EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Yes, we realize that they have the option of learning their traditions and there are some people who do not have the proper clothing for their hunting activities and so, yes, I would agree that this should be in the discussions for the strategy and as well, find funding for this.
Yes, that is encouraging to hear and there are people out there who are listening to the discussion.
There are many students who have completed grade 12 and they continue to increase each year and they are not travelling to other places for higher education.
We really need to consider those.
I know the Ministers are concerned about this as well.
To date, the skin preparation courses or traditional Inuit clothing making, when they want to do a course, they really have to look for funding all over the place and then when they finally find the funding, it is spring and they do not need warm clothing anymore for the rest of the year.
And so, because of that problem in the part, Mr. Speaker, we should change that funding process.
Perhaps, yes, we should have funding available at all times.
So, I encourage the Minister and other Ministers to really take an effort to make this a priority.
I know that there is a lot more work to be done.
We should say that there is funding available and we should not make the process to acquire those funds so hard, so we just really make a bigger in improvement to that process.
Yes, Ms. Williams I think that we can be the only ones talking because we make the most sense.
Although there was no question in there, I would like to just say that I am in support of her comments.
They have to go through this strenuous funding application process to teach a course in traditional sewing or hunting and at times because they are not a priority, a lot of times they have to work that much harder to tap into funds and those of us who do not have a lot of educated people in our communities, we would like to empower our youth in a traditional sense either through fishing hunting or small business.
So we have to look at the whole picture because education seems to be all over the place and other training initiatives are all over the place; we should really start taking a general approach of the whole of issue of training and education.
The numbers of Inuit does not seem to be increasing in the job sector, so, Mr. Speaker, I get her message.
Yes, we should also learn how to make kamiks.
We should learn how to make, or build a house, and learn how to build a kamotik, so we should really start streamlining the funding process for these types of courses.
So, yes, there should be a separate, special fund for the teaching of Inuit traditional culture, either in the schools or outside the schools.
Yes, we should take more of an effort to ensure that we do not lose that tradition and to ensure that we teach our language.
I think that this should be one of the priorities of the next government.
Members will note that Question Period is now over, and before we continue, we will take a lunch break, and report back to the House at 1:59.
All Members are welcome to join Mr. Picco, and I for lunch in the Nanuq Room.
>>House recessed at 12:23 and resumed at 14:02.
Speaker: Returning to Orders of the Day, Item 7.
Replies to Opening Address  Reply to Opening Address 003 – 1(6): Reply to Opening Address
Mr. Speaker, I rise today for my final speech before this Assembly.
I came north to Cambridge Bay in May of 1978, over 25 years ago.
It was the fall of 1979 when I was first approached run for the local settlement council and that started my political career.
For the next 12 years, I was involved, directly or indirectly, in municipal or regional politics, including a term as Mayor of Cambridge Bay, Deputy Speaker of the Kitikmeot Regional Council and President of the Northwest Territories Association for Municipalities.
It was in May of 1993 when I was first elected in a by-election to represent the Kitikmeot Constituency of Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Umingmaktuuk and Bathurst Inlet at a territorial level until the creation of Nunavut in 1999.
Now, the Riding is Cambridge Bay, which still includes Umingmaktuuk and Bathurst Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, almost 11 years at a territorial level with 9 years as a Cabinet Member in both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Government is a lifetime in politics.
But, by the same token, it seems like not very long ago when I stood in the Northwest Territories Legislature to make my first speech like many of you did not long ago.
Mr. Speaker, Cambridge Bay has seen tremendous growth in the past decade and has become one of the most progressive and prosperous communities in Nunavut.
This is partly with the support that both Territorial Governments have provided private sector investment, some Federal Government investment, as well as the strength of the people who make Cambridge Bay their home.
Learning is a priority throughout all of Nunavut and Cambridge Bay is no different.
We have been fortunate in having a new Kullik elementary school, Nunavut Arctic College learning center, new student hostel, new childcare facility and the new Killinik high school with an enhanced gymnasium and a cultural/heritage center completed.
In addition, plans and tenders are underway now for new Nunavut Arctic College student accommodations for the upcoming year.
All of these education related investments are providing support to students both young and old in helping them develop and acquire skills and education that they can use to contribute to Nunavut.
Municipal infrastructure including an expanded arena complex, a new fire hall, new parking garages, a new air terminal building, a new group home, a wildlife office expansion, a new visitors’ center, as well as dozens of public, private and staff housing units have been built over the years.
Plans and funding for a new water supply line is approved for current year construction.  As well, Mr. Speaker, the greatest accomplishment for the community and the region is the new Kitikmeot health facility.
This facility is well underway with an anticipated fall 2004 opening date and will significantly enhance the level of health services.
Mr. Speaker, government investments alone have not led to the increasing levels of infrastructure and community services.
We are fortunate in having a developed private business sector that has been willing and able to invest in enhancement of services.
Twenty five years ago, when I first moved to Cambridge Bay, the major issues both locally and regionally were airline services, regional banking services and a regional CBC service.
The Royal Bank established a full service facility in Cambridge Bay in 1995 and the CBC established a bureau there in 1999.
Mr. Speaker, two out of three is not bad, as I do not ever think airline service will not be an issue with communities in the north.
There have been significant new investments by both the Northwest Company and the Ikaluktutiak Cooperative which have both opened new stores.
Canada post expanded into a larger facility to meet the growing needs of the community.
As well, 3 new hotel operators have started up facilities in the community.
Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet are traditional communities.
During the past ten years they have not been neglected as both communities have had alternate housing units provided to the residents and smaller infrastructure support such as airport runway funding and a local Hunters and Trappers Organization meeting facility in Umingmaktok.
Over the past 10 years, many of the residents of both communities have moved to larger centers of Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk.
However, there remains a core group of residents who continue to live a more traditional lifestyle in those communities and I commend them for their perseverance and dedication to this lifestyle.
From a constituency perspective there have also been many other positive developments to reflect upon.
My first success as Member of the Legislative Assembly was the lowering of the gasoline prices in Cambridge Bay, Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet.
Since then, other notable developments not already mentioned include, the first Legislative Session of any Legislature was held in Cambridge Bay, the first Pages from Cambridge Bay were brought into both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Legislatures, her Excellency, Adrian Clarkson, the Governor General and her spouse officially opening the new Killinik High School and May Hakungak Cultural Center.
HRDC opened up an office, the Nunavut Planning Commission and the Nunavut Impact Review Board established their offices in the communities.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Development Corporation has invested significant dollars in the Kitikmeot foods operation to support the Arctic char fishery and commercial musk-ox harvests.
This is one of development corporation projects with potential to become fully viable in the long term.
However, one of the few disappointments, Mr. Speaker, I have encountered as an MLA is the inability or unwillingness of the Nunavut Development Corporation to address the deteriorating condition of the Kitikmeot Foods Plant.
Mr. Speaker, if not addressed in a timely manner, this issue will cause a significant harm to the community and the dozens of traditional harvesters and employees relying on this operation, and more importantly it will be a dramatic step backwards in the development of the economic opportunities for all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I have also had an opportunity to serve at the Cabinet member for both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Governments.
Since 1999, I have held three major portfolios with unique challenges.
Human Resources from 1999 to the fall of 2001.
Human Resources, the primary responsibility was the recruitment of staff for the Government of Nunavut.
We started out at less than 50% capacity, and within a couple of years we are at the staffing level of approximately 80% where we currently sit.
Given the competition from other jurisdictions, the overall strength of the economy in southern locations, I believe that the Government of Nunavut has come a long way.
We also established a priority hiring policy for beneficiaries and Employee Assistance Program, and a Management Training Program targeting beneficiaries.
As well, in collaboration with the Department of Finance, we achieved two successful collective agreements with the NSNT, and one with the NEU.
Mr. Speaker, in the Fall of 2001, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s responsibility was assigned to me.
Housing continues to be identified as a priority for our Government, and will continue to be for decades to come.
Soon after the assignment of this responsibility we worked successfully to implement the consolidation of all Housing programs from Public Works and Services.
This has allowed the Housing Corporation to make better use of resources and create better linkages to coordinate Housing policies.
There still remains the matter of staff and student accommodation with other boards and agencies funded by this Government.
We have maximized the Capital Investment to us in building approximately 170 public housing units.
We established the staff condominium program that provided approximately 160 additional staff housing units since 2001.
We have implemented a substantive new public housing rent scale after extensive development with our partners, the local Housing Authorities and Members of the Legislature.
We have established the framework for a new Staff Housing Rental Scale which the new Government can finalize and implement.
We have established a new tenant to owner program, which I believe will provide additional private housing to our constituents.
And finally, Mr. Speaker, we have significantly lowered the Access Home Client Payments to more realistically reflect Nunavut’s homeowner operating costs.
Mr. Speaker, Finance has been the portfolio that I have held from day 1 until today, and certainly the one that has been the most challenging and rewarding.
Members know that it is no easy task being seen as the person writing the cheques; by the same token, it is not an easy task in trying to convince Ottawa to write us another cheque.
We have been fortunate in having accumulated significant savings over our first two years of operations that I believe we wisely used to make strategic investments over the past few years.
This was an enviable position for any Finance Minister to be in.
We undertook the first public consultation of every community in Nunavut to hear first hand from all Nunavummiut on their needs.
We carried out a fiscal review with the concurrence of the former federal Finance Minister, Mr. Martin, on Nunavut’s fiscal situation and needs.
Information from both of these initiatives will form the foundation for a new government and the next Finance Minister to utilize in laying out the case for additional resources required to address Nunavut’s long-term needs.
Mr. Speaker, we lowered income taxes, both personal and corporate, to the lowest in the country.
We raised the cost of living tax credit to assist individuals and small business owner all across the Territory.
We successfully administered the Gas Compensation Program to address the issue of individuals adversely impacted by this product.
Finally, we are leaving a set of balanced books from which a new Government can start just like when we took office almost 5 years ago.
Mr. Speaker, other matters which I believe must be addressed by future Governments and Legislatures is the high birth rates, high tobacco utilization rates, high violent crime rates reflective of alcohol and substance abuse rates in our society, spousal assault, family and elder abuse, sexual abuse are all serious issues that are indicative of our astronomically high suicide rates.
Our young, fast growing population combined with our remoteness and high transportation costs place an inordinate amount of financial pressure on our Government to provide programs and services to Nunavummiut.
And Mr. Speaker, there are no easy answers to these issues.
However, many indicators suggest that higher education and training levels which lead to economic prosperity are successful detriments to an unhealthy lifestyle and the social ills of society.
Mr. Speaker, our economic prospects must be nurtured and cultivated to give those with the training and education opportunities for productive lives.
Non-renewable resources such as mining developments need to be encouraged and supported to bring some of these opportunities to Nunavummiut.
Renewable resource developments such as our fisheries, musk-ox and caribou products, arts and crafts industries must also continue to be developed to provide much more traditionally based economic opportunities.
Earlier I spoke of the successful infrastructure in Cambridge Bay, which I believe would be the envy of many communities in Nunavut.
However, like all communities in Nunavut, we could always use more, particularly in the area of housing.
Infrastructure needs throughout Nunavut are exceptionally high relative to the rest of the country.
Being the newest territory, the real last frontier of our great country with some of the social indicators I spoke on earlier, Nunavut continues to be in a catch up mode for addressing our infrastructure and program needs.
We know that approximately 90 percent of our revenues come from the Federal Government; we have a very limited ability to generate own source revenues.
