EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Joavie and his family have been very successful operating their business in Pangnirtung and outlying lands for 30 years.
That is a very long time, even though this is a very challenging business with many barriers.
Many tourism outfitters succeed in Pangnirtung, but I wanted to single out this person due to their successful operations for 30 years as an independent outfitter. If you were an owner, I imagine you would be satisfied with that success.
I would like to acknowledge Alivaktuk Outfitting, owned by Joavie Alivaktuk, as it has operated successfully within Pangnirtung as well as outlying areas in the tourism sector.
Member’s Statement 162 – 4(3): Recognition of Barthelemy Nirlungayuk (Qirngnuq)
I rise today to acknowledge this person who was already recognized, who is my brother-in-law, Barthelemy Nirlungayuk, who is the husband of Sidonie Nirlungayuk and the father of Gabriel Nirlungayuk.
I am very happy that he was able to travel here and I ask that you welcome him warmly for visiting the gallery today.
Member’s Statement 163 – 4(3): Constituents Travelling to Nuuk, Greenland (Enook)
Visitors in the gallery, especially the elders, welcome.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my delight in our athletes as fellow residents and Nunavummiut, especially our youth, are busy preparing for the Arctic Winter Games in Greenland.
I want to acknowledge our local youth and further, we have great expectations from them as Nunavummiut.
On a personal note, I want to express my further gratitude since several Pond Inlet youth are participating.
There are three athletes on the men’s volleyball team, two athletes on the men’s basketball team, and one athlete on the women’s basketball team.
I sometimes see them here in Iqaluit. I take satisfaction for their brazenness, as they state that they are going to Greenland to grab some gold ulus.
When they state that they are on the way to grab a gold ulu, they do so with conviction and obvious pride.
When our youth exhibit that kind of attitude through athletic endeavours and when you see them living their lives with that kind of satisfaction, it is very pleasant to see that in person.
I urge our youth to partake in athletic sports and tournaments.
I would like to end by advising them to do their best and this is for all athletes representing Nunavut. We also expect them to return with armfuls of gold medals to show their fellow Nunavummiut.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Okalik.
Return to Oral Question 181 – 4(3): Long-term Care Needs for Elders (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have a short addition to my reply to the Member for Rankin Inlet South on the long-term care needs for elders.
The question was, “Can the minister provide an update on the current shortage of long-term care beds in Nunavut?”
The following response is:
There are currently 15 Nunavummiut in out-of-territory placement and one placement is pending.
I trust that this information answers the questions and concerns that were raised by my colleague. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Questions. The Acting Minister of Family Services, Mr. Mike.
Return to Oral Question 193 – 4(3): Grise Fiord Needs a Social Worker (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Isaac Shooyook, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Quttiktuq, titled, “Grise Fiord Needs a Social Worker.”
The question was, “Mr. Speaker, the residents of Grise Fiord need a social worker and they need one now. They should not be asked to keep waiting with no help or guidance to work towards a better life.
Will the minister commit to filling the Grise Fiord social worker position immediately?”
My response now is:
I thank my colleague for asking that question in the House on March 1, 2016 with regard to a request for a status update on the community social services worker in Grise Fiord.
Please note that there is currently a community social services worker located in Grise Fiord. The Department of Family Services also has community social services worker staff in the communities of Resolute Bay and Arctic Bay.
In addition, I would like to inform you that there are income assistance workers in each of these communities delivering income assistance programs.
I hope to have informed you sufficiently with this.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask and you can ask questions any time.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation) I have no more names on my list.
Since I am the lead today, I am quite happy.
Today, I am extremely honoured to acknowledge and recognize the following visitors in the gallery from the (interpretation ends) Sailivik Society (interpretation) that I referenced in my Member’s Statement about the elders care facility, which we are in the midst of planning.
The people have been indispensable in supporting me and I wish to recognize them. I have no doubt they will continue to support me in the future.
Perhaps to start off, I would like to first acknowledge the President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association as well as his executive assistant.
President P.J. Akeeagok; I almost stated his last name as Angnakak.
Akeeagok, who happens to be my nephew, I am proud of his accomplishments. Further, his executive assistant, Joanna Awa. Please stand up so that you can be seen clearly.
Also my co-chair of the Sailivik Society, Betty Brewster, Joe Tigullaraq, Jimmy Akavak, Robyn Campbell, Louise Flaherty, Megan Pizzo Lyall, and Eva Groves. (interpretation ends) I didn’t leave anybody out?
(interpretation) I would also like to recognize Lazarus Arreak. I don’t think he is new to the seniors’ society, but he is now the president and I would like to recognize him.
I truly appreciate and welcome them.
