Nunavut Canada LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT 2nd Session 6th Assembly HANSARD Official Report DAY 71 Friday, March 1, 2024 Pages 4432 – 4494 Iqaluit Speaker: The Honourable Tony Akoak, MLA

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

Akeeagok (Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu) Premier; Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister responsible for Immigration; Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs Bobby Anavilok (Kugluktuk) Janet Brewster (Iqaluit-Sinaa) Hon. Pamela Gross (Cambridge Bay) Deputy Premier; Minister of Culture and Heritage; Minister of Education; Minister of Languages; Minister responsible for Seniors George Hickes (Iqaluit-Tasiluk) Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Committee of the Whole Hon.

David Joanasie (South Baffin) Government House Leader; Minister of Community and Government Services; Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council Joelie Kaernerk (Amittuq) Mary Killiktee (Uqqummiut) Hon. Lorne Kusugak (Rankin Inlet South) Minister of Finance, Chair of the Financial Management Board; Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation Adam Lightstone (Iqaluit-Manirajak) Hon.

John Main (Arviat North-Whale Cove) Minister of Health; Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation; Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention Solomon Malliki (Aivilik) Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (Pangnirtung) Minister of Family Services; Minister responsible for Homelessness; Minister of Human Resources; Minister responsible for the Status of Women; Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Karen Nutarak (Tununiq) Hon.

Daniel Qavvik (Hudson Bay) Minister of Environment; Minister of Energy; Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College Joanna Quassa (Aggu) Inagayuk Quqqiaq (Netsilik) Alexander Sammurtok (Rankin Inlet North- Chesterfield Inlet) Joe Savikataaq (Arviat South) Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole Craig Simailak (Baker Lake)

Table of Contents Opening Prayer ...........................................................................................................................4432 Ministers’ Statements .................................................................................................................4432 Members’ Statements .................................................................................................................4437 Returns to Oral Questions ..........................................................................................................4440 Oral Questions ............................................................................................................................4441 Tabling of Documents ................................................................................................................4461 Notices of Motions .....................................................................................................................4462 Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ......................................4463 Report of the Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................4493 Orders of the Day .......................................................................................................................4493

A. Daily References Friday, March 1, 2024 ................................................................................................................4432 B.

Ministers’ Statements 377 – 6(2): Social Work Month (Nakashuk) ..............................................................................4432 378 – 6(2): Social Worker Wellness Program at Larga Baffin (Main) ......................................4432 379 – 6(2): National Social Work Month (Qavvik) ...................................................................4433 380 – 6(2): Mine Training Strategy (Akeeagok, D) ...................................................................4434 381 – 6(2): Planning Act Consultations (Joanasie) ....................................................................4435 382 – 6(2): Long-term Service Awards (Nakashuk) ..................................................................4435 383 – 6(2): Baby’s Safe Sleep Initiatives (Main) .......................................................................4436 C.

Members’ Statements 505 – 6(2): Atii Angutiit in Sanirajak and Igloolik (Kaernerk) ..................................................4437 506 – 6(2): Recognizing R.J.

Oolooyuk (Sammurtok) ...............................................................4437 507 – 6(2): Local Sobriety Initiative in Baker Lake (Simailak) .................................................4438 508 – 6(2): Visit to Mary River Mine (Nutarak) ........................................................................4438 509 – 6(2): Appreciation of Elders in Nunavut (Akeeagok, D) .................................................4439 510 – 6(2): Kinngait Co-op Celebrates 65 Years of Business (Joanasie) ...................................4440 D.

Returns to Oral Questions Return to Oral Question 709 – 6(2): Health Registries (Main) ..................................................4440

E.

Oral Questions 757 – 6(2): Igloolik Airport Terminal Building (Quassa) ..........................................................4441 758 – 6(2): Security at Nunavut Airports (Sammurtok) .............................................................4443 759 – 6(2): Search and Rescue Feasibility Study (Kaernerk).....................................................4444 760 – 6(2): Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Nunavut Consultations (Quqqiaq) ......................................................................................................4445 761 – 6(2): Municipal Governance (Malliki) .............................................................................4447 762 – 6(2): Critical Minerals and the Draft Land Use Plan (Simailak) ......................................4448 763 – 6(2): Nunavut Teacher Education Program Concerns (Nutarak) .....................................4450 764 – 6(2): Linesman Position for Arviat (Savikataaq) .............................................................4451 765 – 6(2): Municipal Supervision Orders (Killiktee) ...............................................................4453 766 – 6(2): Grizzly Bear Management (Anavilok) ....................................................................4455 767 – 6(2): Rankin Inlet Long-term Care Facility (Hickes) .......................................................4457 768 – 6(2): Iqaluit Housing Initiatives (Brewster) .....................................................................4457 769 – 6(2): Therapeutic Justice Program (Simailak) ..................................................................4459 770 – 6(2): Public Safety in Pond Inlet (Nutarak) ......................................................................4460 F.

Tabling of Documents 246 – 6(2): 2022-2023 Annual Report of the Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act (Akeeagok, D) .............................................................................................................................................4461 247 – 6(2): 2021-2022 Annual Report – Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund (Qavvik) .............................................................................................................................................4462 248 – 6(2): Government of Nunavut Response/2023 Report of the Auditor General of Canada: COVID-19 Vaccines in Nunavut (Main) .............................................................................4462

249 – 6(2): FPT Ministers of Health Meetings – October 2023 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Main) ........................................................................................................................4462 250 – 6(2): Sport and Recreation Division 2021-2022 Impact Report (Joanasie) .....................4462 251 – 6(2): Mine Training Strategy (Akeeagok, D) ...................................................................4462 G. Motions 030 – 6(2): Appointment to the Executive Council of Nunavut – Notice (Anavilok)................4462 H.

Bills Bill 37 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2024-2025 – Health – Consideration in Committee ............................................................................................................................4463 Bill 37 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2024-2025 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee ..........................................................4486

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4432 Iqaluit, Nunavut Friday, March 1, 2024 Members Present: Hon. David Akeeagok, Hon. P.J. Akeeagok, Hon. Tony Akoak, Mr. Bobby Anavilok, Ms. Janet Brewster, Hon. Pamela Gross, Mr. George Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, Mr. Joelie Kaernerk, Ms. Mary Killiktee, Hon. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Adam Lightstone, Mr. Solomon Malliki, Hon. John Main, Hon. Margaret Nakashuk, Ms. Karen Nutarak, Hon. Daniel Qavvik, Ms. Joanna Quassa, Mr. Inagayuk Quqqiaq, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Craig Simailak. >>House commenced at 13:29 Item 1: Opening Prayer Speaker (Hon.

Tony Akoak) (interpretation): Good day. Before we proceed, Ms. Quassa, can you say the opening prayer, please. >>Prayer Speaker (interpretation): Good day. (interpretation ends) Item 2. Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Family Services, Ms. Nakashuk. Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Minister’s Statement 377 – 6(2): Social Work Month (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my fellow MLAs and Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of social workers as we celebrate Social Work Month during the month of March.

The theme for this year’s Social Work Month is “Empowering Social Workers,” highlighting the importance of empowering social workers to inspire action and lead change in our communities. Mr. Speaker, it is important for us to be conscious of the role we play in supporting the critically important work of social workers. We must commit to providing them with all resources needed to carry out their duties. I encourage everyone to take time to interact with social workers in your communities, learn about their positive contributions, and identify ways to actively support their mandate. Mr.

Speaker, social workers are instrumental in shaping a brighter and more compassionate future for all Nunavummiut. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to them for their dedication and commitment to improving the lives of others. Their tireless efforts are deeply appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Minister’s Statement 378 – 6(2): Social Worker Wellness Program at Larga Baffin (Main) Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my fellow MLAs. Mr.

Speaker, today I would like to share an important stride forward in

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4433 supporting the well-being of Nunavut Inuit who travel to access necessary medical care. (interpretation ends) Through the diligent efforts of the Department of Health’s Medical Travel, Population Health, and Mental Health and Addictions divisions, we have created a social work and wellness program at the Larga Baffin boarding home in Ottawa. The Department of Health, with excellent support from Larga Baffin, has hired a dedicated social worker employed through the Ottawa Health Services Network Inc. (OHSNI).

This social worker is stationed at the boarding home and will deliver an array of crucial services, including mental health and substance use support, supportive counselling, social system navigation, crisis management, and more. The approach taken will be individually tailored to meet the client’s specific needs during their medical journey. Uqaqtitsijii, Health is now actively exploring and pursuing other avenues to expand this initiative, with an aim to offer similar support to medical travellers in other boarding homes.

This partnership shows our unwavering commitment to enhancing supports for medical travellers, ensuring they feel understood, cared for, and seen, even when away from home. The Department of Health recognizes the unique challenges medical travellers face. We understand that travellers can be extremely stressed, facing exceedingly difficult moments in life, medically or personally, and that it is important to offer wraparound supports during these tough times.

Please join me in thanking the Larga Baffin staff, the dedicated Health staff, and those at Ottawa Health Services Network Inc. who made this improvement possible. We have taken a step forward in ensuring that everyone staying in a boarding home does so with comprehensive supports available, embodying our dedication to not just health care but to the holistic wellness of our community. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Qavvik. Minister’s Statement 379 – 6(2): National Social Work Month (Qavvik) Hon.

Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge National Social Work Month. The theme, “Empowering Social Workers,” aligns with Nunavut Arctic College’s efforts to empower students and build capacity in the Social Service field for the territory. Nunavut Arctic College has been delivering some form of social work education for almost 40 years. Currently, the college offers a certificate, a diploma, and a degree program, with the degree being offered through Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This academic year, social work programs are being offered in Cambridge Bay, Arviat, and Iqaluit. Mr. Speaker, students in social work programs take courses in areas such as

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4434 mental health, addictions, child welfare, and trauma-informed practice. The programs often invite guest speakers who currently or have worked in this important field in Nunavut. Elders are also important pillars in the programs to teach cultural knowledge, practices, and general well-being. Mr. Speaker, I can confirm that students in these programs are committed to their communities.

Through group projects, students have organized community events for World Mental Health Day, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, World Suicide Prevention Day, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and International Women’s Day. Students have also participated in bringing food to elders, delivering Christmas hampers, and boys and girls groups. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the National Social Work Month, I invite all members to join me in thanking the Nunavut Arctic College students for choosing to learn within this very important field. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Minister’s Statement 380 – 6(2): Mine Training Strategy (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mining accounts for 40 percent of Nunavut’s Gross Domestic Product and is our territory’s largest economy. As such, there is a huge potential for Nunavummiut to close the gap in mine- related jobs. Providing training and supporting Nunavummiut to acquire the necessary skills is key to maximizing local employment in the mining industry. Mr.

Speaker, we have worked closely with the Department of Family Services and Nunavut Arctic College, as well as consulted over 50 individuals from 27 different organizations to develop the Nunavut Mine Training Strategy. Our aim is to increase awareness and access to mine training programs, develop transferrable skills that Nunavummiut can apply in other industries, and overall strengthen the employability of our workforce. Training is a key component in Katujjiluta.

Not only does the Mine Training Strategy support our mandate; it is also an investment in Nunavummiut to keep jobs local and build a stronger economic future for our territory. Later today I will be tabling the strategy and sharing this very important initiative, and I welcome my colleagues to read and learn more about this important strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4435 Minister’s Statement 381 – 6(2): Planning Act Consultations (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, Nunavummiut and members. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my department has completed public consultations to repeal and replace the Planning Act. Over 270 individuals were directly engaged in these consultations with valuable feedback and new ideas gained from Nunavummiut through this process.

The engagements took place via in- person community visits, stakeholder interviews, and electronic submissions of comments to the Planning and Lands Division consultation website. My department visited five communities in November and December 2023, speaking with municipal mayors and councils, community members, hunter and trapper organizations, local housing associations, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, regional Inuit associations, Inuit Heritage Trust, Tuttarviit Committee, and visited high school social science and geography classes. Mr.

Speaker, the Nunavut Planning Act establishes Nunavut’s legislative basis for municipal land use planning, including five main planning tools: general plans (most often entitled ‘community plans’), development schemes, zoning by-laws, general planning administration, and enforcement provisions. Mr. Speaker, my department is pleased to be reviewing the Planning Act to ensure it meets the needs of Nunavut communities.

There are a number of desired outcomes of this initiative as we look at modernizing this piece of legislation to ensure it complies with the Nunavut Agreement, provides for greater opportunities for Inuit to participate in community planning processes, and provides for an open, fair and transparent planning system for the territory. Mr. Speaker, a new Planning Act will provide the Government of Nunavut and municipalities with access to innovative and efficient tools by adapting Canadian best practices to be suitable for Nunavut.

I look forward to presenting this initiative for consideration within the life of this government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Human Resources, Ms. Nakashuk. Minister’s Statement 382 – 6(2): Long-term Service Awards (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am excited to announce that the Department of Human Resources is once again presenting Government of Nunavut Long-term Service Awards.

These awards are a great way for us to celebrate and recognize the continuous service provided by our outstanding employees and the contribution our public servants make in Nunavut communities and in the lives of Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual in-

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4436 person award ceremonies were suspended, but they resumed earlier this month. Over the remainder of 2024, the department will distribute 920 awards covering the period of 2020 to 2023 to eligible employees throughout the territory. Staff are planning long-term service events throughout Nunavut, including a gala for those employees who have reached 20-, 25-, 30- and 35- year service milestones. After this period of catch up, the department will resume annual long-term service celebrations.

I look forward to updating my colleagues as more details of upcoming ceremonies become available. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Minister’s Statement 383 – 6(2): Baby’s Safe Sleep Initiatives (Main) Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to speak about recent improvements made through the Baby’s Safe Sleep Initiative. The initiative is part of Health’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of our youngest Nunavummiut.

In January 2022, Health initiated an evaluation of the Newborn Wellness Program, conducting cross-jurisdictional scans and community consultations across Nunavut. The review yielded recommendations, such as developing visual educational materials in Inuktut, launching a targeted communications plan, and enhancing training for health care providers. Since the review, we have taken actions such as the territory-wide distribution of translated Baby’s Safe Sleep Environment resource materials and launching a public awareness campaign coinciding with Health Canada’s Safe Sleep Week.

We have also provided face-to-face training sessions for our health care providers and armed them with resources about safe sleep practices. Also, we currently have available the Baby’s Safe Sleep tool kit for health care providers, which includes: • An interactive teaching tool • A baby’s safe sleep video It’s very cute, I’m told, Mr. Speaker. • Posters and handouts • Online training Today we are taking another action, and I am pleased to showcase Nunavut’s new newborn wellness kits aimed at supporting parents and caregivers in giving a safe sleep environment for their newborn infant.

Packed inside a diaper bag, the kits include an infant sleep sack, infant health care kit, and printed tools parents need to ensure their newborn has a safe sleep environment. Uqaqtitsijii, every expecting parent in Nunavut attending their prenatal appointments will receive a newborn wellness kit. Members are invited to meet our Newborn Wellness program team, who are in the lobby over break time to display our tool kits for health care providers, and the new newborn wellness kits. Also in the lobby today are staff from Qupanuaq, an organization under the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation,

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4437 with whom Health is collaborating to make bassinets available to every infant in the Qikiqtani region. Health also plans to expand this bassinet program with a partnership with the Kitikmeot Friendship Society in Cambridge Bay and Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre as our strategic partner for the Kivalliq region. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 3. Members’ Statements. Member for Amittuq, Mr. Kaernerk. Item 3: Members’ Statements Member’s Statement 505 – 6(2): Atii Angutiit in Sanirajak and Igloolik (Kaernerk) Mr.

Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my fellow MLAs. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to extend my congratulations. It has been approximately two months since the department started the Atii Angutiit. They were able to come to Igloolik and Sanirajak, and while they were there, they built qamutiks and boats to help the people of Igloolik and Sanirajak. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased that this program is going very well in my communities, and I would like to thank the Department of Health for starting the Atii Angutiit program.

Maybe we can also talk about healthy relationships between men, women and youth. If we can start Atii Angutiit, then we can also initiate some other programs for the other populations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Rankin Inlet North- Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok. Member’s Statement 506 – 6(2): Recognizing R.J. Oolooyuk (Sammurtok) Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Good day to the people of Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize R. J.

Oolooyuk from Rankin Inlet, who recently graduated from the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba with a degree in mechanical engineering. Mr. Speaker, in a recent

article in the University of Manitoba Today newsletter, Mr. Oolooyuk talks about growing up using, fixing and tinkering with off-road all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and other kinds of machinery that are similar to every one of us who has grown up and lived in the north. His interest in learning how these machines work and how to optimize them to use in the Arctic put him on the path of engineering. In fact, Mr. Speaker, Mr. R. J. Oolooyuk’s final engineering project was as part of a team researching and redesigning an engine component to include the performance of Polaris snow machines.

Now that is a great example of giving back to your community. Mr. Speaker, Mr. R. J. Oolooyuk credits much of his success in completing his degree to the Engineering Access Program which did a recruitment

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4438 program at his high school. Such programs as these are excellent resources for students who are interested in this field but may need extra support and upgrading to succeed. Mr. Speaker, R. J. Oolooyuk is a wonderful role model for any high school student who is interested in engineering and has the motivation and dedication to reach out for opportunities to study in this field. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. R. J. Oolooyuk on his degree and wishing him success in his future career. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements.

Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Member’s Statement 507 – 6(2): Local Sobriety Initiative in Baker Lake (Simailak) Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to the people of Baker Lake and my fellow MLAs. Have a good day. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize Baker Lake residents Aquila Amaruq and his partner, Darlene Nukik. I’ll continue in English. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Aquila Amaruq and Darlene Nukik recently began a small group in Baker Lake on sobriety. They’re working on helping people, encouraging them to stay sober.

They have seen people in Baker Lake struggling with alcoholism and they themselves have struggled with it. Mr. Speaker, these two are not counsellors, but they are doing what they can locally. They’ve had help from the mental health nurse in British Columbia and it’s succeeding so far. Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time Aquila and Darlene have done something locally in Baker Lake to have helped their local Qamani’tuarmiutat. In the past, they have organized free luncheons for people in need that need some help with food. Mr.

