EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the gold medalists from this year’s territorial competition, who now will be representing Nunavut at the Canadian Skills Competition in Calgary, Alberta this week.
Mr. Speaker, skills clubs are an important step in helping to guide our people on the path to success.
These clubs are extracurricular programs for high school students, organized by volunteer professionals in the community.
These individuals donate their time and expertise to help our Nunavut youth realize potential career opportunities.
As well, all the Skills Canada Nunavut volunteers deserve enormous thanks.
Mr. Speaker, please join with me in wishing the team members of Team Nunavut good luck at the National Skills Competition in Calgary this week. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 187 – 2(4): End of Life Vehicles (“ELV”) and Scrap Metal Removal from Iqaluit (Akesuk)
I am pleased to announce the first significant project to remove the end-of-life vehicles and scrap metal out of Nunavut.
This project is being supported by the Department of Environment, Community and Government Services, and Economic Development and Transportation.
The government is supporting the City of Iqaluit to engage a Quebec based company to gather all of the old vehicles and scrap metal, prepare it for transport, and ship it to the south for recycling.
This project will get underway in July of 2008.
We will monitor all aspects of this first project very closely to learn as much as possible about the logistics and cost implications so that we can expand the program into other Nunavut communities.
The lessons learned will allow us to design a broader program for implementation in 2009 and beyond.
This initiative will greatly assist Nunavut in dealing with its solid waste and it will assist communities in cleaning up scrap metal that in some cases have been around for decades.
Member’s Statement 450 – 2(4): Cost of Living (Barnabas)
Hon. Levi Barnabas: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
With the threat of global warming, the Arctic is a new hot spot of the world.
There has been little interest from most Canadians in regard to the Arctic over the last 100 years or so.
The issue surrounding the potential rich oil reserves under the Arctic ice have sparked a renewed interest regarding Arctic sovereignty and have put our homelands into a spotlight of the world.
For many years, the federal government has promised Nunavummiut improvements to their standards of living.
Within the communities of my constituents, there’s a greater need for an injection of funds and programs to improve the living conditions of the residents who live there.
With Arctic sovereignty on the minds of many throughout the world, we are now in a position where we can remind Canada that we have been the stewards of this land and the surrounding waterways for many years.
The residents of the High Arctic, throughout their long term use of the land and waters, have allowed Canadians, including the Canadian government, to prove to the world that the Canadian Arctic has been used for a great many years by Inuit as their homeland.
In fact, it was the Canadian government that brought Inuit up to the High Arctic and used their presence to prove that this land belongs to Canada. With this in mind, I would like to remind Canada that a favour has been done for them and that it is high time that favour be returned back to the residents of the High Arctic.
My constituents need additional financial programs and support that will address the high cost of living endured there. The cost of living in Nunavut continues to rise. We see this especially in the communities of my constituents.
Food, shelter, and other basic living expenses in the High Arctic are around 60 to 65 percent higher than those living in southern cities.
Additional support is required to subsidize our travel and freight costs.
Thank you, colleagues, for allowing me to conclude my statement.
(interpretation ends) Basic opportunities, such as travel, are enjoyed by many Canadians living to the south of us.
For residents of Grise Fiord, it costs them over $4,000, just to get to Iqaluit.
Don’t forget that is not even out of the territory. To fly out on an international flight from one of the southern cities, you can go across the Atlantic, over to Europe for less than $700 on a seat sale.
Imagine flying all the way across the great Atlantic for under $700. We, in the High Arctic, don’t have the luxuries of travelling on competitive airline services. This creates a monopoly that the people in the High Arctic pay the price for.
With these types of costs, most of my constituents cannot afford to travel out of their communities using their own funds. This affects such things as sporting, or training opportunities, or being able to visit family members living in other communities.
The elders of my constituency have received a pension from the federal government, receiving the same amount of money for their pension as those living in southern Canada.
The same amount of money, even though the cost of food is three times the price of those living in the far south of us.
To ensure that all my constituents access affordable food, the federal government needs to monitor how the Food Mail Program is working and address the shortcomings of the program.
Additional support is required for economic initiatives, such as providing our local fishing companies with proper fishing quotas needed to sustain the viable fishing industry, or to provide my constituents with the funds to build up our infrastructure requirements, and I list these as examples.
As residents of Nunavut and as the government of a great territory, we need to involve the monitoring of potential oil reserve developments in our area that may rise due to the impact of global warming over the next 20 to 50 years.
Damage to our environment and the impact of a great number of people using the land and waters of the High Arctic is a real threat to us, a threat towards the Inuit way of life and our culture. With that in mind, we need to ensure that our land, water, and way of life will be protected at all costs.