I don’t usually have the opportunity to recognize visitors from my constituency as they rarely visit here.
I wish to recognize a person who I am intimately familiar with, who is visiting us here today.
I recognize Lew Phillip as I have known him for many years and, as was stated earlier, he is still from Arctic Bay.
The second person is Liza Ningiuk, who is from my constituency and who arrived to attend to a meeting, so I also warmly recognize and welcome her to the Legislative Assembly.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some of the people’s names were already mentioned, but I also wish to recognize my constituents from Iqaluit-Manirajak.
First of all, Eva Groves, welcome to the gallery as well as Betty Brewster, who lives in my constituency.
This other person who was already recognized is the President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, P.J. Akeeagok, and his assistant, who is my cousin also, Joanna Awa.
Also, my brother, Lew Phillip, thank you for also being here.
This person I have known for many years is Liza Ningiuk, including a Kimmirut resident, Joe Arlooktoo.
As well, this carver who is well-known and with whom I share children, Saila Kripanek, welcome to the gallery.
Last but not least, I want to recognize one of the pages, who I want to introduce as she was my late brother’s daughter, Mary Margaret Ell.
I rise to recognize a friend and constituent from Cambridge Bay.
He is Jimmy, also known as “Little Jimmy,” Haniliak. He is sitting in the gallery right behind me.
Mr. Speaker, Little Jimmy is very involved in Cambridge Bay with search and rescue and protecting us from roaming grizzly bears in the summer.
I have seen him protect us, believe me.
Welcome to the gallery, Jimmy.
I have a very rare chance of recognizing somebody in the gallery from my community and I sure hope he enjoys his stay in Iqaluit, Mr. David Siksik.
For once I have risen on multiple occasions here.
I wish to acknowledge in particular our elders who are visiting.
I ask my colleagues to welcome them warmly and to personally welcome them here. These elders are part of the advisory group working with the Department of Environment.
When I say their names, I would like them to stand.
I will start off with Jimmy Haniliak, who is from Cambridge Bay, Nirlungayuk from Kugaaruk, Lew Phillip from Iqaluit, Liza Ningiuk from Grise Fiord, Joe Arlooktoo from Kimmirut, and David Siksik from Gjoa Haven.
These elders are our source of knowledge who our department works with and I wanted to clarify their role in the Department of Environment. They advise on wildlife, environmental stewardship, and areas of the DOE mandate as the IQ committee.
They are very dedicated in their work when dealing with legislation and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and how best to incorporate them. They do a tremendous job for our department.
At this time, however, several members were unable to attend, but they are important members of this committee as well: Guy Alikut (interpretation ends) from Arviat (interpretation) and Johnassie Nakoolak.
The names were already spoken, but I would like to recognize them as they are visiting the gallery today.
This person, although quite young, has been in leadership. Actually, he is now the president, although he seems very youthful, but it may be due to my becoming an elder. I recognize Pauloosie Akeeagok.
I take great pride in his acumen and his ambitions, as he is a young man leading his region, and this is the type of role model we envisioned that inspire our fellow Inuit. Our youth are very capable and he is a prime example of that.
Furthermore, his assistant, Joanna Awa, is someone I worked with in the past when we worked at CBC.
I imagine she would love to just go on the air again.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our elders who were already named, but I am proud of their dedication, as our elders are a tremendous source of knowledge, as well as our advisors.
The seats that my colleagues are sitting close to, the ones closer to this side, are the ones reserved for our elders. I am always so proud to see our elders occupying those seats in the gallery during our sessions here.
I, too, want to recognize a person who is visiting in the gallery. My maternal cousin, Lazarus Arreak, who has resided in Iqaluit for many years, is originally from Pond Inlet and acknowledged as such.
To the visitors recognized earlier, I extend my welcome to them.
Nonetheless, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge this person who was already recognized twice, but I am recognizing him for the third time.
I want to recognize and warmly welcome a Cambridge Bay resident who, in the dead of winter, assisted me when he took me out on a hunt. It was extremely cold, but this tiny man butchered that huge muskox and all I could do was watch and shiver from the cold. This man is extremely capable, although his stature may be small.
I would like to warmly welcome Jimmy Haniliak.
Question 200 – 4(3): Status of Iqaluit Beer and Wine Store (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s great that I’m first. (interpretation ends) Okay, in all seriousness, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My question is for the Minister of Finance. I haven’t picked on him for a while.
In April of last year, over 1,100 residents of Iqaluit voted in favour of opening a beer and wine retail store in the capital city.
In June of last year, the cabinet approved new Beer and Wine Store Regulations under the Liquor Act.
Can the minister tell us why the beer and wine store has not yet opened?
I thank Ms. Angnakak for asking that important question.