Currently, we are the only jurisdiction in the country without an operating mine.
However, we also know that our prospects in the long term are very good with an abundance of resources within our boundaries.
The successful conclusion of a devolution agreement from the Federal Government to Nunavut including royalty and taxation powers is critical for the future autonomy of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as well, a positive working relationship between the Nunavut and Federal Government is also critical for us in presenting our arguments for any additional incremental funding needs from the Government of Canada.
Much of the information and foundation has been established to have this happen and the new Government and Assembly will need to move forward on this critical matter.
Mr. Speaker, from a ministerial perspective, one of my greatest disappointments was the collective bargaining process with the Nunavut Employment Union.
It was the manner in which the union leadership utilized a personal attack on myself, which caused me concern.
The concern was not for myself, Mr. Speaker, but for that of my family and the manner in which it impacted them.
In the future, I would hope that any advocacy group keep matters on a professional level in dealing with their issues and dealing with the political leaders that may be seen as their adversary.
Mr. Speaker, I need to thank many people who have supported me over the years.
From a Constituency level, over a by-election and two general elections I have been extremely fortunate to receive substantive majority wins.
I need to thank all my constituents over the years for their support and understanding.
I hate to name individuals as you may leave some out.
However, I do want to acknowledge some who have whole heartedly supported me over the years.
My in-laws, Mathew and Margaret Nakashook, the Kaomayoks, David and Doris, the Angohiatok family and in particular George and Mabel, Gary and Doris and Sam Angohiatok Sr., the Ehaloak families and in particular, Sam and Junna and Albert and Sharon, the Aknavigaks and in particular, Ekpak and Darlene, Ambrose and Annie, the Avaluks, Peter and Mary, Johnny and Wendy, Bill and Jessie Lyall , Howard Greenly and Bessie Joy.
I also wish to recognize many elders some who are no longer with us today, who have provided support and guidance to me over the years.
Those who are not with us now are Kaosonis, Mackie and Annie, Mabel Angulalik, May Hakungak and Jimmy Nahogaloak.
Others that continue to contribute to the preservation of culture and heritage are Frank and Jennie Analok, Paul and Bessie Omilgoitok, Bessie Emingak, Moses Koihok to name a few.
Government of Nunavut staff, but first of all, Human Resources and some of the current and past senior officials who I have worked with: Joe Kunuk, David Omilgoitok, Leona Aglukark, Tom Thompson and all other staff.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation Pam Hine, Peter Scott, David Akoak, Abe Tagalik, Chris D’Arcy and again, all the other numerous Housing Corporation staff.
Many of the EIA staff and Anne Crawford for her efforts in the early years; John Walsh, the current deputy, principal secretaries Paul McKinstry and Robert Carson, the excellent interpretation and translation of Miali Curley, and in particular some of the Legislative Assembly coordinators who I have worked with directly as the Government House leader, Jackie Price, Jane Cooper, and our incumbent Eeta Kanayuk.
All Legislative Assembly staff, Mr. Speaker, in particular, our Clerk, John Quirke, Nancy Tupik, Alex Baldwin, Steve Pollock; the core group of interpreters, we have had many go through here, but there has been a core group.
Mary, Blandina, Oleepeeka, Mikle, Henry, James, John, Gwen and Joe.
All of the Government of Nunavut Kitikmeot Staff, this one in particular, some of the superintendents and senior staff Doug Crossley, Kane Tologanak, Brent Boddy, Steve Mercer, Alice Omilgoitok, Sandra Peterson, Bill Gofton, Vicky Aitoak; recognize and thank all members of our informal Standing Committee of Finance who provided much needed entertainment and valuable insight into fiscal matters on many occasions.
And finally, Mr. Speaker, my finance staff, Deputy Minister Robert Vardy, former Assistant Deputy Minister Victor Tootoo and Rod Malcolm and a new current Assistant Deputy Minister David Akeeagoak and Roger Perchard.
