Nunavut Canada LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NUNAVUT 2nd Session 6th Assembly HANSARD Official Report DAY 86 Thursday, May 30, 2024 Pages 5397 – 5451 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 Uqausirmit Uqausirmut Inc. Box 1200 Iqaluit, Nunavut, X0A 0H0 Tel (867) 975-5000 Fax (867) 975-5190 Toll-Free (877) 334-7266 Hon. David Akeeagok (Quttiktuq) Minister of Economic Development and Transportation; Minister of Human Resources; Minister responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Hon. P.J.

Akeeagok (Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu) Premier; Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs; Minister responsible for Immigration; Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs; Minister responsible for Seniors; Minister responsible for the Utility Rates Review Council Bobby Anavilok (Kugluktuk) Janet Brewster (Iqaluit-Sinaa) Hon. Pamela Gross (Cambridge Bay) Deputy Premier; Minister of Education 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 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 responsible for the Status of Women Hon. Karen Nutarak (Tununiq) Minister of Justice; Minister responsible for Labour; Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College Hon.

Daniel Qavvik (Hudson Bay) Minister of Culture and Heritage; Minister of Environment; Minister of Energy; Minister of Languages 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) Website: www.assembly.nu.ca

Table of Contents Opening Prayer ...........................................................................................................................5397 Ministers’ Statements .................................................................................................................5397 Members’ Statements .................................................................................................................5402 Returns to Oral Questions ..........................................................................................................5409 Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ........................................................................................5411 Oral Questions ............................................................................................................................5414 Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters .................................5433 Tabling of Documents ................................................................................................................5435 Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters ......................................5436 Report of the Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................5449 Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery ...........................................................5449 Third Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................5449 Orders of the Day .......................................................................................................................5450

A. Daily References Thursday, May 30, 2024 .............................................................................................................5397 B.

Ministers’ Statements 449 – 6(2): 2024 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship (Main) ..................................................5397 450 – 6(2): Food Security Initiatives (Nakashuk) ......................................................................5398 451 – 6(2): Focus on Safety Youth Video Contest Winner (Akeeagok, D) ...............................5399 452 – 6(2): Remembering Peesee Pitsiulak-Stephens (Nutarak) ................................................5399 453 – 6(2): Testing an Electric Vehicle in Nunavut (Qavvik)....................................................5400 454 – 6(2): Water Quality (Joanasie) .........................................................................................5401 C.

Members’ Statements 606 – 6(2): Happy 91st Birthday to Grandfather (Malliki) ........................................................5402 607 – 6(2): Happy Birthday to Chloe (Quassa) ..........................................................................5402 608 – 6(2): Medical Boarding Home Concerns (Killiktee) ........................................................5402 609 – 6(2): 2024 High School Graduates in Grise Fiord (Akeeagok, D) ...................................5403 610 – 6(2): Grade 6 Graduating Class in Pond Inlet (Nutarak) ..................................................5404 611 – 6(2): Social Work Graduates in Cambridge Bay (Gross) .................................................5405 612 – 6(2): Canada Post Disservice to the North (Kusugak) .....................................................5406 613 – 6(2): Damaged Municipal Assets in Sanikiluaq (Qavvik) ................................................5407 614 – 6(2): Recognizing Jacob Okatsiak (Main) ........................................................................5408 615 – 6(2): Missing Child Located in Iqaluit (Brewster) ...........................................................5409

D. Returns to Oral Questions Return to Oral Question 863 – 6(2): Water Infrastructure (Joanasie) ........................................5409 Return to Oral Question 874 – 6(2): Water Infrastructure (Joanasie) ........................................5410 Return to Oral Question 890 – 6(2): Water Infrastructure (Joanasie) ........................................5411 E.

Oral Questions 893 – 6(2): Mental Health Supports (Quassa) ............................................................................5414 894 – 6(2): Medical Boarding Home Concerns (Killiktee) ........................................................5416 895 – 6(2): Family Abuse Intervention Act (Brewster) .............................................................5419 896 – 6(2): Homeownership Programs (Malliki) .......................................................................5421 897 – 6(2): Search and Rescue Review (Simailak) ....................................................................5423 898 – 6(2): Insurance on Government Assets (Hickes) ..............................................................5425 899 – 6(2): NHC-Kitikmeot Inuit Association Housing Initiative (Quqqiaq) ............................5426 900 – 6(2): Fuel Filters on Snowmobiles (Savikataaq) ..............................................................5428 901 – 6(2): Marine Infrastructure (Sammurtok) .........................................................................5430 902 – 6(2): Nunavut 3000 Housing Plan (Brewster) ..................................................................5431 F.

Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 030 – 6(2): Bill 41, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (Savikataaq) 5433 Committee Report 031 – 6(2): Bill 42,

An Act to Amend the Dental Profession Act (Savikataaq) .............................................................................................................................................5433 Committee Report 032 – 6(2): Bill 44,

An Act to Amend the Creditors Relief Act and the Public Service Garnishee Act (Savikataaq) ....................................................................................5434 Committee Report 033 – 6(2): Bill 45,

An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act and the Hamlets Act (Savikataaq) ..............................................................................................5434

Committee Report 034 – 6(2): Bill 46,

An Act to Amend the Coroners Act (Savikataaq) ........5434 G.

Tabling of Documents 284 – 6(2): Nunavut Fire Marshal’s Office 2023 Annual Report (Joanasie) .............................5435 285 – 6(2): Nunavut Emergency Management 2022-23 Annual Report (Joanasie)...................5435 286 – 6(2): Public Accounts of the Government of Nunavut for the Year Ended March 31, 2023 (Kusugak) .............................................................................................................................5435 287 – 6(2): Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act 2020-23 Report (Akeeagok, P) .............................................................................................................................................5435 H.

Bills Bill 41 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act – Consideration in Committee ....................5436 Bill 44 –

An Act to Amend the Creditors Relief Act and the Public Service Garnishee Act – Consideration in Committee ................................................................................................5437 Bill 46 –

An Act to Amend the Coroners Act – Consideration in Committee ...........................5440 Bill 42 –

An Act to Amend the Dental Profession Act – Consideration in Committee .............5444 Bill 45 –

An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act and the Hamlets Act – Consideration in Committee ................................................................................................5446 Bill 41 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act – Third Reading ..........................................5449 Bill 42 –

An Act to Amend the Dental Profession Act – Third Reading ...................................5450 Bill 44 –

An Act to Amend the Creditors Relief Act and the Public Service Garnishee Act – Third Reading ................................................................................................................................5450 Bill 45 –

An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act and the Hamlets Act – Third Reading ................................................................................................................................5450 Bill 46 –

An Act to Amend the Coroners Act – Third Reading .................................................5450

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5397 Iqaluit, Nunavut Thursday, May 30, 2024 Members Present: Hon. David Akeeagok, Hon. P.J. Akeeagok, Hon. Tony Akoak, Ms. Janet Brewster, Hon. Pamela Gross, Mr. George Hickes, Hon. David Joanasie, Ms. Mary Killiktee, Hon. Lorne Kusugak, Mr. Adam Lightstone, Mr. Solomon Malliki, Hon. John Main, Hon. Margaret Nakashuk, Hon. Karen Nutarak, Hon. Daniel Qavvik, Ms. Joanna Quassa, Mr. Inagayuk Quqqiaq, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Craig Simailak. >>House commenced at 13:30 Item 1: Opening Prayer Speaker (Hon. Tony Akoak) (interpretation): Good day.

Let us pray. >>Prayer Speaker (interpretation): Good day, colleagues, and I anticipate a good session today. To the watching and listening audience on television and radio, welcome to our proceedings. Before we proceed, I wanted to say a few words about my grandchild, whom I wish to have a good day today, as she is celebrating her 12th birthday today. She was about two years old when I became involved, and she started to watch me during the televised proceedings. As she watched, she was very endearing, (interpretation ends) She tried to be a minister.

She did her first speech using a laundry basket as a stand and a telephone book to read on, and she was pretending to read from it. Kids are so special for all of us. They watch who we are and they will learn from us. A grandfather holds a grandchild’s hand, not for too long, but for a grandchild, it will take a lifetime. They are so important. Quanaqquhi. Happy birthday, irngutak, upluqatsiarumaaqqutit. Love you. >>Applause Item 2. Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Mr. Main.

Item 2: Ministers’ Statements Minister’s Statement 449 – 6(2): 2024 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship (Main) Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that applications for the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s annual Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier scholarships are now being accepted. This year the Qulliq Energy Corporation increased the number of scholarship awards from one to two recipients to reiterate its contribution to supporting career development opportunities within Nunavut’s communities.

Each $5,000 award supports promising Nunavut students enrolled in post-secondary education while commemorating Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier, an outstanding role model and respected community leader who was instrumental in establishing Nunavut’s own energy utility. One of the two scholarships will be awarded to an engineering student, as engineering is a

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5398 career field in demand at the Qulliq Energy Corporation. (interpretation ends) Every year, we look forward to learning about the academic pursuits our students are undertaking. The scholarships’ focus is on recognizing exemplary leadership qualities, commitment to community, career goals, and academic achievements. All Nunavut students enrolled in post-secondary studies are encouraged to apply by June 30, 2024. Application forms are available on the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s website. I commend the Qulliq Energy Corporation for continuing to honour Ms.

Gauthier’s legacy by financially assisting our future leaders. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in sharing this news so that students across the territory can benefit. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Family Services, Ms. Nakashuk. Minister’s Statement 450 – 6(2): Food Security Initiatives (Nakashuk) Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, my fellow MLAs. (interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, the Department of Family Services continues to make steady progress in its food security programs by providing support and skill-building around food availability. Last November, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition hosted a training workshop for community-based food organizations to connect them with funding opportunities. The workshop provided a platform for community food champions to network, learn about food programs across the territory, share information about governance, banking, and legal registries.

