Legislative Assembly briefs
Cleanup of contaminated site questioned
Northern News Services
Monday, March 9, 2015
NUNAVUT
Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak questioned Keith Peterson, the minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, in the legislature last week on the "long-standing and unresolved issue in the community of Baker Lake concerning the remediation of a site that was inherited from the Northern Canada Power Corporation."
The federal Crown corporation operated in what is now Nunavut and the Northwest Territories until 1988 when its assets were transferred to Northwest Territories Power Corporation, then to Qulliq Energy Corporation.
In 2007-2008 Qulliq anticipated co-operating with the Hamlet of Baker Lake to take key steps to resolve environmental issues in that community arising from the federal era.
As Mikkungwak noted Feb. 27, the Qulliq 2012-2013 annual report stated, "Significant environmental costs have been identified by the corporation. However, a provision for environmental liabilities was not recognized because the corporation believes it is not responsible for these remediation costs.
"Can the minister update the House today on QEC's efforts to have the federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development accept responsibility for cleaning up this contaminated site," asked Mikkungwak.
Peterson replied that there had not been any improvement in getting Canada to acknowledge their responsibility for cleaning up the site since Mikkungwak raised the question in November.
"We continue to work with them and ask them to acknowledge their responsibility, but there has been no acknowledgment to date," said Peterson.
Mikkungwak wondered what legal options are open to Qulliq Power Corp. and the GN to "force the federal government to live up to its responsibilities.
"I don't have all the legal details, but the legal opinion we did receive indicated that the polluter pays," said Peterson. "There were some serious spills in the 1970s and 80s, and that was long before the Qulliq Energy Corporation."
The estimated cost of the cleanup in 2006 was more than $10 million.
Petition calls for elders' facility
Rankin Inlet South MLA Alexander Sammurtok said March 2 that his home community is in urgent need of a government-built and operated elders' care facility, and he tabled a petition with 142 signatures to prove that urgency.
"The number of elders in our community is growing steadily every year, and the growing number of elders leads to growing concerns for their health, safety, and well-being," said Sammurtok.
He noted elders become vulnerable, "especially as their health weakens and they can no longer be self-reliant or handle the basic tasks of daily living.
"Many elders suffer from abuse, often in the form of financial abuse when family members take their pension or Old Age Security cheques. This leads to stress which has a very negative impact on their health."
This is not the first time the Rankin representative has called for a new care facility. In fact former Health Minister Monica Ell committed to conducting a needs assessment and to address the need for long-term care for elders, noted Sammurtok.
"We are currently looking at our options as well as researching what is required to address this need," said the new Health Minister, Paul Okalik. "We are aware the number of our elders is increasing. Further, with proper medical care, the Inuit lifespan is increasing. We are reviewing these considerations to ensure we have the proper plans in place at the Department of Health to see how else we can address this need."
Okalik then pointed out an elders' care facility is being completed that will house the elders in Cambridge Bay.
Where is Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit?
Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord MLA Isaac Shooyook took his government to task for two days last week on the subject of incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in government operations, finally walking out on his colleagues during question period March 5.
In his opening salvo Shooyook said he has repeatedly asked questions on this issue, only to be told "various departments are going to consult on the issue and respond to my question accordingly."
"I have yet to hear a response on this issue, as I have never seen that question answered. Has your department begun plans on this matter?"
Culture and Heritage Minister George Kuksuk insisted that since 2003 the GN has been restructuring departments "with an eye towards incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in their departments and associated departmental boards or committees."
Shooyook used the example of traditional Inuit rules for spouses, societal interactions and laws to be used within the justice system, especially in relation to the apprehension of children. He said he'd read in a document that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit had not been found for that particular subject or considered not to be applicable.
"Is that written statement for real," Shooyook asked.
"The IQ committee deals with the task of implementing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into the departments. That is the only answer I can provide with respect to the question," said Kuksuk.
Saying he didn't understand the answer, Shooyook pressed forward.
"Why is the language stating that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit or Inuit societal values will be incorporated into government in that strategy document there when it isn't being incorporated? What is the reason for the lack of implementation? Based on my understanding, there is nothing implemented related to Inuit societal values."
The back and forth ended on March 4 with Kuksuk saying committees and elder advisors were working to do just that. The next day, after further questioning, he told Shooyook he agrees that the law needs to be updated to reflect Nunavut, adding implementing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is not easy, because all government departments have to figure out individual ways to use the traditional principles.
Shooyook's parting volley before taking leave of his fellow members clearly showed his displeasure.
"I have this opportunity to tell the government today, or urge the government, to change the act. For the purpose of that, I will take an action today by leaving the chambers in front of all the members and the people watching."
Airport-related priorities questioned
Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak, who said Baker Lake needs a new grader because the one it has now for the airport has been in use for more than 30 years, asked Minister Monica Ell how the Department of Economic Development and Transportation prioritizes funding of its budgeted $2.5 million for small capital projects and minor capital for airport mobile equipment.
"The Iqaluit International Airport P3 Project was initiated before many of us were elected to this House," said Mikkungwak. "I continue to receive concerns from Nunavummiut in my constituency and region regarding the scale and expense of this project. Many are worried that this project might reduce the department's ability to address the important airport needs of the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot regions.
What assurances can the minister provide communities in the Kivalliq and Kitikmeot that their airport infrastructure requirements will be met?"
Ell acknowledged that many communities in Nunavut face the challenge of replacing or repairing airport infrastructure.
"My department is aware of the many challenges we face in this area and we have begun a complete review of the 24 community airports, especially related to public safety," she said. "Safety is our utmost priority. Also, we have begun a 20-year plan into the future that sets out the work required to meet the challenges."
Ell said the plan is at the draft stage, but did not say when it would be tabled.
"The communities aren't an afterthought due to this project, as we have other funds we can access to finance the plans for the communities, which is why we have begun the review of all municipal airport needs and this plan will encompass all of our communities."
