EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
But government can’t do this alone. We all have a role to play: individuals, parents, and families. We all need to support the people who are trying to beat this deadly addiction.
Mr. Speaker, parents especially need to be leaders and role models. It is parents who have the most important role when it comes to discouraging smoking by youth, both at home and in public.
I would invite all Members of this House to join me later today at the No Tobacco Tent Event to show our support for a smoke-free lifestyle.
Minister’s Statement 060 – 2(4): Department Collaboration with Hamlets (Brown)
Like I said yesterday, James Arreak is here now, and you are, too, Mr. Speaker.
(interpretation ends) I rise today to inform the Members of this House on the department’s ongoing collaboration with Nunavut’s municipalities.
Community and Government Services is the primary government department dealing with hamlets throughout Nunavut.
This relationship is one that CGS feels it is very important for both government and municipalities.
CGS has regional staff who visit communities on a regular basis to assist with various aspects of the work community hamlets do and to listen and to respond to their concerns.
Recently, the Nunavut Association of Municipalities held their AGM in Iqaluit.
The event was attended by mayors and SAOs, and was also well attended by members of the Cabinet, and their staff, including the Premier.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the members of Cabinet that did attend, and their staff for assisting and making the meeting a great success.
Mr. Speaker, I feel that a good relationship with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities will continue to assist in effectively handling the many mutual challenges that both the territorial and the municipal governments have in providing programs and services to Nunavut’s citizens.
Mr. Speaker, this year, I am once again committed to having CGS staff visit our hamlets, and to continue to build on the good relationships that the department and the Government of Nunavut have with one of our most important partners.
Minister’s Statement 061 – 2(4): Environment Week June 3 - 9, 2007 (Netser)
June 3 to 9 is Environment Week in Canada, and the Department of Environment is planning a variety of activities to mark the occasion.
Environment Week is a national event devoted to issues and activities which focus on the preservation, protection, and restoration of our environment. It takes place in early June to coincide with World Environment Day which is celebrating on the fifth of June.
Other important days to observe the week are Clean Air Day on June 6, and World’s Ocean Day on June 8.
To promote Environment Week, I would like to invite all Nunavummiut to participate in a variety of activities that we are planning across our territory. These will include a regional photo contest depicting environmental scenes, a story/poetry contest related to climate change and its impacts, a local contest for secondary schools relating to climate change, and our usual annual community clean-ups.
Mr. Speaker, we welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the environment and help to increase and promote awareness of environmental issues in Nunavut, Canada, and the world.
Mr. Speaker, we continue to face many challenges, but I am confident Nunavummiut will do their part in finding ways to protect and preserve our environment as well as contribute to the overall reduction of greenhouse gasses and other air emissions.
Orders of the Day. I am sorry Item 3.
Member’s Statement 131 – 2(4): Repulse Bay Public Meeting (Mapsalak)
I rise today to thank the people of Kugaaruk.
On April 20 we had a meeting in Repulse Bay and there were various organizations that attended from Kugaaruk.
They were able to make to Repulse Bay for us to meet with them. I would like to thank some of the ministers that were in attendance.
There were a lot of questions from the public and I’m sure that the questions and the concerns from my constituents will be responded to.
I would like to again thank the ministers and whoever was in attendance of that meeting.
Member’s Statement 132 – 2(4): Taloyoak Social Events (Aglukkaq)
I am pleased to tell the Members about a very exciting event that took place in Taloyoak on April 23 to 27, the Nunavut Drum Dance Festival.
Mr. Speaker, there were participants from a number of communities and special events were held throughout the week.
Each evening there were drum dancers performing and teaching the youth and others how to put the drums together.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the community of Taloyoak and the participants in the festival, I would like to thank Ollie Ittinuar of Rankin Inlet and Jose Angutingunerk of Kugaaruk for helping to teach these traditional skills.
I would also like to thank CLEY for their contribution as well as all the participants that helped make this event a success.
Mr. Speaker, I would especially like to express my appreciation to Joseph Quqqiaq and Natchillingmiut Huqulariit for the efforts they have made to the success of the Drum Dance Festival.
Also, I would like to acknowledge the donation of items from the Paleajook Co-op and Northern Store in support of the Drum Dance Festival.
Mr. Speaker, the next Nunavut Drum Dance Festival will be held in Repulse Bay.
Member’s Statement 133 – 2(4): Happy Birthday to Father (Simailak)
I’d like to say hello to the people of Baker Lake.
It’s too bad that this session today will be aired tomorrow.
I would like to be happy with the people of Baker Lake, especially to my father, Norman Atangalaaq. A lot of people in Nunavut know who my father is.
Today is May 31 and his 75th birthday.
