the record that the standing committee is requesting that the government provide a comprehensive response to this report, pursuant to Rule 91(5) of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. With that, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the standing committee be received by the House and entered into the record as read. 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.

Hon. Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council, that’s a mouthful this morning, Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Pauloosie Akeeagok. Item 14: Tabling of Documents Tabled Document 252 – 6(2): Utility Rates Review Council 2023 Annual Report (Akeeagok,

P) Hon. P.J. Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the 2023 Annual Report of the Utility Rates Review Council. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Education, Ms. Gross. Tabled Document 253 – 6(2): Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Comprehensive Review (Gross) Tabled Document 254 – 6(2): Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Executive

Summary (Gross) Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table two reports: • The Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Comprehensive Review Report; and • The Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students Comprehensive Review Executive

Summary.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4636 Mr. Speaker, the Inuktitut version of the reports will be tabled once the translations are complete. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 15. Notices of Motions. Item 16. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Item 17. Motions. 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, we will break for lunch and report back at 1:30 p.m.

Sergeant-at-Arms. >>House recessed at 11:58 and Committee resumed at 13:29 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. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We wish to commence with the review of the 2024-25 operations and maintenance main estimates of the Department of Education, followed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation and, if time permits, the Department of Family Services. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree that we first deal with Bill 37? Some Members: Agreed. Bill 37 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2024-2025 – Education – Consideration in Committee Chairman: Thank you. Minister Gross, do you have officials that you would like to appear before the committee with you? Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Chairman.

Yes, I do. (interpretation) Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree to allow the witnesses to appear before the committee? Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- Arms, please escort the witnesses in. Thank you. For the record, Minister Gross, if you can introduce your officials and then proceed directly into your opening comments. Minister Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Chairman. Good day, everybody. To my left, to your right, we have Deputy Minister Rebecca Hainnu, and to my right, to your left, we have Director of Corporate Services Ibrahim Suleiman. Mr.

Chairman, I would like to also welcome Bill Cooper to the House. Bill was recently promoted to Assistant Deputy Minister of Education Programs. He has worked for more than 30 years as an educator and I congratulate him on his latest success. I’m sure all of my colleagues look forward to him joining

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4637 us at the table in the future, and I welcome Bill to this House. I also want to recognize with us, we have Martine St-Louis, who is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Support Services. Martine has been with the department for many years and has contributed to our Department of Education before we became a territory with the NWT days. I would also like to recognize and thank Arielle Stockdale, the Director of Policy.

Arielle has built a strong team within the department and they are extremely helpful, often going above and beyond for us getting the information that we need to present and prepare for everyone here today. Thank you, Arielle and the team. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Good day. (interpretation ends) Quana, Mr. Chairman. I am happy to appear before you and the standing committee members today to discuss the 2024-25 proposed budget of the Department of Education. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, our department is requesting a total of $279,705,000.

This represents an increase of $6,158,000 from the 2023-24 main estimates. Of the $6,158,000 of new funding, $3,185,000 relates to funding obligations of the signed collective agreements with the Nunavut Teachers Association and the Nunavut Employees Union. The remaining $2,973,000 relates to program enhancements. These program enhancements include the following requests. For 2024-25, the department is requesting $2,570,000 to meet the increasing costs of busing services in the territory.

The operating and maintenance costs for school bus services have increased by $2,570,000 over the past four years, or 42 percent, from $6,270,000 in 2020-21 to $8,846,000 in 2024-25. Since 2020-21, the department has funded those increased costs from within. However, this is no longer feasible, given the requirements to meet other departmental objectives. The lack of a competitive market for school bus services in Nunavut creates significant cost control challenges.

Tender requesting bids for school bus services commonly get one or no bids in response, requiring the department to negotiate a contract with a single potential contractor. Lastly, the Department of Education requests $403,000 to meet its legislative obligations to the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut to increase its capacity to support École des Trois- Soleils. This additional funding will help fund 2.5 additional positions for the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut and support the increase in lease costs related to their new office location.

