EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Additionally, another matter which we, the elected representatives, must face is that we cannot just agree with the position of this government and to ensure we don’t just rubberstamp their initiatives.
If we travel down this path, I don’t think it is an appropriate one to take.
We have to offer up possible solutions or alternatives by suggesting changes and amendments through (interpretation ends) debate.
Free debate (interpretation) is a very useful tool.
If we aren’t using debates and are just rubberstamping the proposed legislation brought forward by this government, would it be better if there was no Nunavut territory? That’s the next question that I have. Although it’s not coming from our territory, I was quite concerned when I heard about the Charter of Rights in the Quebec government and with banning the religious icons.
Member’s Statement 565 – 3(3): Inuit Societal Values (Tapardjuk)
Good morning to my constituents of Igloolik and Hall Beach. I send my condolences to the people of Clyde River. We have again lost an individual.
I thank Minister Arreak for giving me that information this morning.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to once again bring into the House an issue that I brought up on numerous occasions.
In 1999, when Nunavut was created, the Inuit were informed that they now have self government.
We had high hopes and were very happy about it. Yes, we are happy because there were many Inuit who worked hard to make sure that we got our own agreement and our own government. A lot of these individuals have passed on to date.
We thought that we would have an Inuit-friendly government.
Especially in the communities, the government services are still being run in a European fashion, which has created a lot of problems at the community level. The Inuit have had to take on a different culture.
We had a vision to have a strong future. From 1999 on, I am very proud to say that this government has worked hard to make sure that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is integrated.
Are there any nays? There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Tapardjuk.
We had high hopes that the Nunavut government would have Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as its main foundation. We’ve had to use foreign culture and way of doing things.
Again, it brings back the people who worked hard to create the Nunavut government. We wanted to make sure that the programs are Nunavut-friendly, but then again, with barely any changes, it hasn’t helped us much.
Since Inuit societal values were going to be our basic foundation and with the hopes that we have planned to see, what does this mean about the government and its present system and procedures?
What kind of Inuit societal values are going to be integrated into the government?
The people of Nunavut, as everyone is well aware, look at how they can make improvements in the system of this government to integrate Inuit societal values within its programs and services.
The Qallunaaq system says that this is what you are going to be doing because this is the best for you, so you should use it. That’s where we have problems.
Inuit put together what they know, and then Qallunaat put together what they know into their system. Because of the different cultures, we can’t come to an agreement.
We have to again ask the question of why we created Nunavut in the first place.
Member’s Statement 566 – 3(3): Not running in the Next Election (Shewchuk)
It is with a heavy heart that I rise today to inform my constituents in Arviat that I will not be running as a candidate in the upcoming territorial election.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of my constituents for giving me the honour and privilege of representing them and the community of Arviat in our legislature for the past five years.
Most of my constituents know I have worked very hard to help them and our community.
Mr. Speaker, I leave knowing that we have made progress addressing some of the infrastructure needs with the construction of a new hamlet office, new arena upgrades, and the construction of 50 much needed new housing units of the next two years.
I know there is much more needed and I know that our two new MLAs will work towards these needs.
Mr. Speaker, I wish all the candidates who run in Arviat all the best in their campaigns and to serve their community the best they can.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank all of my colleagues in this House for electing me and supporting me as a member of the Executive Council. It has been an absolute privilege and an honour to serve this wonderful territory.
I really enjoyed and learned from my responsibilities with the departments of Environment, Human Resources, and Justice and Nunavut Arctic College for the past five years.
I believe all Members of this House know the effort and dedication that I have put into my responsibilities as minister and Member of this House.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank all of my fellow ministers for their guidance and support over the past five years. I wish them all well in their future endeavours.
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you all.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge and thank all of my federal, provincial, and territorial counterparts whom I worked with over the years and many of whom I formed friendships with which helped me carry out my duties as a minister in Nunavut.
I encourage future ministers to build upon these relationships to further advance initiatives in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank all the hard-working government employees and officials who help advance this territory, especially all the employees from my departments who kept me up-to-date and informed on so many issues.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to give special thanks to my Constituency Assistant, Mary Pameolik, and to my executive staff, Susie Alainga and Teresa Hughes.
Are there any nays? There being none. Please proceed, Mr. Shewchuk.
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank my executive staff, Susie Alainga and Teresa Hughes, who have provided me with daily support and guidance and information needed to better serve this territory.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all the people of Nunavut for their support and once again let them know that it has truly been an honour to serve this wonderful territory of Nunavut.