We need to ensure that we include, in all the discussions regarding the protection of our land and in the ways our waters will be used, proper policies addressing these threats need to be well thought out and written with all the states, territories, and people at the table.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, Arctic Bay, Resolute Bay, and Grise Fiord residents are proud to live in the area of Canada that is unique to the rest of the world, but we and all Canadians need to support these High Arctic communities to obtain the same standards of living as other Canadians enjoy.
Prime Minister Harper has stated, and I quote, “If we don’t use it, we’ll lose it.”
While the people of the High Arctic use it and endure the harsh climate, high cost of living, and little support, they’re the ones that Canada has relied on to prove that we, as Canadians, have sovereignty over this land.
Mr. Speaker, now it’s time for Canada to step up to the podium and show the same level of support to these great people.
Just a reminder to members that the time allotted for your statements has to be respected and unanimous consent is only supposed to be used for completing your statements.
However, since yesterday, the extensions for the statements took a long time to complete.
So please refrain from abusing the time allotted for Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 451 – 2(4): Western Hudson Bay Polar Bear Quota Decrease (Alagalak)
I rise today to express a grave concern raised by my constituents, especially harvesters, regarding the Western Hudson Bay polar bear quota. The quota has been slashed and this is the only population that we harvest from.
The polar bear hunt is one of the few economic opportunities Inuit have in my community and this has economic repercussions when they reduce the quota.
Mr. Speaker, the reduction in the polar bear quota will have a big effect in the community of Arviat on the hunters who hunt bears, and the dog team owners who conduct sports hunts.
This is becoming an extreme concern to my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I can state unequivocally that the hunters in Arviat are distressed, perhaps to the same degree that Newfoundland seals feel when they are clubbed by a hakapik, as we observed on video a few days ago.
This analogy is exactly how the hunters felt in our community of Arviat when the Minister of Environment arrived to make a statement that the polar bear quotas were being slashed in the Western Hudson Bay population.
That is how they felt when they heard the news. This is not acceptable.
They are still in a state of shock because of the reduced quota.
Mr. Speaker, the HTO, sport hunting operators, and other businesses will lose thousands of dollars this year because of the reduction in the Western Hudson Bay polar bear quota. This year, guides, cooks, dog team owners, and all who find seasonal employment working for the sport hunting operators in Arviat will not have those jobs. Quite a number of dog team owners are on the verge of giving up their dog teams because it is a costly and time-consuming venture.
This also affects several families and those buildings that were used for the sports hunts seem to have been built needlessly now.
For the reasons I’ve stated and due to what the Minister of Environment said at the HTO meeting in Arviat, that the department would look into alternative options for the people most affected by this decision, the people of Arviat are now expecting these alternatives and are waiting for the substance behind the minister’s promises. They are waiting for news as to what alternatives they will receive from the Government of Nunavut and are expecting a statement from the minister as to what will comprise this assistance.
Member’s Statement 452 – 2(4): Intrusive Wildlife Research Methods (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today again to express my concern regarding the issues of intrusive wildlife research methods.
Mr. Speaker, I asked questions to the Minister of Environment last week on the issue of a proposed polar bear research project in Foxe Basin.
As I indicated in my questions to the minister, the Kivalliq Wildlife Board has written to the minister in order to express concerns regarding this project.
I look forward to receiving a copy of the minister’s reply to the Kivalliq Wildlife Board on this matter.
I urge the minister to respond favourably to the board.
Mr. Speaker, as you and other members are aware, I have had longstanding concerns about the use of intrusive wildlife research methods and I have tabled photographs in the Legislative Assembly of a marine mammal that was suffering from invasive research methods.
Mr. Speaker, the concerns that have been expressed by the hunters and HTOs regarding polar bear research methods need to be listened to and addressed. The effect that tranquilizing drugs, ear tags, and other technologies have on the health of polar bears is of great concern.
Mr. Speaker, although there is a role where western science could play in the management of our wildlife, it is important to recognize that the so-called experts are not always correct.
Just recently, for example, it was revealed that the federal government’s estimates for the bowhead whale population in the eastern arctic were completely wrong.
The observations of long-lived hunters were much more accurate.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit recognize the world is changing. We know that there is a need to manage our wildlife in a responsible and a respectful way.
We have agreed there is a need to understand the impacts of climate change on the behaviors and populations of listed species.
However, Mr. Speaker, I and many others do not agree that...
Speaker (interpretation): I’m sorry, Mr. Mapsalak. Your time has run out.
If you would like to conclude your statement, you may ask your colleagues for consent. Mr. Mapsalak.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask my colleagues for unanimous consent to conclude my statement. It’s not going to be very long, Mr. Speaker.