He has not stopped doing things to help the young people of Nunavut.
We are glad that we have done that.
My son is behind me, who is my father’s namesake.
I would like to be happy with my father today because he is celebrating his birthday.
I would like to wish Mr. Atanalaaq a happy birthday.
Member’s Statement 134 – 2(4): Kitikmeot Welcomes Second Airline (Evyagotailak)
I rise today to say how pleased I was to learn that Canadian North will soon be flying to more communities in the Kitikmeot region.
Mr. Speaker, you will recall that on November 21, 2006, I seconded the motion moved by my honorable colleague, the Member of Quttiktuq, Mr. Levi Barnabas.
The motion was that the Legislative Assembly recommends that the Government of Nunavut work with the airline industry to bring forward an action plan to improve the availability for affordable, reliable air service to Nunavut’s smaller and underserved communities.
All of us in this House, our constituents included, have at one time or another expressed the need for more airline service in Nunavut. We depend on this service for our food, our mail, for travel, and for many other things.
Mr. Speaker, we have finally heard that, at least for the Kitikmeot region, we have more opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, I will continue to support my colleague, who moved this motion, to push for improved airline service for the High Arctic.
On behalf of my constituents, I would like to thank Canadian North for expanding their service. The reception held in my community was well attended.
My constituents are very pleased to have other choices.
Member for Tasiujarjuaq, Mr. Kattuk.
Member’s Statement 135 – 2(4): Inuit Traditions (Kattuk)
I would like to be able to talk about happy things, but we hear of bad news all the time. I will talk about my constituents.
I have spoken about this before in the House because the Inuit people have had a lot of challenges today and for the future.
The American government is once again concerned about the polar bear situation here in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Inuit people have tradition whereby if they catch an animal, they are very proud. They distribute the food amongst the community. When they catch an animal, if you can make some money out of it, then you buy stuff with it.
We are also proud that according to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, the animals are there for people to use.
The people will not deplete the animals out there. Inuit people are very conscientious about managing our wildlife so that there will be more for the future.
I think we’re going to have a challenging future if the American government does that to us.
I would invite them come here to see the animals and the polar bears for themselves so they can have a true interpretation of what they are trying to do.
Why don’t they come here so that we can talk with them and show them?
Member for Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet South, Ms. Brown.
Member’s Statement 136 – 2(4): Community Constables (Brown)
I would just like to say a little bit about Rankin Inlet since I represent them, and I also work well with Tagak Curley and other people in my constituency.
We now have constables in Rankin Inlet, and possibly throughout Nunavut.
Special Constables Wayne Kusugak, Albert Qimaliarjuk, and I would like to recognize them.
We heard that they were in training, and the hamlet and the RCMP joined together to train these special constables.
They will be looking out for speeding skidoos, Hondas, and cars in the communities, and they’ll be monitoring them very carefully in the communities.
They are working very hard, and we want to recognize their contribution at the community level. They work for the hamlet in their communities.
I would like to bring that out and maybe possibly some of the communities did also send their trainees to Iqaluit.
Member’s Statement 137 – 2(4): Alaska Bowhead Hunt (Barnabas)
I would like to welcome Mr. Arreak since he came in today and that he is able to join.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today because we heard on national news today that in Alaska and another place they were able to hunt a bowhead.
The Americans are saying to us that since they are allowed to get a bowhead that they are helping them to get it.
The walrus and the polar bears, and also beluga whales in our communities, I would like to say that we need to be treated equally in Canada as well.
The Alaskans and Russians are able to get bowhead whales, then we all should be able to get the same in our communities in Nunavut, and I wanted to stand up and say this to you because we shouldn’t be left out in the hunting for wildlife because we live in the circumpolar area as well.
Member’s Statement 138 – 2(4): N.P.C. Over-billing Customers (Curley)
I would like to say further Mr. Speaker, that the Nunavut Power Corporation concerning the over billing in the communities and the estimate billings, and also their guidelines.
In Rankin Inlet particularly, I went on the local radio and many called in that there were many over billing bills that came in through the mail.
When we were live on the radio station... this particular house was never checked because there is so much snow around the house, they’ve been over billing that homeowner.
They’re just getting an estimate and letting them pay that amount.
And, I was saying that I think the minister can rectify this.
Mr. Speaker, he could rectify this problem and let him put it to stop and he can order NPC to stop over billing the customers, the users.
I think it’s a huge overpayment to energy, and if I were to ask...
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say as well that the over billing that is shown has no guidelines with NPC and they can over bill.
Like they can bill any amount they want if it doesn’t show in the meter, it shouldn’t go more than 25 percent, or even 30 percent.