These additional positions will cost the department $206,000 and additional lease costs will be $197,000. Great strides are being made for the education system to expand services and support available to our students, while ensuring that our resources are used to maximum effect. I thank this committee for its continued support of the Department of Education, which enables us to carry out our mandate. Working together, we can provide our students with the resources needed to receive the best educational opportunities available.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4638 I welcome your questions. (interpretation) Thank you. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Gross. Does the chair of the standing committee have opening comments to provide? Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness, I am happy to make opening comments as we begin deliberations on the proposed 2024-25 budget and business plan of the Department of Education. Mr.

Chairman, the Department of Education’s proposed 2024-25 operations and maintenance budget is $279.7 million, which represents a 2 percent increase over the budget brought forward for 2023-24. The standing committee notes that just over half of this new funding will again be allocated to wage increases under collective agreements with the Nunavut Teachers Association and the Nunavut Employees Union. Mr. Chairman, concerns have been raised with respect to the number of Nunavut teachers who may be retiring in the upcoming years and the department’s plans to recruit and hire new teachers.

The standing committee encourages the department in its ongoing efforts to work with Nunavut Arctic College in supporting the Nunavut Teacher Education Program and ensuring that its graduates are well prepared for potential employment within Nunavut’s education system. In addition to filling teaching positions, having Nunavummiut filling the positions of student support teachers, guidance counsellors, and language specialists will be essential to fulfilling the mandate established under Nunavut’s Education Act.

During the minister’s appearance before the standing committee to discuss her department’s draft main estimates and business plan, members were pleased to learn that students in the Nunavut Teacher Education Program have had opportunities to be oriented to the department’s new curriculum materials which are being developed to meet legislated Inuit language education requirements. Members fully support the department’s efforts to accelerate the development of its Inuit language curriculum materials as concerns have been raised that in some communities, Inuit language use continues to erode.

The standing committee recognizes that filling vacant educator positions will still require hiring teachers from outside of Nunavut, and encourages the department to ensure that the appropriate orientation and training opportunities are made available and completed in a timely manner. The committee has been given to understand that the department is working to enhance its reporting mechanisms with respect to school operations, including staffing, language of instruction status, parental engagement, attendance, disciplinary issues, and other school activities.

Members look forward to reviewing updated information on how this information will be tracked and what key performance indicators will be established to evaluate the success of school programs, policies, and initiatives. The standing committee encourages the department to include the

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4639 enhanced information in its annual reports. Members look forward to updates on the activities of the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities, which is established under the Education Act. The coalition employs a number of staff and members were given to understand that they work in collaboration with departmental staff to provide guidance and assistance to district education authorities with respect to their roles and responsibilities. Mr.

Chairman, a significant portion of the department’s request for additional funds in the upcoming fiscal year will be allocated to school bus services. Members recognize that costs have risen in all areas in recent years and that up until now, the department has managed to fund busing cost increases from unused allocations within its current budget. Members anticipate that policies and standards for school bus services will be updated in the near future and that such information will be made available to all members.

The committee notes that funding is available from a number of different sources to increase the number of daycare spaces in Nunavut’s communities as well as to support and enhance the delivery of early childhood programs. Members have been given to understand that the department has made some progress in assisting a number of communities to open new child care facilities this past year, which will be welcome news to parents of young children. In 2023-24 the Department of Education initiated its pilot project to deliver full- time kindergarten in a number of Nunavut schools.

The standing committee looks forward to updates on this initiative and on any plans to expand the full-time kindergarten program to other communities. Members appreciate that implementing full-time kindergarten in additional schools will depend on funding availability to complete the necessary physical renovations to classroom space as well as hiring additional teaching staff and accessing the necessary resources. The Department of Education manages the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) program which supports Nunavummiut who are pursuing post-secondary studies.

The standing committee recognizes that the department has been working to improve the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students program, including updating its database, reviewing eligibility guidelines, and enhancing benefits. Members anticipate that any major changes to the program will require legislative amendments to the Student Financial Assistance Act and its regulations. Members continue to hear from constituents who experience difficulties in accessing financial assistance for their post-secondary studies. That concludes my opening remarks.

