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Introduction of
Bill 7, Integrity Act
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About the Integrity Act
Introduction of Bill 7,
Integrity Act - Members' Statements
Extracted from the official record of the Members'
statements upon the consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bill 7,
Integrity Act, on May 24, 2001, in Cambridge Bay. Please refer to the official
Hansard for the authoritative version.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you. Welcome. I would
like to ask the members if they have any opening comments. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With the new Integrity
Act, in the speaking notes, Mr. Ng was saying and I also believe that Inuit
Qaujimajatuqangit can be used as a foundation in this process.
Even though we have this in place, I would like to find more ways to integrate
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. We have never actually experienced the actual Act and
we don't know where the loopholes are. But according to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
our elders, when we were younger they would discipline us every time they saw
something wrong with us.
So according to their ways, we were disciplined and this has to be integrated
more. As Members of the Legislative Assembly we know that we can have problems
in our lives. In the past we were not using Inuit traditions as much and as
residents of Nunavut we have an entirely different culture.
If an individual is reprimanded and if they take the discipline to heart that
this is a way to get better and they can stop doing what they did wrong before.
So, this is Inuit traditional culture and language. In our culture if anybody,
who did something wrong, if they had conflict, according to the method of Inuit
disciplining in spite of what the individual had done, they look for ways to
improve and better the life of the individual.
According to our culture, we cannot change right away but perhaps by the second
or third time when you are actually do what you were told by the elders the
person can change their ways. I have experienced it and I know it.
So, we have to look for ways to integrate this method of discipline into this,
because I believe that people took a lot of time, it took a lot of time for
individuals to develop this method. And I know that this will be used as a
foundation as Inuit, as people of Nunavut know in the communities in the small,
especially in Nunavut, the communities are quite small and as Inuit people in
one individual community everybody is related to each other.
So, if we are going to be dealing with conflict of interest how can we improve
this. For example, if your spouse and your children, by working with the people
you love, we have to look for conflicts, according to the opening comments.
I have been thinking, in my community the population is about 8 hundred and they
are all related to each other in one community and we have to support each other
to run our private businesses.
When we want to develop Nunavut by supporting each other it helps the
development at the community level because we have to find ways how to develop
economically in our communities. The smaller communities and the larger
communities of Nunavut according to the way they educate themselves and not just
us, once we experience it further we can make amendments.
But, personally, I am very proud to see this Bill. But in the future I would
like to see the results of the problem areas once we experience some problems.
We are a new government, we still haven't dealt with many Acts, so that we can
reflect the needs of Nunavut.
We really don't know where we can improve the areas and as we experience this
further we'll learn more on how to apply this in regards to the conflict of
interest and it's going to deal with the justice system too. When it also
consists of the courts, we have to find ways to integrate Inuit disciplining
ways or methods. Thank you.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Iqaqrialu. At this time we are on
general comments. If you would like to make your general comments in regards to
this, the floor is open now for it. Bill 7, we are dealing with Bill 7. General
comments. Mr. McLean.
Mr. McLean: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll keep my comments a bit shorter than my
colleague from Clyde River. But I want to echo a few of the things he said in
regards to small communities and we are related to a lot of people in our small
communities.
Our family base is quite large, it's not like southern Ontario or Manitoba where
you have constituencies with anywhere between 50,000 to 200,000 people in them.
Our constituencies have anywhere between 350 and 5000 people.
In the past and in the future you are going to have people running for politics
that have a business background or involved in small business because civil
servants have a tendency to stay in their jobs because they have security
whereas business people come out and run for politics because they want to
hopefully change the future.
And they have, you know, I'm not saying a better vision, but they have serious
concerns about employment opportunities and how to make the community better. In
most cases, people in the private sector have a better grass roots approach to
the community and they like to help it more.
I'm very pleased that we finally got around to this in the government in
bringing forward an Integrity Act. I like the sound of it already, more than
conflict of interest. Because when you say conflict of interest it says exactly
what it says, conflict.
Where integrity has a much better meaning and it's a nice word. I could continue
on to say that what happened in the past is the past and I think the old
government will go down in infamy as probably looked at and frowned upon and
scorned by governments of the day.
I'm not trying to offend anybody but it's no secret when a Premier is taken out
of his position because of conflict of interest that it hurt the whole territory
and at the time we were part of that territory. I certainly hope that nothing
like that will happen in this territory because it is all taken to heart.
I read the Integrity Act and I will ask questions tonight about it in my reading
of it. It sounds and it feels more like an Act that members can feel more at
ease, because when you are a businessperson in this government you feel uneasy.
I for one felt uneasy being a small business person in this government because
if you go out and try and advance your livelihood and you are a politician you
are frowned upon and even more so if you are a businessperson rather than a just
a politician with no business interests.
So, I for one am happy that this has finally come about. It's the second year of
our term, I think it's good that it's come at this point because now if it's
going to be tested we'll have time to look at it.
It's like everything else, it will be tested I think and we'll see how we fare
with it. But I'd like to thank you for all your hard work that you put into it
Mr. Stanbury and in my short time that I've known you, I've got to know that I
think I can feel confident that this Act will protect the public interest and
the members also. Koana, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. McLean. General comments. Mr.
