EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, it is indeed inspiring to see our young people, our young women and men, becoming involved in leadership, government, and politics.
I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Qaqqaq on her role in yesterday’s event and in encouraging her to continue with her studies and her future career.
Member’s Statement 524 – 4(3): Activities in Hunting and Sharing in Pangnirtung (Mike)
I rise today to speak about Pangnirtung and local hunters or their representative organizations that provide northern country food to their fellow residents.
This type of initiative operates in Pangnirtung, a middle-sized community. Though it’s a fairly large community, it’s not overpopulated either. Nonetheless, we have many residents who cannot go hunting, and various initiatives exist to provide them with food, such as people who go fishing for others or even sealing.
These are the types of local initiatives in Pangnirtung led by our local organizations and hunters.
As well, I want to mention the hunters who provide freshly caught harvests to Inuit who can no longer hunt or elderly Inuit or those who have no hunting equipment.
For their efforts, I want to express my extreme appreciation to hunters in Pangnirtung every time I see that happening.
Indeed it is part of our Inuit culture to share.
I want to especially thank those who prepare and distribute the country food in Pangnirtung and the various organizations.
I personally make this a practice whenever I have the time.
After this past fall session, once the freshly frozen sea ice formed, which I enjoy travelling on and consider very scenic, we went to the floe edge to hunt seals.
I joined a hunting party and I was also successful in that I caught more than one seal on that day.
I sent seal meat to the elders here who are staying at the elders’ home as I knew they wanted some fresh country food.
That is how Inuit share and that is why many Inuit, not just in Pangnirtung but throughout Nunavut, still practise this cultural tradition without any expectations of payment or gratitude.
There are too many individuals to name, so I thank all the hunters throughout Nunavut who share their harvests.
Member’s Statement 525 – 4(3): Nunavut Welcomes the World (Enook)
I rise today to reflect on the increasing diversity of our communities.
Mr. Speaker, at a time when we are seeing too many examples of hate and intolerance in the world, it is comforting to take note of progress here at home.
Mr. Speaker, for many generations, Inuit have welcomed newcomers from other lands.
Some of these newcomers stay for only a short while, others stay for a lifetime.
Mr. Speaker, when we look around our communities today, we see remarkable changes taking place.
These changes reflect the way in which our country as a whole is becoming increasingly diverse.
Mr. Speaker, we see new faces and hear new voices in our schools and on our streets every day.
Mr. Speaker, it is particularly remarkable to reflect on the diversity of faiths that are now represented in Nunavut.
In Nunavut there are now houses of worship for a significant number of different faiths.
Uqaqtii, one of the newest institutions is the mosque here in Iqaluit, which recently opened its doors to worshippers.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in opening our doors and welcoming the world to Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 526 – 4(3): The Importance of Traditional Knowledge (Qirngnuq)
I say “good day” to my fellow residents of Kugaaruk, people of Taloyoak, as well as my colleagues and visitors in the gallery.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an issue which our eldest member has raised a number of times during our sittings: the importance of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Mr. Speaker, learning our traditional ways must come even before learning our traditional language.
Of course Inuit language preservation is very important, but before we can focus on that, we must focus on our traditional knowledge and our traditional culture.
Mr. Speaker, we the younger generations of Nunavut are trailing behind our elders in our communities and in our lives.
*See Appendix for full text of Return to Oral Question 618 – 4(3).
Mr. Speaker, we the younger generations cannot go past and beyond our elders. We need to walk hand in hand with our elders.
We need the knowledge of our elders to be able to properly follow them into the future.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit should be visible in our government.
As our eldest member of this House has stated many times in the past, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit must be a guide for how programs and services are delivered to Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, let us hear our elders today.
I urge our government, my fellow members in our House, and my fellow Nunavummiut to make Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit a priority.
Member’s Statement 527 – 4(3): Volunteers Deliver Fresh River Water to Elders (Okalik)
Today I would like to rise to express my gratitude.
In Iqaluit the Qanak group has put together a young men’s water delivery service and they deliver water to the elders with no pay at all, just as our culture says we’re supposed to do.
They give it to anybody with disabilities.
I’m very grateful and happy that they are using our traditional culture and trying to help their fellow community members.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Languages, Hon. George Kuksuk.
Return to Oral Question 618 – 4(3): The Inuit Language Protection Act and the Private Sector (Kuksuk)
I have a return to an oral question, No. 618 – 4(3), asked by the Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa on February 28, 2017 concerning the Inuit Language Protection Act and the private sector.
Mr. Speaker, this return is quite detailed and I have filed it with the Clerk for transcribing into the Hansard for the public record and for distribution to all members.
Return to Oral Question 661 – 4(3): Mould Infestation in Public Housing Units (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Today I have a return to oral question that was asked by the MLA for South Baffin, David Joanasie.
The question was asked on March 7, 2017, Question No. 661 – 4(3) and I will read the question.
“Mr. Speaker, as the minister will recall, I asked him questions during our recent fall sitting concerning the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s request for proposals to undertake mould remediation and assessment of 241 public housing units, including 13 units in Cape Dorset and 5 units in Kimmirut.
Can the minister confirm today if these assessments were all completed?”
Mr. Speaker, my response today:
I have more details about the NHC’s mould assessment for Mr. Joanasie.
Assessments have been completed on 271 units across the territory, including 7 units in Cape Dorset and 6 units in Kimmirut.
These 271 units were identified as the 5 percent most affected public housing units in the territory.
All assessments are now complete.
Also, more questions were asked by my hon. colleague. The question was:
“Can the minister confirm whether or not the mould has actually been removed from any or all of the 241 units?”
Mr. Speaker, my response is:  I can also give more details about the remediation process.
The mould has been assessed but has not yet been “remediated” from these units.
Mould in units has been categorized as levels 1, 2, or 3.
Level 1 mould will be “remediated” by the local housing associations and organizations, and levels 2 and 3 will have to be “remediated” by an expert contractor.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation will be putting out an RFP in April to complete the remediation of the units in the four worst communities.
Further RFPs will be rolled out for the remainder of the communities in the coming months.
Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Johnny Mike.
Return to Oral Question 610 – 4(3): Qulliq Energy Corporation Activities in Sanikiluaq (Mike)
This question was asked by Member Rumbolt to the Minister responsible for the Energy Corporation, to me, Question No. 610 – 4(3), dated February 27, 2017, and the subject was the residual heat study in Sanikiluaq.
For the benefit of my colleague, I will read the return in English.
(interpretation ends) For the record, can the minister confirm what decisions the Qulliq Energy Corporation has made with respect to moving forward with the wind power project in Sanikiluaq?
Sanikiluaq’s involvement in this study was part of the larger wind mapping study under a project funded by the INAC’s ecoENERGY program and was one of the 25 communities in the territory involved.
Sanikiluaq was one of five considered to be potentially successful to harness wind resources.
The study also provided a technical analysis and recommendations for next steps.
At this point in time the QEC cannot commit to any large wind projects due to its financial obligation to rebuild existing aged diesel plants and the substantial capital investment required for wind projects.
Below are the estimated costs quoted in the QEC wind study for the five most promising wind communities in Nunavut.
The complete wind study is available on the QEC website at www.qec.nu.ca.
Cost estimates for wind turbine installations:
Sanikiluaq, $7 million to $11 million; Iqaluit, $35 million to $69 million; Arviat, $19 million to $21 million; Rankin Inlet, $20 million to $28 million; Baker Lake, $19 million to $20 million.
Currently the Qikiqtaaluk Business Development Corporation is gathering technical information through monitoring and quantifying wind potential in Sanikiluaq.
The Qikiqtaaluk Business Development Corporation plans to share the collected data with the QEC and the federal government in support of advancing wind power generation projects in this community.
The QEC is waiting for the new federal budget to see if it delivers any funding opportunities that would allow the QEC to pursue renewable energy projects.
I thank you for following up on the status of this study in your community and hope this has sufficiently answered your question.
Return to Oral Question 631 – 4(3): Residual Heat Study in Sanikiluaq (Mike)
This question was asked by Member Rumbolt to the Minister responsible for the Energy Corporation, (interpretation ends) Question No. 631 – 4(3), dated March 1, 2017, residual heat study in Sanikiluaq.
“The QEC’s 2014 annual report indicates that the corporation worked with the Municipality of Sanikiluaq in 2014 to conduct a feasibility study to connect both schools in the community for the district heating system.
Can the minister confirm what the results were of this feasibility study?”
To provide additional context to your question, originally the hamlet was responsible for all of the pipes connecting the primary school to our district heating system. The hamlet was responsible for maintaining the pipes.
When the pipes began leaking, the hamlet was not able to make the required repairs.
As a result, the system had to be disconnected some time in 2004.
Ten years later, in 2014, a study was completed that indicated a cost of approximately $1,900,000 to connect the two schools to the district heating system in Sanikiluaq.
This study was shared with the hamlet’s SAO.
The cost was too much for the QEC to bear and as such the project did not proceed.
For this project to proceed, the hamlet will have to make a capital contribution of $1.9 million to the QEC to connect the two schools to the district heating system.
This is the same arrangement the QEC has entered into with Iqaluit for the new swimming pool.
Under this new scenario the hamlet will pay for the installation of the pipes and the QEC will maintain the pipes on a go-forward basis.
The QEC has not had any contact with Sanikiluaq on this project since the study was presented to the hamlet.
If the hamlet is interested in pursuing federal funds for this project, the QEC will provide any support it can, the same as provided for the Iqaluit pool.
I thank you following up on the status of this situation in your community and I hope this has sufficiently answered your question.
I would like to welcome today and express my pride in the students that I mentioned who are studying to become reverends.
Please stand when I say your name:
Martha Kunuk of Iqaluit,
Ann Keenainak of Pangnirtung,  Sarassie Arragutainaq of Sanikiluaq,
Esau Tatatoapik of Arctic Bay,
Manasee Ulayuk of Hall Beach, and  Nina Kautuq from Pond Inlet.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome the theological students and I am extremely proud of them all.
I rarely have the opportunity to recognize visitors from my constituency, and I am very pleased to recognize Esau Tatatoapik. Please stand.
I have travelled extensively with Esau as he is also my wife’s cousin and is very close to my wife.
His father’s name is Tommy Tatatoapik.
His father and my wife are maternal cousins.
Please be aware that he is an extremely capable narwhal hunter.
I take great pride in his participation as a theological student to become a reverend.
I want to share with my colleagues in recognizing him today.
These individuals were already recognized, but they’re my relatives.
I would like to further recognize my niece, Martha Kunuk, and the other person who is also my niece is Ann Keenainak.
Hon. George Kuksuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I would like to recognize visitors in the gallery.
I would first like to acknowledge my friend from outside of Nunavut from the Western Arctic.
I don’t really recognize anybody from over there and I’m happy to do that.
Before I recognize him, I would like to recognize an elder and I see him when he visits Arviat.
I’m happy to welcome Uttak.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, before I go on to recognizing some people this afternoon, I would like to talk a little about what they are here for in Iqaluit.
They are here on a travelling show called “Inuit Way” featuring two Inuvialuktun hosts. Representing the elder generation is host Lillian Elias and representing the younger generation is co-host Terry Thrasher.
The basis of the show is to learn about commonalities and unique traits amongst Inuit from the circumpolar region. To date they have recently travelled to Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and Alaska.
They are all here in Iqaluit this week to learn about Inuit from Nunavut.
Jerry Thrasher is an up-and-coming filmmaker from Paulatuk. Lillian Elias is a very well-known and respected elder from Inuvik, who has been teaching her Inuvialuktun language and culture for many decades.
Also with them are David Stewart and Tamara Udra, who are both producers of the show.
Mr. Speaker, it’s also Lillian’s birthday today, who is 74 years young today. Happy birthday, Lillian.
Please join me in welcoming them to our legislature and Nunavut, and also wishing Lillian a very warm and happy birthday today.
Mr. Speaker, even though she has already been recognized, I would like recognize a constituent of mine who is here in Iqaluit doing the Arthur Turner Training School, Ms. Sarassie Arragutainaq.
The person I wish to recognize was already acknowledged, but let me start with recognizing my panikallak, Nina Kautuq.
Further, Mr. Speaker, while I have the opportunity here, I wish to recognize, as I am sure that members are aware, this week the service by our pages has been very well run and it is due in large part to two Pond Inlet pages who are paging this week in this House.
I wish to thank the two pages and wish them a safe journey home as they are scheduled to travel home tomorrow. I want my colleagues to join me in thanking my fellow residents of Pond Inlet, Sylvia Pewatoalook and Lindsey Qanguq.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the gallery. I very much thank our pages.
To all visitors in the gallery, welcome to our proceedings.
The theological students were already recognized. However, one of the students is my maternal niece and she is very dear to me, Ann Keenainak.
She treats me as a real maternal uncle, just for your information. We endear each other and are close.
I also welcome all of her fellow students to the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I want to share the fact that I am affected because my wife is an ordained minister.
I believe she is the first female Anglican minister. She has been categorized as such by members of the clergy.
For that reason, whenever I see a woman in that class, I get deeply touched.
I have experienced the work that is required when a person becomes a minister in their community and I know exactly what role and work will be required, and how their lives will be impacted.
Obviously it begins with newborn babies that are ministered to in various church functions all the way up to when a burial needs to be performed.
They will undertake that work upon graduation as that is generally the practice of the religion.
I am extremely proud of all of you and your dedication.
I also take pride in the male students, in particular the narwhal hunter that I took pride in as I am a bit envious of his skill.
I also thank the people who were already recognized and I also acknowledge all the visitors in the gallery.
I want to share a story prior to recognizing this individual.
Most Inuit have undergone the first catch of certain species or recall their first ever catch of an animal, for example, a silver jar or seal pup of the year.
I recall the first ever silver jar I caught. It was swimming in a lake and not in the ocean.
The seal pup was in a lake and that was my first ever catch. It had crawled onto a small sliver of land that separated the lake from the ocean, which it crossed, and when we found it, I caught it.
An Hon. Member (interpretation): How lucky!
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Due to that, this person who is now one of our elders, in the days when Inuit only had dog teams, I would go hunting with him.
Although he was recognized earlier, I want to acknowledge him and express my gratitude as he is an invaluable resource in our community.
He talks about issues, provides counselling to youth, and when elders hold meetings, he attends most of the meetings.
This man is Louis Alianakuluk Uttak from Igloolik.
I think he was born in Igloolik when the community first started.
I’m so proud of our elder, Louis Alianakuluk Uttak.
I ask of consent to return to my recognition in the gallery.
Speaker (interpretation): Do members agree?
Speaker (interpretation): Go ahead.
I don’t know why I forgot this, but I forgot to welcome the teacher to the Arthur Turner Training School and I do apologize.
The teacher, as we all know, is often a very integral part to any success of any training or courses that are delivered.
I would like to also welcome Joey Royal to the House.
I would also like to recognize an individual from my constituency, Manasee Ulayuk.
Please stand up. He’s from Hall Beach and I’m proud of him.
I don’t think I would not be sitting here today and I don’t think I would even be alive today if my discipliner and counsellor weren’t here.
I would like to fully recognize Louis Uttak.
An Hon. Member: Aw!
Speaker (interpretation): Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Pat Angnakak.