Speaker, I wish continued success to Aquila and Darlene and ask my fellow colleagues to help me congratulate and thank Aquila Amaruq and Darlene for their efforts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak. Member’s Statement 508 – 6(2): Visit to Mary River Mine (Nutarak) Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to inform the House about my recent visit to the Mary River mine, which took place earlier last month. Mr.

Speaker, I want to express my appreciation to the Premier and Ministers Akeeagok, Joanasie and Qavvik, as I was able to join them on this site visit, as well as Qikiqtani Inuit Association President Akesuk. Mr. Speaker, our visit to the mine site was hosted by a number of senior Baffinland officials, and I thank Paul Quassa, Udlu Hanson, Joe Tigullaraq, and Brian Penney for their hard work. I

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4439 also want to thank John Raymond and John Calvert, who are senior leaders at the Energy and Minerals Group, which is one of the co-owners of Baffinland. Mr. Speaker, the visit provided an important opportunity for my colleagues and I to meet with Inuit who are working at the mine, as well as to convey community concerns directly to Baffinland’s senior management. Mr.

Speaker, my colleagues from Baker Lake spoke, maybe two weeks ago now, about the important role that the mineral resources extraction industry plays in generating much-needed revenues for government and our Inuit organizations. Information published by the Government of Canada under the federal Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act indicates that the Qikiqtani Inuit Association received approximately $99.8 million in fees, royalties, and infrastructure improvement payments between 2018 and 2022. These are much-needed revenues that go towards community projects in our region.

As the Member for Tununiq, I have strongly supported meaningful training and employment initiatives to benefit the impacted communities. Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you. Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are none. Please proceed, Ms. Nutarak. Ms. Nutarak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I can say that it was truly inspiring to meet with constituents who are building careers and developing skills.

I can also say that a number of my female constituents who are operating complex heavy equipment and performing other roles are doing a wonderful job in breaking gender stereotypes in respect to the mining industry. Mr. Speaker, we know that major projects such as Mary River have a significant environmental impact, and I appreciate and respect my constituents who have been vocal in pushing for solutions to mitigate these impacts.

Our recent site visit also provided an opportunity to receive an update on the status of the proposed Steensby shipping route, as well as an update on ongoing work to address concerns in such areas as dust control. Mr. Speaker, I want to conclude by reaffirming my commitment to working with the community to ensure that the project benefits our people for years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. David Akeeagok. Member’s Statement 509 – 6(2): Appreciation of Elders in Nunavut (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me first say that we heard yesterday that former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4440 signed the Nunavut Agreement, has passed away, and I sit on the same board as his daughter, Caroline Mulroney, so my prayers go out to them. I visit different communities and I try to visit our elders and they tell me many different things that they see. They always want me to do a good job and I really feel that. During our visit to Cambridge Bay last month at the elder facility, John Kupeuna told me a good story on how he has served on boards and councils and how he started in Nunavut. It was very nice and we do a lot of hard work to get the money out to them.

He says even though there’s not that much money, he wants us to keep going and persevere. Our elders give us many different comments like that, and I want to thank our elders because they encourage us to do our best. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for South Baffin, Mr. Joanasie. Member’s Statement 510 – 6(2): Kinngait Co-op Celebrates 65 Years of Business (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to the people of Kimmirut and Kinngait. Mr.

Speaker, I rise today to say that in the year 2024, the Co-op in Kinngait is celebrating their 65-year anniversary of operation. I’m very proud of that. Kinngait is known internationally for their great artwork and printmaking, and it has sustained the community ever since it started 65 years ago. Mr. Speaker, the Co-op store is open day to day and they have services available for the people of Kinngait. On top of that, I would like to express my pride because people in Kinngait get good dividends from their Co-op.

Carving and printmaking are very important to the Co-op, and there are many famous people like Kenojuak, Ashoona, Parr, and Pootoogook. Their works depict family and community life, and they keep their community prosperous. I really thank the Kinngait Co-op for all the work they have done up to now and let us celebrate their 65th anniversary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions. Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Item 4: Returns to Oral Questions Return to Oral Question 709 – 6(2): Health Registries (Main) Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to provide a response to a question I received on February 23, 2024 from MLA Brewster regarding an update on whether a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been established with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) related to the collection of information regarding organ and tissue donation and, if so, if there is now

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4441 a registry of potential organ and tissue donors. In November 2023 the CRA and Government of Nunavut signed a memorandum of understanding for the provision of information for the purpose of establishing or maintaining an organ and/or tissue donor registry. Beginning with the 2022 tax year, Nunavut residents have had the option on their annual Canada Revenue Agency tax forms to indicate if they want to receive information about becoming an organ or tissue donor.

The intent to donate box on tax returns indicates an intention to donate tissues or organs, but does not specify which organs, tissues, or blood products the individual intended for donation. With the memorandum of understanding signed, the secure transfer of the list of taxpayers within Nunavut who, as of June 2023, checked the intent to donate box on their 2022 tax return is underway and is anticipated to be completed by end of March 2024. The subsequent registry will be maintained and updated by the Department of Health.

Approximately 18 percent of Nunavut’s respondents checked the intent to donate box on their tax return. It is important to note that even if an individual had checked this box, transplant programs solicit explicit consent from the family before any donation is considered by a clinical transplant program for a deceased member of the family. Nunavummiut’s voluntary participation in this registry raises awareness and information on the value of Nunavummiut having discussion within their family and friends on the topic of donation.

Donation is not limited to time of death, as there are instances of living donors donating tissue and partial organs, such as liver or kidney, to another individual. With Nunavut’s location and surgical capacity, it is not feasible to have an organ and tissue donation program within the territory. Organs and tissues would not be viable, considering the transportation times from Nunavut to southern locations that offer transplantation. However, organ and tissue donation would be a viable option for Nunavummiut in a southern jurisdiction. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 5.

Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Item 6. Oral Questions. (interpretation) Before we start, because there are many members who would like to ask questions, please keep your

preambles short or go directly to your questions. Thank you. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions. Member for Aggu, Ms. Quassa. Item 6: Oral Questions Question 757 – 6(2): Igloolik Airport Terminal Building (Quassa) Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions today are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation. Mr. Speaker, I want to follow up on questions that I asked the minister during our fall sitting concerning the need for infrastructure improvements at the Igloolik Airport.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4442 As he recalls, I have told him that I have witnessed elders and disabled residents in wheelchairs that have severe difficulties as a consequence of the lack of ramps and other appropriate infrastructure. The minister tabled his department’s updated 20-year airport capital needs assessment. The report clearly indicates that Igloolik’s airport requires an “airside accessibility ramp.” What is the timeline for acquiring and installing a new airside accessibility ramp at the airport? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon.

Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ramp is scheduled to be built in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for clearly explaining that. The same document identified a number of other deficiencies at the airport, including the need for improvements to its taxiway, apron, and runway.

When I raised these issues with the minister during our fall sitting, he indicated that his department makes submissions to the federal Airport Capital Assistance Program. Can the minister confirm today when his department will be making a submission to this federal program in respect to the Igloolik Airport? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have not heard from them yet and sometimes they are slow in responding, so I can’t announce any dates right now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister. Maybe if you keep calling those offices or keep writing to them, they will respond quicker. However, (interpretation ends) I recognize and understand that the Government of Nunavut does not have unlimited resources with which to pave all of our airports’ runways. Can the minister update the House today on his discussions with the federal Minister of Transport to improve the federal Airport Capital Assistance Program? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week, we had an online conference with my other transportation ministers in Canada and the federal minister was also there. We discussed ACAP, which is an assistance

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4443 program for airports, and the federal government pays 100 percent when they help through that program. With that being the case, we wanted that to be continued. The delegates from the Northwest Territories and Yukon expressed the same things to the new federal minister. We tried to make him understand everything that we really need. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok. Question 758 – 6(2): Security at Nunavut Airports (Sammurtok) Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions are to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation. As the minister will recall, I recently wrote a letter to him and the Minister of Health concerning the issue of security at Nunavut airports and health centres. There was a lot of discussion during the meeting of Committee of the Whole concerning security at health centres, and I hope that the Minister of Health will be replying to my letter in the near future. Can the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation indicate when he will be replying to my letter? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon.

Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As soon I can. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As soon as he can; I hope it’s not going to be a month-long answer. As I noted in my recent letter to the ministers, I have recently observed an increased security presence at the Rankin Inlet Airport.

Can the minister confirm what company has been awarded the contract to provide security at the Rankin Inlet Airport and can he indicate how many Inuit are employed by the company to provide frontline security services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We put new security in the Rankin Inlet Airport.

We had to do it as soon as possible, so what we did was with the health centre in Rankin Inlet, the same company, I don’t have the company’s name, but that’s the same company that’s doing it now and, from what I understand, there are no Inuit employed at this time. However, I want to assure this House that we are preparing a tender to provide adequate security in Rankin Inlet. We couldn’t put it out for tender, but we are working on getting that tender out and hopefully it will attract local security companies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4444 Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister will recall, I was proud to have voted in favour of funding to construct Chesterfield Inlet’s new airport terminal building. Can the minister confirm the extent to which enhanced security will be provided at airports in Nunavut’s smaller communities, including Chesterfield Inlet? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I am hoping that we don’t have security across our airports. That is my goal, to keep the costs down and also knowing that in the airports, it’s the friendliest place when you walk in. Whether you land in Chesterfield Inlet or Grise Fiord, you are welcomed in that community. I prefer that there be no security, but as times change, we will assess it. Right now I have no plans in terms of adding securities to small communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Amittuq, Mr. Kaernerk. Question 759 – 6(2): Search and Rescue Feasibility Study (Kaernerk) Mr.

Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the community and government services minister regarding the feasibility study for search and rescue. I would like to know at the first place, Mr. Speaker, what has been done after the letter was distributed regarding the search and rescue prefeasibility studies. What has happened up to this day? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for his question.

It was being reviewed to see if it was feasible to provide air search and rescue services in Nunavut, but we were assessing it at the time. I gave the details to my colleagues last fall, if I remember correctly. Looking at the funding at the time, it was going to be too expensive, so we were unable to move forward with it and that’s the case to date. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. I am sorry that this program could not go ahead.

If this went ahead during the winter session, we would have dealt with the estimated funding for this program. If I can describe the air terminal in Sanirajak to the minister, the airstrip is 5,410 feet and 150 feet wide. I know the details. If the costs are going to be too high, then maybe the Department of Community and Government Services can take on that service on their own. Can you agree to consider providing operations and maintenance funding for Sanirajak? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4445 Speaker: Minister of Government and Community Services, Mr. Joanasie Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The correspondence I sent to my colleagues on November 3 contained more detailed information, Mr. Speaker. If we can find an airplane dedicated to search and rescue within Nunavut, we will need pilots and aircraft maintainers. Space would also be required for the aircraft. All of these things will have to be considered and how much it would cost to do that.

We have delayed it for the time being and we would have to figure out whether we can move forward with it, but it’s not within the current budget of the Department of Community and Government Services. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you, Mr. Minister. I forgot to mention that in our community, there’s a helicopter landing pad. It would be cheaper and perhaps you could look at that. Last year in spring, our Member of Parliament, Lori Idlout, was able to come to Sanirajak.

A concern raised by our community residents was how the federal government and the Government of Nunavut can provide support to Sanirajak. They were looking at that because the Sanirajak community is almost in the middle of that area. Can the minister agree to look into whether you can transport by helicopter instead of by airplane since there is already a helicopter landing pad in Sanirajak? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Perhaps I can agree to a review so that everyone can have the same understanding as elected officials. Our Member of Parliament will also need to have an understanding of what this contains. I would like to make sure that we can have other options to look into and then once we get those options, we can make well-informed decisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq. Question 760 – 6(2): Canadian Radio- television and Telecommunications Commission Nunavut Consultations (Quqqiaq) Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

My questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services. Mr. Speaker, I was very happy to hear the minister’s recent statement in the House concerning the Canadian Radio- television and Telecommunications Commission’s consultations on service in the north. Mr. Speaker, I completely agree with the minister’s position that Nunavut needs reliable, affordable and high-quality telecommunications services. Mr. Speaker, on December 21, 2023, the Government of Nunavut provided its formal submission to the Canadian

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4446 Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Mr. Speaker, for the benefit of Nunavummiut who are following our proceedings today, can the minister highlight the government’s main recommendations to the commission? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question. Mr.

Speaker, in terms of what our recommendations are for Nunavut towards the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, we do want to see equitable access to broadband just as the rest of Canada enjoys, along with the speed of Internet. That’s the main goal of what we want to see through that process and we will continue to push for that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister is aware, I have been a strong advocate for actions to bridge the “digital divide” between Nunavut and the rest of Canada. Mr.

Speaker, the minister previously indicated that his department has entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Nunavut Tunngavik concerning the government’s plan to bring fibre to the territory. Mr. Speaker, can the minister provide an update today on the status of this partnership? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do still continue to have open dialogue and communication regarding partnerships on fibre.

We do know that we have a proposal to bring fibre to Nunavut and we have dedicated funds through this House on that. Mr. Speaker, I think the discussion is still open and so far right now, the Government of Nunavut’s project is still led by us and there’s no other partner other than the federal government’s other funding commitments towards bringing Katittuq fibre to Iqaluit and Nunavut. Other than that, we are also engaging Inuit organizations and others on other potential fibre network routes that we would like to see in the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr.

Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister will recall, his department issued a request for proposals in July 2023 for the “installation and hosting of high- performance Starlink dishes in 24 communities for the Government of Nunavut.” Mr. Speaker, can the minister confirm today how many new dishes have been installed in Taloyoak and Kugaaruk? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To be honest, I stand to be

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4447 corrected, but I believe there are dishes that have been set up in all 25 communities. I’ll confirm that with the member. Thank you. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Aivilik, Mr. Malliki. Question 761 – 6(2): Municipal Governance (Malliki) Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to my constituents and all Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Community and Government Services. Mr.

Speaker, the minister recently made a statement in the Legislative Assembly concerning the Nunavut Association of Municipalities. As a former mayor, I appreciate the importance of the association as well as regional forums such as meetings of Kivalliq mayors. As the minister noted in his statement, the annual meetings of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities provide an important opportunity for mayors to introduce and approve formal resolutions. However, I speak from experience when I say that there have been frustrations in finding out how the government has responded to the resolutions.

Will the minister commit to tabling the Government of Nunavut’s response to the formal resolutions passed by the Nunavut Association of Municipalities at its most recent annual general meeting? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that question. Mr. Speaker, we are actively in ongoing engagement with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities.

It was great to participate in their annual general meeting and with that, I know they did pass resolutions and we will be responding on those. At the earliest opportunity, I want to bring it forward to my colleagues here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister. I look forward to that. (interpretation ends) The minister recently made a statement in the legislative concerning the support that his department has been providing to newly elected mayors and councillors following last fall’s elections.

I applaud the minister for being proactive. Can the minister confirm when the orientation and training will be offered to the Naujaat and Coral Harbour councils? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apologize to my colleague. I don’t have that detail here, but I’ll share that. I do know that the department has been providing support for orientation and training to members, but I don’t

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4448 have that level of detail and bring forward the response to my colleague. Thank you. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank you and look forward to that as well. (interpretation ends) As the minister is aware, the Hudson Bay Regional Roundtable is an initiative involving seven communities in the Kivalliq, a number of Manitoba communities and other partners. As a former Mayor of Naujaat, I had the opportunity to participate in meetings of the roundtable prior to the pandemic. Mr.

Speaker, there was recently a provincial general election in Manitoba and a new government is in office. Can the minister update the House on work to restart activities of the Hudson Bay Regional Roundtable? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do understand that there is some level of great interest, especially in the Kivalliq, on that roundtable.

It’s my understanding that there has been a little bit of a hiatus on bringing those back, but if that work is bringing those things back together again, I think that’s an area that my department continues to see if there are opportunities. As of now, I’m not aware of any new progress to date. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Question 762 – 6(2): Critical Minerals and the Draft Land Use Plan (Simailak) Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This afternoon, my questions are for the Minister responsible for Mines. Mr.

Speaker, I want to follow up today on issues that I raised during our fall sitting in relation to critical minerals. As the minister is aware, information published by the government as part of this year’s budget indicates that critical rare earth minerals are “crucial for a wide range of high‐tech applications, including smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and various defence systems, due to their unique magnetic, luminescent, and electrochemical properties.” The budget documentation also indicates that Nunavut has “significant and untapped rare earth resources.” Mr.

Speaker, it’s no secret that Nunavut’s current gold mines will eventually stop production, so it is essential that work begins now to develop sources of critical minerals in the territory. Can the minister provide an update today on what actions his department is taking to work with the federal government in respect to its critical minerals strategy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for Mines, Mr. David Akeeagok.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4449 Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The minister responsible for Canadian natural resources and I have been in meetings and to try to set up what we call regional roundtables, and that’s the approach that Minister Wilkinson has done throughout the country where we look within the region where the critical minerals are and focus on that and have stakeholders go in. That work is still ongoing and something that I continue to work with Minister Wilkinson on this very important file. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr.

Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hopefully we will see a strategy sometime soon. Mr. Speaker, information published by the government as part of this year’s budget indicates that the total value of mineral production in Nunavut was over $2.2 billion in the year 2022. Can the minister provide an estimate today as to what the potential benefit is to Nunavut’s economy from the critical rare earth mineral sector? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for Mines, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The potential is very huge and there are explorations that are taking place and some of them are advancing more. Under the critical minerals, there are 31 critical minerals and each of those minerals has different…what the value of that critical mineral is. It’s hard to predict in terms of how much more of that it will be, but I would like to assure this House that it would be significant. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

When I raised this issue during our recent fall sitting, I noted that serious concerns have been raised that the draft Nunavut Land Use Plan in its current form poses serious risks that critical rare earth mineral deposits could be stranded and unavailable for development. The Department of Economic Development and Transportation shares responsibility for reviewing the draft Nunavut Land Use Plan. Can the minister indicate today what concerns he has with the draft Nunavut Land Use Plan and can he provide a clear timetable for when a decision will be made to approve the plan or to send it back for further work?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for Mines, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Environment is the lead on this particular one. He recently had asked all the departments to provide their concerns and/or the good things about it and that work is ongoing. In discussions with my colleague, we’re aiming to have our government along with the two signatories to reach a decision by spring of this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4450 Question 763 – 6(2): Nunavut Teacher Education Program Concerns (Nutarak) Ms. Nutarak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College. Mr. Speaker, a number of concerns regarding the Nunavut Teacher Education Program have been brought to my attention. Mr. Speaker, ever since the program’s affiliated university changed from McGill to other institutions, the program seems to have struggled. It no longer seems to be geared towards the learning needs of potential Inuit teachers.

