EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Development of effective human rights protection in Nunavut is a key to recognition of equality and respect for all Nunavummiut.
Since the 1960’s all jurisdictions in Canada, except the NWT and Nunavut, have adopted a Human Rights Act to provide comprehensive human rights protection for its citizens.
Now Nunavut is in a position to develop an innovative human rights scheme that reflects the reality of our territory.
Why do we need a Human Rights Act?
A Human Rights Act is necessary to provide individuals and groups protection from discrimination in their day-to-day lives.
Unlike the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which only applies to government activity, a Human Rights Act provides protection from discrimination by government and the private sector alike.
Courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, have significantly expanded the protection offered by human rights legislation providing quasi-constitutional status to Human Rights Acts.
Yet Nunavut still does not have human rights legislation of its own.
Currently individual rights protection in Nunavut is based on the Fair Practices Act.
The Fair Practices Act is limited for several reasons.
It does not provide comprehensive human rights protection.
It is limited in its application, significant groups like contractors have no protection.
It does not prohibit some well-established forms of discrimination.
It provides no protection from systemic discrimination; and
The adjudication process raises issues in terms of fairness.
Because the Fair Practices Act is inadequate in terms of protecting human rights, the Federal Government does not accept it as human rights legislation on par with the laws enacted in provinces or the Yukon.
Therefore the Canadian Human Rights Act continues to apply in Nunavut.
In other words, human rights in Nunavut are governed by federal legislation and administered by federal agencies.
Now it is time to create a made-in- Nunavut human rights legislation that we can administer ourselves.
The creation of a Human Rights Act will take two years of work.
My department has identified two phases in the process.
During the first year the department will do research and consultation on human rights.
The consultation will be Nunavut-wide and will include as many Nunavutmiut as possible.
Maliganik Qimirrujiit will be involved in the consultation process.
The work of the first year will result in a detailed report with recommendations for a detailed Human Rights Act.
The report will be presented to the Department of Justice and Maligarnik Qimirrujiit.
(interpretation) During the second year, my department will present the legislative proposal.
If this is approved, we will begin the process of preparing human rights legislation for approval for this House.
Mr. Speaker , the creation of the Nunavut Human Rights Act is an extremely important initiative for all Nunavummiut.
It will take two years to do this properly.
I am looking forward to the support of all members of the Legislative Assembly as the Department of Justice and Maliganik Qimirrujiit consult in communities across Nunavut over this coming year.
As well, I hope the members will provide us with their own views on Human Rights in Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 004 - 1(4): Trip to Nuuk Greenland
Later today I will be travelling to Nuuk, Greenland, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a co-operation agreement that will result in an ongoing working relationship between the two jurisdictions.
The MOU between the Government of Nunavut and the Home Rule Government of Greenland recognizes the need to maintain close ongoing relationships in a number of matters.
We will develop sustainable management plans for the common polar bear populations and fisheries management.
We will work together in areas of human resources, staff training and professional development.
As Nunavut takes a leading role in battling global warming, we will work with Greenland to exchange expertise in the areas of energy conservation and waste disposal.
Upon my return, I will share with you in greater detail about my trip.
Moving on to item 4. Members’ statements.
Member’s Statement 001 - 1(4): Homeownership in Nunavut
Today I would like to talk about homeownership in Nunavut.
On behalf of my constituents I would like to thank the NWT and Nunavut Government for the homeownership programs that allow the young and elders alike to own homes in Nunavut.
We have the much needed assistance to finance this important program by the Nunavut Government.
But it is getting cost prohibitive to own a home in Nunavut.
My homeowner constituents tell me that it is getting harder to maintain a home because of cost of living increases.
I will explain in more detail about the cost of maintaining a home later this week.
During the question period, I will be asking questions in regards to this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker
Member’s Statement 002 - 1(4): Decentralization to Pond Inlet
Mr. Nutarak (interpreter) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for the Department of Public Works for decentralization of that department to Pond Inlet.
