EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker in my capacity as the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I am pleased to announce the appointment of three members to the Qulliit Status of Women’s Council.
Arnaoyok Alookee of Taloyoak has been reappointed while Leonie Duffy of Coral Harbour and Donna Olsen-Hakongaq of Cambridge Bay are new appointments to Qulliit. They will all serve a two-year term.
I would also like to thank the outgoing members Rhoda Ungalaq and Annie Napayok, for their dedication and for the important contributions they made during their terms.
Mr. Speaker, they are joining President Kathy Hanson of Iqaluit and members Celine Ningark of Kugaaruk, Meeka Mearns of Pangnirtung, Catherine Pilakapsi of Rankin Inlet, Christine Erkidluk of Sanikiluaq and Anne Isnor of Cambridge Bay.
Together, these women reflect the geographic and cultural diversity of Nunavut.
Qulliit’s mandate is to work for equality of all women in Nunavut through advocacy, research, public education, assistance to women’s groups and advice to government.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the good work Qulliit undertakes on behalf of Nunavummiut and I ask the Members of this House to join me in extending best wishes to the newest members of Qulliit as they work to improve the lives of Nunavummiut.
Minister’s Statement 149 – 2(3): United Nations Climate Change Meetings (Netser)
Hon. Patterk Netser: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
Two officials from my department have recently returned from a successful trip to the United Nations Council of Parties, or COP 12, a conference on climate change in Nairobi, Kenya.
Considering the potential impact of climate change on the Arctic, it is important for the Government of Nunavut to have a voice at these international meetings.
While my officials were kept busy during their time at the conference on many tasks, I am pleased with their efforts in making sure that the federal minister for the environment included the impacts of climate change on the arctic in her address to the conference.
My staff were also involved in climate change adaptation talks, getting the opportunity to explain what needs to be done in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, initial adaptation negotiations were concluded during this COP 12 and an agreement was reached on a five-year global adaptation program.
The Government of Nunavut provided input and direction to our federal negotiating team.
Now we need to work with the federal government to support the development of a Canadian adaptation plan.
As one of the side events to COP 12, the internationally distributed 2007 Rio Calendar, which highlights the impacts of climate change, was unveiled. I am happy to report that Elisapee Ishulutaq, an elder from Pangnirtung is featured in the calendar. Along with her picture, Elisapee talks about the changes she has seen in our environment over the years.
I am proud that the Government of Nunavut is a sponsor of this calendar which will help make the world aware of what challenges we face in the arctic in the years to come. Copies of this calendar will arrive in Nunavut by mid-December, and you can be assured that all of you will receive a copy.
Minister’s Statement 150 – 2(3): Tabling of Approaching Ikummatiit (Picco)
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning.
I am pleased to tell members about Approaching Ikummatiit: the Government of Nunavut Energy Strategy. Developing a Nunavut Energy Strategy will help Nunavummiut reduce their total dependence on fossil fuels for all their energy needs.
Later today I will be tabling the document: Approaching Ikummatiitt.
The need to do things differently is particularly underlined by high and volatile world oil prices.
Our addiction to fossil fuels is at too high a cost to us and at too high a cost to our environment.
Approaching Ikummatiitt translates to different forms of energy and our territory needs to turn to fresh forms of energy. Examples include hydro electricity, solar power, and/or wind power to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. These alternatives are explored in the document.
The Energy Strategy has four key components:
Public education and outreach
The creation of an affordable energy fund
The use of renewable and other energy
The fundamental restructuring of our energy usage for increased efficiency.
In Pinasuaqtavut, 2004-09 the government commits to conserve and reduce the use of energy and find alternatives to diesel fuel for electricity generation.
We believe that the implementation of Ikummatiit will enable us to achieve that goal. An important objective of the Strategy is the encouragement of conservation and enhanced management to increase management efficiency, reduce greenhouse gases, and control our costs.
Departments and agencies will work in partnership with the Government’s Energy Secretariat to prepare an implementation and carry out plans for the Ikummatiitt initiative.