Alakannuark.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going to make a
brief general comment. Yes. I believe that we need this Integrity Act and I'm
very pleased that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit was used as its foundation.
When we say Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit we often think where and how we can
integrate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, we still can't see how we are integrating
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit but, although we say that we want to use Inuit
Qaujimajatuqangit, how can we start using it and make it visible.
According to Inuit culture and the method disciplining of an individual who was
in conflict, the Inuit method is a method of discipline. If it is a young
individual who's had a conflict, the elder disciplines them verbally and if the
elder sees where the problem is, the individual being disciplined can listen to
what he's been told or not, if he doesn't want to.
So, this is Inuit traditional knowledge that could be used, this method could be
used. The Conflict of Interest Act, the actual fact is that if an individual
today has a problem they can't really talk about it.
So, it's up to the families and individuals according to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
if there was a problem experienced they could talk and resolve the situation
that’s Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit tradition by talking with each other to resolve
the situation by talking about it and resolving the issue and everything.
Everything goes back to normal and they improve their lives that's Inuit
traditional knowledge. I also want to say that if an individual infringes on a
government statute according to the law, qallunaaq law, sometimes they are not
allowed to talk to each other.
This creates more problems, as it does not resolve the situation. Inuit
Qaujimajatuqangit traditional knowledge is the fact that people talk to each
other to resolve their issues.
The Conflict of Interest Commissioner knows that we might infringe or break
laws, but how can we improve the Act by using Inuit traditional knowledge and by
making it visible and useful and to integrate it into the system. We can also
use those traditional methods today so that they could be implemented in the
future.
And, also I'm very happy about this Act, and I'm very interested to hear the
fact that we are using Inuit traditional knowledge. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Alakannuark. I have another member
on my list under general comments. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman I'd like to take this
opportunity to thank Mr. Stanbury, for I think, a very fine piece of work and
I'm very pleased to see this piece of legislation before the House.
I think that the strength of any government is its ability for openness and
accountability to the public that it serves and I think that this Act goes a
long way in helping to do that. I think it also, personally I think it is good
that it shows we are bringing it forward as a separate piece of legislation.
This shows the significance of taking it out of the Executive Council and
Legislative Assembly Act and making it a stand alone Integrity Act.
That alone shows how we feel it is important to have something like that out
there and separate. I think the ideas that are integrated into this new piece of
legislation are great. Simplifying it so that the general public can take a look
at it and understand it and they won't need to hire a lawyer to try and decipher
it and figure out what it says.
I think that alone, people being able to understand what it is goes a long way
in building that public confidence in the government and it clears up any
possible misunderstandings a lot easier. So I think it's great to see that in
there.
I am also really glad to hear the emphasis on prevention instead of, I always
believe it is better to be proactive and take care of a problem before it
becomes a problem. I am very glad to see that emphasis on prevention in this
legislation.
As a couple of my colleagues already indicated, Nunavut, not only the
communities, but Nunavut itself is a very small territory and there are people
who are related to everybody in one way, shape or form if you go back far
enough. I think it is good that it shows and recognizes those types of things in
the Act. Again this is one of the pieces of legislation like I spoke about
earlier today about having our legislation reflect our needs and our
circumstances in Nunavut.
I am very pleased to see this one here do that and I will be asking a few
questions just for clarification, but hopefully we will be seeing more
legislation come forward with similar outcomes as we see here in this one and
the values and the good work that have been put into it. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. We are under general
comments. Are there any further general comments. Mr. Irqittuq.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, when the
minister was making his opening remarks, I was impressed with the work that was
done. The comments talk about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. I am glad to see that
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is included in here, although in the past we hardly ever
spoke about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I am glad to see that it has been included in a lot of the reports. My colleague
earlier spoke about how the Inuit used to discipline the people in their
community and I agree with him about when we look at the reports and see Inuit
Qaujimajatuqangit included in reports.
Hopefully, in the future all the items relating to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit will
be implemented. When we talk about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, and later on I will
be asking questions regarding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, hoping that today,
presently, we often go through hard times and under Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit we
are working hard to integrate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit within the government and
within the Canadian government.
As Canadians, we follow the Constitution and we often don't agree with it, parts
of it, but, it's very important that we follow the rules and the legislation. We
often come across disputes regarding federal legislation and there are some
things that we don't agree with but quite often, we think that under Inuit
knowledge a lot of areas could be corrected.
So, this is one of the problems that we have as Inuit in Nunavut and I will be
raising some questions on this to the minister. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Irqittuq. The comments are very
clear. While we are on general comments, are there any other general comments.
Ms. Thompson.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman
this Bill 7 is related to all the members and it's put together very well and I
appreciate the work that Mr. Stanbury did. I'm glad that the members were able
to have some input and I just wanted to express how a great job Mr. Stanbury did
and I know that this will help us with the work that we do within the
Legislative Assembly.
It also relates to funding that we often seek and as Inuit quite often, Inuit
complain about members helping their own relatives or their immediate family
once they become members.
