EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, this pilot project could not have gathered momentum without the partnership building and determination of all the stakeholders involved.
Please join me in thanking our partners, the Government of Canada and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Minister’s Statement 266 – 3(3): NHC Projected Construction Activity Report 2013/2014 (Taptuna)
Mr. Speaker, at the request of the Committee of the Whole, the Nunavut Housing Corporation has tabled a complete listing of the 2013-14 community allocations of new public housing and staff housing units throughout the territory.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s 2013-14 capital budget is $28,800,000, of which $8 million has been allocated towards the Public Housing program and $5 million to staff housing.
Based on community need and lot availability, new construction in 2013 will be undertaken in Arviat, Clyde River, and Cambridge Bay.
Arviat will receive 20 public housing units, another 5 public housing units will go to Clyde River, and 10 staff housing units will be built in Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation has planned to build in 2013 ten units in Arviat and another ten units in Iqaluit.
However, due to infrastructure issues, the City of Iqaluit has advised that they cannot service the building lots they provided to the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, the city expects to rectify this situation in time for the 2014 construction season.
To accommodate these circumstances, the Nunavut Housing Corporation deferred the 2013 projected construction for Iqaluit to 2014 and advanced the planned 2014 construction in Arviat to 2013. Current projected construction for Iqaluit is for 20 units in 2014.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is aware of the shortage of public and staff housing across the territory and is making every effort to respond to the acute need with very limited resources.
Minister’s Statement 267 – 3(3): National Social Work Week (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, this week is National Social Week, and I want to thank all of our social workers for the work and dedication they provide every day on behalf of the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, our social workers are the men and women on the front line of social work in our communities, giving assistance and guidance to families in times of need.
They are a valuable resource in our communities.
It is important for us to celebrate the commitment of our social workers, who work for safety, well-being, and family harmony.
I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking our social workers for their contribution towards a safer and better quality of life for Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 268 – 3(3): QEC Inuit Employment Plan (Ell)
At this time, I would like to inform you of a plan being implemented to enhance Inuit employment with the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
In November 2012, QEC hired an Inuit employment administrator. This new employee will work out of the Baker Lake office and will spearhead a new direction for the Inuit Employment Plan program.
Mr. Speaker, the Inuit Leadership Development Program will focus on the identification of top Inuit students in secondary education programs within Nunavut and the hiring and development of these individuals over the long term.
The individuals chosen will be supported by the corporation in their pursuit of post-secondary education in one of the fields of engineering, finance, accounting, information technology, and human resources management.
Mr. Speaker, over a period of four to five years, students will participate in both a peer mentorship and professional mentorship program.
Peer mentorship will create a network of Inuit participants which students can turn to for support, and the professional mentorship will help ensure job readiness at the time of their graduation.
Mr. Speaker, the first 12 months will involve significant planning and the building of a sound program infrastructure.
This September, the program will admit a limited number of participants constituting the first phase of implementation.
Mr. Speaker, these graduates will represent a significant step forward towards QEC’s future leadership.
The Inuit Leadership Development Program complements the existing four components of QEC’s Inuit Employment Plan program, which are:
The Inuit Employment Plan Committee;
The Apprenticeship Program;
The Inuit Summer Student Employment Program;
The Inuit Employee Individual Development Plans.
Mr. Speaker, QEC’s human resources and organizational development department is presently working towards releasing a public awareness campaign dealing with its Inuit Employment Plan to the general public.
I would like to congratulate Qulliq Energy on this important initiative.
Minister’s Statement 269 – 3(3): GN Supports Pro-Sealing Demonstration (Arreak)
Good morning, Nunavummiut. Mr. Speaker, as many members may know, March 15 is known among so-called animal rights groups as International Anti-Sealing Day and was marked this year on Saturday, March 16, by anti-sealing demonstrations in many major cities worldwide.
I am pleased to announce that my department has partnered with NTI and the students of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Program to counter this propaganda by holding a pro-sealing rally in downtown Toronto on March 16 to publicly demonstrate support for sealing and to distribute factual information on the seal hunt.
The Government of Nunavut continues to be a strong supporter of Nunavut seal hunters at the local, national, and international level both through the purchase and marketing of sealskins and through educating the public on the importance of the seal to Inuit and Nunavut.
Past international anti-sealing days have seen anti-sealing demonstrations on Parliament Hill; however, no such event is planned this year.
We are hopeful that this is an indication that the Canadian public is tiring of the lies and misinformation spread by anti-sealing lobby groups at the expense of sealers and their families.
Today, I would like to offer all members a made-in-Nunavut sealskin ribbon, and I hope that you will all wear them proudly to demonstrate our unanimous support for Nunavut’s seal hunters and celebrate the importance of the seal hunt to our culture and well-being.
Member’s Statement 441 – 3(3): Nunavut MP Visits Repulse Bay (Ningark)
I want to express my gratitude to Leona Aglukkaq, the federal Minister of Health and our elected MP.
She was able to travel to Repulse Bay during our session.
I regret that I wasn’t able to attend to this event, so I apologize to our MP, the Hamlet of Repulse Bay, and the residents of the community.
However, I extend a big “thank you” to them since they understand that other commitments sometimes bar their representatives from attending the events, especially during our sessions at the Legislative Assembly.
Last week during our sitting, our MP went to the community, and I am always grateful to Ms. Leona Aglukkaq. So through your position as the Speaker, on behalf of all our colleagues, I want to extend our gratitude to Ms. Leona Aglukkaq.
Member’s Statement 442 – 3(3): Kivalliq Mine Training (Aupaluktuq)
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good Morning, Baker Lake. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, before I begin my statement, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my congratulations on two happy events.
Firstly, congratulations to Rebecca Kudloo from Baker Lake on her acclamation to the Presidency of Pauktuutit.
Secondly, congratulations to our neighbours in Greenland for having established a new Council on Human Rights. Well done.
Mr. Speaker, the challenge of preparing our regions, communities, and residents for the opportunities that exist in the mining sector of the economy is a significant one.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to attend this year’s international convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, one of the clear messages that I heard was the critical need to ensure that our communities and residents are ready for mining.
As many of my colleagues have noted with respect to developments in their regions, the Kivalliq is embracing opportunities to provide training to our people.
Mr. Speaker, we often speak of partnerships in this House.
Mr. Speaker, there are a number of partners who have been working hard to provide training to Kivalliq residents, including my constituents in Baker Lake.
The Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Arctic College, and the Kivalliq Inuit Association are at the forefront of this effort.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, the benefits of economic development come with responsibilities: the responsibility to ensure that mining activity is conducted in an environmentally responsible way; the responsibility to ensure that our constituents have the opportunity to develop the skills and training that will allow them to obtain meaningful and rewarding employment in this critical sector of the economy; the responsibility to ensure that a portion of the wealth that is extracted from our land is given back to the communities.
Mr. Speaker, these are exciting and challenging times.
I ask all members to join me in supporting those partners who are working to make these times as bright as they can be for all of our people in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 443 – 3(3): Tribute to Volunteer Interpreters (Ningeongan)
I say “good morning” to the people of Coral Harbour, Chesterfield Inlet, and Nunavut. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to those Nunavummiut who go the extra mile to make the lives of our elders a little bit easier.
Mr. Speaker, as Members of the Legislative Assembly, we have the right to speak in the language of our choice in this House.
As Members of the Legislative Assembly, we also have the privilege of being served by some of the finest professional interpreter/translators in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I can rise in my place with the confidence that what I say will be understood by all of my colleagues and the listening public, regardless of which language I choose to use.
Mr. Speaker, life is not always as easy for our elders, many of whom are unilingual.
On a day-to-day basis, many elders encounter hurdles and frustrations when it comes to communicating with business and government.