Return to Oral Question 696 – 3(3): Implementing IQ in Child and Family Services Act (Ell)
Hon. Monica Ell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good morning. (interpretation ends) This is a return to Oral Question No. 696 – 3(3) asked by Mr. Tapardjuk, MLA for Igloolik and Hall Beach, on Friday, September 6, 2013.
The amendment in question is an important new addition to the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA). The amendment explicitly states that the Act will be administered and interpreted in accordance with specific Inuit societal values. Recognizing the need for an amendment of this nature resulted from input gathered from elders and communities throughout Nunavut during an extensive consultation process, which included the 2009 Knowledge Sharing Forum and the 2011 social services review.
In addition, the amendment was informed by findings from the 2011 report of the Auditor General of Canada on children, youth, and family programs and services in Nunavut.
To ensure Inuit societal values are given full consideration in the administration of the Child and Family Services Act, my department is considering ways in which current social work practice can incorporate kinship service models and collaborative planning in which family, elders, and community play a central role.
My department is considering ways in which Inuit elders can be engaged to provide counsel to the director of child and family services. We are also exploring how communities can play a key role in the development of local family services and supports.
We plan to invest in expanding our staff’s knowledge and understanding of Inuit culture, history, and societal values through training that will take place by the end of this fiscal year.
This training will include a focus on their responsibilities under amendment 2.1 to have Inuit societal values inform their practice.
Moving forward, my department will continuously seek out and explore new ways to administer the Child and Family Services Act in a manner that aligns with the Inuit societal values specified in the Act.
We will remain open to ideas and welcome any constructive input that helps us to do so.
Return to Oral Question 698 – 3(3): HTO Compensation for Taloyoak (Arreak)
This question was asked by Jeannie Ugyuk, MLA for Nattilik, No. 698 – 3(3) on September 6.
It is my understanding that the Government of Nunavut has followed through on commitments related to the moratorium on the harvest of McClintock Channel polar bears, as detailed in my response to Written Question No. 28 – 3(3) that you posted in May.
As you are referring to a situation from more than a decade ago, I would ask you to provide me with any documentation you have available relating to your question.
At that time, I would be pleased to review it with my staff and respond as appropriate.
It gives me great pleasure to recognize in the Gallery today Ainiak Korgak and his family.
As I mentioned earlier in my Minister’s Statement, Ainiak is retiring after 35 years of public service to our territory and to the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize Ainiak Korgak, sitting right behind me, his wife, Martha Korgak, daughter Sarah Korgak, daughter Linda Korgak, granddaughter Aimo Korgak, granddaughter Alookie Korgak, and granddaughter Jenna Korgak.
Mr. Speaker, obviously Ainiak has a lot of ladies supporting him in his retirement.
He has a lot of time to spend with his grandchildren. I wish Ainiak a great retirement.
I think he might be the only individual in Nunavut today who is actually hoping for winter. He told me last night that he really wants to go ice fishing every day.
Yes, I wish to recognize this person in the Gallery, my dear husband, Nauyaq Ugyuk. In my estimation, he is the most handsome man in Nunavut. He is also one of the best persons in the whole of Nunavut.
My dear husband is a tremendous support and I am very grateful for his support. I love him dearly and I am also quite attached to him.
He also gets a lot of assistance from family members in Taloyoak, so I take this opportunity to thank them for their support.
I would like to welcome my husband to the House and I don’t want to just recognize him in this House, which is why I spoke about him at length.
Question 743 – 3(3): Tundra Fire Preparedness in Nunavut (Ningark)
This issue that is presently happening near the proximity of Chesterfield Inlet was the discovery of a fire on the tundra.
I am not representing Chesterfield Inlet as they already have a representative, so I am stating this fact.
Earlier in my statement, I spoke about the fire on the tundra near Chesterfield Inlet. I had originally thought to direct this question to the Minister of CG&S, but I believe it is more appropriate to direct it to the Minister of Environment.
Can the minister describe how his department is working with the Department of Community and Government Services and municipalities to be prepared for such incidents as tundra fires or brushfires?
How are you collaborating with the Department of CG&S and the hamlets to prepare for and develop emergency plans for this type of event?
I also thank Mr. Ningark for the question.
When the tundra fire was first discovered, we were kept apprised of the situation with regular updates, and communications went back and forth between our department responsible for environment and CG&S.
We also had lines of communications with the Hamlet of Chesterfield Inlet that provided regular updates, especially to know if the fire was approaching the community. It was quite a ways from the community, however, and the report was that it was adjacent to a lake which couldn’t be reached by ground transportation. They just kept an eye on the tundra fire, without any attempts to fight the fire.
