EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Unfortunately for our young Nunavut athletes, the ‘cost of travel handicap’ makes things very unequal between competitors.
Athletes from the more remote communities face a huge disadvantage before they even get to the place of competition.
Mr. Speaker, as any Iqaluit hockey player will tell you, it is hard to play a fair game of hockey when one end of the arena ice is higher than the other.
Fortunately, with funding support from many parties, the Arctic Winter Games Arena is now level again and the home team has an equal chance to score the winning goal.
For the soccer players out there, you all know that an even playing field is a necessary prerequisite for a safe and fair game.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to request unanimous consent to continue with my member’s statement today.
For the soccer players out there, you all know that an even playing field is a necessary prerequisite for a safe and fair game. This principal should be applied to all of our sports.
Mr. Speaker, I call upon the Minister responsible for Sport Nunavut to make whatever policy changes are necessary to ensure that all athletes across Nunavut receive fair and equitable funding support for travel to regional and territorial tournaments.
Member’s Statement 323 – 3(2): Renovations to the Peter Pitseolak School (Schell)
This may be a first, Mr. Speaker.
I’m going to thank both the former government and the current government for the newly renovated Peter Pitseolak School in Cape Dorset.
Mr. Speaker, some of the highlights of the school are a new drama and music room, a new art room, a completely renovated computer room, a new library, and a new daycare space.
Mr. Speaker, as we all know, having a safe environment for children to learn in is very important.
This newly renovated school will not only provide a strong atmosphere for learning but will also give the students an opportunity to express themselves through art and music. Mr. Speaker, this is very positive for the students and for the whole community.
On behalf of my constituents, I thank the government and contractors for all of the hard work that went into renovating our school.
Member’s Statement 324 – 3(2): Repairs to Water Pump House (Ningark)
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): I apologize and thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As winter arrives, of course, it’s going to get colder, the days are going to get shorter, and snow will be coming in. Municipal services, such as water delivery, will become a little bit harder over the winter months.
Mr. Speaker, I had a discussion with the SAO from the hamlet and he indicated that the pump house has been out of service for quite some time now.
If the pump house is broken over the winter months, it’s going to be a lot harder to service the hamlet.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking questions to the Minister of CGS to see if that pump house will be fixed so that it will properly service the hamlet of my community.
Member’s Statement 325 – 3(2): Visit of Various Ships to Gjoa Haven (Ugyuk)
Good afternoon, Nattilingmiut.
Today, I rise to speak to issues revolving around the people of Gjoa Haven.
This past summer, I went to Gjoa Haven on several occasions.
There is quite a bit of development in that community and there were many sailboats passing through the community, including the cruise ships that wealthier tourists use to explore the Arctic.
There were more ships than usual this summer.
The Department of Economic Development and the Hamlet of Gjoa Haven have developed a very good plan for tourism so that whenever visitors arrive in the community, they are treated to a show that highlights the Inuit culture, tool making, and cultural games.
They also offer items for sale to the tourists and provide pertinent information on Amuhauq, its background, and the history of the area.
The community of Gjoa Haven is quite busy with these activities and they worked together this past summer to deliver these services.
We are also aware that over the course of the colonial history, many ships arrived from Europe to try and traverse the Northwest Passage and many failed to reach their destination.
However, the person who was named Amuhauq was quite materially blessed due to being provided assistance by the Inuit of Nattilik, which allowed him to survive.
The Inuit of Nattilik have the capacity to provide assistance to people in need and they are very capable when providing assistance.
Their ancestors’ descendants largely reside now in Gjoa Haven.
While I was visiting Gjoa Haven, there was a ship that passed through, bearing a passenger whom I recognized as having been part of a TV show.
His name was “Bear” Grylls and he was taking the cruise ship from its starting point in Germany all the way to Hawaii.
Apparently the ship came from Resolute Bay to Gjoa Haven and they had to fuel up.
That is how much traffic that the community of Gjoa Haven is receiving these days.
What also transpired that during my trip to Gjoa Haven is that a cruise ship that made the CBC news for running aground happened to be anchored offshore prior to its incident close to Kugluktuk.
I want to ensure that my colleagues are aware of this issue.
I expect that we will see more ship traffic arriving in Gjoa Haven next summer.
I wish to close by thanking the residents of Gjoa Haven for their outstanding hospitality.
Member’s Statement 326 – 3(2): Appreciation for Pangnirtung’s Fundraising Committee (Komoartok)
I expect my fellow residents in Pangnirtung to have a productive day.
You are in my thoughts.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation to the fundraising committee in Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, this fundraising committee raises funds for Pangnirtungmiut who need assistance during family emergencies, such as travel costs and expenses.