Other senior staff Geoff Hughes, Paul Reddy, Rodger Hughes, Ted Dingle, Glenn Sargant, Sherri Rowe, and Kerry Angadlik.
Without a doubt in my mind the depth, knowledge, experience, dedication of the finance staff is unrivaled by any Department in our Government.
I have been proud to have worked them over the past years.
The Constituency Assistants Kitty Etegik and Eva Otokiak; my executive staff, Susie Alainga, Margaret Embleton, my former Executive Assistant and currently Chris Lalande, all three of them whose support and dedication over the years have been exceptional to me.
I also want to recognize the media, Mr. Speaker; CBC, Nunatsiaq News, News North.
We have all had our days with the media as we don’t always agree with their reporting, but the media outlets are important forums for us as politicians to get our message out.
I want to thank them for reporting fairly, most of the time; most of the time, Mr. Speaker, my interviews with them and contrary to popular belief, they’re not the enemy, they’re just doing their jobs just like we are.
My advice to incoming Members of the Legislative Assembly on this is to never avoid the media, and that it is essential to establish a good relationship with them.
Do it early and keep it positive.
I would like to thank many of the reporters who I have dealt with over the years.
Specifically, Patricia Bell, who is still here, Kerry McKlusky, Jim Bell and not only for his excellent editorial as well as other work, Patricia D’Souza, Kirsten Murphy, the Awa girls, Salome and Joanna, and Fiona Christensen.
And also those three reporters who served in the CBC bureau, over the years, a special Tara Tailleur, Millicent Dragoni, and Matthew Elisewich.
Mr. Speaker, my family is the most important recognition that I need to address.
As anyone involved in politics knows, you cannot be successful unless you have the support of your family.
As only Members here know, there are tremendous pressures and sacrifices that an MLA, and even more so, the Minister must make, to carry out their responsibilities.
Countless days of travel, weeks, and in some cases months that you are away from your family.
Constituency commitments, ministerial commitments, Standing Committee appearances that conflict with personal family commitments, and more often than not, the family commitment fall by the wayside.
Mr. Speaker, my personal situation with my family deciding to stay based in Yellowknife, compounded all of these matters for me, in being an MLA and a Minister in Nunavut
When I was first elected as an MLA in 1993, I had my wife, Susie, and three children, Greg, Andrea, and Tanya.
By the time of the 1995 Northwest Territories General Election, we had added our son Trenton, whom many of you may have seen running around the hall here, this week.
Now ten years later, two of our children have moved out on their own.
We have a three year old grand daughter and another grand son due in a few months.
Mr. Speaker, I love my wife, Susie, and my children dearly.
They have suffered tremendously over the years from my constant absence, being more or less a single parent family, with little, if any support from me, as a husband, or father.
I apologize to them for that and tell them all that I love them.
I will try to make it up to them in the years to come.
Mr. Speaker, last but not least my colleagues in this Assembly.
Most of us met for the first time in February, 1999.
David Iqaqrialu, Jobie Nutarak, Enoki Irqittuq are all new acquaintances and I enjoy your traditional perspective of issues.
Patterk Netser, the newest Member, who brings strong viewpoints on issues he believes in.
Rebekah Williams brought a new social flavour on issues in the Assembly.
Hunter Tootoo, who generally brought attention to issues that are respected, although we rarely agree on matters, I certainly understood his viewpoint.
I thank you all for that.
Uriash Puqiqnak, Ovide Alakannuark, and Donald Havioyak, my Kitikmeot colleagues, with whom I have had the pleasure of working with on and off for the past twenty odd years.
We are all too aware of the potential problems of being left out of decisions coming from the smallest and furthest away region.
I thank them all for the opportunity to work together with them again.
Glenn McLean, the hardworking block three politician who has brought his own style to this Legislature.
We certainly know where Glenn stands on issues.
And I thank him for his down to earth view on those issues.