However, I am glad that there is this Integrity Act so that the people know that
we have something to follow. With this Act, it will disallow members from
supporting only family and we quite often have worked not knowing what was in
the Bill or the Act and now we have something to base our decisions on.
So I really like this bill as a member and those are my comments. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Madame Thompson. We are on general
comments. Madame Williams.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also want to state my
appreciation for the work that was done on this bill and I would also like to
welcome Mr. Stanbury to the House. He has done a lot of work and a great job.
I feel that the Inuit have to understand what we are working on and what we are
dealing with this evening. This Act is to ensure the members work honourably. As
a member, we will have to follow this Act and like the old Act it has been put
together very well. It is something that we will have to follow as Members of
the Legislative Assembly and as leaders.
I think the Inuit would be very interested in what's in the Act. I just wanted
to express my appreciation for the work that has been done. I will also be
asking questions at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Madame Williams. We are on general
comments. The comments that are being made by the members, I think the members
are being repetitive, so while we are on general comments I would like to have
the Member for Kugluktuk be the last one before we go on to questions. Mr.
Havioyak.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to make a
brief comment. The people that I am thinking about are our youth because they
will be using this. We are to use the elders because we were elected on this
basis. I don't want to forget our youth because they are going to be our
leaders.
If they see a person elected into office doing dishonourable things, we have to
be role models. We want to listen to the young people because they are going to
be our leaders. I just wanted to make these brief comments to make the young
people aware that they are going to be our leaders. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Havioyak. I was going to have you
as the last person to make general comments but I now have Mr. Picco. He is the
next member on my list. Mr. Picco.
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good evening. I would just like to start
off by saying how very pleasing it is to see such an excellent turnout here
tonight in Cambridge Bay. It is almost ten after eleven so I really appreciate
the general public showing up for this important Bill in committee of the whole.
Mr. Chairman, first of all I would like to start off by saying that as a new
government we have a chance to reform government and to bring about legislative
change and to create and bring into force unique legislation that reflects
Nunavut. But it is also a standard, Mr. Chairman, I would suggest to you that it
is a standard that needs to be achieved, has to be achieved and seems to have
been achieved nationally with what we have done with the Integrity Act.
This Act is uniquely a made in Nunavut approach and as mentioned, even the name
Mr. Chairman, Integrity Act is a drastic departure from the generic conflict of
interest legislation that you find in every other jurisdiction in this country.
I think the incorporation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit within the Act itself, if
you have an opportunity to read it over, you will see that's reflected
throughout the legislation that is before us.
I think it is important also to note also Mr. Chairman, that Mr. Stanbury is an
old friend of Nunavut having been the genesis, and I say that without fear of
contradiction. The genesis of the funding of ITC, the forerunner of NTI and the
reason why we are here today from over 30 years ago when he was the Federal
Minister with the Federal Government of Canada that actually sponsored and gave
the first funding to Tagak Curley and the ITC to begin Nunavut.
Mr. Stanbury is a founding member of the Nunavut Arbitration Board, he is a
member of the Canadian Council of Administrative Tribunals. He is a former
politician and I think all that background with Nunavut and his legal background
is reflected in this Act. The committee that had an opportunity to select Mr.
Stanbury as the Integrity Commissioner did an excellent job in that selection.
I have been pleased and privileged having known Mr. Stanbury for many years and
having worked with him on the Nunavut Arbitration Board and some of the other
boards and agencies that we have just discussed.
I would like to finish my opening comments, Mr. Chairman, by saying that this
piece of legislation today is something that I believe that in two years from
now when the term of this legislature is over, it is something that we will be
able to look back on and be proud of.
The fundamental role of any MLA is to pass legislation and hopefully your
legislation is to enhance and help the electorate and the people that have
elected you. So the people that you have voted for represent you in the
legislature, it is not simply standing up and answering questions, the rhetoric
that we hear a lot of times from politicians.
An Act like this Mr. Chairman, I would suggest to you lays bare the involvement
that the member has not only in his public life but in his private life and I
think that's what is important here tonight.
I do have a couple of specific questions also Mr. Chairman but I would like to
thank you for the opportunity to address the Bill today. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Picco. I said a little while ago
that Mr. Picco would be the last speaker.
But in view of the important legislation that we are dealing with and we are
being taped at this time and because we are not going to be the only members,
there's other members that are going to be coming in the future that will be
elected to this legislature. If there are any more comments from the members, I
will allow some more members to speak. Mr. Kilabuk.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Act that we
are dealing with tonight is very important and I thank Mr. Stanbury and the
people who put this Act together.
And the Act that we are dealing with talks about members and the ministers and
what they have to go through as Members of the Legislature and we have to, we
have to let the public know that as Members of the Legislature and as ministers
we have a lot to follow.
Are we going to have to make it so that it is understandable to the public. Say,
for instance, the things that the RCMP have to deal with and what we have to
follow in this Act and we have to make sure that the public knows about the Act
and that we are not to be in conflict with the job that we presently do.
I just wanted to clarify that to the people that voted us in here, so that they
could have an understanding that we have a law and this is territorial
legislation, just to let the people out there know.
And to make sure that they are aware that members have a law that they have to
follow. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. |