It has created job opportunities for my constituents so on behalf of Pond Inlet residents, my constituents, I would like thank the minister.
Member's Statement 003 – 1(4): Canadian North Curling Bonspiel
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with some degree of stiffness and pain as a result of the opening of Iqaluit's curling season with the Canadian North bonspiel which took place over the weekend.
Fourteen teams took part in the bonspiel and everyone had a great time.
I am comforted by the fact that I am probably not the only person that is stiff and sore in town right now.
Mr. Speaker, Dave St. Louis' rink won the A Division and the runner up was Mr. Alex Taylor's rink.
George White's rink won the B Division and the runner up was Mr. Gilbert Normandeau's rink.
The C Division winners were Geoff Dafoe's rink with the runner up Mr. Corey Bell and his rink.
I am proud to say Mr. Speaker, that my rink won the D Division with Shani Watts rink being the runner up.
Mr. Speaker, I want to give special recognition to Fauna Kingdon, Anna Stenton, Jonathan Levy and Shawn Doherty, the junior rink that gave a great showing in the bonspiel.
It is encouraging to see the youth participating and enjoying themselves.
These events give our youth important opportunities for recreation that are not always available to the extent that they should be.
I would like to thank the sponsors of the bonspiel, Canadian North Airlines.
They were very well represented by Eva Onalik throughout the weekend and at the awards ceremonies.
The curling club has over 85 members to begin the season and I wish the club's President, Mr. George White, Vice-President Tom Watts and Secretary-Treasurer Brenda Perchard, the best of luck in the upcoming season.
I would like to ask all the members to join me in thanking them as community volunteers for organizing this event.
Member's Statement 004 – 1(4): Kitikmeot Difficulties with Time Zone Change
I would like to continue speaking on the issue on which I arose earlier in the third session.
Because this is now the fourth session, I would like to continue.
First, I would like to mention that I am very happy that the people of Iqaluit discussed the issue of the time zone. They disagreed with it and it has been fixed.
For Iqaluit it has been resolved and that is good for them.
But I would like to mention that in Kugluktuk as of October 29, the time will seem like it has been put back because we travel back and forth to Yellowknife and there will be a two hour difference and this is difficult for us.
However, people should know that people hunting, travelling or who are working outside or by themselves will find it difficult when it is dark out in the morning, it will be a long time before the sun comes out.
That becomes difficult.
People have realized here in the Baffin that this is how it has been.
We will have a difficulty in that area as well.
We want it remembered and I will continue raising this issue because for people in Kugluktuk and others like Iqaluktutiak, Cambridge Bay, it will be a problem.
The Nunavut Government should consider this so that they will know that in the Kitikmeot we have a problem with the time zone.
Consider this, do not forget it.
The Nunavut Government has to deal with this issue because there will be a problem with this issue in our area.
Members’ statements. Members’ statements.
Member’s Statement 005 - 1(4): Need for Youth Day
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and a good day my honourable colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I want to explain why I asked a question to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth recently.
On October 21, 2000, I talked about the need to establish a youth day.
Mr. Speaker, 60 % of our population is under the age of 30 years and 50 % of our youth are under 15 years of age.
Mr. Speaker, we in Nunavut have every reason to be concerned about their future.
We need to teach our young people about our Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuit traditional knowledge.
Inuit youth need all the tools they can get to make sure they are adequately educated and trained and obtain good jobs in Nunavut.
We need to make sure that our young people stay in school.
Teach them they have to be on time for school and listen to their parents and teachers.
We need to teach them about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuit traditional knowledge.
We want to be able to communicate using modern technology.
They need a good education because we want our Nunavut youth to compete for jobs anywhere in Canada and outside of Canada.
Continue Mr. Puqiqnak.
Mr. Speaker, I can remember a time when my mother Palla used to teach me about Inuit survival out on the land because my father died when I was one year old.