I am hopeful that this situation will improve over time as our new official languages legislation is fully implemented.
In the meantime, I would like to acknowledge the many bilingual residents of our territory who go out of their way to help elders.
Mr. Speaker, hardly a day goes by without my seeing at least one example of someone taking the time to help an elder. Whether it’s helping an elder at the bank, the post office, or even at a restaurant in an unfamiliar town, the efforts of people to act as volunteer interpreters deserve our recognition, acknowledgement, and appreciation.
Member’s Statement 444 – 3(3): Nutrition North Does Not Work for Nunavut (Schell)
I rise today to speak about a terrible injustice, one of the biggest smokescreens and rip-offs ever perpetuated on Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, what would you say if you knew that perishable food, such as apples, oranges, milk, and bread, could be shipped from Ottawa to Nunavut free of charge or better yet, you could even make money to ship these items?
Yes, Mr. Speaker, there is such a thing as a free lunch, but don’t get too excited because it’s only for a few major retailers.
Mr. Speaker, some of our major retailers are paying nothing to ship apples, oranges, milk, and other Nutrition North eligible food items.
You don’t believe it? Well, look at the facts. The subsidy rates are available on Nutrition North’s website and the freight costs are posted on the respective airlines’ websites.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage you to take a look.
The full consumer freight rate non-discounted from Ottawa to Kimmirut on our airlines is $5.29/kg.
Nutrition North’s subsidy for perishable food delivered to Kimmirut is $5.40/kg.
So, Mr. Speaker, not only would it cost you nothing, you would actually make 11 cents on every kilogram of fresh food shipped.
Of course, our two major retailers, Northern and Arctic Co-operatives Ltd. do not pay the general cargo shipping rate because they are volume shippers and have negotiated much lower rates.
Mr. Speaker, it appears as though these retailers are making a tidy sum.
Share prices are up and management is thrilled.
Meanwhile, Nunavummiut are stuck struggling to pay these outrageous food costs to try and feed their families.
Well, Mr. Speaker, this is what’s happening under the Nutrition North program, not just in my constituency of Kimmirut; it’s happening across all communities.
Mr. Speaker, recently, the UN representative raised issues of food security and questioned whether the subsidies were being passed on to the consumers.
Former public servants are suggesting that federal bureaucrats are spending and not properly monitoring retailers.
Our own Government of Nunavut has done a lot of talking about food security.
However, Mr. Speaker, no one, not even our Diamond Jubilee and award-winning local editor has bothered to point out the truth.
This program is nothing more than a corporate welfare for a few retailers.
Maybe CBC’s fifth estate could help us get the message out.
Mr. Schell: Thank you, members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Let me make this clear: if you or I were to buy ten cases of apples from a retailer in Ottawa and ship them to Kimmirut, the shipping cost would be 10 kilograms at $5.29/kg and of course, Northern and ACL pay much less.
At 10 kilograms at $5.29, it would cost $52.90 and the subsidy on the apples would come to $54, which means that I just made $1.10 to ship the apples.
However, individuals cannot excessively be shipping bananas up because it’s designed for the big retailers, the same band of brothers who joined forces to lobby the federal government in their design of this program.
Mr. Speaker, under the old Food Mail Program, everybody paid the same rate like the postage stamp.
Under Nutrition North, the larger shippers, the Northern and ACL, pay much less than the subsidy they collect from the bureaucrats in Ottawa.
If it doesn’t cost the retailers anything to ship perishable foods to Kimmirut and they are making money by shipping food, then why are my constituents paying 40 to 60 percent higher prices than retailers in the south?
Mr. Speaker, for years, the retailers blamed the high prices on freight costs, but now that they’re making money on freight, what’s their excuse on these shamefully high prices?
Mr. Speaker, we all know that Nutrition North benefits the retailers the most, and it’s no surprise that these big retailers have come out as cheerleaders for the program. However, if the program was a success and if subsidies would be passed onto the consumers, we wouldn’t see protests outside our grocery stores. We wouldn’t see a Facebook site with more than 20,000 members dedicated to raising awareness of these outrageous prices.
