This is page numbers 275 - 301 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was federal.

Topics

Return To Question 174-12(5): Review Of Utility Subsidies
Question 174-12(5): Review Of Utility Subsidies
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We are reviewing the prices of POL products in the Northwest Territories and it should be done by March 31. Thank you.

Return To Question 174-12(5): Review Of Utility Subsidies
Question 174-12(5): Review Of Utility Subsidies
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the return to my oral question 128-12(5) from the Minister of Renewable Resources. The way I see the answer to my oral question, it makes me more concerned about the tranquillization of polar bears. In the last paragraph it says, "In the meantime, we will continue to ask that the meat of tagged polar bears not be eaten and we will compensate hunters who harvest tagged bears to not eat the meat." Is the Minister saying not to eat bears, no matter how long ago they were tagged? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, as I understand it, the bears that are tagged are marked with some sort of indication that they've been tagged recently. There is a way to tell if they have been tagged very recently or if they've been tagged a few weeks ago, by the way they are designated. It is my understanding that part of the difficulty of carrying out this type of work is that, in order to determine how long the tranquillizer stays in the blood and in the flesh of the bear, on first tranquillizing it you have to do it again shortly after.

It is stressful for the animals and some of the communities have discouraged the tagging of bears twice in such a short duration. What we've said is that the samples that we've got are being analyzed right now to determine how long the tranquillizers stay in the meat, fat and organs of the polar bear. This information will be available in May. Until then, until Health and Welfare comes out with its own statement on this, we've asked that people refrain from shooting bears that have been tagged and from eating the flesh of bears that have been tagged. I'm not certain if in Resolute people eat polar bear meat on a regular basis, but surely there's some way to work out some arrangement to ensure that the research is reported and it doesn't hinder the lifestyle of the people who do eat polar bear meat. Thank you.

Return To Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Pudluk.

Supplementary To Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Madam Speaker, as soon as the hunting season is open, we start eating polar bear meat until the season is over. Polar bear hunters are eating polar bear meat even though it's been drugged before because we were never told not to eat it. Would the Minister let the people know as soon as he has the information about possible health effects because it will affect me, my family and my friends and people who hunt polar bears. It will affect many in Nunavut. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Madam Speaker, the study that

was undertaken on the effect of tranquillizers on polar bears started about two years ago and we would apologize to the MLA and the affected communities if we have not alerted them to the possible negative impact of tranquillizers being used on polar bears and how it may have a negative effect on those who eat polar bear meat. I hope this was done at the outset of the study. If it hadn't been, I think there is an apology in order. Perhaps it was done. I'm not aware. I'm just saying that if it hadn't been, then an apology is in order. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Question 175-12(5): Consumption Of Meat From Tagged Polar Bears
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

(Translation) Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Premier, the communities using fiscal restraint. The hunters are having a hard time trying to make money. The government has different things happening in the communities, such as constructing buildings and they have contractors coming in from different areas. It seems the contractors go into the communities, but they often don't use the businesses in the communities. Is there a policy that would encourage the contractors to utilize the different businesses in the communities? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, there is a policy in place, the business incentive policy. It does encourage contractors to hire local people. For any portion of their tender, if they use a local person, they are allowed five per cent extra, over a northern person. Thank you.

Return To Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 287

The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ningark.

Supplementary To Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 288

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My initial question was does the government have a policy that encourages contractors, who are working on a government project, to use local businesses, such as hotels, taxis and whatever services are given in that community? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 288

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 288

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, there are policies in place for local accommodation. Contractors should be using local accommodation, if it is available. Also, if there is transportation available, government employees are to use that local transportation. They are not to use government vehicles as taxis. The government is not in the business of competing with local businesses. The policies and directions are very clear to the departments that when you have a local taxi, you are to use it. When you have a hotel in a community, you are supposed to stay there. That was developed to encourage local businesses. If by some chance this policy is not being followed in your riding, I would be pleased to follow up on it. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 288

The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. We have 18 seconds left for oral questions. We will recess for the federal budget address. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

Further Return To Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 288

The Speaker

I would like to call this House back to order. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Further Return To Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 288

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Madam Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to extend question period.

Further Return To Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Question 176-12(5): Policy On Use Of Local Businesses By Contractors
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 288

The Speaker

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the honourable Minister of Public Works and Government Services. Since he is not in the House at this moment, I will direct my question to the Premier. My question, Madam Speaker, is I had the opportunity to talk to people in Spence Bay and some of those people are not happy with a certain person who worked for the Housing Corporation who has been using the Housing Corporation's truck to transport his belongings. It seems he is not using the business community, namely the taxi and other infrastructure. My question is, would the honourable Minister check into this problem? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Madam Premier.

Return To Question 177-12(5): Dissatisfaction With Spence Bay Housing Association Employee
Question 177-12(5): Dissatisfaction With Spence Bay Housing Association Employee
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 288

Nellie Cournoyea Nunakput

Madam Speaker, the Minister in that portfolio is presently waiting for a telephone call from Mr. Bidwell who asked for him to stand by the phone, that is why he is not present here. With regard to the matter that the honourable Member has presented to us, I will have that checked into immediately. Thank you.

Return To Question 177-12(5): Dissatisfaction With Spence Bay Housing Association Employee
Question 177-12(5): Dissatisfaction With Spence Bay Housing Association Employee
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 288

The Speaker

Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot.