EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I can advise that working with our co-management partners, we have also completed a muskox management plan for the High Arctic.
By working together, we can ensure that we make decisions that are best suited to maintaining healthy, sustainable wildlife populations for generations to come.
Minister’s Statement 015 – 4(2): Meeting of the Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction (Ugyuk)
I say “good day” to the people of Netsilik. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as Members of this House are aware, the Nunavut Roundtable for Poverty Reduction met earlier this month, May 12 to 14, in Rankin Inlet.
I was pleased to serve as the co-chair for this meeting with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated Vice-president James Eetoolook.
More than 65 participants attended the round table representing 21 communities as well as governments, Inuit organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
The theme discussed at this gathering was early childhood development and support for parents. This issue will be included in the Five-year Poverty Reduction Action Plan.
Round-table participants concluded that Nunavut should be a national leader in early childhood development and in programs that support families.
As we learned in Rankin Inlet, we have some excellent programs and many new ideas about how to support parenting and early childhood development.
These include the views we heard from the elders council, as well as innovative new programs like the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre’s Inunnguiniq program.
Participants in the round table agreed that a small implementation team will be formed this spring to prepare a position paper on child development and parenting in Nunavut.
Work in this area will be included in the broader Poverty Reduction Action Plan.
I want to thank the Deputy Premier, Monica Ell, for helping to convene the round table in Rankin Inlet, and Minister Quassa, Minster Sammurtok, and [MLA] Alex Sammurtok, who also participated. (interpretation) I am grateful to you.
(interpretation ends) I want to thank all round-table participants. We are inspired by their dedication and their faith in Nunavut. Together, we are building the kind of future we want, one in which all Nunavummiut can participate and grow.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister Tom Sammurtok.
Minister’s Statement 016 – 4(2): North American Indigenous Games (Sammurtok)
Goof afternoon to my fellow members from Rankin Inlet and Chesterfield Inlet and to all of the people of Nunavut. Lucky that you guys are enjoying your spring.
Athletes from across Nunavut are training for another chance to complete at the international level this summer at the 2014 North American Indigenous Games to be held in Regina, Saskatchewan from July 20 to 27.
The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) were established in 1990 to provide indigenous youth from across Canada and the United States an opportunity to showcase their heritage, history, and culture through a variety of sport and cultural events.
More than 6,000 athletes, coaches, managers, and cultural performers from indigenous communities in 26 regions across North America will be taking part in the Games in Regina, Saskatchewan this July.
We will be proudly represented once again by Team Nunavut, a contingent of more than 50 of Nunavut’s best and brightest young athletes, mission staff, and cultural performers.
Team Nunavut will compete in badminton, volleyball, and basketball events at the 2014 North American Indigenous Games.
Territorial trials and competitions are taking place now to select teams and athletes for the Games.
This is Team Nunavut’s fourth time participating in the North American Indigenous Games, having competed at the Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2003, Denver, Colorado in 2006, and Cowichan, British Colombia in 2008.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all Nunavummiut, I would like to wish our Team Nunavut athletes the best of luck as they head to the 2014 North American Indigenous Games this summer.
I would like to thank the coaches and volunteers in our territorial sport organizations who devote countless hours to provide youth with the opportunity to participate in sports. Without them, none of this would be possible. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 045 – 4(2): Jump-rope for Ellen Rumbolt (Mikkungwak)
I rise today to state that (interpretation ends) this past spring in April of 2014, the Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School grades kindergarten to grade 5 had done the Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser for approximately the last 15 years.
This past year, we lost a dear friend who was also a teacher, Ms. Ellen Rumbolt, due to heart failure at the young age of 44.
Ellen was a grade 1 teacher.
This year staff agreed to run their own fundraiser in memory of Ellen, “Jump-rope for Ellen” they called it.
Proceeds earned would go towards the school’s purchase of an artificial external defibrillator. They are simple to use and have been proven to be great aids in prolonging a victim’s chances for survival.
The AEDs range in price from $1,500 to $10,000.
These devices are becoming regulated in public buildings, government offices, and sport facilities.
Prior to the event, Mr. Rod Rumbolt, Ellen’s husband, was contacted for his permission and approval.
He was very honoured and grateful for the gesture of the staff and students.
The students had three days to collect money.
The response from the community was outstanding.
Our students in grades 1 to 5 raised a total of $3,223.
Ellen’s 1B class had the greatest donations collected of $688.
Are there any nays? There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Mikkungwak.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to all of my colleagues.
After informing Rod Rumbolt of the school and community’s fantastic donations, Rod offered a donation to the school of $3,500 to match the efforts of the Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School.
Our overall total now jumped to $6,723.
The school has since purchased an artificial external defibrillator for the Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School.
The Baker Lake Youth Athletic Association purchased one for the Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School.
In addition, backboards were also purchased for both schools in the event of an emergency. The person could be properly transported to the health centre immediately and safely.
The Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School plans to use the remaining money to go towards health-related resources for education and other equipment that will help promote heart awareness and health.
In reflection, I am amazed what a small community can do when everyone comes together for a common and respected cause.
The students showed amazing effort when going door to door collecting.
The community showed great support of this cause and opened up their pockets.
The staff did a great job working with the students in the collection process.
Once again, I am proud to call myself a “Baker Laker.”
As our students look forward to next year’s fundraising, in the last 12 years, the Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School students in kindergarten to grade 5 have raised $34,560.
Never doubt the energy of a child and the generosity of a small community in times of need.
In loving memory of our grade 1 teacher, Ms. Ellen Rumbolt.
Members’ Statements. Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Shooyook.
Member’s Statement 046 – 4(2): Summer Literacy Camp (Shooyook)
I rise today to talk of how proud I am of the Minister of Education because yesterday, I heard about something that I really felt deeply about with respect to the language camps in some communities, and the camp that will be starting in Cape Dorset.
I am happy to say that I am glad with respect to that. I am also proud of the Minister of Education for getting this program started.
Member for Niaqunnguu-Iqaluit, Ms. Angnakak.
Member’s Statement 047 – 4(2): Arviat Water Reservoir (Savikataaq)
I rise today to address a longstanding issue in the community of Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, the provision of safe and clean drinking water is one of the most important responsibilities of government.
For a number of years, the Municipality of Arviat has raised concerns regarding the need for a second pump outlet at the community’s drinking water reservoir.
At present, there is only one outlet, which results in problems with the daily delivery of water to the community.
Mr. Speaker, Arviat’s integrated community infrastructure sustainability plan, which was completed in 2011, outlines a number of concerns regarding water supply infrastructure.
For example, the plan indicates a need for a three-stage sediment system and a larger reservoir.
The plan also points out that the projected useful life of water reservoir cell No. 1 ends in 2016, which is just two years from now.
Mr. Speaker, I will have detailed questions for the Minister of Community and Government Services at tomorrow’s sitting of the House concerning his department’s actions to address the priorities that have been identified in Arviat’s integrated community infrastructure sustainability plan.
Member’s Statement 048 – 4(2): Successful Search and Rescue in Gjoa Haven (Akoak)
I didn’t have my hand up, but thank you.
I rise today to recognize the people of Gjoa Haven.
We just had one search not too long ago and it was successful.
The whole community got together.
It was a search for four days, 24 hours a day.
We had some groups going out in whiteout conditions.
I am very proud to say that they found the young person.
They also had radio operators that were on 24 hours a day, keeping people informed of the search.
I would like to say “thank you” to the community of Gjoa Haven.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I apologize for the mistakes I have been making.
(interpretation) Members’ Statements. Member for Tununiq, Mr. Enook.
Member’s Statement 049 – 4(2): Proposed Merger between Canadian North and First Air (Enook)
Good afternoon to the people of Pond Inlet. In particular, Elijah, I say “good afternoon” to you.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to again address the issue of the proposed merger between Canadian North and First Air.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to emphasize a number of important points.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut understand and recognize that there are many issues that fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government and cannot be touched by the Nunavut government.
In my Member’s Statement of yesterday, I pointed out that the federal Competition Bureau, which has the mandate to review proposed mergers to “determine whether they will likely result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition,” has confirmed that it will review the proposed Canadian North-First Air merger.
Mr. Speaker, although the Government of Nunavut may not control this regulatory process, it does have the ability and the responsibility to make its position clear on such an important issue.
Mr. Speaker, there are many examples of the Government of Nunavut making submissions to federal regulatory bodies.
For example, the Department of Community and Government Services has made a number of submissions on behalf of the Government of Nunavut to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission concerning its review of NorthwesTel’s modernization plans, as well as the broader issue of telecommunications in the north.
Mr. Speaker, I again call on the Government of Nunavut to make its position clear on the proposed merger of our two largest airlines.
Are there any nays? (interpretation) There are none.
Mr. Speaker, I am perfectly aware that the territorial government does not control the regulatory process for approving or denying the merger, but I strongly believe that the territorial government should make its position on this issue perfectly clear for the benefit of all Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 050 – 4(2): 2014 Graduates of Whale Cove (Kuksuk)
I say “good afternoon” to the people of Nunavut, particularly the people of Arviat and Whale Cove.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that I am very pleased that there was a graduation ceremony held in Whale Cove at Inuuglak School.
