EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Copies of the CD-Rom will be distributed to new employees with their letter of offer and each department will be provided with copies, so that employees can view the information any time.
Mr. Speaker, I will be providing my colleagues with a copy of the new Employee Orientation CD-ROM and I am confident they will find it most interesting and informative.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Members for Minister Kilabuk to make his Minister’s Statement.
Just one last Minister’s Statement.
Speaker: The Minister is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statement. Ministers’ Statements. Proceed.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to conclude all Ministers’ Statements this morning, if the Members will allow that. Thank you, Minister. Ministers’ Statements.
Speaker: The Minister is seeking unanimous consent to conclude all Ministers’ Statements today.
Minister’s Statement 246 – 1(6): Sustainable Infrastructure for Nunavut
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to Nunavut’s critical infrastructure needs.
Achieving the objectives of the Land Claims Agreement requires many elements to be in place.
One of those is critical infrastructure.
The daily activities of Nunavummiut are support by infrastructure, transportation systems, houses, water system, schools, recreation centres, power systems and more.
These are directly connected to our health and wellness and are vital components that support economic development.
Mr. Speaker, Government faces many challenges providing adequate infrastructure for our communities, particularly with our rapidly growing population.
Our goal is to develop an infrastructure base that serves the needs of all Nunavummiut.
To achieve that goal Mr. Speaker, Government has developed the paper called, Sustainable Infrastructure for Nunavut.
It is a critical step in our efforts to demonstrate to Canada our need, the pressures on our structures and the impact it is having on our social, environmental, and economic systems.
Mr. Speaker, we will use this paper as part of a strong lobby effort to secure a joint and long term plan with Canada for infrastructure funding to support Nunavut.
We are also continuing our inter-departmental planning and work with communities to better plan and manage all our infrastructure.
Member’s Statement 760 – 1(6): More Job Opportunities for Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my concerns regarding Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq due to the lack of employment in these communities.
They are left alone to provide their own economic base without much support from the outside. Mr. Speaker, I would like further support for economic opportunities in these communities and to promote small businesses in these communities.
The development in the small business sector is a best possible solution and best way to provide job opportunities. And those funding agencies for these small businesses seem to create artificial barriers through their policies, and the policies that create barriers should be struck down so that it could be easier for Nunavummiut to access those funds.
Once it is easier to tap into those funds, then more job opportunities can be brought up.
As we always say, the decentralized communities, once that project is finalized, then we should start focussing on the smaller communities.
We have heard that time and again, and I am encouraged to hear that it is starting to happen.
And Mr. Speaker, the communities of Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River using the strait between Greenland and these communities have an abundance of possible economic development opportunities and that could be the answer for creating jobs for those communities.
I would like to see work continue on this issue so that my communities can keep up with possible economic opportunities.
Member’s Statement 761 – 1(6): Gratitude and Thank Constituents
Mr. Speaker, today may be my last day during this Session and as such I would just like to say my thank you. I may be leaving tomorrow and might not be here.
First of all, my Constituents who I represent, I would first of all like to thank them for allowing me to represent them and thank them for all of their ongoing support, as well as all of my fellow Nunavummiut who have given me advice and support.
I thank all of them.
As well, my Cabinet Colleagues past and present, I thank them for all of their support even through difficult times My fellow elected members, thank you for allowing me to represent you as Premier for the first Assembly in Nunavut, something which I have always been very proud of.
I have tried my best to do my job and I thank you for giving me the confidence and facing challenges with me as we worked towards common goals.
Lastly, my family, thank your for their patience and support.
As well, thank you for bringing forward your concerns.
I have not been able to spend time with my two children whom I love both very much.
I will spend as much time as I can over the Christmas holiday; we will be together on Christmas Day.
I know that not all of us will be returning to this House, but I wish the best of luck to everyone with the elections and I look forward to seeing everyone then.
Member’s Statement 762 – 1(6): Kugaaruk Grade 12 Graduates
I rise today to announce that there was a graduation for four students who have graduated grade 12 in Kugaaruk.
I was very proud to be in attendance along with their parents on November 15.
The students who received their high school diplomas were, Julien Nashalik, Kaalai Inuksuk, Terry Itimannaq and Lucy Amingaaq.
These are the graduates.
Once high school is completed, they will continue to learn in their lifelong journey.
They will help to contribute to the needs of Nunavummiut and their peers and their families.
It was very good to see the Minister of Education, Manitok Thompson, in attendance during the graduation ceremony.
Member’s Statement 763 – 1(6): Jobs for Gjoa Haven
I rise today to continue to express the needs of my constituents. I send my regards to Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.
Mr. Speaker, I have two pieces of paper in my hand.
As Members, we are requested to keep trying and not give up and keep going back to what you are not achieving.
So, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue to express the need for jobs for my constituents in Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, in the past I have made Statements a number of times and asked questions in this House regarding decentralization.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that it was difficult to fill the Liquor Commission positions originally located in Gjoa Haven that was allocated through the Tumiit II process.
I also understand that support to the liquor board is temporarily being provided from Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister has indicated that it is up to the next Government to determine if there will be any new positions for Gjoa Haven to make up for lost positions associated with the liquor board function.
Mr. Speaker, it still does not appear clear what will happen to the Liquor Commission positions when the Commission is repatriated from the Northwest Territories in 2004.
I understand that the Government is still reviewing this issue.
Member’s Statement 764 – 1(6): Condolences to Kusugak Family
At times when you think you are finally aging, you realize you are aging.
When someone called me last night and today, and when I called Naujaat, I was told that when they see me on TV they baby talk to me.
I am not going to Qaqaq (show a visual response to parent showing affection) like a baby, but I send my regards to my aunt, my sister.
Today, I would like to talk about an issue my colleague raised regarding women.
Although she was not an elected public figure she undoubtedly had some authority.
Kukik Kusugak recently passed away in Rankin Inlet.
She has a big family and I would like to just name a few.
Mike Kusugak, who is the eldest, also known as Arvaluk, he is an author of children’s books and Josie Amaujaq-Kusugak, who is currently the Inuit Tapiriissat of Canada President and my in-law Ceril Kusugak, and Monica Shouldice and Joan Freeson-Aakuluk and three other brothers, Peter Kusugak, Tautuk Johnny Kusugak and Lorne Quassa who is currently the Mayor of Rankin Inlet.
Shawn and Sikkati, they recently lost a sister this winter, Donna.
She was one of the leaders and the pillar of the community, and as an elder when I was growing up in Naujaat, I always knew the family and they had moved to Rankin Inlet soon after and she was very busy and every time I saw her she called me ‘grandma’ by namesake.
I give my condolences to their family.
I know they will go through some tough times after having lost their mother, but they will continue.
I would like to conclude my Statement, Mr. Speaker. I am just about done.
I would also like to say she was the oldest of her sisters and her brothers in Naujaat, Gene Mapsalaaq, I do not really like naming them because I have, we have kinship terms and it is not very respectful to be calling them by name, but, Gene Mapsalaaq and Jacqueline Tulugaq, my in-law and Alexina Nanurluk and the youngest, Pauli Manitok is my in-law.
Kukik Kusugak will be fondly remembered in years to come and she has done very well to ensure the success of her family and I wanted to raise that in the House today.
Member’s Statement 765 – 1(6): Alcohol Abuse
Mr. Havioyak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of great importance across Nunavut and in my community.
Mr. Speaker, Members are aware that the liquor plebiscite that was held in my community on November 10th.
The community decided not the have an Alcohol Education Committee and not to limit the amount of alcohol that can be brought into Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker, we are aware of the devastating affects of alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse by one family member hurts every member of that family for many years.
Mr. Speaker, I believe strongly that the only way to decrease the effects of alcohol abuse in the community is to start at home.
Parents must honestly discuss the affects of alcohol abuse individuals, families, and communities.
By openly discussing alcohol related violence and crime, we bring the issue out in the open and allow a way for people to heal and to break the cycle of abuse.
Mr. Speaker, the Government has many public education campaigns aimed at health issues.
I see that show on the harm caused by smoking.
I see ads showing the harm caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to see advertising that shows people the far-reaching effects of alcohol on every member of the family, community, and territory.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of Health and Social Services questions at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 766 – 1(6): Condolences to Igloolik Family
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a comment in regards to some of the tragedies that occurred recently in Igloolik and Hall Beach.
We had the same kind of tragedy this summer when two of my relatives drowned and perished, and I never made an announcement in the House in regards to those tragedies.
Just this past week two individuals were going by snowmobile and went through the ice and perished.
To date they are still looking for the bodies.
We send our condolences to the family members and the people of those two communities.
To date they have found one snowmobile, and they are currently at this very moment looking for the other machine and the individuals.
Please keep them in mind to give them strength.
Member’s Statement 767 – 1(6): Child Rearing Today
In Nunavut and nationwide, and I am not talking about the entire population, but I think that many of our young people in the schools are forgetting about the moral issues, especially with what we see in the media and so on.
I am talking about discipline practises in the school.
It seems like we have given our children to the education system and they spend all day in school.
We are not allowed to hurt our children and if we do we are charged for disciplining our children. It does not do any good to the child if they are only orally disciplined.
As Inuit, when we were children, we were spanked to get the message across and not to repeat what we did and that was especially true with the males.
When they are only orally disciplined tend to be restless when they grow up.