Mr. Speaker, I’m well aware of the process or the route we have taken to consider a beer and wine store. It’s four or five years in the process with the task force and $37 million in public consultations and the plebiscite.
As I said to a former colleague of Ms. Angnakak’s, who now sits on this side, I think last October, the decision is still being considered.
As I recall, the idea behind opening a beer and wine store was a part of the final report of the minister’s own task force to review the Liquor Act.
That report identified binge drinking, especially binge drinking of hard liquor, as the greatest threat to people’s health and cause of related social problems.
Can the minister indicate where opposition to opening a beer and wine store is coming from?
Well, there was a plebiscite and 40 percent of the eligible voters of Iqaluit voted and 75 percent voted in favour.
We have heard all the pros and cons. We live in a democratic country and a democratic territory, so we have to listen to both sides.
There are people who are quite concerned, going back 40 or 50 years maybe, that alcohol has been bad for Nunavut and causes a lot of social problems.
We believe, through the task force and all our consultations, opening a beer and wine store would offset binge drinking and would reduce profits to bootleggers. There have been success stories from Northern Quebec. They have opened beer and wine stores in the last year or year and a half.
To stand here and say where the opposition is coming from would be very difficult for me to point specifically at one group or individuals.
As the minister alluded to, when he was asked similar questions on this issue last October by the member from Iqaluit-Tasiluk, the minister stated, and I quote, “Our government recognizes and respects the decision of the voters.”
Can the minister provide the voters today with a clear timeline for acting on what they told the government it should do?
Unfortunately, I can’t say today and provide her with a clear timeline. All I can say is that the matter is still under consideration by cabinet.
Question 201 – 4(3): The Impact of Shelters on Families (Shooyook)
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my Member’s Statement, I believe that shelters do not benefit families which are having problems.
I believe that our first priority should be to provide counselling and healing to couples and families to help them heal and improve their lives.
Can the minister provide an update on what kinds of family counselling services are provided at the community level before an individual is sent away to a shelter in another community?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Acting Minister of Family Services, Mr. Mike.
Within Nunavut, there are different reasons that cause problems in the home with families.
We need to find solutions for that.
Even though there is a system that is set up, that system will always need to be made better and improved.
The position of the government is to do whatever we can do within the law to help the families who are having problems to find better solutions.
We try to find better solutions for those people who end up having to go to shelters.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, in the old days, there were no shelters or jails. Members of a community would work together to help family members overcome their difficulties.
Can the minister clearly explain how Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is taken into consideration when a decision is made to send someone to a shelter?
Minister of Family Services, Mr. Mike.
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): The Department of Family Services is responsible for reviewing how they can better utilize the shelters and the programs that are set for the people staying in those shelters. It is being reviewed at this time.
Yes, I’m sure Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit will be part of the review process because it is something that is very important to us.
I appreciate that resources and funding are limited.
Will the minister commit to putting more funding towards providing counselling services at the community level to help keep families together instead of giving money to shelters which only serve to break families apart?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is part of the programs that are under the government.
Yes, there will be a review. I’m sure that during the sitting, we are going to be making an appearance in front of a committee and I will make sure to get more information passed on to you at that time.
Oral Questions. Member for Netsilik, Mr. Qirngnuq.
Question 202 – 4(3): Airport Infrastructure and Investments in Nunavut (Qirngnuq)
I’m in a holding pattern.
Mr. Speaker, Kugaaruk’s runway was last upgraded over two decades ago.
Like my colleague from Baker Lake, I was also pleased to note that one of the recommendations in the federal report on the Canada Transportation Act review was that the Government of Canada should provide funding for runway extensions and surfacing at airports in the north.
Can the minister indicate how she will be working with her federal counterpart to act on these recommendations in a timely manner?
With respect to the issue my colleague raised about plans for the future with the federal government as well as the various programs, my officials are just starting this process to identify needs in this sector.
There are many programs currently under this umbrella. Once I have completed my search for the information, I will inform my colleague about this matter.
As I noted in the preamble to my question, Kugaaruk’s runway was last upgraded over two decades ago.
Can the minister indicate how her department determines the schedule for upgrading runways at our smaller airports?
In reference to what needs to be prioritized, our department will be tabling a 20-year plan for airport operations that would be followed to determine which airport or community would be the priority.
We would work to determine the priorities and there would be different sectors we have to have approved through the government approval process. There are other studies required as well.
Based on that and other areas, the Minister of Finance and I will work together to identify the priorities and this is ongoing.
When I landed in Iqaluit last week, I noticed that the runway here is very smooth and a beautiful new terminal building is being constructed.
I am just a newly elected MLA, so I have not been involved in approving budgets over the past few years.