There were seven grade 12 graduates last night.
(interpretation ends) There was a graduation ceremony held last night in Whale Cove. I am very proud of these graduates for their hard work in finishing high school.
I wish them all the best in their future career paths and good luck to those who are moving on future academic programs.
Uqaqtittijii, the names of the graduates are:
Jeannie Kayuk,
Michaela Angutialuk,
Daniel Panika Jr.,
Charlene Okalik,
Jeannette Angoo,
Keisha Jones, and
I stand today with the people of Whale Cove in recognizing these hard-working youth and I ask my colleagues to join me as well. We are proud of you all.
Member’s Statement 051 – 4(2): Appreciation to Inuit Hunters (Quassa)
I awake today, Mr. Speaker, and I also rise...
I think we’re different here in Nunavut, and I’m proud to say that even though we’re different, we have to try and remember the hunters and to be proud of our hunters.
The hunters in Nunavut provide country food that they catch to other people, including their neighbours and community members. When we’re in our communities, we hear people on the radio saying, “Whoever is hungry, please come over and I will provide you with some food that I just harvested.” We have to be proud of that process.
Inuit people provide food for other people. Even though it’s very expensive to provide gasoline and rations when we go out hunting, they think about their fellow Inuit and invite them to come over and get some food.
I would like all the young people to be able to continue this and for the hunters to provide food for those people who do not have anything.
I would like to say I am proud of those hunters for providing for people who are hungry and who do not have hunters in their homes and give out food for those people who are in need.
Member’s Statement 052 – 4(2): Repulse Bay Search and Rescue Group (Mapsalak)
First of all, I would like to say “good afternoon” to the people of Repulse Bay, Coral Harbour, and Nunavut, as well as my fellow members.
I rise today because I am very proud of the Parnaijiit Society, who are a search and rescue organization.
The reason I am proud of the society is that search and rescue does not get any funding government and they stand on their own and provide search and rescue services for the people of Repulse Bay.
They keep on searching for the individuals until they find them, working many hours non-stop to provide search and rescue. As soon as they hear there’s someone who went out hunting and failed to return, they use their own equipment to search for the people who are lost by providing themselves with their own money some gasoline and other equipment. I am very proud of them.
In Nunavut or anywhere, when there is search going on, they usually stop at a certain time after so many days have gone past because they don’t have enough money to continue the search and rescue.
There’s usually $1,000 or whatever that is provided to the search and rescue to do the searching in the community.
For that reason, even though the search and rescue in Repulse Bay don’t get any funding from the government, they do a lot of searching.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking the government questions with respect to search and rescue.
I would like to encourage my colleagues to provide some support for search and rescue.
Member’s Statement 053 – 4(2): Appreciation to Pangnirtung Volunteers (Mike)
I say “good afternoon” to the people of Pangnirtung. I rise today to talk about a tradition that is held in Pangnirtung so that you all can appreciate it.
In Pangnirtung, there is a fundraising committee that raises money for bereaved relatives. The fundraising committee mainly help with airline tickets.
Even if a person is not from Pangnirtung, the Pangnirtung fundraising committee raises money for them whenever one of their relatives passes away.
The fundraising committee is committed. I would like them to be recognized by everyone. The committee serves a useful purpose and has the continued support of the hamlet council, especially the people of Pangnirtung.
Things that could be very difficult are made easier by the fundraising. They raise the money on their own and use the money to help the relatives that need help at that time.
I would like the committee to have proper recognition.
I am not naming any of them, but it’s the people of Pangnirtung that I thank. I would like my colleagues to thank them as well.
Member’s Statement 054 – 4(2): Cape Dorset Talent Show (Joanasie)
I rise today to give some good news about the talent show in Cape Dorset.
The people could show any talent that they have through dancing, singing, and the elders did some accordion music playing as well that people enjoyed.
A well-known young person from Baker Lake was in Cape Dorset. Nelson Tagoona held a concert and spoke to the residents of Cape Dorset, and he received a warm welcome.
The National Arts Centre in Canada supported them and I would like to thank them.
The two dancers that were very young children won the dancing competition there.
I just want to thank the people who provided the facility for this enjoyable event.
I would like to see more events like this happening in the future where people and kids show off their talents. It’s great for community well-being.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation) Member for (interpretation ends) South Baffin, Mr. Joanasie.
Today, I would like to recognize visitors in the Gallery, my family.