Through Family Services’ ongoing partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition provided core funding to eight community food organizations in Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Coral Harbour, Clyde River, Igloolik, Iqaluit, Kugluktuk, and Naujaat. Eleven food security projects were also funded, including food hamper programs in Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, Taloyoak, and Igloolik.

A greenhouse project was funded in Whale Cove, a young hunter mentorship program was funded in Baker Lake, cooking classes in Baker Lake and Igloolik received funds, country food box programs in Iqaluit were supported, and funds were provided for the Inuksuk High School Food Program. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to reach out to their community members and food champions to ask them to contact Family Services with their ideas and projects to continue to make progress in improving food security in Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5399 Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Minister’s Statement 451 – 6(2): Focus on Safety Youth Video Contest Winner (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, I’m pleased to recognize a Nunavut youth as the winner of this year’s Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission’s ‘Focus on Safety’ Youth Video Contest. (interpretation ends) Daniel Tapatai of Baker Lake, Nunavut, won the contest with his video titled “Power Plant Safety.” The video highlights the importance of following site-specific Personal Protective Equipment rules, and how to work as a team to identify workplace hazards.

Daniel’s video submission was sponsored by Skills Canada Nunavut. Both Daniel and Skills Nunavut each receive $1,000 as their prize. The annual ‘Focus on Safety’ Youth Video Contest is sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission brings this contest to Nunavut and Northwest Territories youth to engage young workers in the importance of occupational health and safety.

While workers of any age can have workplace injuries, the data shows that workers under the age of 25 are at a higher risk of getting hurt at work due to a lack of experience, awareness, or proper training. Learning about workplace safety through fun, creative projects like this video contest can help youth entering the workforce build a strong foundation of understanding their rights as workers and how to come home safely at the end of every workday. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in congratulating Daniel Tapatai. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements.

Hon. Minister of Nunavut Arctic College, Ms. Nutarak. Minister’s Statement 452 – 6(2): Remembering Peesee Pitsiulak- Stephens (Nutarak) Hon. Karen Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in remembrance of a dedicated and celebrated public servant: Peesee Pitsiulak-Stephens. (interpretation ends) Peesee began her public service in 1975, back when Kimmirut was referred to as Lake Harbour and when Nunavut was just an idea. Always dedicated to learning, Peesee began her service as a classroom assistant and then graduated from the first cohort of the Eastern Arctic Education Program in 1981.

She returned to Kimmirut to teach and then joined the Baffin Divisional Board of Education in 1990. Peesee would later move on to other positions within the Department of Education. In 2005, Peesee joined the college. She had many roles while with the college, including Nunatta Campus Dean, Chair of Inuit Language and Culture programs,

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5400 and finally Dean for Education, Inuit and University Studies. Although Peesee retired in 2014, she returned to the college in 2017. Peesee loved being in the post-secondary environment; that is why she kept coming back, Peesee often said. Peesee took every role she had seriously. She inspired many with her advocacy for Inuit, Inuktut, and Inuit experience. She was not afraid to engage in difficult and sometimes confrontational conversations about teaching and learning and how to support students and staff at the college.

She always respected the people around her, but never took herself too seriously. She was always quick with a story to make people laugh, either to lighten a moment or to remind everyone of our shared humanity. While Peesee loved many aspects of her work, orientation and graduation was especially important for her. She often reflected on how different the students at Nunatta carried themselves at graduation. At the beginning of each year, she put a lot of care and intention into encouraging students at orientation. She knew how much each student would grow as they learned.

Peesee recently passed away in April 2024. She lives on through her children, immediate and extended family in Nunavut and beyond. She is remembered fondly by the countless people who worked with her, learned from her, and were lucky enough to be counselled, supported, and encouraged by her. Thank you, Peesee, for all that you have done to strengthen learning in the territory and for advocating for all Nunavummiut. Nunavut is stronger now because of your tireless efforts and dedication. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Qavvik.

Minister’s Statement 453 – 6(2): Testing an Electric Vehicle in Nunavut (Qavvik) Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, (interpretation) people of Sanikiluaq and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I encouraged my department this past winter to purchase an electric vehicle and test it in Nunavut. This minister’s statement informs members and Nunavummiut that the department purchased an electric snowmobile which is stationed in Iqaluit Kuunga, Sylvia Grinnell Park, for the parks officers to use for their daily operations.

The officers found it functional, practical, and efficient for the purposes of short- haul distances. My department will continue to explore the capabilities of electric vehicles in Nunavut. They will engage with manufacturers and researchers, while collecting data to help Nunavummiut make informed decisions about the readiness of such electric energy- efficient technology. Mr. Speaker, there may be doubters and naysayers about such modern technologies. There may be people that will say these technologies will not work in our extreme cold, that they won’t be reliable, or that they will be too

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5401 expensive to operate. However, if we don’t explore the possibility and test them, how will we know for sure? Mr. Speaker, many in this Assembly today likely remember the first four- stroke snowmobiles that were sold in Nunavut, and they probably remember what the naysayers said then. The early machines didn’t start in the cold, people didn’t know how to repair them, and many Nunavummiut were reluctant. Today most snowmobiles sold in Nunavut have four-stroke motors. They are reliable, they start in the cold, and they save us fuel. They save us money, Mr. Speaker.

One of our government’s guiding principles is Qanuqtuurniq, which encourages us to be resourceful and adaptable in the face of challenges. As the global energy transition progresses, Nunavummiut must be resourceful and adaptable; we must be prepared. This type of exploration of electric vehicles in Nunavut aids in a global transition to a more stable climate and a healthier environment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Ministers’ Statements. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Minister’s Statement 454 – 6(2): Water Quality (Joanasie) Hon.

David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day, MLAs and Nunavummiut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Members of the Assembly have expressed their interest in ensuring that the drinking water in our communities is safe to drink. Mr. Speaker, drinking water in all Nunavut communities is tested regularly to ensure it is safe to drink.

These tests range from daily operational tests to verify chlorination and turbidity levels to monthly bacteriological testing at accredited laboratories and quarterly full water chemistry sampling to better understand seasonal water quality variations and improve operations. Mr. Speaker, it is this testing protocol that informs the decisions of public health officials to issue advisories regarding the consumption of drinking water in Nunavut communities.

Where test results identify a risk, the Department of Health will issue an order or advisory such as boil water advisories until the test results in that community demonstrate water chemistry has returned to an acceptable level. Mr. Speaker, I would like to assure members that treated drinking water in Nunavut communities meets the Nunavut Public Water Supply Regulations treatment objectives and the Guidelines of Canadian Drinking Water Quality - Maximum Acceptable Concentrations and, unless an advisory or order is issued, water produced at the water treatment plant is safe to drink. Mr.

Speaker, I would also like to assure members that my department continues to pursue the Canadian Drinking Water Quality treatment objectives. These objectives exist to protect the health of the public by ensuring drinking water supplied to our communities meets very specific quality standards. These standards are not achievable using the

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5402 existing treatment technology in Nunavut communities which were built in the 1990s to meet the treatment standards of that time. Mr. Speaker, we have a lot of work to do in this area and this why my department has committed over $160 million toward improving and replacing water treatment infrastructure in Nunavut communities, and we will not stop there. As our communities grow and regulatory standards evolve, this work will need to continue across the territory. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to assure members that my department is working closely with the Department of Health to ensure Nunavut communities have ongoing access to safe drinking water. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 3. Members’ Statements. Member for Aivilik, Mr. Malliki. Item 3: Members’ Statements Member’s Statement 606 – 6(2): Happy 91st Birthday to Grandfather (Malliki) Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to my constituents in Naujaat and Coral Harbour, and my colleagues.

I apparently forgot to mention yesterday that my grandfather celebrated his birthday yesterday, turning 91, and I was quite happy about that. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating his birthday. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Aggu, Ms. Quassa. Member’s Statement 607 – 6(2): Happy Birthday to Chloe (Quassa) Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Firstly, my paternal uncle had his birthday, so I hope he has a good day since he is quite old currently. Mr. Speaker, I have a youth that I wish to state who I am proud of, Chloe Amelia Quassa.

She is a youth who provides assistance in the winter and the summer for activities organized by the recreation committee. She volunteers also at the soup kitchen in Igloolik about three times a week. (interpretation ends) In the second week of May, she went down to Toronto to receive “The Future is NOW!” award. (interpretation) I am very proud of this individual and I encourage her to continually move in this path. Today she is now 17 and her birthday. I wish to say, “Because you are so loved and adorable and so capable, have a great birthday.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements.

Member for Uqqummiut, Ms. Killiktee. Member’s Statement 608 – 6(2): Medical Boarding Home Concerns (Killiktee) Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to address the issue of medical travel. Mr. Speaker, I raise this issue on the issue of services to medical patients who are at the medical boarding home at Sailijaarvik.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5403 Mr. Speaker, this is a concern, and while I recognize that the Department of Health is not the direct service provider, I would like to acknowledge the Department of Health. And I know that they don’t give directions at the medical boarding home, only provide conditions to the contractors as well as, naturally, there has to be accountability and perhaps they do address those issues. Mr.

Speaker, a number of my constituents have submitted their concerns to me directly and some of them have filed their complaints officially over the problem they experienced for information they have to provide during their registration. Although I have raised this issue from time to time, nothing has really changed. Patients and escorts are often required to share a room with complete strangers. This is a very real fear that their safety may be at risk. People are worried, in particular the women, about sexual harassment when they end up boarding in same room with males. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to finish my comments as they are important. I’m asking to extend my comments. Thank you. Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are none. Please continue, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for allowing me to continue. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, a mature widowed woman staying at the boarding home was woken in the late hours of the night when two people, a male and female, came into her room.

She was so uncomfortable with their behaviour that she left the room and spent the night sitting in the lobby. Mr. Speaker, an elder who did not have an escort… . This is another different patient; an elder that did not have an escort, was alone in her room when two men walked in in the middle of the night. Then they told her to go sleep on the couch. She had no idea who they were. Mr. Speaker, another person checked in, and when that person went to the room she was assigned to, someone was already there in the room and screamed at her to get out, so she did. Mr.