When we had a session in October/November the Minister of Education had mentioned that someone had tried to set fire to one of our schools.
If we had followed traditional discipline practise this would probably not have happened.
As Nunavummiut we must work harder on this issue.
We are not always going to be around; we are becoming older and the youth of today are going to be our elders tomorrow.
Maybe if we create legislation that could act as a deterrent, I think that is the only way that we can do it.
I feel that we will have to consider this in future.
Member’s Statement 768 – 1(6): Honouring Inuit Teachers
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour our Inuit teachers across Nunavut who are often asked to do more with less with the financial restraints that the Government has imposed on our people.
Mr. Speaker, when I went to school as a young boy, we had white teachers who had classroom assistants to assist them in training us or teaching us to achieve our goals.
But today, these Inuit teachers work all by themselves in probably classrooms that have twice as many students as what they used to have, and often times, we see these teachers get stressed out because they are asked to do more with less.
Mr. Speaker, if we want to see the goal of this Government, 85% Inuit employment in Nunavut, I think, Mr. Speaker, we need to put classroom assistants back into our schools to help our teachers to achieve the 85% goal of Inuit employment in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 769 – 1(6): Thanks Constituents
I am sure Mr. Anawak remembers, but he forgot to mention Gene Kusugak and because in the traditional fashion, he calls her, “mother”, and probably did not think of her as one of the Kusugak family members.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today and also to congratulate Mr. Jack Anawak for his recent appointment, as he is my cousin.
I would like to congratulate him for being appointed to be the Arctic Ambassador.
It is something that I truly appreciate.
I would also like to say thank you, Mr. Speaker, to my Constituents of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.
It does not matter whether they voted me into this position or not.
They have always been receptive no matter where I am and they have also delegated some of the tasks under my portfolio to deal with.
When I was in Whale Cove, the people put together a package of traditional foods that I could take with me.
I am thankful for that.
Solomon Voicy who gave me some caribou heads, which is a delicacy for me, and George Okalik, Sandy Adams, Daniel Panikak and the other people of Whale Cove who have supported me.
Mr. Speaker, Cecily Panikak, I send my regards and I miss you.
Also, the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, I am sure that some of us will be running again for Office, and we will probably see each other again at that time.
To the Mayors of the Nunavut communities, who I have met and who also work for the Hamlets in Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, I am very thankful for their support.
Mr. Speaker, I have a short comment to make, and if it is okay with the Members, Mr. Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent to conclude my Statement.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my staff.
From my Office, my EA, Phil Bourdeau, everybody knows him by now, and Leah, my secretary who has been with me for these last four years, five years, actually.
Phil seems to have been with me forever, but he has been with me for the last five years.
He has done a very good job for me; I appreciate his loyalty.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank an individual who I have known for a long time, and who I have been married to for the last 25 years, my husband, Tom, who has been very patient, every day and took care of me every day.
Mr. Speaker, I moved with my sons to Rankin Inlet, my husband had not moved as there were no jobs available in Rankin Inlet but he may, by Christmas hopefully, move to Rankin Inlet.
That is for the information of the people who are asking when Tom will be coming to Rankin Inlet.
I thank my husband Tom for giving me his full support because as we all know political life is not easy.
As a husband and wife team, you have to work together in order to achieve your goals.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, after Minister Ng did his reply yesterday, I now know for sure that he is not running, I was hoping he would change his mind, but I understand the pressures.
In 1995 I sat beside Minister Ng when I was the new Minister of MACA.
He had previously been the Minister of MACA, so I wanted to sit beside him for the last four years, and that way I knew that I did not need the briefing book, I just asked him what that was all about and he would give me the answer.
He was the Health Minister as you know, Mr. Speaker, at the time.
We know that a couple of our former colleagues are here in this House and some gave him a very rough ride when he was the Health Minister.
At least one of those Members now know what it’s like, what it was like in the past four years.
I would like to thank Minister Ng for the respect he showed me and for his friendship.
He has always treated me as an equal.
And when I have a do not disturb sign on my door, he is the only one who can barge in and say, “What is wrong now, Mani?”
And that gets me going again, so for that, I will miss him.
I would like to thank all the Members, and our Premier, and the Ministers for being here and respecting me for my outbursts and whatever I had to say that was on my mind.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, to you too.
Thank you and we will see what happens in the New Year.
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Thompson. Members’ Statements. Mr. Kattuk.
Member’s Statement 770 – 1(6): Going to School as a Child
I am proud of the fact that I am the oldest Member of the Cabinet, I apologize for not being a very good father to the Cabinet Members and I am very proud to say that I was actually the oldest Member of the Cabinet.
I did a bit of research on when the Inuit of Belcher Islands were living by themselves without Europeans.