However, Mr. Speaker, I and many others do not agree that the use of unnatural and intrusive methods is the right approach.
I will continue to raise this concern until it is resolved.
Member’s Statement 453 – 2(4): Fuel Delivery to Homeowners in Sanikiluaq (Kattuk)
I rise today to talk about a concern that has been ongoing for some years, and I spoke about it in this House during the winter session.
After the session, it was brought up as a concern again by my constituents regarding inadequate services provided for petroleum products that are brought into the community.
With the impending creation of Nunavut, people thought they were going to be better served by the government and that they would become self-sufficient.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of services that the government is not providing adequately to people in the communities.
Many have to fill their own fuel tanks.
People who run their own business run out of petroleum products, so they have to try and get it themselves.
I raised this issue last winter with the government - if an individual were to get hurt, the government would be at fault.
I’ll use an example. In the winter, when I got back home after the session, there were two elders who were unable to work because they didn’t have any heating fuel and the fuel truck was not running during a blizzard.
Fortunately, their daughter-in-law helped them fill their fuel tank with assistance from her children.
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and I thank my colleagues.
Before the end of the winter session, I asked the minister about resolving this matter, but it is still ongoing to this day.
If it’s going to be like that again, it has to be resolved.
Before this session ends, I will be asking questions to the minister responsible.
Member’s Statement 454 – 2(4): Review of Subsidies and Programs by GN to Nunavummiut (Curley)
I rise today to talk about the high cost of living in our communities. We all know about the high cost of living in every community, especially with petroleum products.
Mr, Speaker, what I want to raise specifically here relates to the government assistance programs they provide to the people in subsidizing heating fuel and other petroleum products.
They should be thoroughly reviewed and updated.
Today, these assistance programs fall short of the assistance required by our people. There are other programs such as the down payment assistance program and this is greatly appreciated by Nunavummiut.
However, the home repair and renovation programs are not reaching our constituents and part of the reason is the combined household income limit is $125,000 plus a $6,500 allowance for each additional household member.
For example, when two people apply, they fall short of the actual criteria.
This automatically excludes a large number of people from applying and the people who can apply for that subsidy don’t own their own homes.
For this reason, amongst others, we have to completely overhaul these ancient subsidy programs since our residents are becoming anxious.
In our community, even when people apply, they are not approved and I can provide one example.
An individual applied every year for the past three years, but stated that the funds are depleted by the time the paperwork is completed and this year is just like the past years.
Mr. Speaker, if we are going to be talking about energy efficiency but we do not have the funds to implement it properly, it will be useless to our people.
Just like the minister’s motion in regard to one light bulb type that could lower the energy costs of households.
We have to reassess all programs to better reflect the costs that our constituents are paying and to better assist Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 455 – 2(4): Death of Silas Kalluk and Vera Akumalik in Baker Lake (Simailak)
Good afternoon. Let’s have a great day.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a statement about two elders who recently passed away in Baker Lake this month and whose lives were a source of pride to me.
Silas Kalluk, whom we called Kalluktuaq, was in his 80s or 90s perhaps, recently passed away.
Although he was quite elderly, he still walked around the community and whether it was deep winter or summer, he would still go hunting and fishing at his advanced age.
He was exceptionally skilled, a real inlander and talented hunter.
It was extremely gratifying to see him active at such an old age, and because of his age, his extended family was quite large.
The other person that I would like to mention is Vera Akumalik.
She was quite an elderly lady when she passed away being she was over 100 years old when she died.
The government records stated that she was 96 years old, but according to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, she was over 100 years old when she passed away.
She was one of the original Baker Lake residents, although she was born at Cape Fullerton in the Kivalliq region, she moved to Baker Lake and stayed there until her death.
During the funeral preparations, we looked at the church documentation and I was tremendously impressed because there were some documents that outlined her family tree.
In perusing these documents, it was heart-warming to discover the history of her family. She had two children and they are still alive. She had 13 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 27 great-great-grandchildren in her extended family in Baker Lake.
Vera Akumalik also had relatives in Igloolik and her relatives are also numerous up there.
In reading the documentation, it was heart-warming to say the least.
People had pet names for her and she was called mother, great aunt, granny, Anaanatsiatnaaq, Amautiktuaq, Kukak, Qapapaa, Amautsiaq, Tisiaq, old, old granny.
It was enjoyable to read these details of her family, Mr. Speaker. These names I mentioned are all different names given to her over the course of her full life and she was called all these names until the moment she was called from this life.
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): I thank all of you.
I would like to finish my statement by articulating that both of these individuals lived full lives and both of them lived exemplary lives.
Like everyone else they underwent periods of hardships and pleasure in their lives.
