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Mr. Speaker, today I wanted to talk about a number of things that I believe need to be addressed by the Assembly.
In Nunavut, we have a growing number of diabetes being diagnosed. Mr. Speaker, we have growing cases of children with respiratory illnesses across Nunavut and it’s persistent.
Mr. Speaker, we have tuberculosis being diagnosed across Nunavut. I believe that stress is a big factor in these illnesses, and we have growing social problems across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the biggest problem is the shortage of social housing.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister for Housing about the housing needs in Nunavut.
Incidentally, Mr. Speaker, we have material for housing in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk, but the construction of these are at a standstill as we speak.
Member’s Statement 056 – 3(3): Arviat Community Ecotourism Workshop (Shewchuk)
First of all, I would like to say “hello” to all of my constituents of Arviat and hope they’re having a wonderful spring.
Mr. Speaker, on May 12, while I was at home in my community, I was fortunate enough to attend the event staged as part of the Arviat Community Ecotourism Initiative. This is a five-year project to develop a community-based sustainable tourism industry in Arviat.
I want you all to know that the success achieved already is remarkable, certainly unprecedented in Nunavut, and worthy of our attention as we consider how to grow our diversified Nunavut economy.
There were upwards of 50 people in Arviat; teenagers, adults, elders, and people of all ages involved in this project, all of whom were offered training in one or more various skills required to deliver an effective tourism product; eco-guide skills, historical interpretation, hospitality, cooking, book keeping, event planning, tourism marketing, and web development, and the list goes on.
On May 12, Arviat received a visit by five tour operators, four from southern Canada and one from Britain, who are all interested in bringing tour groups to Arviat. Two of them have now indicated that they will market weeklong Arviat excursions in their 2012 catalogues. Arviat already has four groups booked for other shorter visits during the remainder of this year, and this is just the beginning.
There are two world-class wildlife viewing opportunities available to visitors.
Twenty-thousand people come to Churchill every year primarily to see polar bears. Some of those will go the extra mile to see the bears in a more natural environment. Every spring, the massive migration of Qamanirjuaq caribou passes through just inland from our community.
These spectacles are attracting tourists, but the intimate contact with the Inuit culture so strong and vibrant in Arviat will make that experience more unique.
Over the past two years, NTI, KIA, and the hamlet have dedicated significant amounts of IIBA funding to this initiative in Arviat for local capacity building, product development and marketing. This support is committed to continue for the next three years.
What I saw in Arviat earlier in the month makes it clear that the results are positive and the project and the project’s future is assured. It is a future which offers sustainable economic opportunity, helps to preserve and celebrate Inuit culture, adds new economic value to the conservation of our large wildlife species, and presents Nunavut’s best face to the world.
All partners involved, including KIA, NTI, the hamlet council, and the GN, are encouraged to continue to support this initiative.
The creation of small businesses in Arviat that can take advantage of many varied opportunities that the influx of tourists will offer… .
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to ask for unanimous consent to continue my Member’s Statement.
Deputy Speaker: Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Shewchuk is asking for unanimous consent to conclude his statement. (interpretation ends) Are there any nays?
(interpretation) There are none. (interpretation ends) Mr. Shewchuk, you may conclude your statement.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Mr. Speaker, these opportunities again will include new outfitters, additional accommodations, including bed and breakfast, cultural demonstrations, artists, and craftsmen.
The Arviat Community Ecotourism Initiative could be served as a model for other Nunavut hamlets seeking to develop sustainable community-based ecotourism. Globally, ecotourism is a growing industry.
The current project represents Arviat’s and Nunavut’s first steps into the world stage. Arviat is breaking new ground. In the long run, all of Nunavut stands to benefit from this experience.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling a document that has further information on this program and initiative.
Member’s Statement 057 – 3(3): Education for a Good Future (Aupaluktuq)
I would like to send greetings to Baker Lake residents and in particular, my mother.
As per her usual practice, she will soon be at our spring camp preparing dried fish and meat, as well as Paqqutik (rendered marrow).
On behalf of my fellow residents of Baker Lake, I want to express our delight today as a Speaker has been chosen and we look forward to working with the Speaker, and this is obviously the starting point.
We expect a much better future by working together in this House, although it is clear that members will have a lot of issues to voice and to discuss in the Assembly.
(interpretation ends) I would like to thank the hon. members, Mr. Elliott, Ms. Ugyuk, and Mr. Ningark, for their comments in regard to concerns about the well-being and state of all Nunavummiut. We all know that Nunavummiut are touched in all areas by suicide, housing and social issues.