We wouldn’t have spent several days in committee hopelessly searching for straight answers from the bureaucrats and retailers behind this boondoggle.
Personal food orders must go through these selected retailers, which has significantly cut our choices in retailers. Nutrition North has basically forced us to shop at Northern and ACL, so it is no surprise that these retailers are boasting of increased sales because they have rigged the deck. Worst of all, our tax dollars, Canadian tax dollars, are being used to directly subsidize the retailer, which means they put the fox in charge of the henhouse.
I ask this House to join me in asking for a formal motion to have the Auditor General of Canada investigate the Nutrition North program in order to determine what is actually happening with Canadian taxpayers’ dollars and to find out exactly where the subsidy is going.
Member’s Statement 445 – 3(3): Recognition of Social Workers (Elliott)
I almost feel like talking about Nutrition North Canada, but that’s not what I have on my agenda for today.
Thank you, Mr. Schell, for pointing out the things that have been pointed out many times.
Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise today to recognize Social Work Week in Nunavut and in our sister territories.  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in my place every year to recognize the hard work and effort of our social workers during the month of March.
However, they deserve that recognition each and every day.
Mr. Elliott: Mr. Speaker, this year, the theme for Social Work Week is “Social Workers Defending Social Programs for a Stronger Canada.”
Social workers across the north are renewing their commitment to the struggle to balance the broad demands on government with limited economies, increased demand for infrastructure, environmental pressure, high costs of living and doing business, and the ever increasing health and social needs.
Mr. Speaker, they are telling us that in an environment of competing demands and priorities, it is imperative that social programs are not lost. These are the programs that serve the most vulnerable populations, those who often have no voice.
I agree that it is crucial that all northerners, regardless of their race, culture, age, or where they live, have equitable access to programs and services to support living with dignity and respect.
Mr. Speaker, the Association of Social Workers in Northern Canada and the Social Workers Program at Nunavut Arctic College have extended their hand to us as northern leaders to work with them towards these goals. I, for one, am proud to lend my voice in support. I ask my colleagues to join me in doing the same.
Member’s Statement 446 – 3(3): Tribute to Jean Charest (Curley)
I send my greetings to the people of Rankin Inlet and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to somebody who was a leader in Canada, not just for the whole of Canada, but for the provinces. I’m sorry if I mispronounce anything.
I would like to congratulate the Premier of Quebec, who resigned last fall, the Hon. Jean Charest. I’m not talking about the Liberals. In the 1980s, there was a threat of separation by Quebec from the rest of Canada.
The Party Quebecois, led by Rene Levesque and other leaders like Lucien Bouchard, along with Parizeau, started a referendum on separation. Right on the cusp! Canada was on the verge of separation if the referendum had been passed.
This person who was amongst the youngest leaders, the Hon. Jean Charest, was tasked to fight against separation, which must have been quite daunting, especially since he didn’t hold a seat in the Quebec legislature. Mr. Charest took on that challenge.
I totally was in awe over his leadership, as he provided quality leadership, which is something all leaders have to be aware of. This man provided (interpretation ends) grace under fire and pressure, but he took it head-on.
(interpretation) He was one of the leaders in Quebec at the time of this threat of separation with the support of many Canadians, not just the elected representatives, but the public.
For this reason, I have always wanted to express my gratitude to Mr. Jean Charest because of his tremendous assistance to Canada as a country.
Furthermore, he was able to respect the Inuit of Northern Quebec in his plans. (interpretation ends) Plan Nord was one of them. (interpretation) If the man had some faults, at least he was able to provide funds to them.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) Thank you, members.
Due to these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to express my appreciation of Mr. Charest since he has a good memory of people he has met and doesn’t forget them.