Mr. Speaker, the members of this committee are Joanna Nakashuk, Elisapee Nowyook, Lucy Uniakshagak, and Nancy Veevee.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, these members of the committee work tirelessly to raise funds for their activities to support their fellow Pangnirtung residents. This is especially the case when families need to travel to visit their relatives who have travelled to Ottawa for medical treatment or to other southern cities.
These funds are also utilized to assist relatives’ travel from other communities to attend to funerals when one of our residents has passed away who has relatives in other communities.
Yes, we do recognize the efforts of the Department of Health and Social Services to provide assistance to people who have to travel south, including escorts.
However, this policy is not always consistently followed and the funds are limited, which restricts the number of people who can be provided with assistance.
Furthermore, our Inuit organization, NTI, also provides bereavement assistance travel when families lose a relative in an outlying community, but this is also limited. They want to ensure that relatives who cannot afford to travel are able to attend to the funerals.
This program is well utilized in Nunavut. However, this fund is also limited and the demand is much larger than the funds.
Sometimes, when our community is undergoing a stressful event, our committee works tirelessly to provide assistance to the people who are undergoing hardship, especially in cases where a family has lost their unit to fire.
They raise funds to provide assistance to the families undergoing hardship.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents in Pangnirtung, I wish to show our appreciation to these four individuals, Joanna, Elisapee, Lucy, and Nancy, for all their hard work and also let them know how much they are appreciated by the whole community.
Member’s Statement 327 – 3(2): Baker Lake Youth (Aupaluktuq)
I wish to extend good day wishes to all the people of Baker Lake, particularly the voters who voted me into office, especially the young people and young adults.
They are quite open to providing their concerns to their legislative representative and offer their issues to my constituency assistant for my perusal. It is obvious that they are very interested in all of the sessions that are televised.
However, what I take from this is that the concerns and issues dear to youth and young adults are important to them.
There are quite a fair number of intelligent youth who are interested in the operations of the government. They express their opinions on these issues, identify problematic areas, as well as recommendations for improvement and they are unafraid to express these views. That is exactly what members need from their constituents.
Whenever I go on the local radio in Baker Lake, I tend to state that the member’s seat belongs to Baker Lake and its residents, and this highlights their belief in that.
Furthermore, the elders and adults are always providing advice and remind me constantly not to forget their needs and of the fact that I represent them in the House.
I deliberated on this view.
This is something that is dear to most youth and impacts their daily lives.
It is quite obvious that this assists me to deal with issues and a concern stemming from the residents of Baker Lake, and it is gratifying to get these views from the grassroots level.
It is more beneficial to my Constituency Assistant, Lucy Evo, as she is quite diligent in passing along information from Baker Lake to my attention, irrespective of whether she uses a landline, cell phone, email, or facsimile to the hotel.
She informs me of who has called our office, what their concerns, interests, or requests are, or if they want to be provided with further assistance.
This is very touching and allows me to represent my constituents, especially the youth and young adults of Baker Lake. I wanted to voice my appreciation on the public record.
Return to Oral Question 470 – 3(2): Review of the Nunavut Housing Trust (Curley)
This question was in regard to the cost of the Nunavut Housing Trust Audit, Question 470 – 3 (2).
I will read the response in English.
(interpretation ends) Deloitte and Touche was the successful proponent who performed two Nunavut Housing Trust audit reports and was engaged to perform this work for the cost of $99,000.
Deloitte and Touche was also contracted for an additional $20,000, for a total of $119,000 to do follow-up testing of the financial controls implemented by the Nunavut Housing Corporation. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return to Oral Question 457 – 3(2): Northern Economic and Sovereignty Infrastructure Conference (Aariak)
This is return to Oral Question 457 – 3 (2) and the response states thusly:
(interpretation ends) Our government’s involvement in the Northern Economic and Sovereignty Infrastructure Conference was coordinated by the Department of Economic Development and Transportation. The department contributed $15,000 to the conference. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There are a fair number of people whom I would like to acknowledge, so I will be standing for a bit to name them all.
Firstly, Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to acknowledge this individual behind me, my wife, Sally Curley, who comprises my home.
Also, right beside her is one of our grandchildren.
Since we have quite a lot of grandchildren, I want to recognize Meghan Netser, who is originally from Arviat and is here with her grandmother today while her school is on a break.
I would also like to welcome them.
Also, Mr. Speaker, (interpretation ends) I am very honoured to introduce a group of people that are sitting here in the Gallery today.
Mr. Speaker, the following people have been very involved in the development of the Suicide Prevention Strategy.
I personally want to thank them all and also wish them all the best as they continue to work towards this very complicated, and emotional at times, policy work.
I am grateful that some of them… all of them are not here, but I will read the following names. Some of them are from NTI, but I will not try and guess which group they are from. Some are from the Embrace Life Council and also supporting staff members.