We are working closely with the Department of CG&S in case an emergency erupted in the community, including the immediate environment near the tundra fire. We have initiated a plan to deal with these types of events from the Department of Environment.
Now we are informed as Nunavummiut.
Again, to the Minister of Environment, do you know how many tundra fires have occurred and how many brushfires have occurred in a 12-month period in any season?
I can’t foresee what will happen in the future, but I can only make reference to what has happened. We have heard that there have been two tundra fires.
We are kept informed about that, not only tundra fires, but also other incidents happening within our environment. During those times, we work closely together with the community and with the departments.
I would like to thank the minister. I just wanted him to be prepared for such incidents.
Can the minister make an annual report that will be tabled in the House with regard to such incidents?
Question 744 – 3(3): Funding Agreements with the Government of Canada (Enook)
Good morning, Nunavummiut. Yesterday, I asked questions to the Minister of Transportation and he thought that it would be better if I directed my questions to the Minister of Finance.
I am ready for it today.
As I noted yesterday, the Government of Canada has announced that “As part of the Building Canada Plan, Nunavut will receive at least $400 million for roads, bridges and other public infrastructure over the next ten years.”
Can the minister confirm if this funding is eligible to be used for new marine infrastructure in our communities in Nunavut, including Pond Inlet?
Mr. Speaker, I can’t confirm that. I believe the government officials are in dialogue with each other, hammering out the details.
Nunavut is not necessarily building a lot of new roads and bridges, but we have desperate needs for other types of infrastructure in our communities.
Can the minister clarify what kinds of public infrastructure qualify for federal funding and what kinds do not?
I thank Mr. Enook for the question. Mr. Enook raises a very real issue.
Last year, in Cambridge Bay, the Premier and I met with the Prime Minister and MP when they came to visit our community.
I put out a figure for the Government of Nunavut. Nunavut needs $6 billion over 20 years for all sorts of infrastructure.
I then met with Minister Flaherty in December in Meech Lake and I presented him with a proposal for $500 million, which $300 million was for housing and $200 million was for power needs in Nunavut.
It is no secret in Ottawa that we need a lot of investment from Ottawa for all of our communities, but as I indicated in my previous answer, our officials are in dialogue with federal officials.
We don’t have any details yet that we can share with Mr. Enook.
Will the minister commit to working with his colleague, the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, to access part of this $400 million federal funding for the purpose of constructing essential new marine infrastructure in Nunavut communities, particularly in Pond Inlet?
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut has a capital planning process that we work through. I assure Mr. Enook that through that process, the government and all MLAs in this House will have an opportunity to review and approve capital estimates in future years.
I’m sure that third party funding through federal government programs will be an important component of all that infrastructure planning and the approvals.
Question 745 – 3(3): Toolkit to Address Homelessness Funding (Ugyuk)
Firstly, I wish to mention Annie and Don Magaknak, who are my main points of contact whenever I travel to Gjoa Haven. They are always hospitable and I thank them immensely for that. As there is no housing there, I usually billet at their home.
They let me have the run of the house and they even cook my meals while I am billeting there. Due to their hospitality, I feel very welcome. I am extremely thankful for their support.
I would like to direct my question to the minister who is responsible for homelessness.
Homeless people have a tough road to take. (interpretation ends) Does the GN have a toolkit for communities on how to apply for funds on homeless shelters?
Minister with responsibility of Homelessness, Minister Ell.
Good morning and thank you for the question, my colleague.
The policy called the (interpretation ends) Tunngasugvik Homeless Shelter Policy (interpretation) is publicly available as a written document via the Internet and through other means. We have debated this issue in this House. However, as I stated earlier in one of my Ministers’ Statements, they have to work together.
As I stated, it has to be a community-based initiative, with negotiations on the contents, including a plan of action to access the funds. All the documentation is publicly available.
You stated that it’s an initiative from the communities because the individuals in the communities know that they have no houses, with no units available to date. What would the community do when they find out that there are people who are homeless in each community?
I also thank the member for asking her questions.
Perhaps I will cite the example of how it is structured here in Iqaluit, as there is currently an existing homeless shelter being operated here, although they are continually low on funds. However, it has continued to operate and it has been in existence for over 20 years.
The Oqota Men’s Shelter is for homeless men and it can be visited with appointments. The funding they raise isn’t just from government funding, but it includes funds from the city, with a committee set up. This is a voluntary committee.
The title of this committee is Niksik. The Niksik Committee is operating as a non-profit society, as per the regulations, and they are responsible for running that program.
Therefore, if this type of organizational structure is followed, then the community would have to form a non-profit society and start negotiating with government, be that the local government, territorial, or otherwise, to get the initiative going.
