EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We are reviewing this as a whole, as the Department of Sustainable Development.
Mr. Chairman, it is not so much a question as just a comment.
Listening to and reading over the minister's opening comments and reviewing the business plan, you see a lot of concentrating on areas of capacity building at the community level.
I think that's important if we are ever going to have more self sufficient communities that is where we are going to have to concentrate our efforts on and I agree with my colleague's comments earlier on ensuring that we do develop those areas.
I see things like the sealing strategy, the fishing strategy, the prospectors program, Nunavut arts and crafts, Nunavut tourism, those types of things and under the harvester's program.
Those are more of the traditional type of economy and it's a fact that a lot of the population in Nunavut that is unemployed right now is due to a lack of education and opportunity in the communities for those people.
I think a good example of a success story almost or the potential of things is the clam diving going on in Clyde River.
That is an example of a way to some individuals that don't have any formal education in anything but have the capabilities to learn these skills and the potential to turn it into something that they can become self sufficient and sustain their families.
It also provides a huge economic boost to the community.
Another thing that one of my colleagues said earlier was about diversity.
I think if you look at Nunavut there are so many untapped resources we have that have not been capitalised on. These are the types of things that we need to take a look at exploring and finding ways to promote them and develop new programs and services that will expose those markets and those opportunities that we have.
When you look in Newfoundland where they are selling ice for water and vodka and everything else, last time I looked we have a big chunk of ice up here.
Those types of things that you don't need a really highly skilled workforce to take advantage of.
I believe in anything the success of whatever it is that you are trying to do is to capitalise on the strengths that you have and I look at Nunavut and I see our strengths that we have and the resources that we have.
We have to find ways to help individuals capitalise on their strengths in the traditional economy and things like that, the sealing strategy makes it very clear the effect that the movement against furs had on the traditional economy and the way of life here in Nunavut.
I think we have to look at ways through carving, through crafts, through tourism, fisheries, not only our natural resources but our non-renewable resources that are here. We have to find ways to culture and develop and foster them so that they grow and provide opportunities in all our communities to help them become more self sufficient.
To help Nunavut diversify so that we do become more self-sufficient and create an economy that is not just based on government employment in the communities.
It is something that is there in every community.
As I said, if I could be paid to take someone out to do something that I love that would be a bonus.
Those are the things that the people of Nunavut can do and can do well and they love doing it.
So, if you can do something that you love doing and it is a part of you and make some money at it then I think those are the types of things that we should try to develop.
I see some of those things in here and I realize they can't be done overnight.
I look forward to see some of the things along those lines of developing and fostering those types of industries.
The are opportunities for people of Nunavut.
That is it Mr. Chairperson I just wanted to share those thoughts with the minister and his staff I don't need a response I just wanted to share that.
Just to make a point in regards to clam digging it is not in Clyde River it is in Broughton Island or Qikiqtarjuaq, I am sorry.
Just for the record.
There were no questions but excellent comments that were made by Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Minister if you would like to make additional comments.
I would like to give others an opportunity to ask questions or I would like to ask what the committee would do at this point.
At this time I have no further names on my list. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Tootoo: Looking at the clock it has been a long day and I would like to ask if we can report progress and continue on with Sustainable Development tomorrow morning.
All in favour, opposed, the motion is carried.
Mr. Speaker will be asked to enter the house and to the Department of Sustainable Development and Mr. Minister Peter Kilabuk and your officials, we will see you again tomorrow.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Chairperson. Report of the committee of the whole Mr. Chairperson.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. First, we had an excellent meeting and I would like to thank my colleagues for a productive meeting.
Mr. Speaker your committee has been considering Bill 13 and Tabled Documents 41-1(3), 61-1(3),85-1(3),87-1(3) and 93-1(3) and we would like to report that Tabled Document 85-1(3) is concluded and Mr. Speaker I move that the report of the committee of the whole would be concurred with.
There is a motion on the floor and the seconder is Mr. Barnabas.