Question 679 – 4(3): Devolution (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak: It pays to be quick. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
A new round of devolution negotiations between the Government of Nunavut, the Government of Canada, and Nunavut Tunngavik were held in December of 2016.
Can the Premier update the House today on what specific progress was made at the most recent round of devolution negotiations?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. The Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Peter Taptuna.
Mr. Speaker, as members will recall, there was a chief negotiator named and a number of meeting schedules have been determined and the next round-table discussion/negotiation is slated for the end of this month.
Mr. Speaker, again, it took a long time to get to this point. Again, we continue to try to ensure that we come up with the best agreement in principle for Nunavummiut.
That is going to take a little bit of time, but at this point the agreement on the scheduled negotiations has taken place.
I can assure the member that we’re hoping to keep that schedule leading up to the AIP, which I cannot definitely say at this time when that date will be selected.
Mr. Speaker, the process has been started and I’m pleased to say that it’s going very well.
I didn’t quite hear what actual progress was made.
The current Legislative Assembly will be dissolved approximately six months from now.
What is the government’s current timetable for signing a devolution agreement in principle?
As you know, Mr. Speaker, devolution has been ongoing for a long time.
At one point the AIP was supposed to be in 2008 and again in 2014.
At this point, as I indicated, it took a long time to get back to the negotiating table.
Mr. Speaker, we’re quite confident now that the table has been set with a meeting scheduled, with scheduled talks taking place.
Once we have a better understanding leading up to the agreement in principle, I’ll surely let the House know about that.
The Premier has previously indicated that the Government of Nunavut hopes to absorb approximately 140 federal positions as part of the devolution agreement.
When I raised this issue last fall, I noted concerns with such issues as the availability of staff housing.
Can the Premier clarify if current federal employees will be transferred directly to the territorial government or will all of the positions be opened for competition?
Again, during these devolution negotiations there are ongoing discussions on amounts for staff housing. Those are part of our discussions with the federal government.
As the member is well aware, we do have a partner in this and that’s Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, who assist us and who is part of these devolution negotiations.
Mr. Speaker, these negotiations are ongoing.
As members are well aware, we do have federal positions that are already established here in Iqaluit, but the number was just a rough number from the previous discussions of 140. We don’t know exactly how that’s going to roll out leading up to the AIP.
I can assure the member that once we have a definite idea leading up to the AIP, I will certainly let the House know.
Mr. Speaker, I can’t say whether the competitions will be rolling out.
As members are well aware, we do already have a contingent of federal employees within Iqaluit.
Once we get close to the agreement in principle, we will fully understand how much more staff housing we will need throughout Nunavut for the increase in the federal positions moving into the Government of Nunavut.
Question 680 – 4(3): Child and Family Services Act (Shooyook)
I have spoken very clearly in the Legislative Assembly about the difference between discipline and abuse, and I have made my position very clear about the issue of parental responsibility and the discipline of children.
My question for the minister is this: does the government share my position regarding the issue of parental responsibility and the discipline of children, yes or no?
I can’t respond with a simple yes or no answer as it is quite complex because various forms of discipline exist.
I want all members to know what is already well known about the Department of Family Services. The department views the disciplining techniques as applicable to different cultures, as they deal with many cultures that hold different beliefs and views on disciplining children.
Yes, I do understand my colleague’s reference to Inuit societal values as members have directed that these values be incorporated into government operations. Due to the differences in disciplining children, this is what I am aware of as applying to our department.
Nonetheless, what can seem to be a difference between cultures is the need to protect the child who may be at risk. Due to the need to protect children, it sometimes clashes with Inuit cultural values and seems foreign to many Inuit.
However, the legislation that governs child protection is what the Department of Family Services uses to govern this responsibility.
I understand your difficulty.
Subsection 2(1)(c) of the current Child and Family Services Act provides that, and I quote, “Parents should use methods other than force by way of correction towards their children or in the discipline of their children.”