My mother taught me about Inuit principles of being a good hunter and family provider.
My mother also taught me how to care for and love my children.
To this day, my wife Lillian have raised 6 beautiful children.
My honourable colleagues to me every day is mothers’ day.
But everyday should also be a youth day.
Mr. Speaker, my honourable colleagues, I would like to see our Nunavut Government choose a day in any of the twelve months and set that day aside as a youth day. Mr. Speaker, we must celebrate our youth in Nunavut with all our energy because they are our future.
Mr. Speaker, let us explore all the possibilities.
Member's Statement 006 – 1(4): Youth Centre for Iqaluit
Hon. Ed Picco (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First, I would like to compliment you on your attire, it is extremely good looking.
(interpretation ends) Uqaqti, Iqaluit as the largest community in Nunavut and Nunavut's Capital has the dubious distinction of not having a dedicated youth centre.
As MLA for Iqaluit, I worked with different committees and youth to plan a centre.
At one point Mr. Speaker, we had a dedicated building but after a change in ownership that fell through.
Mr. Speaker, the youth did not give up and we began to work on different plans that we could make to have a youth centre.
The major stumbling block was always a lack of a dedicated space or building.
Mr. Speaker, with the introduction of the idea to build a new arena and multi-purpose centre for the Arctic Winter Games, the possibility of a dedicated youth centre for Iqaluit finally became possible.
I met with the organizing committee and supported the arena project with the understanding that approximately 3,000 square feet of space would be dedicated for youth and youth activities here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, this is a step in the right direction and long overdue.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Arctic Winter Games Organization Committee and our Town Council for supporting the project and look forward to seeing the centre opening on time and with the youth centre a major component of the facility.
The youth of Iqaluit have waited long enough and with the completion of the multi-purpose facility on Apex road, we hope it will be worth the wait.
Members' statements. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Member's Statement 007 – 1(4): Resolving Suicide Issues
Mr. Speaker, I rise today since this is our fourth session of the first Legislative Assembly.
I would like to make a comment on suicide because the suicide issue is very important to us.
Mr. Speaker, I know that we do have legislation that we use today which is derived from outside of our culture.
Mr. Speaker, we have to look for ways to get legislation so that we can encourage Nunavummiut to become lawyers so they will be able to understand our culture and our way of life.
It is evident that the present legislation can become a barrier to our social life when we try to use them in our life.
For that very reason, I was very glad to hear when the minister made a statement in regards to what they are going to be doing some time in the future and I would like to see that go ahead because it is very important.
Inuit people should take the opportunity to resolve these social issues on their own because this is going to be very important for us some time in the future.
We would like to give opportunities to Inuit people so that they can become professionals such as lawyers and doctors. This is going to be very beneficial to all of us.
Members' statements. Mr. Kattuk.
Member's Statement 008 – 1(4): Belcher Islands Memorial Event
I rise today to tell you about the activities that happened in Sanikiluaq in the Hudson Bay area and affected people physically and mentally.
Approximately 100 residents of Sanikiluaq decided they would go see the graves on the Belcher Islands.
The Belcher Islands have many graves on each of them and the residents of Sanikiluaq put crosses on the unmarked graves.
They put the names there so the people of Sanikiluaq would know them.
There were three Inuit who went out by kayak and perished in the sea and at that time there were no prayers said for these hunters.
So, the people of Sanikiluaq got together and said prayers for these three kayakers.
They threw wreaths into the water to say a final farewell to the three kayakers.
That was one of the joys that we celebrated this summer.
Many people finally realized who their relatives are and where they are buried.
Also, people came in from outside of Sanikiluaq.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the people who came from outside and in Sanikiluaq for going through these rituals.
It was a healing process finally for the people who participated.
It was a joyous experience and I would like to take this time to thank all those who went through this.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Kattuk.