I met him twice over a period of a year and ever since, he has sent Christmas cards and letters to see how we are doing.
I would be remiss without mentioning his wife, as she stood side by side with him during this period. Let us always remember our spouses, as they stand by our sides when we are dealing with weighty matters.
Further, Mr. Speaker, with respect to the newly elected leader, I have those same expectations from Philippe Bouillard. I apologize if I mispronounced it. “Quillard”?
Please forgive me if I bungled the name, but I also have expectations that when the new leader assumes his chair, he won’t be fighting for separation and we hope he works with his caucus.
Apparently, he was previously the minister of health in the Quebec government and I certainly wish him well in his leadership, as he doesn’t support separation from Canada, but continued federalism.
I wanted to mention these issues, particularly our need to express our appreciation of Mr. Jean Charest. He stood up for Canada in a very strong way and we wish him, along with his family, the best in his new career.
Member Nattilik, Ms. Ugyuk.
Member’s Statement 447 – 3(3): Appreciation to Hunters in Netsilik (Ugyuk)
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation ends) the Minister of Environment (interpretation) and my colleague, Tagak Curley, came back with very good news regarding the polar bear meeting they had overseas.
The people of Netsilik, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, and Cambridge Bay were very pleased with the meeting. Around that area, there has been support for the conservation of polar bears they have practised for years.
There has been a ban on harvesting polar bears around that area.
The people of Netsilik would like to thank you for representing the people of Nunavut at that meeting. I send my congratulations for supporting the hunters of Netsilik.
Return to Oral Question 551 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut’s Intervention Respecting Senate Reform Reference Questions (Shewchuk)
I would like to return to oral question in response to the Member Ron Elliott from Quttiktuq on March 11, 2013, Question No. 551 – 3(3).
The question was:
For the benefit of Nunavummiut who are following our proceedings today, can the minister explain why our government wishes to intervene in this matter?”
Mr. Speaker, my response is:
All ten provinces of Canada and both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have filed notices of intervention with respect to this important issue and case.
The Government of Nunavut filed an intervention in this matter as this case not only concerns questions relating to the reform of the Senate but also will be the first time that the Supreme Court of Canada has been asked to consider the operation of the “Amending Formula” provisions of Canada’s Constitution that came into effect in 1982.
It will therefore set important precedents for the future of Canada and Nunavut.
I am very pleased to recognize a few people who are presently in the House.
The leaders of the Pauktuutit youth forum are:
Sharon Nochasak-McLean and Elana Nightingale.
The youth are:
Nelson Tagoona
Brenda Jararuse
Jana Angulalik
Jerri Thrasher
Kelly McLean
Lavinia Flaherty
Gerard Mesher, and
Dang-Dang Gruben.
It’s a pleasure when a fellow Baker Lakemiut is in the Chamber as it re-instils to remember where we come from and where we are headed.
There is a young man who has reached out to his peers in Nunavut and all across Canada to raise awareness of our social challenges with his unique gift of throat-boxing.
This young man was nominated by many of his peers, community members of Baker Lake, and Nunavummiut, and received the Diamond Jubilee award.
I ask my colleagues in the House to welcome this young man, as well as his colleagues into the Chamber, and welcome Mr. Nelson Tagoona.
It gives me great pleasure and honour today to recognize a young lady to the House.
I have known this young lady since she was very small, probably since she was a baby, but I have watched her grow up in Cambridge Bay, [attend] elementary school and go through high school. I am very proud that she has gone on and done well in her life.
She currently works for my Department of Health and Social Services in Cambridge Bay and it is a very difficult job, of course, the dental program, but she does a great job of organizing the appointments and calling people to make sure they get in for their appointments when the dental folks are in town.
I would like to welcome Jana Angulalik, who is sitting over there at the end there.
Welcome to the House, Jana.
Question 576 – 3(3): Training for Local Radio Operators (Ningark)
I send my regards to the people of Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk.
I took note of a matter that may or may not be a concern.