With this strategy we are taking a significant step forward to taking control of energy issues here in Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 151 – 2(3): Fetal Fibronectin Test in Nunavut (Aglukkaq)
It gives me great pleasure to announce the successful completion of a two-year pilot project using a new test for premature labour.
Babies who are born prematurely and who are very small can become very sick and often need to be sent to southern hospitals for specialized care.
These premature births are emotionally traumatic for parents, and care givers, can make the babies very sick and often result in emergency medivacs.
Caregivers do everything possible to avoid having these tiny babies born in the health centres and hospitals in Nunavut in order to ensure the expertise is available to assist the mother and to provide expert care for the premature infant.
A new test, known as the Fetal Fibronectin test, allows caregivers to determine accurately whether an expectant mother is likely to have her baby in the next seven days, or so. This test, which has been fully approved for use in Canada, was introduced to the Baffin for review in July 2004 and has been used over 75 times by nurses and doctors since then.
A review of its use by Dr. Sandy MacDonald, the Medical Director for the Department of Health and Social Services, has shown that the test saved approximately 45 emergency medivacs of expectant mothers who might have been in labour.
In addition to helping expectant mothers and their babies, it has also saved the department over $400,000 in medivacs in the last two years. All of the expectant mothers went on to deliver healthy babies after the test and were able to stay close to their families.
In light of the success of this pilot project, the department has purchased additional testing equipment and is installing it in most health centres throughout Nunavut during the next two months.
The use of this test has improved the quality of healthcare delivered to these tiny Nunavummiut. It has also saved a significant number of expectant mothers from emergency medivacs and has helped the department become more efficient with our limited resources.
I would like to thank Dr. MacDonald for his work in this important area of care.
Member’s Statement 344 – 2(3): Kugluktuk Warms up to Christmas (Evyagotailak)
Peter Kattuk will be absent today.
On my Member’s Statement, Mr. Speaker, as Christmas time approaches, I rise today to share with you some of the activities organized by the Kugluktuk Christmas Committee and its volunteers.
Mr. Speaker, this committee has been very busy over the years, some of its previous achievements since 2003 include:
Preparing over 100 food hampers each year for homes;
Collecting presents and prizes; and
Organizing events.
In 2004, the committee hosted the New Year’s Eve live entertainment. At this event they had our Elvis impersonator performing. This was much enjoyed by all.
Mr. Speaker, this year, the Kugluktuk committee and volunteers held their fourth annual Christmas radio telecom fundraiser and raised a total of $14,591.87.
After five years of live entertainment, prayers, laughter, and songs, the funds raised during those telecoms are used for toy drives for children under 12 at Santa’s Party, prizes for game night for all age groups, New Year’s Eve entertainment, and most importantly, for the food hampers.
Mr. Speaker, there was also a penny challenge where pennies were collected, and this year, the penny piggy bank weighed an astonishing 90 pounds.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in acknowledging the generous work the committee and its volunteers have done to make Christmas more enjoyable for all.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Evyagotailak. (interpretation) Members’ Statements. Mr. Arvaluk.
Member’s Statement 345 – 2(3): Seal and Animal Protesters (Arvaluk)
Sometimes northerners, especially those who are living off the land are misunderstood by animal rights groups like Paul McCartney’s protest on anti-sealing last spring. However, I’ve learned that counter-misunderstanding was sometimes equally puzzling.
When the news came at twelve o’clock, I was driving my boys from school. In the interview the CBC asked a protestor, “What’s your favourite animal?”
she said, “A seal.” “Why a seal?”
The protestor replied, “Because I love seal pups’ eyes.”
My son, who was seven at the time, apparently was listening; I didn’t know he was listening. He said, “Me, too.
Yummy.”
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation) Members’ Statements.
Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, Ms. Brown.
Member’s Statement 346 – 2(3): Community Announcements (Brown)
This morning I have two announcements to make, but first of all, I would like to state that the communities are now watching the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly and I would like to thank the people who broadcast our proceedings.