My life changed drastically when the Government was introduced to the north.
We were sent to school; we were literally governed by the Government.
Even though we did not want to agree with them, we had to agree with them because our parents had to agree to everything.
From there, I learned a great deal as a Member of Cabinet within the first Legislature of Nunavut.
Back then, we were taught only in English; there were no Inuktitut programs and we were not even taught how to read and write Syllabics.
I could probably even say that it seems like the Government wanted me to lose my language and my writing system.
As a Member of the Cabinet it becomes very difficult at times to face those challenges within the three years that I have been a Member of the Cabinet.
For that reason, I do not really know how to read Syllabics.
When I got out of school, I tried to learn hunting techniques and how to survive on the land. When I was seven years old, I started following my father when he started going out seal hunting or trapping or any other way when he started going out hunting.
Instead of learning how to read or write in Syllabics, my father started teaching me how to hunt because I did not want to lose my Inuit culture.
I wanted to learn how to go hunting and the hunting techniques.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Colleagues.
I wanted to learn how to hunt and learn my own culture because I did not want to grow old not knowing my environment because our elders who hold the traditional knowledge are dying away.
I am growing older and I will become a senior soon.
I wanted to know my environment, our wildlife and that is why I started to learn hunting techniques rather than learning how to read and write Syllabics, because I did not become very fluent in English.
It seems like the school system has made me lose part of my culture.
I am very proud to have been elected to be part of the Cabinet and I would like to thank my Colleagues for selecting me.
I have learned a great deal and I am sure some of us will run again.
Perhaps, at that time, some of us will see each other.
Member’s Statement 771 – 1(6): Five Years as an MLA
Mr. Speaker, like many of my colleagues this week, I want to reflect on some of the issues that we have been dealing with over the term of this Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I made my first Statement on May 12th, 1999, before this Chamber was even completed.
Mr. Speaker, at that time, my very first Members’ Statement was only a couple of paragraphs in length and probably lasted only 30 or 40-seconds.
My friend, Kelvin Ng, the Finance Minister yesterday, called me “blustery”, so I suppose I should blame Mr. Picco for what he did to me over the years.
Mr. Speaker, in 1999, I said, as the Baker Lake Member of the Legislative Assembly, the people gave me a mandate to follow, housing, education, health, healthcare, job creations, outpost camps and lastly, the traditional economy.
These are the issues that I will bring forward and promote for both my community and for all of Nunavut as we are heading into the new millennium.
We, as a new Government, could recognize and should recognize working together to achieve our goals and objectives to keep the circle strong and collectively, we will achieve what all of the residents of Nunavut inspired us to do.
Mr. Speaker, with the support of my family and Constituents, I think that Baker Lake and all of Nunavut is in far better shape now than it was before 1999.
It is no secret that Baker Lake has benefited from decentralization and new capital projects.
Our new Jonah Amitnaaq high school, our new Nunavut Arctic College learning centre and our new elders’ twenty-four hour care facility, our new housing units, our new library facility and our new Government of Nunavut building have all contributed to the community moving forward.
Mr. Speaker, I have always said that we neglect the private sector at our peril.
Government alone cannot create the new jobs that we need for the thousands of young people who are in our schools today.
We need a strong private sector in Nunavut.
If we don’t, we would be a society divided between those fortunate few working for Government, and a great many people trapped in the dependency of social assistance and income support.
That is why I have never given up on such issues as helping our tourism sector, our guiding and commercial hunting sectors to achieve their potentials.
That is why I pushed so hard for the Government to raise the minimum wage.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud that Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in Canada.
I am proud that we are a Government that at least tries to stand up for the interests of ordinary people.
In whatever role I play in the future, Mr. Speaker, I will not give up pushing for a process that facilitates mining training and development, and does not hinder it needlessly.
That is why I will not give up trying to get training in place to prepare our residents for the opportunities in this sector.
Mr. Speaker, I also think that we cannot neglect social issues.
We cannot be a prosperous society if our kids are not well-educated and equipped with real skills.
We cannot be a healthy society if too many of our people suffer from addictions and other social pathologies.
Mr. Speaker, this was the Assembly that finally tackled suicide head-on.
Mr. Speaker, I want to close by thanking my wife, Emily, my daughter Leanne, my son Carl and my son Terrence and all my constituents for their support and inspiration during these last five years.
They have truly made a difference for Baker Lake and Mr. Speaker, it has been a good five years.
Member’s Statement 772 – 1(6): Thanks Constituents and Colleagues
Today is probably is not the last day of Session so I am sure that tomorrow, I will be able to say my thank you’s and good bye’s.
But before the Session is over, I wanted to mention my grandson Kevin in Qikiqtarjuaq, just so that he knows that I have not forgotten him.