For my benefit, can the minister clarify how much the government has spent to date on Iqaluit’s new airport?
With this item, I can’t recall the actual amounts expended to date. The interpreter already quoted the response I was trying to voice, Mr. Speaker.
Question 203 – 4(3): Cape Dorset School Schedule (Joanasie)
My question today is directed to the Minister of Education.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, last September, a fire destroyed Cape Dorset’s Peter Pitseolak School leaving hundreds of students without classrooms to continue their studies.
Until a new school is built, the displaced student body from the Peter Pitseolak High School has been sharing space with the student body of the Sam Pudlat School in a split shift schedule.
Can the minister provide an update on what kinds of challenges have been faced by his department and by the local district education authority in making this scheduling arrangement work?
Indeed, we all recall the fire that destroyed the older Peter Pitseolak School and immediately from that point, we started working with the local DEA and the local hamlet, including CGS, whom we have collaborated along with the local DEA board.
We have also worked with the Nunavut Teachers Association. Ever since that event, we have worked together to resolve these challenges due to the school fire.
My colleague may recall that on February 15, I wrote a letter outlining the schedule that would be used at the school for the Peter Pitseolak student body. I identified the particulars related to the sharing of the school facilities, including the split shift hours from the opening time to closure.
We completely changed both schedules primarily due to the reason that all students require a set number of hours for the year. As an example, we have to try to ensure all students have their educational needs met.
These hours were changed with a split shift schedule to accommodate the two separate student bodies.
We kept the local DEA informed throughout.
As per my previous statement, we worked with the Nunavut Teachers Association as well, keeping our lines of communication open. Also, the Peter Pitseolak School administration and principal were kept informed about these changes and we directed them to start using these hours up to the end of the school year. That is how we set it up.
Perhaps my colleague recalls that at the start of the next school year, the facilities to be used for that period, we are expecting these four portable classrooms to allow the students to leave the current school.
That is what we have undertaken up to this point, Mr. Speaker.
The minister gave us the split shift schedule and he also covered the hours of the two shifts. I think they have been on that for the past two weeks.
They usually start from 12:40 in the afternoon and run until 7:30 p.m. at night. That is currently the schedule they have been using for the last two weeks. This is an extremely tough schedule to follow, putting huge pressure on staff, students, and parents.
I do recognize that the department is trying to follow its own legislation in ensuring that students get the required number of instructional hours. However, the current schedule is taking a huge toll on everyone.
Given the extreme and exceptional circumstance of losing a school, would the minister consider working with the local district education authority and the community to relax the schedule somewhat and relieve the pressure on staff, students, and parents?
My colleague is probably aware, but I want to take this opportunity to speak to recent events.
On February 29, I received correspondence from the Cape Dorset District Education Authority requesting a meeting with me and included a list of agenda items they wished to discuss.
Now, I have indicated to the DEA that I am open to meeting with them. My colleague spoke about specific items, but I know they will be brought up. Also, I look forward to discussing these issues with the Cape Dorset DEA.
Although we haven’t identified a date yet, I expect to meet with them soon.
I am reiterating this information as I want it known.
The local DEA can request to the minister changes to the scheduled calendar, either to extend the days or hours, if it seems they won’t reach the standards. That is what a local DEA can request.
However, based on my earlier statement, I will be meeting with the local DEA in the near future, that is, the Cape Dorset DEA.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for his response and statement about the future meeting. I look forward to improvements with his collaboration with the DEA and to have both parties in agreement to move this forward.
I will ask my final question, Mr. Speaker. I am very happy to hear the mention of the four portable units to be shipped to Cape Dorset to be used by the Peter Pitseolak student body.
I want to ask the minister: do these four portable classrooms have the space to accommodate all the students in the 2016-17 school year?
Currently, the students are taking classes with a split shift schedule. Does it mean we can abandon that this coming fall?
Regarding these four portable classrooms, in looking at the specifications, they will be able to accommodate the students, as we first conducted a study on the number of students these four classrooms can house.
It may result in adding a fifth classroom, but that has yet to be determined.
Nonetheless, we want to house all the students and in our estimation, these four portable classrooms will have sufficient space. Further, in the other school, several classrooms are available for usage. We reviewed these factors when determining the number of classrooms we wanted.
Additionally, we can approximate the number of students that will be enrolled in the next school year as we have those figures already.
That is why we believe these classrooms will provide adequate space due to our previous study. That is what I can respond with at this time, Mr. Speaker. The classrooms ought to have enough space.
Question 204 – 4(3): Making Emergency Calls to the RCMP (Keyootak)
The situation as it stands in my constituency has provoked many concerns, especially in the community of Clyde River, who expressed severe concerns on this matter.