Meeting of full caucus tomorrow morning at 8:45 am.
Orders of the Day for Thursday, April 27.
This House stands adjourned until Thursday April 27, at 10:00 a.m. Sergeant-At-Arms
DAY 42
Thursday, April 27, 2000
Pages 1908 - 1976
Opening Prayer 1908
Ministers’ Statements 1908
Members’ Statements 1909
Returns to Oral Questions 1915
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1916
Oral Questions 1917
Reports of Standing and Special Committees 1933
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills. 1939
Tabling of Documents 1940
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1940
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1974
Third Reading of Bills 1975
Orders of the Day 1975
Thursday April 27, 2000 1908
127 - 1(3): Change of Name Project (Anawak) 1908
368 - 1(3): Importance of Carvers (Puqiqnak) 1909
369 - 1(3): Name Changes (Thompson) 1910
370 - 1(3): Clyde River Iceberg Water Bottling Project (Iqaqrialu) 1911
371 - 1(3): Inuktitut in Schools (Anawak) 1911
372 - 1(3): Appreciation to Secretaries and Assistants (McLean) 1912
373 - 1(3): Appreciation to Cambridge Bay Delegation (Tootoo) 1912
374 - 1(3): Pension Benefits (Barnabas) 1913
375 - 1(3): Support for Hunters (Irqittuq) 1913
376 - 1(3): The Songs in Stone (Akesuk) 1914
377 - 1(3): Nunatta Campus Graduation (Picco) 1915
Return to OQ 265 – 1(3): Contracts for Purchase and Supply of Fuel (Thompson) 1915
Return to OQ 506 – 1(3): Status of Polaris Mine (Kilabuk) 1916
523 – 1(3): Housing Subsidies for Elders (Nutarak) 1917
524 – 1(3): Community Contribution to Capital Project (McLean) 1918
525 – 1(3): Adult Technical Training Courses (Puqiqnak) 1919
526 – 1(3): Land Claim Five Year Review (Tootoo) 1920
527 – 1(3): Support for New Hires (Barnabas) 1921
528 – 1(3): Break-in to Finance Building (McLean) 1922
529 – 1(3): Communication Systems for Decentralization (Akesuk) 1923
530 – 1(3): Update on Clam Divers (Iqaqrialu) 1924
531 – 1(3): Kugluktuk Docking Facility (Havioyak) 1925
532 – 1(3): Access Roads for Hunters (Barnabas) 1927
533 – 1(3): Staff Training (Nutarak) 1928
534 – 1(3): Staff Housing Furnishings (Tootoo) 1928
535 – 1(3): Education Funding (Irqittuq) 1929
536 – 1(3): Staff Housing Criteria (Akesuk) 1930
537 – 1(3): Furniture for Decentralisation (Nutarak) 1931
538 – 1(3): Teenage Pregnancies (McLean) 1932
95 - 1(3): Finance and Administration Business Plan (Ng) 1940
96 - 1(3): Human Resources Business Plan (Ng) 1940
97 - 1(3): Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs Business Plan (Ng) 1940
98 - 1(3): Response to Petition 10-1(3) (Clerk) 1940
Bill 12 – An Act to Amend the Divisional Education Councils' Dissolution Act – Third Reading 1975
Thursday April 27, 2000
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable James Arvaluk, Honourable Jack Anawak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kevin O'Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Mr. O’Brien) (interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Iqaqrialu to say the opening prayer.
Before we proceed I would like to thank Mr. Kattuk for standing in over the last few days and Mr. Puqiqnak for your assistance.
Orders of the Day. Item 2.
Minister’s Statement 127 - 1(3): Change of Name Project
I would like to inform the legislative assembly of some positive developments in regards to a problem that many Nunavummiut face when they try to register a change of name.
In the past this was always a difficult process because of the complex forms that had to be completed and the documentation that had to be provided.
Many people for one reason or another were not able to complete the process and have their name legally changed.