It has to be community-based, and they would then be able to requisition a building from the government or the local housing association. That is how we would work together to create this type of initiative.
I have a little clearer understanding.
Has the government given funding to other communities besides Iqaluit?
We know what Iqaluit is doing, but for the smaller communities, what funding can be obtained for those purposes?
I am only familiar with these two homeless shelters that exist currently in Iqaluit.
There may be one other community working towards completion of the process, but I don’t want to make a mistaken assumption by saying that it is happening in such-and-such community, so I can’t state which one currently.
The funds made available for this initiative include plans for community shelters, similar to the women’s shelter for mothers and children. They also fundraise large amounts of money and they qualify via that for other funds. There isn’t one dedicated fund specific to this initiative, as their funds are received from various funding agencies.
Question 746 – 3(3): Foxe Basin Polar Bear Subpopulation (Tapardjuk)
I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Environment, my Annuraaqatik.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this week, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board held public hearings to consider proposed modifications to the total allowable harvest for the Foxe Basin polar bear subpopulation. Various organizations made submissions during these hearings, including the Department of Environment. Can the minister provide details on what recommendations his officials made on this issue?
The Foxe Basin polar bear population underwent a population study recently in 2012 and the population estimates for that area is approximately 2,500 bears.
The affected HTOs in that management zone have made a request for more tags and to see how they can harvest more bears from the Foxe Basin population.
Currently, the population estimate report outlines the approximate numbers and the fact that a few additional tags shouldn’t impact the population.
The population has increased since the results of an earlier population study. Based on this most current estimate, the population has increased or remained static with the current number of polar bear tags.
However, what I can state is that their request for more tags is currently under review.
I can’t make a statement that the tags will be increased since we haven’t received any correspondence recommending approval.
I can’t tell my Annuraaqatik any more than that.
I thank the Minister of Environment for that response.
A recent news story reported that a three-year ban has been imposed on the communities of Hall Beach and Igloolik from harvesting any polar bears in the Foxe Basin subpopulation.
Is the minister aware of this situation and, if so, can the minister provide information on how his department is dealing with this issue, Mr. Speaker?
The Foxe Basin management zone has quite a few communities within it that harvest polar bears from this zone. It actually includes part of the Northern Quebec harvesting quotas. The Foxe Basin communities that harvest from this zone don’t always fill their tags.
When this occurs, other communities can request those tags. This is where negotiations commence between the communities in one polar bear management zone. They can share some tags.
Currently, two of the communities that the member quoted are the subject of review to see how we can work with them to accommodate their requests.
The people of Igloolik and Hall Beach seem to be banned from harvesting polar bears because they have harvested too many.
They said that the polar bear population was higher.
This cannot be understood by those communities.
The Department of Environment also submitted the results of 2009-2010 aerial surveys of the Foxe Basin polar bear population to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board. His department recommended additional research to examine the movement patterns, range, size, and habitat use of the Foxe Basin polar bear is underway.
Can the minister indicate when this research will be completed and how they will use the results?
Yes, it can be disconcerting to hear that the tags for the communities are unavailable due to consequences such as harvesting too many females with the ratio affecting future allocations for the next season.
At this current time, the MOU is still in force, which was an agreement between the communities, the department, and NWMB. That MOU will be reviewed this fall, but prior to the new MOU, the communities have to abide by the current rules.
The communities will have the ability to negotiate into the MOU their priorities when managers arrive to work on them.
Currently, as it stands, the ratio is one female for every two male bears harvested in each zone.
Based on the most recent population study, the population hasn’t changed much, although it has increased slightly, and this hasn’t changed at this time.
I will be able to provide an update after the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board renders their decision and submits it to our offices. That is the only time we will be able to provide a full report.
I can’t specify the date at this time and I apologize for that.
Question 747 – 3(3): Elders’ Difficulties Visiting Health Centres (Curley)
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Uqaqtii. (interpretation) My question is directed to the Minister of Health.
This week, I mentioned that Nunavut elders sometimes are not comfortable and apprehensive to go to the health centres because they’re saying that they’re not comfortable going to the nursing stations.
Can the minister tell the elders in the communities exactly what he is doing with respect to the elders not wanting to go to the health centres? They’re not comfortable when they have an illness.
I thank Mr. Curley for raising that concern on behalf of the elders.
Mr. Speaker, I have not heard of that issue from my officials. I know that in Cambridge Bay, the elders have home care visits.
They go to the health centre. I believe there are translator/interpreter services available.
If Mr. Curley is aware of any specific instances where elders are having difficulties with health centres, I would like to know about them.