First of all, I would like to recognize:
Becky Kilabuk from Iqaluit;
Jesse Mike from Iqaluit;
Nathan Obit (interpretation) from NTI;
Navarana Beveridge from QIA;
Martha Nowdlak from NTI;
Jeannie Mike from the Nunavut government;
Renee Schmidt, a staff member from Living Works; and
Jack Hicks, who is the consultant and assistant for this group.
I wish to thank these individuals for their hard work, and please continue to provide your knowledge and expertise. (interpretation ends) We need you and I appreciate all of the work that you people are doing and thank you for helping us develop the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy.
I wish to recognize two people visiting the Gallery. First, I wish to recognize the Mayor of Repulse Bay, Mr. Donat Milortok. The second person whom I wish to recognize was one of my colleagues during the GNWT Legislative Assembly years, Ms. Becky Mike.
She is sitting over there.
I was just notified that she is the younger sister of Becky’s. I apologize, so I want to say that if you are going to call your sister, Becky Mike, please pass on my regards to her and that I had acknowledged her.
My vision is no longer as acute as it once was.
I wish to recognize several individuals, specifically four visitors in the Gallery. One of the individuals only worked in Pangnirtung for a number of years.
However, there are quite a few original residents who emigrated from Pangnirtung and who have made Iqaluit their home.
So I recognize four individuals originally from Pangnirtung and, in particular, I wish to welcome a current Pangnirtung resident, Jeannie Mike. I also recognize Becky, Jesse, Julia, and Jack Hicks in the Gallery.
Thank you and welcome to our Gallery.
Welcome to the Gallery. Please feel free to come in and view the proceedings during our session as it is open to the public. (interpretation ends) Item 6.
Question 471 – 3(2): Repairs to Kugaaruk Water Pump House (Ningark)
Earlier during my Member’s Statement, I mentioned that the pump house in Kugaaruk underwent several repair efforts this past summer. Unfortunately, they could never quite figure out the issues and it was never repaired properly.
I had an opportunity to speak to the SAO of the Hamlet of Kugaaruk yesterday and he informed me that when equipment breaks down during the wintertime due to mechanical issues, it is very difficult to make repairs to the broken equipment.
Furthermore, when you look at the global picture, Nunavut has some of the most pristine and cleanest water resources, and we need to ensure that our residents are provided with adequate water services.
We are also informed by the Department of Health and Social Services that personal hygiene is a must.
It is now well known that sicknesses are prevalent in dirty environs and that is why we are asked to wash.
Based on these facts, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of CGS, the Hon. Lorne Kusugak. Can you task your officials to check into the issue of the pump house prior to the winter season and to ensure that repairs are made so that it can be used?
I also thank Mr. Ningark for raising that question.
I agree with your assessment that Nunavut has some of the most pristine and cleanest water in the entire world.
With the cleanest water resources available in Nunavut, I still notice that people go to the stores to purchase bottled water for their tea, and so on.
It’s true that in Kugaaruk, the pump house was experiencing electrical problems.
The electrician came within this month to look into the pump house to check to see what kind of electrical problem they have and how much work needs to be done.
The electrical wiring that broke last summer cannot be fixed, but the electricians are looking at it right now to see how they can fix the problem. We wish to see the pump house operate all winter long.
For my first supplementary question, I am unsure as to whether the minister agreed with my assessment that this pump house will be repaired properly.
Perhaps he can ask his officials to ensure that the pump house has been properly repaired prior to the end of October.
Yes, Mr. Ningark, with regard to your question, an electrician arrived in your community who was going to inspect the pump house and to report on the problematic issues related to the pump house. He was also going to provide recommendations on how to ensure the pump house operates smoothly all winter long.
Further, this pump house is also being inspected to ensure that it is winterized and can operate without problems throughout the winter.
As I stated, it is under inspection at this time.
It would be preferable to indeed see all of the repairs completed prior to month’s end, but it is impossible to make that statement at this time.
When the timing is right and all of the issues have been resolved that led to operational issues in the past and all required work has been completed that will allow the community to provide water services over the winter, I will report it.
I can also add, with the additional repairs required to keep it operational, it would be much preferable to order a new pump house next year so that the water lake has an operating pump house.
At this time, we will continue to try and resolve this issue and my departmental officials are currently in the community trying to complete the required repairs so that the pump house can operate throughout the winter.
Hopefully I have provided my colleague with an adequate response.
That’s a good response and I’m very glad that it came across clear.
I’m not too sure how long we will be here in Iqaluit, but before we go back home, can the minister provide me with a report?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Yes, it will be possible to provide a written report, but at this time, I cannot ascertain what that report will contain.