Speaker, the boarding home staff should have some awareness of the risky situations that are creating. They should advise people that they will be sharing a room, especially if they are expected to share with a person of the opposite sex or with a couple. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. David Akeeagok. Member’s Statement 609 – 6(2): 2024 High School Graduates in Grise Fiord (Akeeagok,

D) Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I send a smile to your grandchild and wish her a very happy birthday as she sounds like she follows the proceedings on television. Tonight, Grise Fiord will be celebrating student graduation and I’m very pleased

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5404 about this. I wish to be up there, but I have to be here for this session. Perhaps if we could clone ourselves to attend to these events, we would do so. Nonetheless, this makes it hard as one wishes to attend these graduation ceremonies after grade 12. If we scheduled differently, we would attend. The grade 12 graduates have completed the year at the Umimak School; two graduates, actually. Stacy Kuluguqtuq and Angut Watsko. They are finishing their studies, and I am happy for them.

I also want to thank the parents, Marty and Kukaa, David and Laisa, for continually waking their children to attend school and encouraging them to complete their schooling. Further, the teachers from the start of their schooling to grade 12 have been diligent and preparing them to complete their studies. I am very proud of Stacey and Angut, as your future is very bright. I encourage you to pursue a career you aspire towards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak. Member’s Statement 610 – 6(2): Grade 6 Graduating Class in Pond Inlet (Nutarak) Hon.

Karen Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is also a grade 6 graduation ceremony at Nasivvik for those going on to high school. I often mention I am proud of the grade 6 students. I often speak with them and they’re watching this televised sitting here today, and I would like to mention them. They are always happy when they are watching the sitting.

They are: • Jenna Aqqiaruq • Reesie Enoogoo • Brooklyn Kadloo • Caelyn Kadloo • Ella Lila Kasarnak • Tamara Killiktee • Bella Komangapik • Keith Komangapik • Alina Koonoo • James Kunilusie • Lucas Kadloo Milton • Kian-Jarvis Mucktar • Bethany Mucpa • Janine Nashook • Jaclin Ootook • Raymond Ootook • Moses Pewatualuk • Kirt Pitseolak • Riley Qammaniq • Alexis Qanguq • Hazel Sangoya • Edwin Simonee • Elijah Aglak • Monica Angmarlik • Jefferson Angnetsiak • Reggie Arreak • Ulaajuk Enoogoo • Jutanie Kautq • Drake Killiktee • Devan Nutarak • Adamie Peterloosie • Akeola Qyuapik I’m very proud of these individuals and they also mentioned their career choices such as social workers, hockey players, and hunters when I spoke with them on their aspirations.

I am very proud of their aspirations as they will be going to Nassivik in August, so I am very proud

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5405 of you and I hope I’ll see you in Pond Inlet. Thank you. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Cambridge Bay, Ms. Gross. Member’s Statement 611 – 6(2): Social Work Graduates in Cambridge Bay (Gross) Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker, and good day to everyone in Iqaluktuuttiaq and those here in the house with us today. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay a special shout-out to those youth in Mittimatalik who are listening to our proceedings. Congratulations on your success Mr. Speaker, I also have a few birthdays to share.

Happy birthday to your irngutaq, as well as our colleague Mr. Malliki’s grandfather. We have somebody who might be in the middle range of those birthdays with our interpreter-translator, Mr. James Panioyak. Happy birthday, James. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the Bachelor of Social Work students from Cambridge Bay who pledged their professionalism last Thursday. Mr. Speaker, it’s my honour to recognize the second cohort attending Nunavut Arctic College through their partnership with Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Mr.

Speaker, four of the six students of these future social workers are from my community of Cambridge Bay, and we are lucky to be joined by one of them today; Presley Taylor, who will soon be doing her practicum here in Iqaluit. >>Applause Also from Cambridge Bay are: • Kendall Aknavigak, who will be doing her practicum in Cambridge Bay; • Chanese Nakoyak, who will be doing her practicum in Edmonton; • Hatka, or as we know her, or Clarrissa Vandenbrink, who will also be doing her practicum in Cambridge Bay. Although they might not be my constituents, Mr.

Speaker, these ladies have lived in my community for many years, working towards their diplomas and degrees, and have been classmates to all my constituents. I would also like to recognize: • Eliz Issakiark of Arviat, who will be returning home to do her practicum, and • Pauline Pauloosie of Taloyoak, who will be staying in Cambridge Bay to do her practicum. The practicums start this coming Monday, June 3 and run until August 23, for a total of 12 weeks. Mr.

Speaker, I would like to note that the students will complete their degree requirements at the end of their practicum and will graduate in the fall; a significant accomplishment. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5406 Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Are there any nays? There are none. Please proceed, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker, and quana, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, these wonderful ladies would not be here without the support, guidance, and instruction from all their instructors and professors. Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not share a specific nod of appreciation to Margaret Sullivan, who is a beacon of light, wisdom, and hope for our students and communities.

Margaret has really advanced the success of this program, and for that I want to extend a heartfelt thank you. Margaret, thank you for your hard work, long hours and dedication to sharing what you know and growing the community of Cambridge Bay and the territory with the work that you do. Mr. Speaker, lastly, I would like to wish all the students all the best in their practicums, and quanappiaqquhi to these students and their faculty for their contribution, as it creates a profound and meaningful contribution not only to our children and families, but to the whole territory. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Rankin Inlet South, Mr. Kusugak. Member’s Statement 612 – 6(2): Canada Post Disservice to the North (Kusugak) Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also appreciate the elder who is present in this House, and to the constituent celebrating his birthday in Mr. Malliki’s riding, I wish them a very happy birthday today. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today, unfortunately, to speak again about my displeasure with Canada Post.

Maybe it should start to be Southern Canada Post because they don’t seem to be wanting to help our customers, the Canada Post customers in the north where the postal service is still being used very much. Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to direct my frustration towards the front line staff in our communities, because they are front line workers. They accept, receive and deliver the mail they are allowed to do, and unfortunately in some communities, we are showing or they are being shown frustrations towards those people who are delivering the mail in the post office. The frustration should not be given to them.

They are merely doing the job that they are asked to do from their superiors and senior staff from the south. Mr. Speaker, the only way that we get our parcels in the north, most of the way is only through Canada Post. We don’t have the luxuries of parcel delivery to our doorsteps like they do in the rest of Canada. Mr. Speaker, the lack of parcel delivery with Amazon is starting to hurt our community severely. The frustration is growing, and it’s time that Canada Post stood up and do what they used to say is their priority, which is get mail delivery to any community. As long as they have

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5407 part of the name or part of the post office box number they would deliver it. Mr. Speaker, that’s not the case anymore. I’ve seen in our community of Rankin Inlet I’ve seen boxes, not just boxes but truckloads of freight, being brought from the post office in Rankin back onto the plane and back south. These are freight that have made it to our community and because there is a wrong postal code on it or wrong delivery number, they ship them all the way back south, when we know that Canada Post knows that the mail is already there. Mr.

Speaker, what’s in most of these boxes are food, baby food, Pampers, clothing. Most of our stores in the north don’t have adequate clothing for our children. They don’t have adequate food and nutritious food for our children, Mr. Speaker. At that, I would like permission to conclude my statements. Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are none. Please continue, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, colleagues, for that. Mr.

Speaker, while the rest of Canada is trying to find ways to help those less fortunate in being able to afford food, we heard some very heart-throbbing comments from our member from Baker Lake about how Jordan’s Principle is helping many communities across the north; we have that happening. But our own federal corporation, Canada Post, is taking that very thing away from us. We can’t afford baby food in some of the communities. In some of the communities they are not available. You have to resort to Amazon, and it gets to our community and then it gets shipped back south again. Pallet loads, Mr. Speaker.

It’s time that Canada Post begin to take a look at what they are doing. They are hurting our people in Nunavut. It’s time that comes to a stop. Mr. Speaker, I encourage Nunavummiut to write their Member of Parliament, write the federal minister responsible so that people can at least begin to afford some of the things we can’t buy in the north. Mr. Speaker, I also want in closing to thank those Canada Post workers at the front lines that are taking a lot of this frustration out on them. I assure you it’s not their fault, it’s the fault of the management of Canada Post down south.

I really hope this is not going to be Southern Canada Post, and it should truly be Canada Post. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Member statement. Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Qavvik. Member’s Statement 613 – 6(2): Damaged Municipal Assets in Sanikiluaq (Qavvik) Hon. Daniel Qavvik: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, colleagues. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise an outstanding issue within the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5408 Mr. Speaker, on September 25, 2023, last year the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq municipal assets of the community hall and community arena, which are multi- purpose infrastructures, suffered mechanical failure which resulted in a fire that damaged both our infrastructures. Mr. Speaker over the winter the community of Sanikiluaq, the youth of Sanikiluaq did not have a community to have a well-being within the community.

Both infrastructures require and they provide healthy lifestyle for the communities and as Member of the Legislative Assembly and as a government, we must provide our youth the much-needed infrastructures. I commend and I request that the Municipality of Sanikiluaq continue to update their integrated community sustainability plan for submission to Community and Government Services. I would also like to extend my invitation to the appropriate minister of Community and Government Services to come down to Sanikiluaq and see what we are missing as a community. Mr.

Speaker, on a positive note, we are Canadians, and hockey is our number one sport. Hockey Night in Canada last night was very good because, Mr. Speaker, the Edmonton Oilers tied the series 2-2. We are still alive. We’re hungry for the cup. We are hopeful for the cup, and confident for the cup. We want to see a Stanley cup final for the Edmonton Oilers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: That’s like two statements in one, but we will let that one go. Members’ Statements. Member for Arviat North-Whale Cove, Minister Main. Member’s Statement 614 – 6(2): Recognizing Jacob Okatsiak (Main) Hon.