There are not enough instructors to deliver the program and there is very little support for students. Can the minister clearly explain how the Nunavut Teacher Education Program is evaluated to determine if it is suitable for training Inuit teachers? 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 bringing the question to my attention. Mr.

Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College supports the government’s goal in creating a robust education system that will assist Nunavut in preparing for careers in the territory. The Nunavut Teacher Education Program has been revised into a program that can allow Inuktut language and culture in courses, with the aim of graduating more bilingual teachers for the teachers across the Nunavut territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Nutarak. Ms. Nutarak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maybe we can look into it to see how it is determined that it is suitable for Inuit teachers. Mr.

Speaker, I have been hearing of more and more Inuit students struggling with the Nunavut Teacher Education Program coursework and many of them are dropping out. Many of them are struggling with the coursework. None of them had struggled when it was under McGill University. A lot of students had more support. Can the minister tell this House if he is aware of the high numbers of Inuit students dropping out of the Nunavut Teacher Education Program and, if he is, can he explain whether it is because they are struggling with the course delivery, the course materials, the instructors, or for other reasons?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think there were a couple of questions in there, but to my knowledge, there are many factors that come into play that are outside of our control. There are daycare issues across Nunavut communities. There are financial issues with our students accessing additional resources to provide day-to-day lives. There are about 147 Nunavut teachers across the territory and we began with 157. We have seen just a minor drop

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4451 within our Nunavut Teacher Education Program and we have the Student Services Division that does everything it can to support students to stay in school. In terms of the member’s question if I’m aware of the level of teachers dropping out, whether due to instructors, we also have blended online learning where every community has a manager within the Nunavut Teacher Education Program, but the online portion is provided from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Nutarak. Ms.

Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll speak with you again to discuss the barriers faced by the students. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the Nunavut Teacher Education Program has gone through some changes in the past few years and I appreciate that the current laddering approach provides some flexibility for students to enter the teaching profession at different levels.

Can the minister clarify how Nunavut Arctic College works with the Department of Education to determine how many teachers and language specialists are needed to fill positions in Nunavut schools and what efforts are made to recruit and retain Inuit students into the Nunavut Teacher Education Program so that they will be able to fill those positions? 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 that question. Mr. Speaker, we work alongside with the Department of Education.

Nunavut Arctic College’s main priority and goal is for our students to graduate at Nunavut Arctic College and we work with the Department of Education to place our students into schools for practicum. That takes place, to my knowledge, from January to May for their final year of studies. There are many other factors. We get assistance from the Department of Education. For example, students are eligible for the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq. Question 764 – 6(2): Linesman Position for Arviat (Savikataaq) Mr.

Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to the people of Arviat. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my questions to the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation. Mr. Speaker, we had a good blizzard here last night. Even under Arviat’s standards, it was a real blizzard in the evening. An Hon. Member: Hear, hear! Mr. Savikataaq: It reminds me of all the blizzard days we get in Arviat. Mr. Speaker, this past winter, we had a few long many-day blizzards in Arviat. The power went out. There were

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4452 approximately, I believe, 40 houses with no power for approximately four or five days. The problem was that there was no linesman available to come in. There was no power at the airport, so the planes couldn’t come in, unless it was daytime. There was no power at the bulk fuel storage, the gas station, so nobody could buy fuel or gasoline. I’ll ask the minister if there are any plans to alleviate Arviarmiut that do need a linesman to station a linesman in Arviat. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Main. Hon.

John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I was aware of the power outages in Arviat. At the time, I wasn’t the minister, so I’m not aware of the detailed operational nature of the response, but I know that it did cause some hardship in terms of the outage and I do regret that anytime that we have power outages in terms of inclement weather. We had some here, as the member mentioned yesterday, here in Iqaluit. Anytime that there’s a power outage, the Qulliq Energy Corporation makes efforts to get power restored as soon as possible.

We understand how important electricity is, especially in the colder winter months, and the potential for damage to homes or any other properties is very evident to us, so we make every effort to restore the power as soon as possible, subject to weather and other contributing factors. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The minister did not answer my question. I asked if there are plans to put a linesman in Arviat.

The minister talked about how important power source is, how hardship it is when houses might freeze up in the winter when it’s cold, and I didn’t ask those questions. I was there in Arviat. I saw the hardships. I saw the people. Because there were no linesmen to reconnect the power, the people were out of fuel in their house. Others had no power in their house; they were freezing up. Mr. Speaker, the Qulliq Energy Corporation has a staff house in Arviat that has been vacant as a staff house for 10 to 20 years.

It is used for when the linesmen do come in and they stay there instead of the hotel, so staff housing is not an issue. I’ll ask the minister again, as my constituents have been concerned. They do suffer and I have been asked and the Hamlet of Arviat also asked to get a linesman put in there. I’ll ask the minister again: what are his plans for putting a linesperson in Arviat? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) In terms of the question, I believe it was phrased as what are my plans for stationing a staff member in Arviat. Just to clarify, as minister, I’m not responsible for telling the corporation to put a staff member here or put a

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4453 mechanic here. That’s way beyond, as I understand it, the minister’s role. The president of the Qulliq Energy Corporation is responsible along with the board of directors for operational matters. In terms of the detailed question regarding, I believe, one position, the member is asking about one position within an approximate team of about 200 employees that the Qulliq Energy Corporation has, I can ask for that detailed information and commit to getting back to the member, but I don’t have that here in front of me right now. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I only asked about the linesman. I don’t believe there are 200 linesmen within Nunavut, but I could be wrong. There could be 200 linesmen within Nunavut. I didn’t ask about all of the other stuff. I just asked about the linesman being stationed in Arviat. Mr. Speaker, we have heard the comment before about there’s not enough work in Arviat to have a linesperson there, but the work would be in other communities too.

I know for a fact that there are linesmen in Rankin Inlet that work in other communities, as when the power goes off in Arviat and there are issues with the lines, we have to wait until a linesperson comes in from Rankin Inlet to deal with the problem. Just to make it clear to the minister, unless there are 200 linesmen, I’m asking about a position and have an empty, heated staff house that is unoccupied most of the time, so housing is not an issue.

I’m aware that the minister will not direct one mechanic there, one linesman there, but the minister is responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation or is supposed to be. Will the minister have his staff look into the feasibility of stationing a linesperson in Arviat? Arviat is fairly big now, so will the minister commit to looking into that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Yes. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Uqqummiut, Ms.

Killiktee. Question 765 – 6(2): Municipal Supervision Orders (Killiktee) Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Community and Government Services. There have already been questions posed to him. Nonetheless, I first want to wish good day to everyone in Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq, along with Nunavummiut who are listening to our proceedings. Earlier I announced to the residents of Clyde River via their local radio to deal properly with the subject I am going to ask today based on the reasons for the previous work.

It is surrounding the hamlet operations in Clyde River, where the minister has provided supervised operations and that is my foundation for

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4454 the following questions. It’s about the affairs of the Hamlet of Clyde River being placed under supervision. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask my question because the minister has signed an order to place the affairs of the Hamlet of Clyde River under supervision and appointed a supervisor. This order was published yesterday in the Nunavut Gazette and is now public information. That’s why I’m asking the question, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I recognize that this order was made at the request of the hamlet council.

Nonetheless, this is a serious matter and the people of Clyde River need to have a clear understanding of the situation. As the minister is aware,

section 191.1 of the Hamlets Act states that: “The Minister may, by order, place the affairs of the municipal corporation under supervision, and appoint a supervisor of the affairs of the municipal corporation, if the Minister has reason to believe that a municipal corporation is in financial or operational difficulty; the council has failed to perform a duty required of it by this Act or any other Act; or it is in the best interests of the municipal corporation that its affairs be supervised.” Can the minister clearly explain what factors required him to place the affairs of the hamlet under supervision? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question. Mr. Speaker, my department is committed to ensuring that the operations of municipal services in accordance with the Hamlets Act are going through as intended. Mr. Speaker, again, this was requested through a formal motion of the council on January 16, 2024. They requested a supervisor to be appointed under

section 191.1 of the Act. Mr. Speaker, since we are two levels of government, and local government and hamlets manage their own affairs and if there are issues with their day-to-day operations, and if they can’t maintain certain functions that their residents need, they can request that hands-on support from the department. This is what has happened here and we had to execute a supervision order and appoint someone to come in and support the hamlet through this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also thank you for clearly explaining that. I have seen the motion that was referenced. I have received a copy of it. I just wanted to make sure that everybody in Clyde River and we all understand it the same way. When people start talking about it in different ways, then misinformation spreads. (interpretation ends) As the minister will recall, municipal elections were held a few months ago. (interpretation) Can the minister confirm that the current mayor and members of council will remain in

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4455 office during the period of supervision? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In regard to the member’s question, yes, the mayor and council will stay as such while the appointed supervisor is there to help them run the organization properly. The supervisor is there just to help the community and that’s because the council requested a supervisor be appointed under a motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms.

Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that we wouldn’t want the municipality at risk and I know that we don’t want to be overly concerned. (interpretation ends) As the minister will recall, he has also signed an order to place the affairs of the Municipality of Kinngait under supervision. Can the minister clarify which other Nunavut communities are in financial or operational difficulty and may need to be placed under supervision? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon.

David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The two municipalities have been placed under order and they have requested to do so, but at this time, I can’t tell you which other communities have been placed under order. I do know that the hamlet councils or municipalities do diligent work in trying to run their business and we try to provide support to the municipalities. If the Department of Community and Government Services is required to do so, the municipalities can request for help. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Anavilok.

Question 766 – 6(2): Grizzly Bear Management (Anavilok) Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my fellow MLAs and Nunavummiut. My questions today are for the Minister of Environment, and they concern the issue of grizzly bear management in the Kitikmeot. As the minister will recall, the Kugluktuk Angoniatit (interpretation ends) Hunters and Trappers Organization (interpretation) recently submitted a proposal to the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (interpretation) for five additional grizzly bear sport hunt tags.

The submission was scheduled to be considered at the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s (interpretation) meeting of November 29, 2023. Can the minister confirm what decision has been made by the (interpretation ends) Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (interpretation) in response to the

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4456 HTO’s request? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, member, for that question. Mr. Speaker, in regard to the member’s question around the grizzly bears within the western part of Nunavut, the Department of Environment has done a study in regard to the vicinity around Kugluktuk and we can expect to have a report by the spring of 2023.

For the member’s questions around the co-management partners, I do not have that level of detail in front of me and I’ll commit to getting back to the member as soon as I can. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank the minister for his response. For the record, can the minister indicate if his department supported the HTO’s request? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Once the co-management partner with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s submission, the Department of Environment will provide whether they support or not support the information. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As the minister is aware, his department’s business plan indicates that one of its priorities for the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year is to “finalize the survey of the Kitikmeot region grizzly bear [population] to estimate distribution and density.” Can the minister describe how his department will be working with the Kugluktuk Angoniatit Hunters and Trappers Organization on this initiative? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As I indicated, my department initiated the grizzly bear density study in September 2021 and that we are to resample the 2008-09 survey area in the vicinity of Kugluktuk. The final report encompassing all three years of study from 2021, ‘22, and ‘23 is anticipated for spring 2025 and will be shared with co-management partners. Despite the absence of statistical significance, local knowledge supports that the grizzly bear population increased in the area and is consistent with field observations by hunters and biologists.

The Department of Environment will work with the Kugluktuk Angoniatit Hunters and Trappers Organization to conduct the report and work with the community to identify the sport hunting that is impacting the western communities of Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4457 Question 767 – 6(2): Rankin Inlet Long-term Care Facility (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my questions today to the Minister responsible for Community and Government Services. Mr. Speaker, on this previous Tuesday in a response regarding the elders’ facility that’s being constructed in Rankin Inlet, the minister stated that “the current status of that project sits at 90 percent…” Mr. Speaker, that’s the same level of completion that was announced last October.

I would like to get the minister to describe what work has been done to date since then. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll have to take that question as notice because I don’t have the details. Thank you. Speaker: Question taken as notice. Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Question 768 – 6(2): Iqaluit Housing Initiatives (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would just like to extend my gratitude to those city workers and others that have been working so hard to keep us safe and clear our streets… >>Applause …as well as to the public servants, technical team and others who scrambled in to come and join us and make sure that our sitting happens today. Apparently, the city has reopened as of three o’clock. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.

As the minister will recall, the Nunavut Housing Corporation issued a request for proposals in November 2023 for the design and construction of a residential multiplex in Iqaluit. Earlier this month, the Nunavut Housing Corporation cancelled the request for proposals “due to budgetary constraints.” Can the minister clarify if the Nunavut Housing Corporation will reissue the request for proposals or will it enter into a negotiation process with NCC Development under the Nunavut 3000 Plan to move the project forward? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr.

Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s unfortunate that happened; that we couldn’t carry through with the high cost of the tendering process. Mr. Speaker, it’s very difficult to get into another negotiation with another company immediately after a high bid. Mr. Speaker, we’re looking at what options we do have on that matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do look forward to hearing more about that once the decisions have been made.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4458 The Nunavut 3000 Plan indicates that Iqaluit has been identified to receive a total of 610 new units over the life of the plan. These include 320 new public housing units, 170 new affordable housing units, and 120 new market housing units. As the minister will recall, I recently asked questions to the Minister of Community and Government Services concerning his department’s work to review the territorial Planning Act.

At that time, I noted that Iqaluit City Council has been considering a “Private Sector Land Development Proposal Strategy” that may ultimately result in the construction of 40 to 60 new single- family homes in the community. These discussions have also considered the extent to which the project will focus on Inuit-purposed housing. Can the minister clarify if these units are considered part of the Nunavut 3000 allocation for Iqaluit and, if they are, can he clarify if they are considered to be “affordable housing units” or “market housing units”? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Nunavut 3000 project, it includes all housing that is being built by the Government of Nunavut or the private sector. In working with the private sector, that number of Nunavut 3000 includes every house that will be built within Nunavut, regardless of who builds it.

In terms of whether some of those units will become private market or affordable housing, it’s yet to be seen, but we are encouraged to see that there is a market out there or companies out there that are looking at increasing the number of houses that are available in Iqaluit and elsewhere. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was happy to hear the minister confirm that work is underway to appoint a new board of directors for the Iqaluit Housing Authority.

In order for Nunavut 3000 to succeed, we need trust and partnership between all stakeholders, including the Nunavut Housing Corporation, the Iqaluit Housing Authority, and the city council. Mr. Speaker, the minister is well aware that I firmly believe that representation matters when it comes to boards such as this. Can he assure me that the new board will be reflective of Iqaluit’s population and can he assure me that one of the criteria that will be used in appointing board members is their actual lived experience in the public housing system? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I really appreciate that question, Mr. Speaker. It is very important that all communities have housing boards and directors that are representative of the community. Mr. Speaker, there is a committee that is taking a look currently at potential candidates and/or final appointments of

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4459 these individuals. I’m very hopeful that it will be reflective of the community as a whole, which also includes people who are in the housing system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Everyone asked questions and we still have time left over. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Question 769 – 6(2): Therapeutic Justice Program (Simailak) Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for recognizing me again. For my next round of questions, I’ll give the Minister responsible for Mines a break and ask the Minister of Justice a question now. Mr.

Speaker, the minister did a minister’s statement last week on the Therapeutic Justice Program. He mentioned that they use Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit knowledge, principles, and values. “At the end of 2023, the program had received 45 clients…the most since its creation in 2019.” I will quote one last thing here. “The Therapeutic Justice Program is a successful example of how the justice system in Nunavut can evolve and grow to better represent Inuit culture and values through community-centred and supported healing.

It is our hope that the continued success of this and similar community-based justice programs will make a lasting positive impact on the lives of all Nunavummiut.” Mr. Speaker, since this is such a successful program, I’m wondering: are there plans in place to expand to other communities besides the two? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I thank the member for asking on this wonderful program and that’s something that I continue to pursue is to find more funding, whether it’s through the federal government or through Nunavut Tunngavik or internally too, and I am looking at all those options in terms of trying to expand it to other communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. It’s to my understanding that this has been a successful program for a few years now.

I’m kind of surprised that there aren’t any further plans or better planning up to date now to get to the next community. I’m wondering: when will we see some more traction to expand to other communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have a specific plan in terms of when the expansion will be. I know that this is part of our business plan and once the Department of Justice is at the witness table, I’ll be happy to provide more details on this, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr.

Simailak.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4460 Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m wondering if the minister has an idea of which communities he would like to expand to next. I believe Baker Lake would be a very good spot to go to next. I’m wondering what the minister has in mind. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have a plan in terms of which community.

The Community Justice Division, who oversees this, does a very wonderful job in terms of getting all the information and seeing where the needs are, which communities need it the most, and I will trust their knowledge in terms of where they should go. This is one that instead of going through the court system, they have this option. I just wish we can do that to every community, but right now, I don’t. It’s one that if there is the next community that it’s going to be going to, I’ll rely on my staff that knows which communities will need this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions.

Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak. Question 770 – 6(2): Public Safety in Pond Inlet (Nutarak) Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for recognizing me again. I also have questions for the (interpretation ends) Minister of Justice (interpretation) today. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions will be concerning the importance of issues of public safety in Pond Inlet. Mr.

Speaker, as the minister will recall, I recently had the opportunity to table his reply to my letter of July 27, 2023, which identified an increase of alcohol- related incidents and the need for additional Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer positions in Pond Inlet. Mr. Speaker, the minister’s reply to my correspondence indicated that his department acknowledges the rise in alcohol-related incidents and has approved funding for an additional Royal Canadian Mounted Police position in Pond Inlet. Mr. Speaker, this is positive news and I applaud the minister and his department for actions on my concerns. Mr.