Both continued to live life to the fullest until they passed away.
Neither of them was cut off from their lives.
These are concrete examples for our younger generations and we have to ensure that we assist the younger generations as a government. So if this government needs more assistance, there are many elders who are willing to be interviewed about what constitutes a good life to help guide our young people.
Member’s Statement 456 – 2(4): Domestic Violence in Nunavut (Peterson)
I rise today to ask my colleagues to seriously consider what kinds of mixed messages are being sent to the residents of Nunavut, to our constituents, to our public service, and to the many volunteers and advocates, amongst them who devote their time and energy trying to make our society a better, safer, and more equal place for everyone.
Mr. Speaker, I am confident you will recall that on November 30, 2005, you brought forward a motion in this House on ending domestic violence in Nunavut.
That motion, which was carried unanimously, confirmed the commitment of the Legislative Assembly, which is you and me, and all of us together, to supporting measures to reduce and eliminate domestic violence in Nunavut.
That motion encouraged other elected office-holders in Nunavut to do the same.  The motion also stated that we, the Members of the Legislative Assembly, agreed to demonstrate personal leadership in participating in the public education efforts to promote the unacceptability of domestic violence in any form and to provide positive role models.
However, Mr. Speaker, when an individual, who was appointed by our Cabinet a few months ago to serve in an advocacy position, spoke out about unacceptability of domestic violence, she was advised by her employer that her actions may violate the Government of Nunavut’s Code of Conduct.
She would not, in fact, be able to speak openly, despite being appointed by the same government for just that reason.
Mr. Speaker, on the one hand, we have pledged to follow one code of ethics and demonstrate personal leadership in participating in efforts to promote the unacceptability of domestic violence.
If we follow this code, we should be applauding and supporting the efforts of the former President of the Status of Women Council.
On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, we appointed an individual who happens to be a Government of Nunavut employee to speak up and advocate on an issue that affects all Nunavummiut, and when she does so, we claim that her actions may be in violation of the government’s code of conduct.
Mr. Speaker, I would like my fellow Members of this Assembly to think carefully on what code of ethics we truly commit to following. We apply different standards to different people or at different times. Do we interpret codes of conduct at our convenience?
Mr. Speaker, I request for unanimous consent to continue my statement.
Mr. Speaker, no one likes to be accused of hypocrisy, however, applying a double standard leaves one open to that criticism.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the Minister of Human Resources to reconsider his position and further, to apologize to the former President of the Qulliit Status of Women Council for the situation she has found herself in.
Member’s Statement 457 – 2(4): Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Peter Ma’s Marathon (Picco)
The SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is one of the most tragic and not well understood causes of death of newborns and infants.
Last week, two Nunavummiut, Mr. Peter Ma and Mr. George MacLyntock, participated in Nova Scotia at the Cabot Trail Relay Race.
Mr. Peter Ma is our Deputy Minister of Finance and needs no introduction in this House.
Mr. Ma is a frequent sight here in Iqaluit jogging and running on our streets.
Both Nunavut runners were there in Nova Scotia to raise awareness and money for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.
Mr. Speaker, each runner was asked to raise $1,000. Mr. Ma has raised $2,700 to date and would like to reach $3,000. Thanks to very generous individuals and businesses, Mr. Ma raised $1,000 very quickly, so he raised his goal to $3,000.
Thank you to First Air, who provided a reduced rate for Mr. Ma to fly to Nova Scotia so he was able to compete.
The runner that raises the most money gets a prize from CFID, and Mr. Ma right now, is neck and neck with a runner from British Columbia. So it would be awesome, Mr. Speaker, if Nunavut could raise the most money.
Contributions will be accepted until June 30 and you can go to www.canadahelp.org.
Click on to the giving page, and then type in Peter Ma, and you can contribute.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ma ran in the memory of the late Alainga Bucken, the child of Alex and Michelle Bucken of Cambridge Bay. Alainga passed away on April 21, 2004.
Mr. Speaker, Peter and George are to be congratulated for the efforts on behalf of and for all families affected by SIDS. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 458 – 2(4): Concerns of Constituents and the Shipping Lanes for Mary River Project (Akesuk)
I would like it noted that my constituents in Lake Harbour and Cape Dorset will soon be expressing a matter that is causing consternation with regards to the future impacts of the Mary River Mine.
This is in regard to the shipping route proposed by the Mary River company and passing offshore of those two communities.
We were not included in the consultations of the mining company when they started to consult with affected communities and this is a matter of great concern.
The resident wildlife populations in the area will be significantly affected by those large ships and it will have impacts on my constituents. Perhaps they should have consulted with those two communities. Our Inuit representatives from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association ought to have consulted with the communities as this is a huge concern.