And lately, with the mining opportunities, there have been a lot of people who have been considering gaining employment and accessing employment, who have a lot of grandparents, parents, guardians, and foster parents who are providing the options necessary to cradle and nourish our young people, but the one trend that I find disturbing is that there are some youth and young people considering joining the workforce.
Mr. Speaker, I think losing one youth is one too many, whether it be to social issues or to employment. I would like to encourage parents and guardians to continue focusing on education as the key and foundation to having a successful future.
Mr. Speaker, I’m glad that people can be given the opportunities for employment, earn an income, and also a right to a way of life. However, Mr. Speaker, those mines will be closed one day and I would like to encourage again parents and guardians to encourage their young people to stay in school.
One day the mines will close but, as you know, by then, we will have doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, biologists, constitutional, civil and environmental lawyers.
So again, education is key.
I would like to remind everybody that that is the foundation to what we’re here for as a democracy and consensus government.
I have no more.
I have two groups of people to recognize in the Gallery today.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the different organizations that came out today in support of my Member’s Statement recognizing the issue of suicide and the importance of the Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan.
As mentioned in my statement, the issue of suicide is very complex and people deal with the loss of suicide in many different ways. I think we all recognized that a combined community and collaborative approach in dealing with this issue is the best way to proceed.
I see there is representation from some of the partners I spoke about in terms of the Embrace Life Council, NTI, as well as from the regional Inuit organizations, the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line, as well as representatives from the men’s and women’s shelters, as well as parents and community members who have been affected by suicide.
So thank you for coming out and showing your support.
When it was announced… .
Some people have actually brought photographs. If they wanted to hold them up to show some of the people who they have lost in support of what they have been going through and what they’re dealing with.
So thank you for coming out.
I think we all would like to move forward on this.
The second group of people I have the privilege of introducing are joining us today from all across Canada. It’s a group of parliamentary interns from the House of Commons.
These young Canadians from across the country are participants in the National Parliamentary Internship Program. They are in Iqaluit this week for their annual study tour of Nunavut.
Minister Shewchuk and I had the opportunity to meet with these individuals informally this weekend. I was very impressed with the questions that they had and the interest that they have in Nunavut and our type of consensus government.
So welcome. They are sitting over on the other side there.
Deputy Speaker: Thank you. (interpretation) Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I would like to recognize a former parliamentarian, Mr. Jack Anawak.
We grew up together in Repulse Bay, although he is about 10 years younger than I am, and we went to school together in Chesterfield Inlet.
Welcome, Jack.
I guess it’s my last time to say “Thank you, Mr. Speaker” for a while.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to recognize two individuals in the Gallery who have helped me out considerably over my time as a member of the Executive Council.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize them publicly and also thank them very much for all of their hard work and dedication.
Mr. Speaker, sitting over here is my Executive Secretary, Elisapee Nowdlak.
Also sitting next to her is my Executive Assistant, George Hickes.
So I would like to take this opportunity to welcome them to the Gallery and thank them for all of the hard work and dedication that they have given to me as a member of the Executive Council.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
It gives me great honour to welcome to the Gallery today, and they will be working with us all this week, my two pages from Cambridge Bay, Melynda Mingilgak, who is right here, and Janelle Nahogaloak.
She just went out to get water for somebody, but I’m sure she is listening.
I would also like to welcome to the Gallery their teacher, Kelly Pike, from Cambridge Bay.
They just told me this morning that they’re quite excited to be here. They have already seen history in the making and how we do business in selecting our Speaker.
I’m sure they look forward to seeing some more exciting action in the Legislative Assembly this week.
I also wish to extend a warm welcome to the Gallery and especially to my brother Kevin Eetoolook from Taloyoak. He is one of the chaperones for the pages working here.
I also noted two people who I wish to recognize, Peter Qayutinnuaq and Cecile Lyall, from the Netsilik School. Welcome to the Gallery.
I also welcome the pages working during this week in the legislature.
I appreciate all of the visitors here as well. I would like to join in also congratulating our new Speaker of the House.
But my request, Mr. Speaker, is to go back to Item 3 if I may have unanimous consent to make a very short statement.
I do have one more person who had raised their hand to recognize someone.
Once we have completed that, I’ll ask the membership to ask for consent.
It gives me great pleasure up here to recognize a former colleague and a former classmate over at the Kivalliq Hall Student Residence. A whole bunch of us developed a good rapport, friendship, and kinship there.
I would like to acknowledge, Mr. Speaker, one of your actual constituents from Chesterfield Inlet living in Iqaluit, Mr. Johnny Issaluk.
I recognize Johnny Issaluk because I know for a fact that he has been very helpful in Chesterfield Inlet, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit in terms of activities, as well as hunting and activities in cultural events.