John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to announce the recognition of this person from Arviat who is a singer-entertainer who has uplifting songs he is currently recording, Jacob Okatsiak who is starting to make a name for himself as he is becoming more popular here in Nunavut. He has a recording on CD that I bought recently, and in listening to the songs they were very heartfelt and perhaps my colleague, MLA Quqqiaq understands as he also serves as a singer from time to time. (interpretation ends) Jacob Okatsiak is a multi-talented artist, Mr. Speaker.

He’s capable of playing all his own instruments; drums, guitar, piano, bass. He can sing. He can rap, Inuktitut, English. He’s just incredibly talented, and Mr. Speaker, he has a presence online, if anybody wants to check out Jacob Okatsiak on YouTube. He’s on SoundCloud. He’s also on Spotify. Yes, I think it’s just amazing what he’s able to do and I want to encourage him. I want to help him to get more fans across Nunavut. I wanted to share this with the House, Mr. Speaker. One of the really impressive things, I think, about his music is that he shares stories.

It seems to be very personal about hard times and good times, and I think on the whole, my impression of his music is that it’s very

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5409 uplifting and very strengthening for Nunavummiut and young people. I just wanted to thank Jacob for making this impressive music and wanted to encourage my colleagues, if you’re into hip-hop and that type of exciting music, Jacob Okatsiak, (interpretation) check out Jacob Okatsiak on YouTube. Please keep going and songwriting. I fully support you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Members’ Statements. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Member’s Statement 615 – 6(2): Missing Child Located in Iqaluit (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Welcome, everybody, to the gallery. Mr. Speaker, this morning I woke up to the very concerning news that an 11-year- old girl was missing in Iqaluit, and I just wanted to talk about that. Thankfully she has been found and I want to commend her family for acting immediately to make it publicly known that they were searching for their daughter.

Especially in Inuit families, we have a wide group of people that we entrust with our children, and sometimes it can be easy to lose track of where a young person is, and there is absolutely no shame in raising the alarm immediately when you feel that you have worries about the whereabouts of your children. I would also like to commend the community of Iqaluit for acting quickly to spread the news and to support those family members who were searching for their daughter. Mr. Speaker I’m so, so grateful that she was found and that she seems to be safe now. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 4.

Just a minute. Members, just a note that the Integrity Commissioner has been delayed due to late arrival of her flight to Iqaluit. She has now arrived in our building. That’s just information for you. Thank you. Item 4. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Item 4: Returns to Oral Questions Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have two returns to oral questions, No. 863 – 6(2) and 874 – 6(2), asked by the Member for Aivilik and the Member for Uqqummiut on May 27 and May 28, 2024 concerning water infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, these returns are quite detailed.

I have filed it with the Clerk for transcribing into Hansard for the public record and for distribution to all members. Return to Oral Question 863 – 6(2): Water Infrastructure (Joanasie) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide further information regarding water infrastructure, as asked by the Member for Aivilik during question period on Mary 27, 2024. The Coral Harbour and Naujaat water treatment plants do not meet the current Guidelines of Canadian Drinking Water Quality treatment objectives; however, the treated drinking water does meet the Guidelines of the Canadian Drinking

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5410 Water Quality maximum acceptable concentration for microbiological and chemical parameters. The Coral Harbour and Naujaat water treatment plants do meet the Nunavut Public Water Supply Regulations treatment objectives. I can confirm that daily operational testing is done at each water treatment plant to confirm chlorine levels meet the minimum levels for disinfection in addition to turbidity tests daily. Monthly bacteriological testing is conducted for each community water system.

Samples are sent to accredited labs outside of Nunavut to be tested for total coliforms and E. coli. The Department of Health, the regulator, receives all lab analysis directly from the lab. Finally, annual water chemistry samples are taken of raw (untreated source water) and treated drinking water. These samples are also sent to accredited labs outside of Nunavut and the results are sent directly to the Department of Health. Mr.

Speaker, my department, combined with the financial commitments from the federal government is investing over $160 million in water treatment over the next five years in planning, design, and construction, with a plan to continue a substantial investment in water infrastructure in the future years to ensure the availability and safety of drinking water for all of Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, my department, in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Environment developed the Drinking Water Strategic Framework tabled in the Spring sitting of 2023.

I am pleased to share that work on the Drinking Water Action Plan is underway. Mr. Speaker, through supporting infrastructure operation and planning priorities upgrades, enhanced operator training and improved monitoring practices, my department is committed to ensuring Nunavummiut have access to clean drinking water. Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. Return to Oral Question 874 – 6(2): Water Infrastructure (Joanasie) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide further information regarding water infrastructure, as asked by the Member for Uqqummiut during question period on May 28, 2024.

The Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq water treatment plants do not meet the current Guidelines of Canadian Drinking Water Quality treatment objectives. However, the treated drinking water does meet the Guidelines of Canadian Drinking Water Quality maximum acceptable concentration for microbiological and chemical parameters. The Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq water treatment plants do meet the Nunavut Public Water Supply Regulations treatment objectives.

I can confirm that daily operational testing is done at each water treatment plant to confirm chlorine levels meet the minimum levels for disinfection in additional to turbidity tests daily. Monthly bacteriological testing is conducted for each community water system. Samples are sent to accredited labs outside of Nunavut to be tested for toal coliforms and E. coli. The

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5411 Department of Health, the regulator, receives all lab analysis directly from the lab. Finally, annual water chemistry samples are taken of raw (untreated source water) and treated drinking water. These samples are also sent to accredited labs outside of Nunavut and the results are sent directly to the Department of Health. Mr.

Speaker, my department, combined with financial commitments from the federal government is investing over $160 million in water treatment over the next five years in planning, design and construction with a plan to continue a substantial investment in water infrastructure in the future years to ensure the availability and safety of drinking water for all of Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, my department, in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Environment developed the Drinking Water Strategic Framework, tabled in the Spring sitting of 2023.

I am pleased to share that work on the Drinking Water Action Plan is underway. Mr. Speaker, through supporting infrastructure operation and planning priorities upgrades, enhanced operator training and improved monitoring practices, my department is committed to ensuring Nunavummiut have access to clean drinking water. Thank you. Speaker: Item 4, Returns to Oral Questions. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Return to Oral Question 890 – 6(2): Water Infrastructure (Joanasie) Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to provide further information regarding water infrastructure as asked by the Member for Aggu during question period on May 29, 2024; question No. 890 – 6(2). The Igloolik water treatment plant does not meet the current guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality objectives. However, the treated drinking water does meet the guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality maximum acceptable concentration for microbiological and chemical parameters. That’s a mouthful. Mr.

Speaker, the Igloolik water treatment plant is required to, and does meet the Nunavut Public Water Supply Regulations treatment objectives. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq. Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to recognize my family who are in the House, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first I would first like to recognize my wife, Clara Quqqiaq. >>Applause Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my youngest daughter who, we share the same birth date of

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5412 November 15, and her name is Charlene Quqqiaq. >>Applause Also, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to recognize me and my wife’s grandson which is my adopted son, Caylon Quqqiaq. >>Applause Mr. Speaker, I love my family greatly and I thank them for being here with me today, and it feels like home whenever you are, whenever your family is. I thank my family greatly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Tununiq, Ms. Nutarak. Hon. Karen Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I rise today to recognize Peesee Pitsiulak, her younger sister, Saa Pitsiulak, and Koveanotukulu Pitsiulak who is here as well. >>Applause I want them to stand. Let’s give them a warm welcome them in our House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Cambridge Bay, Ms. Gross. Hon. Pamela Gross: Quana, Mr. Speaker. It’s with great pleasure and privilege that I have the honour of introducing and recognizing a visitor from Cambridge Bay who recently moved here to Iqaluit.

We have Presley Taylor who is here in the gallery with us today. >>Applause Mr. Speaker, Presley is here doing her pledge, or she recently did her Pledge of Professionalism with the Nunavut Arctic College and is starting her practicum with the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre here in Iqaluit. She is joined here in Iqaluit with her partner, Aaron Pedersen and their two daughters, Elise and Belle. They are newly residents to Apex, Mr. Speaker.

I know that they will have a great time here in Iqaluit and they’re bettering not only themselves and their family but Nunavummiut, with the work and the contributions that they will be doing along their journey. I wanted to welcome them to Iqaluit and congratulate Presley on the wonderful milestone. Mr. Speaker, as I was growing up, you learn more about your family and who your relations are, and I used to work with her great-grandmother, Annie Atighioyak.

Over the years Annie and I would share conversations and she informed me along the way that her father and my grandfather were first cousins, so I have some distant relation to Presley, and I have always been proud of her. She has always been a shining student. I worked with her when I was in post- secondary. I would work at the school, and I was working in the Inuinnaqtun classroom. I always remember what a shining light she was with her abilities, and not only just her academic smarts, but her your beautiful creations. She’s a talented artist, Mr. Speaker. I look

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5413 forward to where she’s going. Congratulations on the milestone that she has accomplished. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to share my appreciation and also recognize Saa Pitseolak who I went to school with in Cambridge Bay, and I know my heart has been with her and her family, and also to her sister that’s here with us as well. Welcome to our House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Pangnirtung, Ms. Nakashuk. Hon. Margaret Nakashuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I also want to recognize. I was very fortunate to take

part in the Pledge of Professionalism and that took place in Cambridge Bay last week when the Bachelor of Social Work students were completing their program. I’m so happy and honoured to have Presley Taylor here. Also, to mention that she is, in our department, doing her practicum. A number of our students from the Social Work Program, either through Nunavut Arctic College or through University of Newfoundland, and also through the social work programs that are offered through Nunavut Arctic College, the majority of them are either summer student or practicum students within our department.

I’m happy that we have pushed this department to ensure that the students come into our department to do their practicum, or be employed under the department. It’s an honour to have Presley here and I wish her all the very best, as well as everyone else that just completed the social work program. Also, I want to welcome late Peesee’s sisters that are present here. We do feel the heaviness as well, but I really do thank them for being in the House as well. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to your Assembly. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.

Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Hon. P.J. Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for recognizing me this afternoon. Good afternoon, my fellow colleagues and all Nunavummiut listening. Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to say we were talking about boundaries and it’s good news for me that in our future we can look forward to having more boundaries in our community. I want to recognize Mr. Lew Philip, and I welcome him. He will be one of our constituents as well for our Iqaluit- Niaqunnguu, so I’m very pleased to hear about that.

While he’s here I wanted to comment on that. It’s good that he’s here to offer advice or a good ear to anyone who might need consoling or even a story that somebody want to share and he will be here. It’s great news. As well, to Presley’s partner Aaron, also a big welcome to Apex. It’s good to see them on a regular basis, so I want to say that, Mr. Speaker. Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5414 >>Applause Speaker: Welcome to the Assembly. Item 6. Oral Questions. Member for Aggu, Ms. Quassa. Item 6: Oral Questions Question 893 – 6(2): Mental Health Supports (Quassa) Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health. Mr. Speaker, on May 28 the minister addressed the issue of mental health and the importance of addressing mental wellness with care and compassion. I could not agree more.

Nunavut’s new Mental Health Act received assent three years ago in 2021. In October 2023, a few sections of the new Act came into force, including the

section providing for the establishment of a mental health review board and sections governing its meetings. Can the minister provide an update on what progress is being made towards bringing the rest of Nunavut’s new Mental Health Act into force? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for asking this question today.

In terms of mental health, we are always looking for ways to improve how we can better improve access for mental health services in Nunavut, and review what is required in terms of the direction we want to deal with here, nonetheless, we run into the legislative barriers, such as the drafted language that can provide direction.

The new legislation we have, namely the Mental Health Act, was drafted towards that, and after it was passed in fiscal year 2021, the Department of Health had tangible expectations of improving the situation we face in this field. (interpretation ends) In terms of the member’s question, Mr. Speaker, the mental health review board is being built. It’s being established. Most of the work is happening behind the scenes. However, we did have a call for members to the public and then we put out a second call to the public.

We have also had nominations to the Mental Health Review Board from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. The appointments to that board have been started, or the appointment process has been started. The successful candidates and nominees to the Mental Health Review Board will be appointed and then they will be provided training before the Mental Health Act takes effect. Right now, we’re on track to see full coming into force of the Mental Health Act in 2025. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Quassa. Ms. Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I also thank the minister that there is a process where we’re going to move along, and we do know that it’s an urgent matter.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5415 (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s new Mental Health Act has been health up as a true made-in- Nunavut piece of legislation. Taking into consideration the needs and wishes of Nunavummiut and Nunavut’s communities. In order for this legislation to be effective, it is important that Nunavummiut are involved in its implementation. Can the minister provide an update on how many new mental health positions have been created, to ensure that the objectives of legislation can be met when it is fully in force?

How many of these mental health workers have been hired to date, and how many of them are Inuit? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for the question. (interpretation ends) That is a really good point that the member make in terms of the work force being a big part of strengthening mental health services in Nunavut.

In terms of the staffing aspect to the Mental Health Act, it doesn’t necessarily compel us to create a specific number of positions, but the trend within the Department of Health over recent years has been towards more and more staff on the frontlines in terms of service delivery in Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, there are other pieces of the Mental Health Act, for example the monitoring system, which has been mental health surveillance system, has actually been piloted in the Kitikmeot region and we’re currently working to expand that to Qikiqtaaluk region now.

There are multiple pieces, and they are all getting built at the same time. In terms of the staffing question that the member had, we currently have 107 frontline staff in Nunavut. Those are filled positions across Nunavut, so they are right across all three regions. That includes a mix of professional staff as well as paraprofessional and administrative staff. Apologies to the member; I don’t have that number broken down by how many of them are Inuit at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary. Member from Aggu, Ms. Quassa. Ms.

Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister. We feel this is an important subject of the need to have competent Inuit hired to provide services in their language, should they so choose. It would be easier to follow that in looking at linguistic services in this area. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the minister’s statement made some good points about self-care and strengthening our own mental wellness through positive coping skills. It also described a number of programs and services that are available to help individuals who are looking for support.

Unfortunately, not everyone recognizes when they need support to address their mental health issues.

Section 38 of Nunavut’s new Mental Health Act provides that a community member can request a health professional to assess another individual

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5416 who may be suffering from mental health issues. However, that

section of the new legislation is not in force yet. Can the minister clearly describe what process is currently in place that a concerned person should follow when they want to refer another individual to a mental health professional? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Mr. Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I believe the

section of the Act that the member is referring to is the one pertaining to community assisted treatment orders, and that’s an element that we are really excited about in terms of working towards this new Mental Health Act. Mr. Speaker, I should mention that we did create a community assisted treatment order coordinator position, so that is a piece of how we’re going to put that into force once it’s in force in 2025.

The current process under the current legislation, in terms of how you can refer someone to mental health care, there are limited circumstances in which that can be done under the current legislation. Usually there has to be imminent danger, for example, if there’s an imminent risk of harm or self-harm, then a referral can be made, but the current legislation is quite restrictive and limiting in terms of other scenarios when a referral can be made. At this point in time, I don’t have a clear answer for the member in terms of what is the process.

There is a lack of a clear process, and that’s precisely one of the issues that we, as an Assembly, tried to fix in the last government by approving this piece of legislation, I believe. I encourage anyone who has concerns regarding mental health with a family member or with a friend, I encourage them to discuss it with that individual, encourage them to share resources in terms of places they can go, places they can call, places they can text to reach out for help. We want to destigmatize the conversation around metal health.

We want to encourage families and friends and workplaces to talk about this, to talk about issues, so that we can all work together towards better mental health for Nunavummiut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Uqqummiut, Ms. Killiktee. Question 894 – 6(2): Medical Boarding Home Concerns (Killiktee) Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question about what I was talking about earlier in regard to medical boarding homes for people that have to go to the hospital. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health. Mr.

Speaker, in my member statement earlier, I described some disturbing situations and dangerous situations, and horrible to hear happenings at the medical boarding home in Iqaluit. People who have to go to the hospital in Iqaluit have to stay there, and because of that, I have been notified, so I would like to ask some questions about the policy that they follow as to how they give out rooms in the boarding home, Mr. Speaker.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5417 (interpretation ends) Can the minister clearly describe what actions are taken by his department when concerns and complaints are brought to the attention of the Department of Health with respect to such policies as the accommodation policy at the medical boarding home, and how does he ensure that the appropriate measures are taken to correct the situation? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The boarding homes are independent boarding homes, and I know the member understands that they are private medical boarding homes in Iqaluit, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Yellowknife, and also Edmonton. Those are all independently run places that we work with through contracts. They hold a contract that we gave them to run the boarding homes. So we work with them under the agreements. When there are problems or things that need to be corrected, we work with the independent boarding home people and we meet with them.

In Iqaluit, that my client is asking about, (interpretation ends) we meet with the contractor bi- weekly as well as on an as-needed basis. It’s through the contract administration process that we are able to troubleshoot. We’re able to bring improvements forward and we are able to meet the need of medical travelers in Nunavut. Looking at the facility here in Iqaluit, just to give the member an idea of how many nights of accommodation we’re talking about, we’re talking about anywhere between 45,000 to 50,000 nights of accommodation per year.

So it gives you a sense of the volume of how many travellers and how many different clients are being handled through that facility. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You sort of explained at the end of your statement how many patients are made to stay there at the boarding home and how many that they have to take care of. That’s not what I’m asking about. What I’m talking about is people are being put in danger at Sailijaarvik boarding home. (Interpretation ends) Mr.

Speaker, I do recognize that services at the medical boarding home are provided by the third- party contractor, and that the payments for travel and accommodation for Inuit clients are covered by the federal government’s Non-insured Health Benefits program. However, the Department of Health plays a role in negotiating the terms of service provided by the boarding home contractor. Can the minister describe how the specific terms of the boarding homes’ accommodation policy are negotiated between his department, the contractor, and the federal government? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister of Health. Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5418 (interpretation ends) In terms of that very specific level of detail, in terms of the boarding homes’ accommodation policy, I believe the member is asking about a policy that’s within the operations of a private contractor that we have the contract with. That’s a level of detail that I would really have to dig into and ask for. It’s way beyond the level of detail that I have in front of me here.

I think in terms of cases that do arise around medical travellers and if it’s a safety issue, particularly for women or elders who are feeling unsafe, whether it’s in their own room or it’s in the facility, that is something that the Department of Health takes very seriously. We have been working with our boarding home contractors, not just here in Iqaluit but in other locations as well, to see what we can do to strengthen the safety of vulnerable travellers. We have been making changes where required on our part to strengthen safety issues.

For example, providing escorts in some cases to young travellers who might be physically capable and linguistically capable of travelling out of their home community, but could be vulnerable in terms of being inexperienced in terms of travel. That’s one example of a thing that we are doing with a specific lens around safety and trying to ensure that our medical travellers are safe during their trips. Mr. Speaker, the list goes on in terms of what we need to do to improve services for medical travellers. Since the establishment of the new boarding home, we have worked with the contractor.

They are now offering a bilingual bonus to their staff. They have new training programs. They are purchasing country food directly from hunters on a weekly basis. There are specific rooms for elders that are reserved. I’m not saying everything is perfect, but it’s a continual process of quality control and troubleshooting when specific issues do arise with the contractor. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary. Ms. Killiktee. Ms. Killiktee (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Perhaps we two or perhaps all MLAs should do that as we are housed in the hotels on our own, at our leisure. I am trying to get you to think on the same page here, and to show how disconcerting it can be when I am relaxing in a room and a strange man enters the room, or two of them. What would I do then? Mr. Speaker, several constituents have found this happening causing severe concerns about the safety of their accommodations when they are sent out on medical travel to a boarding home in Iqaluit, especially following the currently boarding guidelines and policies at Sailijaarvik.