Individual members may also have questions and comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Brewster. Are there any general comments to the opening comments? Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you. Given that Education is one of our larger

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4640 departments and does actually represent a quarter of the public service, I’m assuming that we will take a number of days to review the budget and we will have a number of different questions, comments, and concerns regarding numerous topics. I would just like to allow an opportunity to give notice on some of the issues that I would like to bring up over the coming days. So far in this sitting, I have raised concern about the sole sourcing of contracted positions and I would like to continue on that line of topic.

Another issue that I have been raising for a number of years is the need for a standardized universal program. I very much look forward to update on the work between the Department of Education and community partners and any progress made on this initiative. Another matter that I have raised in the past is the issue surrounding bus safety. I also note through my review of the procurement activity report that the Department of Education had conducted a forensic audit in the last procurement activity report and I believe it was the 2021-22 fiscal year.

There wasn’t any other information made about this forensic audit and I do look forward to asking some questions about that. Lastly, I would like to find out what the department’s position is or plans to address the Inuktitut teacher shortage, especially in communities or schools which have one, two, or zero Inuktut- speaking teachers. Last, I would like to touch upon the teacher recruitment and retention strategy and the review of educator compensation and benefits and how that can be utilized to address the Inuktut teacher shortage. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Lightstone.

Any other names for general comments to the opening comments? Seeing none, please turn to page G-4. Department of Education. Directorate. Total Operations and Maintenance being requested, $7,576,000. I’ll give members a moment to get to their page. Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just have a few questions and the first one will be on the department has been working on improving school food programs across the territory. The draft business plan on page 110 notes that the department leads an interagency group working on this issue.

Now the question is: what steps to standardize school food programs are being considered for 2024-25? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the member for the question. This is a great topic that I know we all want to see enhanced and currently there are no school food programs…they’re all different in each community. We do get funding from the Department of Health, so each community has their discretion on what type of program that they offer, whether it’s hot breakfast and/or lunch or snacks.

We also have schools that access funding from outside organizations, particularly with the Inuit Child First Initiative and they run and operate and enhance their school food meal

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4641 programs through that funding source. Every community is different. We also don’t have healthy food standards, which is something we’re working on. I would also like to note that there are currently no positions allocated to school food meal programs at the moment. We are a part of the working group with the Department of Health and the Department of Family Services, along with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, on this particular topic.

With the support of this group, we are working to develop a project plan for the creation of a universal school food program for all Nunavut schools. This work is being turned into a business case for federal funding that we’re looking to support that program with. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll move on to the next one. Hopefully my colleagues will have follow-up questions to the answer that was just provided from the minister. I’ll move on, Mr. Chairman.

The 2021- 22 annual report and the Progress Report on Language of Instruction Regulations and Curriculum 2023 were tabled in November 2023. The question is: how is the department collaborating with its partners to accelerate the plan in the areas of resource development and implementation? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the member for that question.

We have a lot of work ahead of us in terms of the review of the 20-Year Language of Instruction Implementation Plan and working to work on the development approach for language of instruction implementation. That is a 20-year plan for curriculum and assessment, also resource development, along with educator training for all the subject areas that are each subject that is out there, and we’re working in a four- stage approach for this. To implement the new curriculum, there are a number of bilingual education stages that we’re at for each subject area.

For Nunavut, the first stage is curriculum development; the second stage is creation and assessment, evaluation and reporting that aligns with curriculum expectations; the third stage is creation of resources that support learning outcomes; and the fourth stage is the creation and delivery of training to support teachers in the implementation of the new curriculum. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll be moving on to the full- day kindergarten program. The department’s full-day kindergarten program was piloted in five communities.

I’ll have a follow-up question after this, Mr. Chairman. Now the question is: when does the department anticipate expanding the program to other communities? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the member for the question. We are expanding the full-

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4642 day kindergarten into seven communities this coming fall, the 2024-25 school year. The communities that were selected to go forward with the next phase for full-day kindergarten include Gjoa Haven, Grise Fiord, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq, Resolute Bay, Sanikiluaq, and Taloyoak. Quana, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That is great news to hear for Taloyoak being announced for the full- day kindergarten program. It is to my understanding that it will be this fall, if I’m not mistaken.