I am pleased to say that our Court Services Division and the Department of Justice have been working on some practical solutions to the problem.
For example, we are designing a new form that will be much easier to use than the old one.
Second, there will be an Inuktitut speaking person who will travel with the court to the communities to help people with their applications.
Also, there will be a 1-800 number that people can call in order to set up an appointment with that person when he or she is in the community.
Third, radio announcements will be made in the communities to inform people about the timing of assistance in their community as well as the 1-800 number.
We will be offering the services first in Iqaluit.
The project start date is some time in June.
Our radio announcements are planned to begin around the end of April or early May.
It is important to remember that Maliganik Qimmirutit is addressing the issue of name change.
For now our Court Services Division is working to put in place some practical and immediate steps.
The recommendations of Maliganik Qimmirutit can be incorporated into the program when they are made.
Mr. Speaker this is an important project that will helpfully remove a bureaucratic problem that has faced Nunavummiut for many years.
Changing your name should be much easier in the near future.
Members’ Statements. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Member’s Statement 368 - 1(3): Importance of Carvers
Firstly, I want to inform members that although I did go home for the weekend it was a short one as I had to travel on Good Friday and travel back on Easter Monday, besides the fact that I got ill but I did have an opportunity to see my children which was a joyous occasion.
This morning I stand to speak for the carvers of Nunavut.
At this time the carvers are having a better time working outside, the weather is warming up and the sun is staying longer.
It is very hard for carvers to work outside in the winter and before I became a member of the legislative assembly I was a full time carver and that was my livelihood so I know what the carvers have to go through during the winter seasons.
When you are working outside the machinery and equipment do not operate properly because they get frozen.
Electrical appliances just get burnt and become useless.
When your equipment breaks you have to get replacements and they are expensive.
They do have to look at the safety issues because they are working with electrical appliances.
They also have to wear masks to prevent the dust from being inhaled.
Sometimes in the winter seasons it is minus forty or fifty in Nunavut.
The masks tend to freeze up and since the moisture condenses in the mask they become frozen and become quite useless.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to get unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker and colleagues, for giving me this opportunity to voice my concerns on this very important issue.
As I was saying earlier the equipment masks become useless.
They are our protection and we have to look how we can have a better program for carvers.
Since carving is a livelihood for many people they work under extremely harsh conditions.
We carvers are very important, their art is made in Nunavut and it is unique.
The carvers of Nunavut go out of the country to art shows and at the same time they are representing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
They also depict the legends of the Inuit through their artwork.
I am very proud of the Nunavut carvers because they keep our tradition alive today.
We as the government of Nunavut will have to look at how we can improve the conditions of the work environment of the carvers.
They also have to go very far to quarry their soapstone because the deposits are not in the communities.
We have to support our carvers because they are extremely talented and we as the government of Nunavut will have to help them because they do showcase us to the rest of the world.
Member’s Statement 369 - 1(3): Name Changes
Welcome back we are very glad to see you again.
I would like to thank the Minister of Justice for making his statement earlier in regards to name change.
In most cases the Inuit surnames or names are written with misspellings.
My father's name is Mikituk Bruce and his father was Tommy Bruce.
When the surname project with Abe Okpik went out he wrote the surnames and what he did with my father’s name was that he changed the names around so the children's surnames all became Mikituk, so he became Bruce Mikituk.
He was employed but when he retired he could not get his pension because of the change in the names.
He was Mikituk Bruce at one time and then in the department of Justice he was Bruce Mikituk.
This created a problem when he tried to get his pension.
He had to go to social services for income support because he had to keep up the daily expenses because he had worked for a lot of his life.
Our names are very important to us as Inuit and at times even people who are related especially men have different surnames although they had the same father.
I am sure those mistakes will be corrected shortly.
I am very glad we are going to have this project because our names are important to us as Inuit.