Some patients become overly anxious when they are being registered at the accommodation desk, worried they may get abused due to the lax rules that the staff follow, especially if a strange person either male or female is registered to be in their room following the roommate policies. The Department of Health runs these places and there has to be some very

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5419 specific safety measures taken. They have to come to Iqaluit to see the doctor. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, under the current the accommodation policy, travellers are expected to share rooms with complete strangers, people of the opposite sex, and even couples. The staff at the medical boarding home seems to lack any awareness of the problems they are creating.

Will the minister to commit to working with the contractor to change the accommodation policy at the medical boarding home so that it is safer for medical clients and will he inform me in writing of what changes will be made. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Health, Minister Main. Hon. John Main (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I can certainly look into that area of concern and commit to responding to the member in writing.

Without having that level of detail in front of me that I believe the member is trying to get at in terms of the contractor’s accommodation policy, yes, I can’t commit to specific policy changes. I can share that there is a process in place where complaints can be submitted to the Office of Patient Relations. The Office of Patient Relations, we have dedicated staff there, bilingual staff, and they can receive complaints in writing or verbally. They are very good at following up directly back to clients, and they also are very good at tracking the types of issues that are coming to them.

We regularly take the data from Office of Patient Relations and use it to direct our efforts in terms of where improvements are needed, or where they there might be systemic issues coming up. I encourage travellers to use that. In terms of safety and security issues, Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of the issues that are arising at boarding homes are related to alcohol, and that’s a continual area of concern for us; not just here in Iqaluit, it’s everywhere. It can get very complicated when we have a large number of clients in one facility and then you throw alcohol use into the mix.

We have been working with all of our contractors in terms of how do we ensure safety, but as well, how do we ensure that we’re accommodating different needs at the boarding homes in Nunavut, including Iqaluit. It’s an ongoing process. I thank the member for recognizing it. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members, we just have two groups of questions and answers to go through. We still have a lot of members that want to ask questions. Please, be mindful of other members. Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit- Sinaa, Ms. Brewster. Question 895 – 6(2): Family Abuse Intervention Act (Brewster) Ms.

Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I did anticipate that you would be calling on me. Ladies first, today, I guess, thank you. My questions today are for the new Minister of Justice. Mr. Speaker, I want to begin by acknowledging the minister for taking the time during yesterday’s sitting of the House to table her

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5420 department’s most recent annual report on the Family Abuse Intervention Act. Mr. Speaker, the first part of my career I was very fortunate to take

part in the development of the Family Abuse Intervention Act and I can tell you that the public servants and all of the stakeholders involved were committed to creating

an Act for future generations to ensure the safety of future generations. That Act came into force on March 1, 2008 and on the lowest end of a scale, measuring a generation, 15 years is a generation and it has now been 16 years, Mr. Speaker. I read the report with great interest, and was struck by one of the statements under the legislative review that stated “Part of this review includes identifying aspects of the legislation itself that that may be unclear, creating barriers or otherwise leading to unintended to consequences.” Mr.

Speaker I am confident that the minister reviewed her own report with care before she tabled it yesterday. So my first question will simply be an invitation to her to highlight its main themes and to describe her department’s main priorities in respect to the legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Justice, Ms. Nutarak. Hon. Karen Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr.

Speaker, and thank you for your question on the issue. (interpretation ends) Some of the highlights from the 2022-23 annual report are the legal process of obtaining emergency protection orders and community intervention orders under the Act, and the roles of the community justice specialist and community justice outreach workers related to the program and how community justice specialists support and training provided to our community justice outreach workers across Nunavut.

I encourage Nunavummiut to read the report and learn about the Family Abuse Intervention Act and the importance of our community and justice outreach workers, and I encourage that our members read it because it has so much information that you can provide to your constituents. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I also encourage everybody to read that report with care. It is quite informative. Mr.

Speaker, as you will recall, it was back in the spring of 2022 when I asked one of the minister’s predecessors about the department’s work to improve and strengthen the Family Abuse Intervention Act. At that time the minister of the day informed the House the consultations were underway, but a clear timeline was not provided. Mr. Speaker, the latest annual report that the new minister tabled yesterday noted that engagement sessions on the Act had been held in eight communities including Iqaluit.

Can the minister tell us today if she will be introducing substantive amendments to the legislation before the dissolution of the

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5421 current Assembly next year? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Justice, Ms. Nutarak. Hon. Karen Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you for your question. (interpretation ends) The Department of Justice continues to conduct the policy work and stakeholder engagement necessary to update the Family Abuse Intervention Act, and to ensure that the act is responsive to the needs of victims and the frontline staff. The department is targeting winter 2025 to introduce the Family Intervention Act amendments. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the new minister will also recall, I tabled a copy last fall of an exchange of correspondence that I had had with another one of her predecessors concerning the establishment of a Domestic Violence Death Review Committee in Nunavut. The minister of the day’s reply to me indicated that the department was working to explore the possibility of establishing such an entity, which I believe would be a valuable addition to our suite of tools to address the scourge of domestic and intimate partner violence. Mr.

Speaker, can the minister indicate what direction she has given to her department in respect to this issue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Justice, Ms. Nutarak. Hon. Karen Nutarak: As the Minister of Justice, I have directed the department to continue its work with the coroner, the Legal Services Board, and committees in Ontario and Manitoba to establish a Domestic Violence Death Review Committee for Nunavut. This is a large project and is a priority for the department. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Aivilik, Mr. Malliki.

Question 896 – 6(2): Homeownership Programs (Malliki) Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Aivilik, I strongly support improvements to programs to help Nunavut homeowners, especially elders. As the minister will recall, the Nunavut Housing Corporation recently announced what it described as a “modernized suite” of housing programs to assist homeowners and potential homeowners.

Can the minister highlight some of the major changes to these programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Kusugak.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5422 Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for raising the issue. Mr. Speaker, the need for improvements that we discussed in Naujaat, I believe last year or the previous year to that, and we hear clearly of the homeowners and potential homeowners that it is getting too costly to do renovations and other assessments necessary. Some communities don’t have individuals who may be able to do the work.

What we are putting forth will be help for homeowners and potential homeowners to rectify assistance in this regard and perhaps get other contractors from other communities to work on what renovations may be made and so forth. What is good news is to his community of Naujaat, annually oil burner mechanics have to inspect the furnaces. If there’s no one, support will be given from the local housing organization and if they don’t have them, support can be given. These are some of the few things that will further support Nunavummiut homeowners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Malliki.

Mr. Malliki (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your visit in our community was very positive. (interpretation ends) The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s announcement of April 8, 2024 indicates that “applications for modernized homeownership support programs will open in the coming months.” Can the minister clarify if the administration of the modernized homeownership programs will be the responsibility of the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s offices in Iqaluit, Arviat, Cambridge Bay, or Kinngait? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr.

Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the applications as they arrive, we have an office in Arviat and through that office these will be reviewed and analyzed as to which will be approved or not. However, we want to approve all of them, but the other communities, Kinngait, Iqaluit and so forth, in area of housing will also be involved in this process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Malliki. Mr. Malliki: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker, for that clarification. (interpretation ends) As the minister will recall, the Legislative Assembly approved over $4.6 million in funding for home ownership programs as part of Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2024-25 capital estimates. Can the minister indicate if the Nunavut Housing Corporation budget home ownership program will be increased or decreased or remain the same in upcoming 2025-26 capital estimates? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Speaker, in our action plan towards the end of our

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5423 budget it will be clear how much we are spending and we will ask the question do we have to increase it or not will be revealed during this time when we expend the funds, and to see where we are at. Once we are right there, we will adjust our following year’s fiscal estimates and make due changes when required. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simailak. Question 897 – 6(2): Search and Rescue Review (Simailak) Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Today I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Community and Government Services. It’s regarding Emergency Management Services search and rescue. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the MLA for Aivilik, Mr. Malliki, requested an independent review regarding a recent incident for a search in the Kivalliq. Mr. Speaker, that is a second request made of this minister regarding the same search. On Monday, April 22 I, myself, requested the same thing; an independent review inquiry into this recent incident. This last search in the Kivalliq, South of Baker Lake was where the search was. Mr.

Speaker, if no request or inquiry is made, then how else can we collectively make improvements or push for improvements? Mr. Speaker, in the minister’s response yesterday he said, and I’ll read from the Blues, “…but I will consider that.” That was part of his response to an inquiry. Mr. Speaker, there were a few mistakes. I know it was not on purpose; it is not intentional, I know that but Mr. Speaker, the good people of Whale Cove tried requesting assistance from the government to help us with this search.

They were denied a tasking number, so the people of Whale Cove had to scrape some money of their own money to buy gas and food and come up and help search with us. That time the government failed us. There was also another failure where the Twin Otter was tasked to come help with the search. They were going to come from Yellowknife and help with the search, and that was cancelled. That was the reason why I asked for an inquiry, a review as to why it was cancelled, what happened so we can learn from the mistakes so that it does not happen again in the future. Nunavut, as we all know, is quite vast.

It’s quite big and we can always learn from everything. For the third time, I’ll ask this minister, it will be the third time he is being asked: will he commit to ordering an independent review for this last search that happened in Baker Lake that ended in the tragedy where the body was found? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In regard to search and rescue and emergency operations, we feel for the people who participated in that search and we think about the affected people because it’s something that’s much unexpected.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5424 Mr. Speaker, I have urged the Nunavut emergency operators who are under our department to look at how the policy is set up and we will do a review of the current policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just for clarification, will the minister commit to ensuring his department does speak with the Baker Lake search and rescue regarding this last search so as to learn from them?