Speaker, can the minister confirm that the additional Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer position will be filled at the beginning of the upcoming 2024-25 fiscal year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The plan is to fill the position for this fiscal year, 2024-25. The RCMP’s recruitment and the determination of work such as staff housing and that will need to be taken into factor in terms of when the timing will be, but I want to ensure that for those new members, we would like to have them as soon as possible.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Nutarak. Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The availability of

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4461 housing is quite crucial, but before I proceed further, I would like to welcome our Mayor, Joshua Arreak, whom I will recognize at the appropriate time. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, his department recently provided community reports produced by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to myself and a number of my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the monthly reports contained statistics and provided updates and insight on the work of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the department and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their ongoing efforts to track incidents and keep us informed about their work in our communities. Can the minister confirm that his department will continue to provide these important reports on a monthly basis to all Members of the Legislative Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Yes, our department is planning to continue to provide the monthly updates.

They do this to the hamlets and councils and when they do provide those, my plan is to provide it to all Members of this Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Thank you. Members, be aware that the time allotted for question period is now over. Ms. Nutarak. Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): I seek unanimous consent to return to (interpretation ends) Item 5. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: The member is asking to return to Item 5 in the Orders of the Day. Are there any nays? There are none. Please proceed, Ms. Nutarak. Ms. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to welcome our Mayor, Joshua Arreak, to the House. He is on a trip here and has come to observe the proceedings. Welcome. Thank you. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your House, Mr. Arreak. 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. Item 14. Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Justice, Mr. David Akeeagok.

Item 14: Tabling of Documents Tabled Document 246 – 6(2): 2022- 2023 Annual Report of the Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the 2022- 23 Annual Report of the Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4462 Speaker: Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik. Tabled Document 247 – 6(2): 2021- 2022 Annual Report – Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund (Qavvik) Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the 2021- 22 Annual Report of the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 14. Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main.

Tabled Document 248 – 6(2): Government of Nunavut Response/2023 Report of the Auditor General of Canada: COVID-19 Vaccines in Nunavut (Main) Tabled Document 249 – 6(2): FPT Ministers of Health Meetings – October 2023 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (Main) Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table two documents today: • First, the Government of Nunavut’s Response to the Standing Committee Report on the Review of the 2023 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on COVID-19 Vaccines in Nunavut; and • Secondly, information from the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers of Health meetings held in October 2023 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 14. Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie.

Tabled Document 250 – 6(2): Sport and Recreation Division 2021-2022 Impact Report (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the Sport and Recreation Division 2021-22 Impact Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Tabled Document 251 – 6(2): Mine Training Strategy (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): I am pleased to table the Mine Training Strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 15. Notices of Motions. I recognize the Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Anavilok. Item 15: Notices of Motions Motion 030 – 6(2): Appointment to the Executive Council of Nunavut – Notice (Anavilok) Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Monday, March 4, 2024, I will move the following motion:

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4463

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of Nunavut that Karen Nutarak, Member for Tununiq, be appointed to the Executive Council of Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: 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.

In accordance to the authority provided to me by Motion 29 – 6(2), the committee will remain in session until it reports itself out. Before we proceed with the Committee of the Whole, we will take a 20-minute break. Sergeant-at-Arms. >>House recessed at 15:29 and Committee resumed at 15:55 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. Malliki. Mr.

Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We wish to continue with the review of the 2024-25 operations and maintenance main estimates of the Department of Health, followed by the Department of Community and Government Services. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree that we proceed with Bill 37? Some Members: Agreed. Bill 37 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2024-2025 – Health – Consideration in Committee Chairman: Thank you. Minister Main, do you have any officials that you would like to appear before the committee with you?

Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I do. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Does the committee agree to allow the witnesses to appear before us? Some Members: Agreed. Chairman: Thank you. Sergeant-at- Arms, please escort the witnesses in. Thank you. Just for the record, minister, if you could please introduce your officials. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We have Deputy Minister Megan Hunt on my right, your left, and Greg

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4464 Babstock, Executive Director of Corporate Services, my left, your right. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you, Minister Main. As of yesterday, we left off still with the Department of Health, page H-6. Health Care Service Delivery. Amount being appropriated, $422,055,000. Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to comment on the physicians and nurses in Kugluktuk. As we know, we would like our elders to have good health care.

Sometimes when they have an illness, it’s hard for them to be seen by a physician because the physician is not always in the community. He or she goes in and out of the community. What I would like to see, perhaps, is if the physician is staying in the community for work, then when it’s time for the physician to go and have the replacement come in prior to the current physician leaving the community.

With respect to health care in Kugluktuk, when we have no physicians or doctors, it’s very hard for the community, especially when the elders are very sick and ill and they have to be flown out of the community because it’s very exhausting for the elders when they need to be sent out due to their health. As we all know, elders are very fatigued and they are easy to tire. I would like to ask the minister if each community would have a position on a rotational basis or perhaps if there is a physician that is always in the community. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main. Hon.

John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank you for bringing this up. For physicians and doctor visits to the communities and how long they should be in the communities, it just follows the population numbers in the community. That’s how it is set up. Some communities mostly have doctors in the community due to the size of the community and some communities just get visiting doctors.

If the Department of Health has a doctor on staff, as doctors do whatever they want, and if the doctor expresses a desire to move to Kugluktuk and stay there because of not wanting to travel around anymore and wishes to live in this community, we would support that. It would have to be up to the doctor to say that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In terms of the nurses in the community, recently about two or three weeks ago, I heard that a nurse from the south wanted to come to the community of Kugluktuk to work in the medical field.

How does that work out? If a health care worker wants to move into a community from the south, what’s the procedure for that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for sharing that information with me regarding that interest. It’s good news anytime we have a qualified or licenced professional interested in coming to Nunavut and

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4465 living and working in one of our beautiful communities. We do have measures that we brought in to make Nunavut more competitive, to make it a better place to work in terms of the department, but we have also been working internally on our human resource processes. If you will allow, Mr. Chairman, I would like to have my deputy provide some information about what we have been doing there. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Please proceed, Ms. Hunt. Ms. Hunt: Thank you and thank you to the member for the question.

I’m also pleased to hear that you’re hearing of health care professionals like nurses who have an interest in coming to work in the territory and specifically your community. Part of our processes is that we have a nurse recruitment team, so interested nurses can connect in with our recruitment team. They will then have an opportunity to go through a screening process. We also want to make sure that they have knowledge and understanding of the territory and the potential communities that they have an interest in.

We have started doing some recruitment fairs, some of them virtual, some of them in different provinces and territories. We have a number of open competitions for any positions that a nurse may be interested in posted also on our website. They can also go to our Nunavut Nurses website that has all of our positions posted as well. If you hear of someone that’s interested, happy to have that information passed along to our HR department so that they can follow up and make sure that we are doing that in a timely way.

Any time we hear of a nurse who may have interest, we have a number of different avenues or mechanism to make sure that we can engage with them quickly. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It’s also the case for a physician. For example, before I became an MLA myself a few years back, I had a doctor that I was seeing for my health and I had asked for the doctor’s phone number once he was leaving the community. When the time came after the doctor had left, I phoned him up and asked him why he was not coming back to the community to work.

His answer was that he was not referred or didn’t get a response from the medical team in the community he asked to come back. What is the procedure for a physician to come back into a community to work? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman I would like my deputy minister to respond to that, please. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Ms. Hunt. Ms. Hunt: Thank you and thank you for your question. Part of our process for physicians in the territory goes through our medical affairs department.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4466 Physicians who are licensed in territory, who would like to work or continue working in the territory, our medical affairs department will work with them to renew their contract. I don’t know the specifics about your experience. I’m sorry I can’t offer a specific answer to why that particular physician’s contract may not have been renewed. There may be many scenarios. Sometimes physicians choose not to renew their contracts.

There may be other issues, but we definitely work very diligently to offer different arrangements so that we can not only keep the valued physicians that we have here in the territory but also recruit other physicians into the territory to support communities. Thank you. Chairman: Thank you for that. Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I had to keep in mind to continue to speak with the doctor, but I have not heard back from him for a couple of years, probably three years. As well, I wanted to make a comment.

When the patient goes to the health centre, they have no one to interpret for them, especially for medical terms. This was mentioned the other day and they are called clerk interpreters. We have no one in Kugluktuk to fill that position. Perhaps other small communities are in that situation as well, but I’m not sure. However, it’s very important for elders in Kugluktuk to have a qualified interpreter who knows medical terminology. As we all know, medications are very strong in some cases and when the elders are not sure about the medication, they become worried because they’re not sure how to go about it.

What I would like to ask is: when the nurses are working with the patient, do they require an interpreter in the health centre? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, and anytime there is a language barrier, there would need to be steps taken to make sure that that is overcome. If you have a nurse who cannot speak Inuinnaqtun and then you have a client who is an Inuinnaqtun speaker, you would need a bridge between them.

That could be the clerk interpreter and in our exchange in the House recently, I mentioned that although they do only work from 8:30 to 5 from Monday to Friday, the health centre does have the ability to call them in to interpret during emergencies. In addition, we have a phone-based interpreting service that’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and that’s called CanTalk.