Member's Statement 009 – 1(4): Elder Adjuk’s First Bear
First, I would like to say thank you to the people who called in, especially Madeleine Napajuk from Whale Cove.
I would like to say thank you to them first.
Today I would like to say thank you to the people of Whale Cove.
John Adjuk who is 85 years old was given the opportunity to catch a polar bear.
I heard this on the radio and I called Whale Cove to find out what they have been doing, so that I could make a member's statement.
John Adjuk on October 13, Friday, got a polar bear.
As you probably know we heard about polar bears going into the community over the summer and there was one that continuously came into Whale Cove.
So they gave this 85-year-old man an opportunity to catch it.
For John Adjuk that was his first polar bear and he is 85 years old.
He is disabled physically but he still goes hunting with his wife Cynthia.
At this time I would like to say thank you to George Okalik and also Willie Arualak who assisted in the harvest of this polar bear.
That polar bear was taken by Adjuk, who is 85 years old and that was his first bear.
The whole community celebrated and feasted on the polar bear that was taken.
I would like to say I am very proud of the people of Whale Cove.
Speaker: Thank you Ms. Thompson, that was a great story.
Member's Statement 010 – 1(4): Appreciation to Pangnirtung Residents
I just returned yesterday from Pangnirtung, I was just there for one day on an overnight trip.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people that I saw, especially my mom and my relatives.
Also the people that I saw at the church and all of the people that I had meetings and telephone conversations with.
I would especially like to thank Levi Kullualik who is an outfitter in Pangnirtung and Joavee Allivaktuk again, an outfitter in Pangnirtung and Ricki Kilabuk.
I would like to say thank you to these three individuals who gave me a supply of meat.
I would also like to say happy birthday to Ken Kilabuk who celebrated his birthday today.
Member's Statement 011 – 1(4): Cape Dorset Art Show
I would like to say thank you to the people that were here over the weekend from Cape Dorset, Jimmy Manning and Kanaginak Pootoogook.
These two individuals were here to show Cape Dorset prints and art.
This was their 21st Anniversary.
The artwork that was displayed is very well known worldwide.
I would like to say thank you to those two individuals, and I hope to see more shows held in other places.
So once again I want to thank Mr. Manning and Mr. Pootoogook.
Member's Statement 012 – 1(4): Meeting regarding Marine Mammals
It was only a few years ago that we did not fully participate in wildlife management and enforcement.
I am very pleased to inform you that I will be going down to Winnipeg for a meeting on this issue.
As you know we Inuit are coastal people and we hunt marine mammals.
I will be participating in a meeting down in Winnipeg where the agenda will be on marine mammals in Hudson Bay.
The HTOs from all the Keewatin region will be there including NTI and other organizations.
Delegates from other Canadian provinces will also be participating in this meeting to talk about the usage of marine mammals in Hudson Bay and the Keewatin region.
When I was a teenager quotas were imposed on narwhal and polar bear.
I think I was about sixteen or seventeen years old when the quota system was imposed on the Inuit and the imposition came about without consulting with us.
We are now able to participate in these debates.
We are now able to participate in these debates as a hunter, or as a community representative.
We now have our Nunavut Government, and each of the individual communities are able to participate in the debate on such legislation as well.
We’ll be going down to Winnipeg, and I want to see the participation of all the communities, Keewatin Communities, when they are going to talk about the usage of the coast, in the Keewatin region.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, from my community of Taloyoak, in the constituency this individual is here as a student of the Nursing Program, Silvia Lyall.
Speaker: Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Okalik.
I would like to recognize a visitor to the gallery, Mr. Paul Quassa President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Also the previous President of QIA, Pauloosie Keyootak.
I usually am not given the opportunity to recognize people from my constituency and I would like to take time to introduce Sammy Peter.
Speaker: Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Alakannuark.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a person from Repulse Bay, Mr. Simeonie Nattiq, who is an interpreter.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Simeonie Nattiq. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to welcome to the gallery today, Iqaluit’s own Sarah McDermott.