Also, along with the Rankin Inlet search and rescue and Whale Cove search and rescue; they all helped with this last search. A lot can be learned from the people on the ground, and it should not be just the department alone looking at what could or should be done. It needs to be from hands-on people. Will the minister commit to including the people on the ground with this one, the Baker Lake search and rescue, the Rankin Inlet search and rescue, and Whale Cove search and rescue? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon.

David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are currently looking at the policy and we’re trying to include all the stakeholders and people who participate in these emergency situations. The Nunavut Association of Municipalities had a meeting not too long ago and we discussed this matter, and looking at ways of making improvements to the policy. After this review we will make the required changes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Simailak. Mr. Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Before I ask my last question, just a quick request to MLA Kusugak, MLA Main, and MLA Sammurtok: please pass on my thank you to your local search and rescues. They have helped us out a lot in the past. My last question to the minister: when can we expect to see a review, or changes to this search and rescue policy? Is it this year? Does he have a timeline? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I appreciate the member requesting more information on this.

We do have this going through the channels around stakeholder engagement. We are also looking back to re- engaging hamlets or our local search and rescue groups around this policy. We anticipate over the next year or so that we do hope to have something implemented, but I’ll keep my colleagues abreast on where things stand. It’s going through the process of review, but also engaging our stakeholders and, of course, the members here will have a chance to see the new policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk, Mr. Hickes.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5425 Question 898 – 6(2): Insurance on Government Assets (Hickes) Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Finance today on the topic of insurance on Government of Nunavut infrastructure. First, I would like to thank the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation for correcting the record earlier, and I think it reinforces the importance of making those corrections at the first available opportunity so that further questions don’t need to occur. Mr.

Speaker my first question is: do the current insurance policies have a clause similar to homeowner insurance whereby there are specific tank replacements such as ten years, or a specific environmental liability condition? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Speaker, I have information in terms of how many millions of dollars we have insured and how much insurance costs are, but as for what it entails and what parameters they need to do to claim insurance on events such as that that was alluded to earlier, I don’t have that level of detail, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know the topic was on fuel tanks so I thought that it would be perceived that there would be follow-up on that specific item. My next question, Mr.

Speaker is wear and tear was stated here in the House specific to Arviat’s airport spill. Does the Department of Finance work with Department of Community and Government Services to verify condition ratings are done as scheduled to minimize the opportunity of environmental liability? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Finance, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in looking into that, yes, there are discussions between the Department of Finance, and in this case, the Department of Community and Government Services.

They also work with different departments that have insurance claims with us, such as the airports, and so on. They do go over things like the conditions of the infrastructure and assets that are also under the same insurance umbrella. That does happen, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Hickes. Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the response from the minister. Mr. Speaker, in the previous dialogue with the member for Arviat South, it was determined that the fuel tank in that situation was over 30 years old or around 30 years old.

Is the minister aware of any other environmental liability insurance claims that have been made under any current policies and the frequency thereof? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5426 Speaker: Minister of Finance, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have over a billion dollars of assets that are insured within the Government of Nunavut, and then there are other assets that are insured through the Qulliq Energy Corporation that are aside from the Government of Nunavut.

I could assure my colleague that after the incident in Arviat and the discussions that are happening in this room as a result of that, I assure you that there are people looking into the situation of different fuel tanks and other assets to ensure that what happened, unfortunately, that that event does not reoccur. In terms of how many have happened and the same kind of incidents, I do not have that information, but I most definitely will look into that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Quqqiaq.

Question 899 – 6(2): NHC-Kitikmeot Inuit Association Housing Initiative (Quqqiaq) Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, as the Member of the Legislative Assembly representing the constituencies of Netsilik, I am very strongly in support of initiatives to address the Housing shortage in our communities. Mr.

Speaker, as the minister will recall, the Nunavut Housing Corporation and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association issued an announcement on Thursday of last week concerning the signing of a new partnership agreement which is intended to “…deliver a new initiative called the Nunavut Pathway to Home Ownership pilot program.” This is exciting news, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify how the participating families will be selected, and can he confirm the budget of this pilot program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon.

Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question and I am excited about the work the Housing Corporation is going to be doing with the Kitikmeot Inuit association. Mr. Speaker, there was an opportunity to purchase and lease four units for four young families in Cambridge Bay. I believe the four individual families were in those units at the time, and the details in terms of what kind of funding we will be providing them, we’re still trying to finalize those, Mr. Speaker.

Having said that, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association is going to participate in giving training for the new homeowners and educate them in terms of what it entails to be a homeowner. It will include budgeting, maintenance, insurance and other aspects of home ownership. I think this is a very exciting relationship we will have with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. It is one step, I hope, of

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5427 many that we could do with the regional Inuit associations. Mr. Speaker, thank you. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is very important that innovative programs be accessible to residents of all Nunavut communities, not just those who live in regional centres. Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify the timeline for expanding this program to other communities in the Kitikmeot? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon.

Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as units come available in outlying and other communities and to draw on the success, I know this pilot project will succeed. We will move forward. This is something that I think is important, but it should not matter where you live. All these programs should be available to all Nunavummiut. I couldn’t stress that enough and I fully support the need that any program should be accessible regardless of where you live in the territory, and the Housing Corporation works hard to achieve that goal, Mr. Speaker.

We will ensure that if this project is successful, that we will look for other partnerships and other partners so that programs like this will happen regardless of where you live, as long as you live within Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Quqqiaq. Mr. Quqqiaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I expect that my colleagues from the Kivalliq and the Qikiqtani will be interested to learn if similar initiatives are planned for their regions. Mr.

Speaker, can the minister confirm what discussions the Nunavut Housing Corporation is having with the Kivalliq Inuit Association and Kitikmeot Inuit Association regarding similar initiatives in other regions? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate this line of questioning. Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times in this House and outside of it, we are looking forward to any kind of ventures and working relationships with any organization.

In particular, the regional Inuit associations I think are a powerful tool and a channel for helping their residents gain home ownership. Mr. Speaker, the regional Inuit associations have access to funds that this government may not be able to have access to, and it’s through discussions and meetings with regional Inuit associations that we are able to come up with ways and creative ways to create more housing across our territory.

I assure my colleague that we are not in any formal discussions, but are continually in discussions with the regional Inuit politicians and corporate heads and board members to try to find ways that we could have a positive

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5428 impact in terms of meeting the Housing needs of Nunavummiut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq. Question 900 – 6(2): Fuel Filters on Snowmobiles (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to the people of Arviat. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions will be for the Minister of Community and Government Services. The minister has been questioned about search and rescues and there has been back and forth between other MLAs.

My question is, almost a year ago to the date, on May 24, I questioned the minister on the snowmobile filters with black substance that makes snowmobiles inoperable or run very poorly. Some of the searches that went on this past winter may have been, or could have been because of the fuel filter problems that have been happening. On May 24 the minister committed to some form of communication so hunters and snowmobilers in Nunavut can drop off these filters and find out what this substance is that is making snowmobiles run poorly, or not run at all. Nothing happened. Never heard nothing.

Then in Committee of the Whole, on March 24, 2024, a few months ago, I asked the minister again in Committee of the Whole and reminded him that he made a commitment to collect these filters for the safety of Nunavummiut out on the land, that he would do a collection. On March 24, 2024, the minister stated that by the end of this month, meaning by the end of March 2024 that some kind of communication will go out where snowmobilers can drop off these filters with black substance that makes snowmobiles not run, so we can find out what that black substance is for the safety of Nunavummiut snowmobilers.

Nothing has been done yet. Can the minister explain? We are getting very close to misleading to the House, so can the minister explain? Thank you. Speaker: Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the member for pressing me on this. It provides me an opportunity to apologize to the member in person for those commitments that I had made. We have not met the March deadline that we had committed to.

However, we did issue a public service announcement earlier this month on this, announcing we do have a fuel quality assurance program, and Petroleum Products Division has mobilized to ensure that they have everything lined up to accept those types of material and/or to check the quality of our fuel in Nunavut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: First supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, never once did I hint that there was any problem or issues with fuel quality in Nunavut with the gasoline that is being sold. Never once, but there’s something different. These

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5429 filters are being plugged up and snowmobile engines can’t run in most places in Nunavut. It’s also costing money. They are between $50 and $55 to replace a filter, and some people are replacing them several times a month, the ones that snowmobile a lot. We need to know what that black substance is. Is there an issue with the gasoline? Is there an issue with some part of the snowmobile? There is an issue somewhere, and it’s not good enough that the minister stated that he put a PSA out or an announcement out that they are going to check the quality of the fuel.

I’ll ask the minister again: when will Nunavummiut have a place, be informed and told where they can drop off their filters so we can find out what this black substance on skidoo fuel filters are, so that it will be safe and we can rectify the problem, whatever the problem is? Thank you. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon. David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I share the concern the member has around the black substance.

If there is an issue around the fuel or the manufacturing of the skidoo part, that mixing with certain fuels, if it’s that, I think we need to get to the bottom of it. I can assure you that our Petroleum Products Division will work with any and all parties. If you do have those, to bring it forward to our division and we can look at the substance further, have laboratory tests done on it, and try to get to the bottom of it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Savikataaq. Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Speaker, this has been ongoing for a year, and ideally winter time would have been the best time when most snowmobiles are being used. The use of snowmobiles is winding down now in most of Nunavut, so I don’t know when the minister is going to start collecting these filters, but it might be hopefully soon, but the department might not get as many. Ideally the collection period would be long so when it gets cold and snowmobile season starts using again, I would like a commitment and a date from the minister of when Nunavummiut can bring these filters.

Like I said, this is getting borderline to misleading the House, and after this, if nothing is done, I will bring forward a misleading the House, because the minister has made commitment twice now to Nunavummiut in this House to collect these filters and see what the problem is with this black substance in the filters that’s causing dangers for some Nunavummiut. Can I get a firm date of when an announcement and where collections can be made to find out what this black substance in the snowmobile filters are? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Hon.