Okay, I’ve got confirmation that yes, it will be this fall. It’s for my constituents’ information. I represent another constituency community which is Kugaaruk. When can we see a full-day kindergarten program coming to Kugaaruk? Now that is my question, Mr. Chairman, and that’s my last question on this topic. Thank you. Chairman: Minister Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the member for that question.

We don’t know yet when Kugaaruk will have full-day kindergarten, but this is a phased rollout, so I can’t comment on the exact school year when the community will receive full-day kindergarten. Hopefully, as we assess the schools going forward, we will know which ones can be allocated next.

If the district education authorities also agree to have full-day kindergarten in their community, then we can go forward should the funding be available and be passed in this House, if there are major renovations or expansions that need to take place for the full-day kindergarten, and I suspect that next time just as we did this year. Last week, we announced which communities were going to implement full-day kindergarten this fall. Hopefully, this time next year we will have another slate of schools that can also be announced. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Next name I have on my list: Mr.

Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I have a follow-up question regarding the full-day kindergarten program. It was a project of five communities and this fall, there will be another seven communities that are going to get full- day kindergarten. Will these kindergarten programs be fully staffed? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, they will be fully staffed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The reason I’m asking that is that I have been hearing some closures due to shortage of staff, not for a long period of time, but missing a day here, missing a day there. That’s my worry. Will there be more than one staff per community for each kindergarten classroom? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4643 Chairman: Minister Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe there are two parts to that, so I’ll try to best answer the member’s question. Unfortunately, there are times when we do have to have a closure for a short period of time, sometimes a day or a couple of days, due to illness and/or being short staffed and we’re really working hard to ensure that that doesn’t happen.

However, with the situation with illness, we have just come out of COVID-19 and our communities sometimes are in more vulnerable situations with flu epidemics or different things going around the community that circumvent those types of situations. I can say that, in terms of the staff, we do have a student-educator ratio and we go based on the number of students in the classroom. For the full-day kindergarten, they will have at least one full-time educator being there all day, depending on the size of the classroom.

We might need more than one classroom to support the students being in the school full time versus half days, which our schools see at the moment. Some of these changes are worked out depending on the size of the class and the students that are coming into the classroom, and we go based on those numbers to determine what and how many teaching positions we need to fully operate and support the full-day kindergarten. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The department’s draft business plan notes that there was an increase of 21 positions between June 2022 and 2023. How many teaching positions are currently vacant? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the member for the question. In terms of vacancies, I would like just one minute to pull that up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your patience. In 45 schools that we do have, we have a total of 138.27 unfilled positions.

However, I would like to note that a lot of the positions are filled in other means with substitute teachers in filling the jobs there. Thank you. This is under the Nunavut Employees Union. For the Nunavut Teachers Association, we have a total of 810.5 filled Nunavut teacher education positions; there are a total of 523.5 non- Inuit and 287 Inuit. Of the 265 filled Nunavut Employees Union positions, there a total of 249 Inuit and 16 non- Inuit. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Sammurtok. No? Thank you. Next name I have on my list: Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would like to also pick up on the food program line of questioning. This is going to be a two-part question. Would the minister expand a little bit on which community partners the Department of Education has been in discussions with, with regard to the food program, and would the minister also provide some more information about

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4644 the business case that was submitted? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to the member for the question. We are working currently on a working group that is with the Department of Health, the Department of Family Services, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. This is a working group to support the application and the business case for funding with the federal government. A business case is being developed, so it’s not submitted yet, but we do look forward to having that submitted.

I can say that I did meet with the previous minister for the Inuit Child First Initiative last year and had a very productive meeting with the minister. We had the understanding and the encouragement to also have a positive, hopeful response coming from the federal government for this initiative. Following that meeting with the federal minister, I met with the President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, Aluki Kotierk, and we discussed the meeting that I had.

Since then, the department has attended meetings and is very engaged with the discussion on this working group and they do meet very regularly and to discuss this. I look forward to the development and the work that’s going forward from this business case that will be outlined and presented to the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Lightstone. Mr. Lightstone: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, minister. It sounds like the department has been very