Speaker: Just a reminder to members of the house on both sides, we all agreed this a beautiful chamber and I think it is somewhat disrespectful if the members leave the house and jump over the ropes to get out.
I think they should wait for the pages to take the gate off so you can depart more gracefully, thank you.
Members’ Statements. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Member’s Statement 370 - 1(3): Clyde River Iceberg Water Bottling Project
I would like to take this opportunity to talk about an initiative that was discussed in Clyde River, on November 16, 1999.
Mr. Speaker the people of Clyde River and the HTO were talking about a project related to icebergs.
Because of the large number of icebergs the ice has been going out later than usual residents wanted to figure out what kind of opportunities were possible.
The people of Clyde River decided to started planning to set up a business were they would bottle water, iceberg water.
It is a very good initiative Mr. Speaker.
The ships and the airlines, I hope, will be more than glad to help us in transporting or exporting the iceberg water outside of our community.
We would like to get this business going and we will be planning and establishing a plant where we would bottle water. The people of Clyde River would like to market water of iceberg ice water. It is not established yet but we are looking forward to setting up one.
Member’s Statement 371 - 1(3): Inuktitut in Schools
I am very happy that the people in Rankin Inlet had a meeting yesterday in regards to education where they also talked about Inuktitut curriculum.
They feel that it is very slow being established in the schools and they strongly feel that we should use Inuktitut curriculum.
Inuktitut language should be taught the same way as English is in the school.
It would be very good to have Inuktitut curriculum and language schooling in the schools in Nunavut.
I think it should be promoted in the school as well.
It is part of the parent’s responsibility in promoting the Inuit Languages in the school as well as in the home.
For those people that feel Inuktitut language training in school would slow their academic schooling should think about it a little bit more because they could use the Inuktitut language in many different areas.
It will not slow down the schooling of the younger children and I want to say that I am in support of Inuktitut language curriculum in the school.
For example in Kugluktuk they use Inuktitut, French and English and they are very capable of successful schooling using those languages.
I do not think it should be just English in the school, Inuktitut should be in the curriculum as well.
Member’s Statement 372 - 1(3): Appreciation to Secretaries and Assistants
I rise today to pay tribute to a group of individuals who don't seem to be recognised or appreciated enough throughout Nunavut.
They are our secretaries.
These hardworking, underpaid, overworked individuals don't seem to be appreciated enough by all of us.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, they know everything that is going on in our offices and in our communities.
I would like to recognize today in my community David Annanout, Susan Niuqtuq, Elizabeth Himga, Ellen Rumbolt, Michael Mautarinaaq, Ruth Tapitai, Annie Aanautalik and I would like to apologise for any of the secretaries or assistants I didn't mention today.
I would like to say again that we all should really appreciate our secretaries and assistants.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. McLean, well said.
Member’s Statement 373 - 1(3): Appreciation to Cambridge Bay Delegation
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you Mr. Speaker I rise today to thank the Honourable Member from Cambridge Bay yesterday for making a statement thanking the Regular Members for taking the time to meet with a delegation from his community.
Mr. Speaker, the delegation consisted of Frank Annaluk who is a respected elder, the mayor His Worship Keith Peterson and Martha Angulalik.
I would like to thank the Member from Cambridge Bay for bringing those people to meet with us.
I believe that it was a very informative meeting.
The members got some good clear information from the meeting.
I would encourage all members if the need arises to try to do the same thing.
I believe this type of action is what a lot of Nunavummiut hope to achieve or accomplish with the creation of Nunavut.
That type of openness and accessibility to their government, and again I would just like to thank the Honourable Member from Cambridge Bay, Mr. Ng for providing us with an opportunity to obtain that valuable information from his community.
Member’s Statement 374 - 1(3): Pension Benefits
Mr. Barnabas: I rise today on behalf of the pensioners.
I believe that they have to be more informed about their retirement benefits that they have accrued.
I believe that they should be informed about all the benefits that are being made available by the government.