It’s over the phone and it’s a bit more awkward as opposed to being in face-to-face communication, but our experience is that the CanTalk service does work well with scheduled appointments and it can also be a support during emergency visits. We want to make sure that we are meeting the language needs of Nunavummiut and in Kugluktuk’s case with regard to the clerk interpreter position, we have had some difficulty

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4467 filling that position due to the language requirements around the job and the fact that many applicants, I believe, did not meet the language requirements. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Anavilok. Mr. Anavilok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Once I return to my constituents, I would want to speak to the nurse-in-charge to discuss this matter as to whether they do have a qualified interpreter because the patients, especially the elders, have a hard time understanding when they don’t speak the English language and there’s a language barrier, as we know. Also, once the health centre is closed from 9 to 5, in the evenings or the weekends, the patients also have an emergency sometimes during the night and might need to be seen by a physician or a nurse.

When they try to call the on- call nurse to be seen at the health centre, we had a case where a patient had fallen on the floor and couldn’t get up and had called the on-call nurse and the nurse that was on call said, “I can’t go and pick you up.” She had said that they need to speak to the on-call housing staff. That’s how the process went where the patient had to call the on-call housing staff. Just recently, prior to coming to the sitting, I was speaking with the mayor and council of our community.

What they were trying to propose is to get a position so that there is a 24-hour paramedic on call because we have an ambulance in the community that should be utilized by the patients who need to see the on-call nurse. I can’t foresee that yet because it’s still in discussion. That’s what I would like to do when I get back to my constituency. I have another question for the minister. A nurse would like to move to Kugluktuk and work in the community. What is the difference between a practising paramedic and a nurse as health centre staff?

If the nurse wanted to become a paramedic, would they have to be trained as a paramedic outside of the community? That’s my question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) In terms of the issue around ground transportation that the member mentioned, there are a number of communities that have the stretcher service. There are only a few, I believe, that have an actual paramedic along the lines of an ambulance service.

It is mostly transport to and from the health centre, either from the health centre to a medevac plane or during emergencies. That’s something that, from the department’s position, we are interested to support, whether it’s the hamlet or a private business that wants to offer that. In terms of the questions around a nurse and a paramedic, it would be possible for a nurse to be certified as a paramedic as well through additional schooling.

The basic distinction between a nurse and a paramedic is that a paramedic is specialized in stabilizing people for transport and specialized in emergency treatments, and depending on where they are specialized, a nurse can have a much larger scope in terms of the things that they can do like prescribing medication,

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4468 for example. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Next name I have on my list: Mr. Simailak. Sorry, your time has run out, Mr. Anavilok. My apologies. Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome, minister and your officials. Looking at this budget, let’s all look at the medical transportation here. It is budgeted at $31,977,000. There’s somewhat of an increase in other items. What constitutes to this same budget from this fiscal year to the fiscal year of 2026-27 and then it remains the same?

Could the minister elaborate on why this budget of medical transportation remains the same? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe Mr. Babstock would be the best one to respond to this question, if it’s okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Babstock. Mr. Babstock: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the member for the question. Every year, we go through a process to try to identify those items that need to be adjusted and we prepare business cases to see those budget line items adjusted appropriately.

While we’re in discussions with Indigenous Services Canada around our Non-Insured Health Benefits, we absolutely have every intention of seeing the 100 percent coverage of NIHB- eligible air transportation coverage, which in essence means that we don’t need to increase that budget. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you. Indigenous Services Canada then, is that the reason why that arrangement is as Mr. Babstock stated, that Indigenous Services Canada is providing that service? Is that one of the reasons how I understand travel here? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Maybe Mr. Babstock can clarify his response. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Babstock. Mr. Babstock: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the coverage for NIHB- eligible air expenses is the responsibility of the federal government. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, medical travel to south has to be serviced properly. I want to use this example.

An elder was travelling to the south and while in the south, the elder didn’t have an appointment at all. The elder spent time at the boarding home and only until he had called that he was there properly and was suddenly sent home and told that he will be back after three months. This is

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4469 one of those things that I wanted to mention that is here. Medical travel, as I mentioned, has an impact for our clients. As the minister mentioned earlier, positions will be placed down in Ottawa for travel and so forth. For this reason, can you create full-time positions that focus on appointments? Perhaps that would reduce the costs you incur. Can you look at creating a position solely dedicated to appointments? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Chairman. (interpretation ends) With regard to the scenario where there was a traveller who evidently didn’t need to travel, that’s not something that we see frequently, but there are coordination issues that do come up periodically, and it’s regrettable that that elder in that case had to travel for no good reason. We are streamlining things with the use of the Nomadis software now in terms of booking and coordination. There’s a lot better communication in terms of traveller names, dates, etcetera. I think the question was around case management, if I understand it correctly.

We do have a case management function set up, but there is always room for improvement and that’s part of the Medical Travel Policy review that we have committed to in terms of looking at how we can improve and what we need to improve. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) As I mentioned, when you have an appointment set in a southern institute, I didn’t mention the administration. You mentioned that you will have personnel at Larga towards this. Have you looked at other means of how to care for the patients?

In Ottawa too, they have different regulations compared to Nunavut. Perhaps you can create interpreter positions. You mentioned Ottawa…bear with me. At Ottawa Health Services, will there be Inuit in these positions? Looking at the total number of Inuit positions in the professional category on page 157, it mentions that you have 22 professional positions. Can you look into this for the reason that there are Inuit who are coming from Nunavut who travel down? How have you looked into this? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Chairman. (interpretation ends) In terms of the social worker position, that’s the first one that we have established and it’s exciting. We are looking to expand that to other boarding homes. The language side, which I believe is the question, so there are a few things at Larga Baffin in Ottawa. The contractor themselves employ bilingual staff who are on duty from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Through Ottawa Health Services Network Inc., there is an interpreter available on site to assist clients with medical interpretive services, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4470 We’re always looking for ways to better serve Nunavummiut, including where we need to add more language supports. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This was good news, as I always think you need good service with patients at Larga. Now, then for the other boarding homes in Yellowknife, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, you mentioned that you intend to establish them. Is there a

schedule or a timeline for that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We don’t have a timeline as to when we would be establishing more boarding homes, but the staff we have here have different roles and responsibilities and sometimes one individual has many responsibilities. I can’t say exactly when that will be at this time, but sooner would be better than later. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation) Thank you. Yes, if it’s much sooner, it would be great.

Now, on page 152 of your objectives, the last paragraph states that you want (interpretation ends) “To expand opportunities, training, and formal recognition for Inuit to provide culturally- and logistically-relevant programs and services.” (interpretation) Can you explain that to me? Is it referring to services here in Nunavut or in the south? Can you explain where these programs and services will be delivered? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Chairman. (interpretation ends) If I’m following correctly, your question is about Inuit employment initiatives. Yes, thank you. There are a number of different programs that we support as part of our Inuit employment plan. We have the basic radiology technician program, which is a large undertaking. We have 47 students active in that right now and 32 have already completed. That program trains Inuit health employees on X-rays and it has been a success. We also support more Inuit getting into mental health work through our paraprofessional program.

We also offer medical interpreting modules from our partners at Nunavut Arctic College to our staff. Nunavut Arctic College allows health staff to enrol into modules through that course. We really appreciate that. We also have the educational upgrade program where you take

part in the Sivuliqtiksat Internship Program, Amaaqtaarniq Education Program, as well as the Career Broadening Program. I hope that answers the question. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Thank you. Mr. Kaernerk.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4471 Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, looking at the language legislation, I understand we try to abide by the legislation. The minister mentioned mental health. The mental health and addictions report is provided through Inuusivut. As you have also stated, minister, you have looked into mental health.

Now that you have looked at the mental health program for Inuit, what if the elder had no certification, but if an elder is really good at dealing with mental health or counselling people, could you look at the ability of the elder to be able to help with people with mental health issues? Would you be willing to start working on that? For example, you can initiate this in Igloolik and Sanirajak so that the elders can work when there are hardly any employment opportunities. Do you have any plans such as that or can you elaborate further on your plans on that? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Minister Main.

We seem to be experiencing some technical difficulties, so just give me a second. Thank you. Minister Main, please. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Although we are in support of elders being included in mental health work, (interpretation ends) I think one of the great things about the new Mental Health Act is the ability to involve more family members when it comes to mental health care, as well as allow for more treatment or care to be provided at the community level, specifically through community-assisted treatment orders.

We’re really excited about that piece of legislation coming into force. Once it’s into force, there will be, as I understand it, the ability to include elders or people who are known to have ability to assist with personal issues in community- assisted treatment orders. That’s something that’s coming closer with every passing day. We’re also looking at how, with regard to our Healing by Talking program, which is seeing more and more uptake each year. How can we include elders as part of that?

It would be a separate stream, like a non-clinical or an Inuit- specific stream for counselling, but the member raises some really good suggestions, but at the same time, on the department’s shoulders, we have to make sure that whoever is providing care or whoever is interacting with a client that they have the ability, that the care they provide is going to be safe. There are potential benefits, but then there are potential barriers that we need to work through in terms of who can provide this service and who says which elder is qualified to provide the service.

Those are kind of the big questions we would have to answer. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman: Mr. Kaernerk. Mr. Kaernerk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In looking at this, I know that the elders are very good counsellors. The mental health officer reports to Inuusivut and I believe it’s under your department. That’s why I alluded to it. The Inuit way of traditional counselling is different and unique from anywhere else. I just wanted to make a comment on that.

Friday, March 1, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 4472 Lastly, Mr. Chairman, I’m just providing you some issues that the department can consider and when the mental health legislation was passed in Nunavut, we were so happy to see more