David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Petroleum Products Division did issue the public service announcement public publicizing

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5430 this program, and again, we’re working to have a request for proposal. We’re preparing for a request for proposal for laboratory analysis incorporating provisions for fuel filter testing. If we haven’t already started accepting these, I’ll make sure to come back and make sure all members, including Nunavummiut, know when and where they can deliver their fuel filters or otherwise. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Sammurtok. Question 901 – 6(2): Marine Infrastructure (Sammurtok) Mr.

Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and they concern the subject of marine infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, information published by the government concerning Chesterfield Inlet’s infrastructure plan indicates that “…the current dock is dangerous and people have fallen trying to get down to the water and the current floating dock is damaged and needs replacing. We have welded the patches on the floats so the dock would not sink.

The salt water has corroded the metal float to a point we cannot patch any longer. We are in need of a larger docking system that will allow boat to dock even at low tide. At this point the dock is on the ground at low tide so boats cannot dock.” Mr. Speaker, during the last fall sitting in the Legislative Assembly, the House approved $500,000 in funding to community marine infrastructure for the year 2024-25 fiscal year. Can the minister indicate how much of this funding has been spent to date on improvements to Chesterfield Inlet’s marine infrastructure? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon.

Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 2024-25 fiscal year is just starting and we just started our new budget in April. My staff wrote to the hamlet regarding this that there is this funding and that project requests can be directed to the department. There was a deadline around the middle of May. As of today, I’m not sure who has been approved.

I don’t have that information in front of me, but that project requests for funding from the communities, there was a process and that it’s about now we started to receive these. I’m sure that they will get information as to their approval and so if they wrote a project request, they’re in our department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In October 2019 the Government of Nunavut issued a request for proposal for a comprehensive marine infrastructure scoping study. That was almost five years ago.

Have these been completed and when will the final report of this work be tabled in the Legislative Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5431 Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we do have the report and we are going through that report. It is a very comprehensive report, and it is for all communities and we’re going through that. Our department is going through that. In terms of the contents, once we’ve gone through this, I will commit to sharing that document once it’s made available. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your second and final supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok. Mr. Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr.

Speaker. The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is responsible for administering the government’s Community Transportation Initiatives Program, which provides funding to municipalities for access roads projects and small scale marine infrastructure. The 2020-21 annual report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly in March 2023, and it indicated that Chesterfield Inlet would receive $150,000 in funding for an access road project. Can the minister confirm when the 2021- 22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 annual reports will be ready to be tabled in this Legislative Assembly? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Mr. David Akeeagok. Hon. David Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our department takes pride in tabling these documents for the Community Transportation Initiatives Program, and we will continue to do that. I don’t have a definitive date when our next tabling for the fiscal year that my member colleague has raised, but definitely we’ll continue that process of making sure that it is tabled. I will try and commit to that it is done on a timely basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Ms. Brewster.

Question 902 – 6(2): Nunavut 3000 Housing Plan (Brewster) Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for recognizing me a second time today. It kind of startled me. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, in less than 48 hours from now the calendar will turn to June and the summer construction season will soon be in full swing. Mr.

Speaker, the minister does not need me to remind him that all Nunavut communities are facing severe housing shortages, but I do believe that it is important that we acknowledge that our territory’s rapidly growing capital city and largest committee faces unique pressures. Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut 3000 Housing Plan contains a number of ambitious targets. For Iqaluit, the plan establishes a goal of constructing or acquiring 610 new units, 320 new public housing units, 170 new affordable housing units, and 120 new market units.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5432 Can the minister provide a clear update today on how many of these units have actually been constructed to date, and can he clearly indicate how many new units will begin construction in Iqaluit during the current 2024-25 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Hon. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll make an attempt to answer all six of those questions, Mr. Speaker. Forgive me if I don’t get to all of them. Mr.

Speaker, since 2022 we’ve completed 18 builds; in 2022-23, 18 builds; in 2024 we’re anticipating 36 starts. Mr. Speaker, though they are all at different stages of being completed, Mr. Speaker, I’m only talking about the ones that Nunavut Housing Corporation is working on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Your first supplementary, Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I won’t say my math is better than the Minister of Housing’s math, but I feel like that might have been two questions, and not six. Mr.

Speaker, as the minister will recall, the Nunavut Housing Corporation issued a request for proposals in November 2023 for the design and construction of a much-needed new residential multi-plex building in Iqaluit. However, the Nunavut Housing Corporation subsequently cancelled the procurement process in February of this year due to what were described as budgetary constraints. Can the minister clearly indicate when the Nunavut Housing Corporation will reissue this request for proposal? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon.

Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s always a challenge to put out tenders and try to get infrastructure built at a reasonable cost, and we’re working hard to ensure that we could build as many houses with as little money that we have. Our Housing Corporation is currently looking at what alternatives we have in fulfilling the commitment to build those units. I’m hopeful that in the near future, I don’t know when the near future is, that we will be able to come up with some guidelines and parameters, in terms of when we could put out those calls again.

When prices come up outside our funding availability, we have to take a look to see what we can do to change it, to change the project so that they could fall within the funding available. We’re going through that right now, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Speaker: Second and final supplementary. Ms. Brewster. Ms. Brewster: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister is aware, the City of Iqaluit is currently working on a number of exciting new housing initiatives, including partnerships with our regional Inuit organization and Inuit development corporations to develop what is described as Inuit Purpose and Inuit First

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5433 Housing in accordance with the Nunavut Inuit Housing Action Plan. Can the minister provide a clear update today on how the Nunavut Housing Corporation is engaging with the City of Iqaluit and Qikiqtani Inuit Association on this initiative? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Kusugak. Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

It’s very important that the Nunavut Housing Corporation have positive engagements with the City of Iqaluit and any municipality and municipal government to ensure that there is availability of land and sites. We have a lot of expertise within the corporation when it comes to the style of houses or the size of houses that are necessary and so on and so forth. Mr.

Speaker, our corporation is committed to and always available to work with the city and the regional Inuit associations and corporations to ensure that if they have needs that we have expertise in, we’re always more than happy to work with them to help where we can. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Members be aware that the time allotted for question period is now over. Item 7. Written Questions. Item 8. Returns to Written Questions. Item 9. Replies to Opening Address. Item 10. Petitions. Item 11. Responses to Petitions. Item 12. Reports of Standing and Special Committee on Bills and Other Matters.

I recognize the Member for Arviat South, Mr. Savikataaq. Item 12: Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters Committee Report 030 – 6(2): Bill 41, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that Bill 41, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 41 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 41 moved into the Committee of the Whole. Are there any nays? There are none. Bill 41 is referred immediately to the Committee of the Whole. Item 12. Mr. Savikataaq. Committee Report 031 – 6(2): Bill 42,

An Act to Amend the Dental Profession Act (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that Bill 42,

An Act to Amend the Dental Profession Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 42

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5434 immediately moved into the Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 42 immediately moved into the Committee of the Whole. Are there any nays? There are none. Bill 42 is referred immediately to the Committee of the Whole. Item 12. Mr. Savikataaq. Committee Report 032 – 6(2): Bill 44,

An Act to Amend the Creditors Relief Act and the Public Service Garnishee Act (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that Bill 44,

An Act to Amend the Creditor Relief Act and the Public Service Garnishee Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to wave Rule 68(6) and have Bill 44 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 44 immediately moved into the Committee of the Whole. Are there any nays? There are none. Bill 44 is referred immediately to the Committee of the Whole. Item 12. Mr. Savikataaq. Committee Report 033 – 6(2): Bill 45,

An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act and the Hamlets Act (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that Bill 45,

An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act and the Hamlets Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 45 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 45 immediately moved into the Committee of the Whole. Are there any nays? There are none. Bill 45 is referred immediately to the Committee of the Whole. Item 12. Mr. Savikataaq. Committee Report 034 – 6(2): Bill 46,

An Act to Amend the Coroners Act (Savikataaq) Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the viewing audience, there’s nothing wrong with the TV; I’m doing it this many times. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to report that Bill 46,

An Act to Amend the Coroners Act, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 46 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5435 Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 46 immediately moved into the Committee of the Whole. Are there any nays? There are none, and Bill 46 is referred immediately to the Committee of the Whole. Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joanasie. Item 13: Tabling of Documents Tabled Document 284 – 6(2): Nunavut Fire Marshal’s Office 2023 Annual Report (Joanasie) Tabled Document 285 – 6(2): Nunavut Emergency Management 2022-23 Annual Report (Joanasie) Hon.

David Joanasie: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table two reports: 1. The Nunavut Fire Marshal’s Office 2022-23 Annual Report; and 2. The Nunavut Emergency Management 2022-23 Annual Report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Kusugak. Tabled Document 286 – 6(2): Public Accounts of the Government of Nunavut for the Year Ended March 31, 2023 (Kusugak) Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Public Accounts of the Government of Nunavut for the year ending March 31, 2023. Mr.

Speaker, the Inuktitut version of the report will be tabled once the translations are complete. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Pauloosie Akeeagok. Tabled Document 287 – 6(2): Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act 2020-23 Report (Akeeagok,

P) Hon. P.J. Akeeagok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to table the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act Consolidated Annual Report for the period of April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2023. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaker: Item 13. Tabling of Documents. Item 14. Notices of Motions. Item 15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. Item 16. Motions. Item 17. First Reading of Bills. Item 18. Second Reading of Bills. Item 19. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. Bills 41, 42, 44, 45, and 46 with Mr. Hickes in the Chair. Before we proceed with the Committee of the Whole, we will take a 20-minute break. Sergeant-at-Arms.

Thursday, May 30, 2024 Nunavut Hansard 5436 >>House recessed at 15:54 and Committee resumed at 16:17 Item 19: 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 the Committee of the Whole we have the following items to deal with: Bills 41, 42, 44, 45 and 46. What is the wish of the committee, Mr. Savikataaq? Mr. Savikataaq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, we