The first one is my wife, Emily Joanasie, our child Pittaaluk Joanasie, and my young son, Qulittalik.
My older brother Joe Joanasie is also here and I would like to recognize him as well. His wife, Uiviru, and his son and my little father, Matthewsie Joanasie, and one of my constituents, Haali Tapaungai, who is my brother.
Question 056 – 4(2): Funding for Repulse Bay Search and Rescue Group (Mapsalak)
While we were on Members’ Statements, I said I was going to ask a question directed to the Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Sammurtok.
As I stated earlier, the Parnaijiit Society, which is the search and rescue group in Repulse Bay, handles search and rescue on their own quite independently, they are also financially independent.
They raise funds for it.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister when a society like that is active are they eligible for government grants for contributions for search and rescue purposes, such fuel or equipment, even if they are an independent group, are they eligible for funding?
Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
All of the communities have a search and rescue committee, and they usually have a society that is recognized; that is how they are able to access funding.
Thank you for that clear answer.
Even though my group is independent, and not recognized, are they eligible for funding from the Government of Nunavut?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Sammurtok.
There are different funding programs available for search and rescue.
We have donated SPOT devices to the communities to help in this matter.
Right now, as I am the Minister of Community and Government Services and this issue falls under my department, we are trying to see how we can improve the services that we provide, but right now I cannot say how it will change or what will happen.
Can the minister agree with me so the search and rescue committee knows if they are eligible for funding from the government or not for upcoming searches or for general operations?
Can your department staff explain to the search and rescue committee in my community where they can apply to?
As I said earlier, there is a secretariat that looks after the search and rescue committees in the communities.
The communities can look into that office and ask how they can be helped. I’ll direct my staff to talk with the people in that group.
Oral Questions. Member for Rankin South, Mr. Sammurtok.
Question 057 – 4(2): Casual Employment in the Government of Nunavut (Sammurtok)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I want to follow up on the issue of casual employment in the government that was raised yesterday by my colleague from Arviat South.
According to the government’s most recently tabled quarterly report on employment, there were 675 casual employees and 1,697 relief workers employed by the government as of December 31, 2013.
Can the Minister clarify the difference between casual employees and relief workers?
Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson.
A relief worker is a very short-term employee, as-and-when. For example, if you need a substitute teacher for a day or a week.
A casual employee would be an employee that is hired for up to four months and with approval, up to an additional four months.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In the minister’s response to the question that was asked yesterday on this issue, he indicated that he wants departments to reduce their over-reliance on casual employees.
According to the government’s most recently tabled quarterly report on the employment, there were 35 casuals and 1,285 relief workers employed the Department of Education as of December 31, 2013.
Can the minister indicate if he will be reviewing the Department of Education’s hiring practices?
I thank Mr. Sammurtok for his concern regarding casual and relief workers.
In particular, we know that the Department of Education is a special department and requires a lot of substitute teachers and other support staff.
We are working with all departments to review their casual and relief employee needs and I assure my colleague that while it’s still early on in the mandate of the government, I think I indicated yesterday we do have some challenges in our own department in terms of having sufficient number of people to look into all of these things on the HR side. We are working very diligently.
I assure my colleagues that it’s a high priority for our government to get a handle on casuals and the relief worker situation.
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) It is my understanding that a number of positions that were previously considered to be employees of district education authorities have been transferred back to the Department of Education in recent years.
It is also my understanding that the Nunavut Employees Union has filed a grievance concerning such matters as calculating years of pensionable service for these employees.
Can the minister indicate how close this matter is to being resolved?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for that detailed information.
I’m not in charge of the day-to-day operations of hiring and calculating leave and attendance and things like that.
I will assure my colleague that I will look into it.
I’m sure my staff plus other deputy ministers out there are listening in this afternoon to hear the questions and concerns from MLAs about employment; casual employment, relief workers, and indeterminate employment.
I will check on that and see how close we are to resolving the issue.
Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak.
Question 058 – 4(2): Review of Grants and Contributions (Angnakak)
My questions are for the Minister of Finance, so he’s going to have to take out his crystal ball again.
Mr. Speaker, the government’s most recent annual report on grants and contributions indicates that the GN spent a total of $383,212,000 during the 2012-13 fiscal year on grants and contributions.
The minister’s budget address indicated that the government will “review processes this year for monitoring grants and contributions, to ensure that we receive good value from these agreements.”
Can the minister clearly define what he means by “receiving good value” from the government’s grants and contributions spending?
I did table the report in the Winter Session and there was $383,213,000. That was quite a significant increase over previous years.