I say hello to all the people in Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet, I say hello to you. I will be seeing you not too long from now. Also, Gjoa Haven, if my nephew or niece is watching, Nellie Kusugak, I thank you very much; she made what I’m wearing today.
So I thank you for making that for me.
And also, I have to thank Levi Barnabas because when I was in Arctic Bay, they were very receptive.
Last October 8 we had a newcomer: my daughter gave birth to a son who was nine pounds.
She named him after my father; his name is Uqaqti Daniel Lodi.
I just wanted to announce that.
Secondly, I have my youngest daughter who used to work here at the Legislative Assembly.
I want Nancy and everyone to hear…a lot of people asked me if my daughter had already given birth; she had given birth last month on November 23.
Qiliqti Margaret Brown gave birth to a son, and her son weighed eight pounds, nine ounces.
And also, the first time I named my first grandchild, I believe that I am now an elder because I have named one of my grandchildren.
I was asked by an elder in Arviat and she’s Inukpaujaq and she’s related to us.
She asked me if I could name an individual who was born in our side of the family when it was a boy.
So I named my grandson Inukpaujaq. Inukpaujaq is very well respected and that individual has many countless relatives.
Her son is sitting here, David Alagalak, and also, she has many relatives in Iqaluit, Coral Harbour, and they have relatives all over the place.
His name is Daniel Lodi Inukpaujaq.
I’m very proud to announce the two grandsons.
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Brown. (interpretation) I would like to acknowledge you.
Member’s Statement 347 – 2(3): Christmas Wishes (Alagalak)
I would like to welcome everyone to the Gallery.
In the month of December, in view that it’s a celebration month and we look forward to the new year; we are grateful that we have made it this far.
Christmas celebrations are very well expected by the people and also by Nunavummiut.
It seems like the non-natives don’t look forward to Christmas because they’re used to it.
In view of that, the regular Inuit people, who are less fortunate than us, they are quite concerned about Christmas.
Even though we don’t want to talk about bad things, I know that they have the tendency to think about the positive things.
Some of these individuals go through difficult times in the month of Christmas, even during New Year’s and New Year’s Eve.
Even though, we don’t want to expect negative things to occur around those holidays, it’s impossible sometimes.
Even those less fortunate than us would like to purchase Christmas gifts, but they can’t afford it. I don’t know what will happen to these people in our homes.
Even though it’s like that, we wish you well during the month of Christmas and I know that you won’t be concerned with negative things. I know that your whole family will be happy and you will hear that you have work to do. In spite of that, it’s a celebration month.
There are other individuals who look forward to a new year and I feel for those people because sometimes those individuals have nothing good to look forward to.
I would like to state to all of Nunavut parents in the homes, your wives and your children, please consider your whole family during the Christmas season because your whole family has been expecting to have a good celebration. There are some individuals who have been expecting to have a better year. Please do provide them a good year because your children have a good future too and they have to be good role models.
Very well said. Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 348 – 2(3): Nunavut Youth Parliament (Peterson)
I rise today to thank and congratulate Jacqueline Omilgoetok-Lafrance for her participation in the Youth Parliament held here in Iqaluit last month.
I have watched this young lady grow up in Cambridge Bay. She is a very thoughtful, concerned, kind, and generous young lady. I was very proud that she decided that she wanted to be an MLA for a week and represent her constituents to the best of her abilities and be their voice in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Nearly 50 percent of Nunavut’s population is under the age of 22. This is a unique characteristic of our jurisdiction in relation to other provinces and territories in Canada. As elected legislators, we make important decisions every day that have an impact on the future of our youth and our territory, and yet it seems that the youth do not always have a voice.
It is through initiatives such as the Nunavut Youth Parliament, Regional Inuit Association Youth Committees, and the Community Youth Organizations that our youth can make important statements to politicians at every level about serious issues such as addressing drug and alcohol abuse, suicides, teen smoking, funding for youth centres, education, sport and recreation, strengthening language and culture and other matters of importance to them.