And I think the NPC is borrowing the money from the people and I think you would want to correct the problem with NPC for the next bill.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say, in our community my constituents are tired.
I wonder if the minister would say yes to this if he could look into the over billing of the customers and the users and if he could put a stop to that.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. Your time is up, if you want to extend your time you have to request.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like [unanimous consent to conclude my statement.]
Member for Rankin North would like [unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Curley.]
I was saying there’s no customer service in Rankin Inlet although its one of the biggest communities in our region.
If you put it into private sector, we have a problem with that through Northern Stores, and also long distance telephone calls are the same; we are using the Northern Stores to pay our bills. We need to have customer service agents through NPC in our communities because the Northern Stores is not able to look at the bills and try and find out if the invoices have been over billed.
It doesn’t look too hard to get customer service agents in the communities for energy.
I would like him to rectify this problem as soon as possible and also maybe look at the overpayments as well.
Speaker (interpretation): Member Statements.
Member’s Statement 139 – 2(4): Support for New Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services (Tootoo)
I would like to take the opportunity to use my time in this House today to express my support, confidence and best wishes to a constituent Mr. Alex Campbell, our new Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I have known Alex Campbell for a number of years, he is a dedicated and experienced individual who I trust to take on the critical and challenging portfolio of health.
Mr. Campbell also benefits from having frontline experience in the Kivalliq, which I believe enables him to better understand the challenges facing frontline health care workers in our communities.
I spoke yesterday about the need to strengthen morale. Certainly, we all recognize that the fact of the average survival rate for Health Deputy Ministers is less than a year tells us about the need to ensure that this critical portfolio receives support from the top.
Mr. Speaker, I personally don’t question his qualifications, I am pleased to extend my support to Alex and all the frontline staff in the Department of Health and Social Services and all the departments, now more then ever.
They need to hear that their work is valued, and I would like to share something with them that I’ve learned over the years to do and that is: when you hear something, don’t react to it, think about it and think about where it came from.
Member’s Statement 140 – 2(4): Polar Bear Issue (Arreak)
I was not going to get up but it’s nice to hear that they are welcoming me when I came back, thank you. I am able to be here with you.
I would like to say a little bit about polar bear issues. The Americans in USA, there are sports hunters coming up from the U.S.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, saving polar bears will not save the environment, if anything, it will prolong their suffering.
Mr. Speaker, U.S. agencies should look at regulating the ban of use and production of weapons of mass destruction that help to harm the environment and kill other human beings, then maybe, Mr. Speaker, we will agree to a ban of hunting our polar bears that supports our people for their consumption and economic development.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and the members.
We have an elder in the Gallery and I’m always happy to see him but sometimes I have a little bit of fear of him; I revere him.
I would like you to welcome Mr. Irkidjuk.
I would like to welcome a visitor. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, on May 14, 2007, Ms. Anne Clark assumed the duties of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Workers’ Compensation Board of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Graduate of the Bachelor of Law Program at the Dalhousie University, Ms. Clark brings with her a welcoming knowledge and experience from the workers compensation system.
Formerly of Halifax, Ms. Clark previously served as the Chief Workers’ Advisory in Nova Scotia.
Ms. Clark was influential in developing the Workers’ Advisor Program in Nova Scotia.
Ms. Clark’s experience also influenced a number of years practicing as an associate lawyer. She is also publicly recognized for experience and expertise in the Workers’ Compensation Board field. With her husband Ryerson, a professional photographer, Ms. Clark has now relocated to the north.
Please join me in welcoming Ms. Clark and her husband Ryerson to the Gallery and Nunavut.
Speaker: Thank you, and welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I would like to welcome the two visitors we had behind me, and they’re happy to be here.
The young man is my son, and he’s named after my father.
And Amy Tootoo is next to him, also is from Baker Lake.
Craig Atangalaaq is working with youth, along with Amy works with young people.
They want to meet with some of the ministers. They are coming from Baker Lake so that the youth can be recognized in the communities.
They enjoy working with young people and they really support the youth in their community and in their committee.
I know them both. They have been working for 15 months and working with young people in Baker Lake.
Particularly, I know that the committee for the youth has supported two young people who wanted to commit suicide and they saved them.
I support them, and I know and recognize that they are able to do work when they want to.
I am proud of these two young people who work for the youth in Baker Lake.
It gives me great pleasure today to introduce to the Gallery two very fine people.
First of all, from the wonderful, award-winning newspaper, Nunatsiaq News, Mr. John Thompson is here.
Mr. Speaker, I know the members sometimes feel that what is being said in the House is sometimes misquoted in the newspaper, so it is great that Mr. Thompson is here at first hand in seeing what’s up. So we congratulate and thank Mr. Thompson for showing an interest in being here in the Assembly today.