Sarah this morning was admitted to the bar, quite an accomplishment Mr. Speaker.
Sarah is sitting next to her dad, a long time northerner and educator and well-known gentlemen around town, Mr. Noel McDermott.
Also Mr. Speaker, sitting with Sarah on this side, an old friend of mine and yours Ms. Sara Kay, the former law clerk of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
Also admitted to the bar this morning Mr. Michael Himmelman.
Michael is from Yellowknife via Newfoundland.
Also Mr. Speaker, finally from the law firm of Lawson, Lundell, Lawson, and Macintosh, Mr. Speaker is Mr. Keith Bergner.
Sarah will be associated with the very prestigious law firm Mr. Speaker, the Yellowknife law firm of Gulliver, Wiest, McPherson and now Mr. Speaker, Kay.
Mr. Speaker, Sarah’s family, friends and residents of Iqaluit are very proud of Sarah today and I would like to extend our congratulations to Sarah and to her family.
Speaker: Congratulations, and welcome to the Assembly.
I would like to recognize a past teacher from Pond Inlet.
When I was a chairperson of the Baffin Divisional Board, he was the president and now an instructor at the Arctic College, Noel McDermott.
Mr. Noel McDermott, whom everybody recognizes.
I would like to recognize Pauloosie Keyootak, who is from my riding of Qikiqtarjuaq, he is sitting over there.
Again, I would like to recognize another person who is a member for Iqaluit, Mr. Ed Picco who at the last session gave a very, very brief answer to my question.
Item 5. Recognition of visitors in the gallery.
No other recognitions.
I would like to recognize one of the reporters from Nunatsiaq News, Jane George.
Jane welcome to the gallery.
Just before we move off this topic since my good friend Mr. Picco brought it up, and spoke of my new uniform as he called it.
I would just like to acknowledge this was a gift from the Speaker of the House of Commons in Ottawa, as you know.
It has been worn for many, many years by various speakers, probably over many hundreds of years I guess as the parliamentary tradition has been in effect.
I would just like to say thank you to the Speaker for this gift.
Question 001 – 1(4): Financial Institutions in Smaller Communities
I would like direct my question to the Minister of Finance for Nunavut.
I have raised this issue a number of times for the past year and a half and it is still an ongoing concern.
Many of the smaller communities still do not have financial institutions.
A year ago on October 27, the Minister of Finance indicated in response to my questions that he would follow up with the banking institutions to see what time lines they were looking at.
Can the minister update us on what response he has received from the financial institutions.
Mr. Speaker, various banks depending on where they are located, have the opportunity to venture out to get into other communities to host or facilitate workshops and try to generate business for their own banks.
I know depending on the situation, like if I use the example of the Royal Bank, it is based in Cambridge Bay.
I know on some occasions they have had individuals from their banks that have gone out to other communities.
It is not to say that Mr. Speaker, that they do it on a very regular basis but I know that in speaking with some of the officials from the various banks that they try to facilitate access to information primarily through telephone solicitations and access from that type of communications.
Can the minister inform us about whether the government is currently considering any proposals from financial institutions to provide financial services to smaller communities.
I understand your response but Mr. Speaker, we have been trying to get financial institutions in the smaller communities for quite a long time now, and I knew of this concern when I was still a mayor in my community.
We would like to see how the smaller communities could get financial institutions.
It is a huge concern of the small communities especially the two that I am representing.
They have been talking to me as their representative and I am talking about Uqsuqtuq and Taloyoak.
Is it not possible to establish financial institutions.
Maybe not a huge building but some place where you can go to access financial services.
Is it possible for the government to establish something like that.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that I have said in the past that the government would look at and take into consideration support to any credit union proposal, maybe an expansion option of banking services that might come from the conventional banks to establish additional services.
But it is not the government's role itself to set up these financial institutions.