I have noticed that past government employees who have been long time employees when they retire from their jobs, especially the people who used to work for the department of Public Works, did not have certificates of their benefit coverage that came in with their cheques.
Also the majority of the time they couldn't fill out forms.
There were some past Department of Public Works employees who never got their severance pay, some of them are deceased.
I believe that this present government should take every opportunity to inform their staff of what kind of benefits they have because past employees of the GNWT never got their benefits.
Member’s Statement 375 - 1(3): Support for Hunters
Mr. Speaker I rise today to discuss some if the issues that we are dealing with in Department of Sustainable Development.
A lot of the full time hunters need more support from our government because of the low cost of the seal skin pelts and also fish that are not always marketable.
Narwhal tusks are in demand but we can not get sufficient income through the sale of these natural resources.
The hunters of today work extremely hard to provide food for their families and it is still a tradition of today even though there is a lot of difficulties that come with it.
The hunter’s equipment are extremely expensive but still the full time hunters, through perseverance, still keep the hunting tradition.
I know that Mr. Speaker, looking at the rest of Canada there are the farmers who get subsidies from the government and also benefits so that farming will keep on going.
However, the hunters of Nunavut do not get any benefits or subsidies from the government and they get very little from the Nunavut Tunngavik through the hunter support program but it is not sufficient.
It is also obvious that parks and recreational activities are provided a lot of money, for example the camp grounds outside of the communities parks which will be provided with lots of money over the next 5 years.
We are talking about millions of dollars here and that is just for recreational activities.
Mr. Speaker I would like to get unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you my colleagues and Mr. Speaker.
Looking at it from the hunters and trappers point of view, if we are rich we go out to the parks and the campgrounds and we have our picnic and have our tea and that is for the well off people.
But look at it from the other side of the coin.
There are the hunters and trappers who are working extremely hard.
It is up well over twenty dollars for bullets and if I lose one it means that I lose a dollar.
Look at the price of gasoline which in my community it is considered cheap if it is seventeen dollars per five gallon can.
In the other communities it is probably twenty-eight dollars per can.
Although that is the case Mr. Speaker, the hunters of Nunavut are working very hard.
The Inuit of today do not participate in the wage economy enough.
If there is food we will give to our neighbours. We still have that tradition of sharing.
Because of that the hunters of Nunavut should be a priority in our discussion in this house.
We should provide them benefits and subsidises.
Member’s Statement 376 - 1(3): The Songs in Stone
Mr. Speaker I rise today to say recognize two people from Cape Dorset who are in Switzerland.
They are with John Houston and are at the Expo to see a film that was created by John Houston called “The Songs in Stone”.
Their names are Uvilu Tunnilee and Kananginak Pootooguk.
Member’s Statement 377 - 1(3): Nunatta Campus Graduation
Last Thursday many members of this house were able to attend the graduation ceremonies at Nunatta Campus here in Iqaluit.
The graduates were from all over Nunavut.
We are aware the Bachelor of Education degree from McGill University in Montreal.
Mr. Speaker, unlike the south most of our students are mature students with children and family responsibilities.
To successfully complete their studies takes dedication and support from the college and from their families.
Mr. Speaker, an Honorary Diploma in Adult Education was also awarded to a long time northern resident and Adult Educator, Ann Freda.
Ann used to be an adult educator Mr. Speaker, in Cape Dorset.
Actually she provided my first on the job training as an adult educator in Cape Dorset several years ago, when I was an adult educator and she is well known as a hard working person and dedicated to adult basic learning.
Mr. Speaker, Premier Okalik was a guest speaker and the valedictorian address was quite moving.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Arctic College graduates and the staff of Arctic College for their dedication and professionalism.
A special congratulations to Mrs. Ann Freda on behalf of her many colleagues and former colleagues and friends.
Return to OQ 265 – 1(3): Contracts for Purchase and Supply of Fuel
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Good morning Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to respond to a question posed to me by the MLA for Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Tootoo, on March 22nd, 2000.