Second of all, Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure, again, to introduce a constituent of mine, a friend of mine, Mr. Simon Nattaq.
Simon is serving as our Sergeant-at-Arms and has been with us all week.
I want to point out that last week we had a search and rescue here in Iqaluit, and when I was at the search and rescue early Sunday morning Mr. Nattaq was helping out and volunteering his time. Again, congratulations and thank you to a very good, dedicated constituent and resident of Iqaluit.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Picco. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation) Item 5.
Question 176 – 2(4): Health and Social Service Finance Employees Transfers (Tootoo)
I’d like some clarification on the process that was followed to inform the finance employees of Health and Social Services that their positions were being transferred. Prior to the meeting with officials from the Department of Human Resources and prior to the meeting with the Nunavut Employees Union, but after the public announcement, the Health and Social Services finance employees were advised that their jobs were being transferred.
Can the minister inform this House: on what date was the first meeting held with the Health and Social Services’ finance employees to inform them of the transfer of their positions?
I don’t have the exact date but at the time at that meeting they had to cut it short because of the blizzard.
So they were able to meet with them for only for four days. They met with the rest of them after the blizzard.
I am just wondering if the minister would be willing to commit to providing that information; if he can look up exactly what the dates are.
My next supplementary question is: can the minister inform this House which GN officials and, specifically, from which department were these officials from who first informed the Health and Social Services finance employees that their positions were being transferred?
Yes, I will get more information and let the member know after the first time that they had a meeting to inform the employees and exactly who was involved at that first meeting
Once I get that information I will give it to the member.
I can understand the minister needing to get further information on exactly what dates and that, but surely he must know which government department officials met with those individuals to inform them that their positions were being transferred.
Were they officials from the Department of Finance, or Human Resources, or Health and Social Services?
I’m just wondering; he must know from which department the individuals who first met with the affected employees.
If I’m correct, my deputy was involved and the Deputy Minister of Health was at that meeting, but if I’m wrong I’ll correct it and give him the proper information, but I believe those were the two.
Again, if the minister doesn’t have that response, I look forward to a commitment from him to provide it.
Can the minister advise this House as to what exactly was told to the Health and Social Services’ finance employees by these GN officials at the meeting when they were first advised, in person, of the transfer of their positions?
They were told that these positions were told to the Department of Finance.
At that meeting they were informed which department they were going to and they were informed of that information.
Question 177 – 2(4): Cambridge Bay School Hostel Closure (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, in my riding there are three communities; two communities of Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok, and Cambridge Bay. Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok do not have schools.
The parents must send their young children to Cambridge Bay for schooling.
Mr. Speaker, in the past there were hostels in Cambridge Bay to accommodate out of town students but those hostels have been closed.
My question for the minister: can the minister explain why that decisions was made several years ago to close the hostel that accommodated out of town students from these two communities?
I believe the closure of the hostel facility was before this government.
The member did send me an e-mail on the issue and I think we covered it off quite well. It was my understanding that there just seemed to be a redundancy in the need for the hostel for those two small communities.
I believe the number of students from the two communities was less than a dozen and because of that need the hostel was closed.
Yes, indeed, the minister did mention that to me, but that didn’t satisfy my constituents who I advised of the answer. So they asked me to ask the minister again.
Does the minister have any plans to provide a new hostel to accommodate out of town students from the communities of Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok?
Minister Ed. Picco.
We do not have anything in a long range plan for a dedicated hostel for just a few students that attend school in Cambridge Bay from those two communities.
However, Mr. Speaker, accommodation, as the member knows, has been made available for those students. At the same time with a critical mass, then that would be willing to look at.
It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, the facilities that we are able to use right now, for example home stay and so on, in Cambridge Bay is conducive to many of the students and we are not talking about a large amount of kids.
If we opened up a hostel, we would have to have staff for 24 hours and seven days a week for those students.
We look, again, at the economic scale and it is not cost conducive.
The government said in the past that youth are our priority and our future. It concerns me that it comes down to numbers when we are dealing with young children.
Mr. Speaker, there are probably eight students in Cambridge Bay who are being accommodated under the Department of Education home boarding program, and because there is no hostel, the parents of two or more children in a family are very concerned that their young children are being separated when they are sent to different private homes in Cambridge Bay.
My question for the minister: can he explain what role the Department of Education plays in ensuring that out of town students, particularly siblings, are accommodated together in the same homes in Cambridge Bay?
First of all, I want to assure the member and to the families involved that before we place any child into a home for the type of home boarding that we are talking about, that home has to be checked out by departmental staff, and there has to be an acknowledgement that it has to be a safe home and so on. That is almost a given in these circumstances.