I would like the House to join me in congratulating all the participants in the Nunavut Youth Parliament, as well as Nunavut youth everywhere for working hard to improve conditions for themselves, their families, and their communities so that Nunavut becomes a better place to live.
Member’s Statement 349 – 2(3): Congratulate Jordin Tootoo (Tootoo)
As we all know today is Friday and it is usually a light day, but I would like to take this opportunity to make a statement congratulating someone that I’m very proud of, and I think a lot of Nunavummiut are very proud of, that’s my cousin, Jordin Tootoo. He scored his first goal last night. We thought he had it a couple of weeks ago, but he had it taken away from him.
They won over St. Louis last night. I think it is the fact that he exemplifies what hard work and determination and teamwork can do. He has proven that but you believe in, if you want something bad enough anything is possible.
I’d like to congratulate him on his goal last night and also congratulate the team on the teamwork; I think they’re leading their division.
The teams like Chicago, and the other four teams that have the lowest amount of points in the National Hockey League; they should look to teams like that as examples and maybe they can end up getting more points as well.
I like to ask all members to join me in congratulating Jordin on his first goal last night, and hopefully, we see more in the games ahead.
Member’s Statement 350 – 2(3): Congratulate Sister-In-Law (Netser)
This morning I would like to extend my appreciation for my sister-in-law who is in the Gallery. If it wasn’t for her, my wife and I would not be together. It’s the Inuit way of life to counsel when we experience difficult times with our spouses.
Usually the elders would support us.
I would like to extend my appreciation to my sister-in-law because she really assisted us for me and my wife, for my older brother, and my mother, and her.
If it wasn’t for them I would not be standing here and I know that for sure.
And I would like to congratulate her for being appointed to the Status of Women’s Council.
Member’s Statement 351 – 2(3): Opening of Youth Centre (Akesuk)
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I would like to express my appreciation to Cape Dorset and Kimmirut.
When I did a phone-in show; it was very successful.
Last August we worked in Cape Dorset and we worked on the youth centre and we opened it in Cape Dorset.
And I know that facility is going to be very beneficial to the community because it took a long time to work on that.
So I would like thank our Commissioner Anne Mikijuk Hanson and many of her relatives were there and I would like to extend my appreciation to her and also to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Mr. Tapardjuk also took part in the opening ceremony also the staff of Municipality of Cape Dorset.
I would like to thank Fred Schell for their great hospitality and the whole community.
I would like to thank the whole community for their kind hospitality when we opened the youth centre.
I think it took about two years or more to open it and to construct it, but we were very proud to have opened it and I know that the youth facility will be beneficial to our youth in Cape Dorset because they work very hard, the whole community worked very hard to get that facility, so I would like to extend my appreciation to the people who worked hard to get the facility going and to open it last August.
Minister Tapardjuk, Commissioner Anne Mikijuk Hanson, and also the community of Cape Dorset, I would like to thank you very much for doing this.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Akesuk. Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 352 – 2(3): Members of the Legislative Assembly Soccer Team (Barnabas)
Since today is Friday, this past week we have been working on very heavy and serious things, so we have to make it a lighter day on Fridays.
Tomorrow the Hurricane MLAs will play soccer.
We’ll play soccer tomorrow and we are going to try our best.
I will be playing, Keith Peterson, Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Olayuk Akesuk, Paul Okalik, Peter Kattuk.
We will be playing soccer because we are getting a bit older and we usually sit all day and I think our joints are kind of…and Ed Picco has bad joints, too, that’s why he can’t play with us.
We will be playing against the 17 & Under Girls Soccer Team from Inukshuk High School.
We will be fundraising for their activities in spring time so I invite all Iqalummiut to come and watch.
It might get a bit embarrassing if they beat us since they are a lot younger than us.
Member’s Statement 353 – 2(3): Community Announcements (Picco)
It would be fantastic if we had the Jordin Tootoo-like abilities on our soccer team playing tomorrow.
I do have some problems with my limbs, but Mr. Speaker, on one leg I could do probably better than other members could with two. And I hope to prove that tomorrow.