I think it’s a good privilege for all Nunavummiut as well as young people to also acknowledge that we have a lot of capabilities.
I had the pleasure of going to school with this gentleman and I think he has demonstrated it all culturally as well as academically.
So it gives me great pleasure to recognize Mr. Johnny Issaluk.
Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation) I have no more names on my list.
Mr. Curley had asked to go back to Item 3.
Deputy Speaker: Mr. Curley.
Member’s Statement 058 – 3(3): Rankin Inlet Fishing Derby (Curley)
I have just received these documents now since I was running late this morning.
During the spring, Nunavutmiut are often in high spirits. I am particularly proud of the people of Rankin Inlet. Last week during the long weekend, they held their annual spring fishing derby.
When listening to the local radio, we were informed of breaking news from everywhere, particularly the families who were fishing and enjoying themselves, albeit competitively in the fishing derbies.
However, the fact that the families were together outdoors made me envious as I was not a part of it.
When families are enjoying the outdoors together as a whole, having a good time and enjoying these moments in life, it alleviates problems and helps to knit the family closer.
With that as a background, during the derby, there were two species of fish that people were competing for separately.
For the cod fishing contest, the first prize went to Jody Kusugak who received a $6,000 prize in Rankin Inlet. Second place went to Mary Jane Pisuk, who won $4,000. I haven’t mentioned the lengths of the cod they caught.
The third place winner was John Paapaaq with a prize of $3,000. The fourth place winner was Dorothy Kaludjak, $2,000; the fifth place winner, Kitty Pisuk, $1,500; the sixth place winner, Jim Nooveya, one of our peers who won $1,000; the seventh, Noah Tiktak, $750; the eighth place winner was Jessie Sammuq for the $500 prize; the ninth place winner was Mary Kasadloak, $400; and the tenth place winner for catching cod was Susan Manitok, and it doesn’t list the amount… . Oh, it says that she won $300.
In the children’s cod fishing competition, the first place winner was Nadine Oolooyuk, $500, for catching cod; $250 for Damien Inukshuk; and the third place winner was Taitanna Taipanaaq and this was the cod fishing derby results.
For the lake trout fishing derby, the largest lake trout caught was by Patrick Beardsall, formerly from Coral Harbour, who won $6,000; second place went to Kevin Subgut, who won $3,000; and the fourth place winner was John Stewart, who received $2,000.
Those are the four winners that I mentioned for this derby.
I would like to thank the people of Rankin Inlet for holding such a joyous competition enjoyed by many residents as well as the prizes that people compete for.
We are back in Members’ Statements.
We can now proceed to (interpretation ends) Item 6.
Question 086 – 3(3): Construction of Social Housing Units (Ningark)
My question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Minister Tagak Curley.
As I mentioned in my Member’s Statement, when one is faced with overcrowding in one unit, it can lead to many social problems within the unit.
Further, when people have illnesses related to sugar, such as diabetes, the nurses generally don’t want them to be faced with stressful situations. Further, stress can lead to more complications, which can occur in an overcrowded house.
Additionally, many families also have single mothers, with no spouses, faced with difficulties in trying to raise their children and they are concerned about their children, especially when they are younger.
In Repulse Bay, there were some units being constructed this winter, but the projects are currently on hold. That is also the case in Kugaaruk. I believe that they are still on hold.
My question to the minister is: why are these construction projects on hold?
Have they run out of funding or are they short on construction materials?
Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Ningark. (interpretation) Minister Curley, Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.
While we were sitting in our winter session, we debated the budget of the housing corporation, including the work plans for housing construction. The last contract was awarded for the Affordable Housing Initiative.
It was separated into two phases since the construction season is fairly limited. The decision was to start the construction until a set time, then a stoppage of work prior to continuing with the rest of the construction in the spring under a different contract. We discussed this matter earlier in the winter session.
However, in the Kitikmeot, the sealift was late, so they couldn’t even start the first phase, which is shelling in the units. Due to this complication, they couldn’t even go to the second stage as the materials arrived late.
Once the snow has melted, the units will be walled in.
The plans for Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay are to attempt the completion of the units in the fall.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister.
The minister stated they will initiate the construction in the spring.
However, Mr. Speaker, at this time of year, the residents of the communities are eager to go out fishing and competing in fishing derbies. Further, it is a spring rite in some communities, as the minister, in fact, mentioned that there was a fishing derby in his community and announced the winners in the spring derby.
With that background, can we surmise that construction is going ahead this spring?
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark.
I believe the member is aware that construction can start only when the snow has melted as they have to lay the foundations for these units when the ground has settled.
I assume that the foundations have already been laid and the contractors have been selected to erect the buildings. As soon as conditions allow them to proceed, they will start on those houses.