At this time, I can tell you what the status of the project is and, if conditions change, I will keep the member apprised of the developments.
Furthermore, I can commit to providing a written report if that is your desire.
Additionally, if any new issues arise outside of the issues I have mentioned, then I will try to inform you prior to the end of the session.
As long as you are not set to leave tomorrow, I can commit to providing a report prior to the end of our session.
Question 472 – 3(2): Birthing Issues (Okalik)
I wish to direct my question today to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Here in Nunavut, the department uses various processes to deal with the myriad of patients that require health care.
Some patients are here for maternity reasons. However, if there are any complications that cannot be dealt with at the regional hospital, they have to be sent down south and they are sent to Ottawa in the majority of cases. Some of these cases become emergencies and we have to use medevac flights to send them out.
These babies are then identified as having been born in Ontario.
Some of these individuals have been coming to me for assistance so that they can obtain their birth certificates.
They did not choose to be born in a province, but they face difficulties and challenges when they try to get their birth certificates.
If you will be seeking to receive any form of support or assistance from the government, you need your identification card.
We cannot get the birth certificate from Nunavut. Therefore, they have to obtain their birth certificate from Ontario and this causes some problems.
I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services how these people can use your office more to get support for these people.
I understand your question. There are quite a few people who were born in Ontario and they face many difficulties trying to obtain their birth certificates.
When I was in Rankin Inlet, when I sat on the other side, I used to help many people to obtain their birth certificates.
Some of the individuals never received their birth certificates until they were at the age of 16 years.
I would be very pleased, Mr. Speaker, if the member can provide me with the names so that we can deal with them.
I can tell you that we need to speak to the Ontario government to see how we can resolve these problems.
If there was an agreement… . We are starting to hear many problems occurring.
Mr. Speaker, I could ask the member if he can provide me with the names so that we can deal with them.
Although he has some of the names, the other individuals have not given me their names yet. They are just waiting for their birth certificates.
I can tell you that if you were born in Nunavut, they can obtain their birth certificates through the Department of Health and Social Services. However, when these individuals are born outside of Nunavut or in provinces, they cannot go through the Department of Health and Social Services.
Therefore, they have to apply for birth certificates, they have to pay a fee, and they have to follow their policy.
Individuals out there face difficulties when they can’t obtain their birth certificates, so I urge the Nunavut government to look into how they can provide support to these people.
As I stated earlier, it’s not just the Province of Ontario. It is the Province of Alberta too.
When the individuals are born outside of the territory, they face many difficulties in obtaining their birth certificates. I can tell you that we need to amend the agreements with the provinces.
We need to review the agreements and amend them.
I can tell the member in the House that I will report back to the House as we progress.
I am very pleased that the minister is committed to reviewing this.
These individuals were not born down south on purpose. These are high-risk pregnancies and in addition, they are asked to pay for the certificates. If they had been born within Nunavut, it would have been provided for them for free.
When a certificate is obtained for the first time, you don’t have to pay for it. I know this for a fact.
I wish to encourage the minister to provide support for those who were high-risk births not to have to incur the cost for their first certificates.
Maybe an agreement could be made with other governments on this issue for the future.
Yes, we will look into this.
If the situation needs to be corrected after reviewing it and if individuals are required to pay, I will look into that to make sure that the problem is rectified.
Some individuals cannot afford to pay a fee and it is quite difficult to work with vital statistics. Sometimes they have to go through the court to identify the individual.
I will look into this further and I will be able to report back to the House.
For the individuals who cannot afford to pay the fee, the Government of Nunavut will pay the fee and I will keep the member informed.
Question 473 – 3(2): Public Agencies Council Oversight of Crown Corporations (Elliott)
My questions are for the Chairman of the Public Agencies Council, who is the Minister of Finance.
On June 9 of this year, I asked questions to the minister about the status of the RCMP’s investigation into the loans provided by the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation. At that time, he had indicated that he had spoken with the chief superintendent who had informed him that the files were going to be delivered to the public prosecution service for further review.
It is now four months later, what has happened with this file?
Minister responsible for the Public Agencies Council, Hon. Keith Peterson.
I thank Mr. Elliot for asking that question.
Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, the file is still with the Crown prosecutor’s office and it was delivered by the RCMP for the Crown prosecutor to review.
That is all I can tell the member.
It is obvious from what has happened at both the NBCC and the Nunavut Housing Corporation that our Crown corporations and agencies require effective oversight.
When the minister sat on this side of the House, I recall that he was a strong proponent of transparency at the NBCC and other Crown corporations.
In June of this year, I asked about the issue of the NBCC’s loans to businesses and individuals, the identities of which are not currently being disclosed to MLAs or the public.
I would have thought that we would have learned our lesson by now that transparency reduces problems.