Mr. Speaker this weekend, and some of the members have mentioned, will be very busy here in Iqaluit and I just wanted to update the Members in the House and our listening public.
Mr. Speaker, tomorrow morning at eleven o’clock, the Anglican Church will be hosting a Christmas Craft Sale fundraiser and all proceeds from the craft sale will be going to the construction of our new cathedral.
Last week, I want to thank our members for attending our turkey supper. We raised over $8,600 at the turkey supper for the new church.
As Mr. Barnabas has just mentioned, the Under 17 Girls Soccer Team has challenged the MLAs and others to participate at one o’clock tomorrow at the high school, again, another fundraiser and I thank the members who are participating.
My daughter is one of the players on the Under 17 Girls Soccer Team, and I have had some issues with injuries over the last week and a half, so if I’m not able to participate, my wife has generously offered to fill in in my stead.
I would hope to be on the sidelines at least cheering Mr. Barnabas on. And I invite, again, the public in Iqaluit and the visiting public here in the community to take part in that tomorrow at one o’clock.
At two o’clock tomorrow afternoon, I will be attending another event, and that will be the official opening of the homeless shelter here in Iqaluit. Again, I would urge the members to try to attend.
The Commissioner for the Salvation Army, for the first time ever in Nunavut, will be present for the official opening, along with the world famous, internationally-known Salvation Army Brass Band. That will be at two o’clock at the homeless shelter.
Then tomorrow evening, First Air is hosting their annual President’s Ball. I want to point out that the President’s Ball is an annual event held here in Iqaluit on behalf and for First Air.
All funds raised at the President’s Ball are donated to various charities across Nunavut, for example, the crisis line, the homeless shelter, and the Nunavut Literacy Council are some of the people who have received money from this event.
Again, I would urge members to try to attend.
I apologize to the ladies for not letting them go first, but I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize some young people here in the Gallery as they have a bus waiting for them.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the students from the grade one, two, and three classes from the Ecole des Trois-Solaire that were here to decorate the Christmas tree. As we know there’s one Christmas tree from each school that’s decorated every year.
I would like to recognize all of them and my French is not the best, so excuse any mispronunciations of the names.
In no particular order I would like to welcome: Nathan Bisson, Ayla Jacquard, Sophie Dubeau, Daniel Joseph-Johnson, Diane Garson, Esmé Roussel, Leevee Pallister-Beauregard, Tattaujaq Birrell, no stranger to Members of this House, also known as Tau is here, Xavier Palluq-Cloutier, Katia d’Argencourt, my son Cédric Bohemier, hiding under the chairs over there, Austin Caza, Hala Crowley, Alex McDermott, Danyan Cartier, and their teacher Molly McClure.
I would like to welcome them to the Gallery, and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cindy Rennie, who coordinates this event on behalf of the Legislative Assembly and also the bus driver for her patience in waiting for the students.
I’d like to introduce and recognize in the Gallery the members of Qulliit Nunavut Status Council. When your name is called, please stand up.
Starting off, Kathy Hanson, who is the president of the council from Iqaluit, member Celine Ningark from Kugaaruk, Christine Erkidluk from Sanikiluaq, Catharine Pilakapsi from Rankin Inlet, Anne Isnor from Cambridge Bay, one of my constituents Arnaujuq Alookie from Taloyoak, Leonie Duffy from Coral Harbour, and Donna Olsen Hakongak from Cambridge Bay, and Meeka Mearns who can’t be here today from Pangnirtung.
I would like to recognize the staff for the council: Stephanie Williams who is Acting Executive Director for the Council and Rhoda Adla who is the interim Executive Director.
And I also would like to recognize a long time northerner who’s leaving this month and who has worked in many departments throughout Nunavut, that’s Maureen Doherty who is also Senior Program specialist for women’s initiatives within the Government of Nunavut.
The individuals are here until the third of December and will be meeting over the weekend as well.
I know the person was already recognized, but I don’t get very many opportunities to recognize my constituents Celine Ningark. Their daughter is my Constituency Assistant. I’d like to welcome her to the Gallery.