Mr. Ningark, this is your second supplementary.
Since we are currently in our spring session and prior to our return home, can the minister inform me of the situation in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk? The construction is still on hold. Can he commit to informing me on the plans for these units prior to end of the session?
As I inferred earlier, the construction was to be done in two phases. Once the snow has melted in the spring, they will resume the work.
When the ground still has snow cover, it is impossible to lay the foundations.
Once the snow cover has melted and the grounds are stable, the units will be raised. Since there are not too many units and because they are SIP units, they can be erected very quickly.
Once they are erected, the interior work will commence.
According to the work plans we submitted this winter, the contract has been given to the construction company who will erect these units.
If you require any further or detailed information, I can commit to looking into the member’s request and provide a written response, Mr. Speaker.
Deputy Speaker: Mr. Ningark, your final supplementary.
Yes, I would appreciate the information as I want to provide answers and the minister can send me a written response.
Question 087 – 3(3): Responsibility for Morgue Facility (Tapardjuk)
I’m not sure to whom my question is going to be directed, but perhaps it can be directed to the Premier.
First of all, I wish to thank the Minister of Health and Social Services, who was invited previously to visit Hall Beach on a number of occasions.
I’m happy and even ecstatic to report that the minister was able to go to Hall Beach. It was important that the residents see the minister face to face.
This provided a big benefit to some residents just by virtue of seeing the minister in person. He was informed of the many questions and concerns of the community.
Mr. Speaker, over the last three years, Hall Beach has been trying to acquire a proper morgue to house bodies of the deceased.
We have approached the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Social Services, and the Department of EIA for financial assistance.
However, no one wants responsibility for this issue. Our perception is that their hands are too clean for this problem since no one wanted responsibility for this particular issue.
We unfortunately weren’t able to get any funding and this has been going on for three years now.
We requested information from the minister responsible for capital assets, who then referred us to the Minister of Health and Social Services, and then they in turn referred us to the Minister of Justice.
Perhaps the Premier can direct us to the right people to approach for the acquisition of a morgue. Can the government resolve this issue promptly?
In the smaller communities, they generally don’t have any morgues to house bodies and that’s why I’m asking the Premier to see if they can provide assistance to obtain a morgue when a community is requesting one.
Deputy Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. (interpretation ends) Ms. Premier.
I thank the member for the question. He clearly articulates the need to deal with this issue which requires resolution.
Our colleague just recently mentioned that the Minister of Health and Social Services, along with some of his staff, had a chance to visit Hall Beach. He had a good discussion about the question that was raised with respect to this issue.
It is obvious that we still have many details to work out. This includes the logistics concerning the deceased, such as a temporary space in the community if they don’t have a morgue.
Many of these details have to be dealt with voluntarily by local church groups in the community, such as the temporary space or place for internment. Many of these details are generally not formalized in the smaller communities as the church groups handle these details.
However, based on the member’s question, it seems justifiable to resolve this issue. We now realize that we have to make this a priority.
There are seven new health centres that have built-in morgues and other health centres will be replaced with facilities that have built-in morgues.
We realize that those communities with older health centres without a built-in morgue will require resolution.
The Minister of Health and Social Services has stated that this will be dealt with in conjunction with various departments and plans will be worked out.
We can’t make any commitment at this point about getting a morgue from these departments singularly and we would like to ensure that we consult Inuit organizations on how we can deal with this morgue issue.
That’s all I can answer at this time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Deputy Speaker: Qujannamiik, Madam Premier. (interpretation) Your first supplementary, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the Premier. I feel that a commitment to deal with it has been made.
When dealing with smaller communities, the numbers are not always indicative or clear.
Even a small community has people who pass away, and all people eventually die.
This occurs in all communities and we have to ensure that we look after our dead properly. We must have respect for our dead and when you just leave them outside in the environment, especially during spring and summer, it can cause angst amongst the relatives.
Mr. Speaker, I seem to understand from the Premier’s response that this matter will be dealt with and furthermore, once a decision has been made, my constituents, especially those from Hall Beach who have been requesting this facility for three years, will be able to move on.
Can you inform us at the earliest possible opportunity once the request for a morgue has been resolved, Mr. Speaker?
Deputy Speaker: Qujannamiik, Member Tapardjuk.
It is quite clear that negotiations and resolution of this issue has commenced. The Department of Health and Social Services has already started discussions on the issue.
I expect that every MLA will be advised about this issue and where we are heading towards.
Deputy Speaker: Qujannamiik, Madam Premier. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions.
Question 088 – 3(3): Nursing in Baker Lake (Aupaluktuq)
I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Hon. Minister Curley.