EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
It will require strong commitment from our elected leaders, community leaders, and individuals to achieve these goals.
Together, we can achieve them.
Ministers’ Statements. Premier of Nunavut, (interpretation ends) Hon. Eva Aariak.
Minister’s Statement 077 – 3(2): GN Response to the Food Mail Review (Aariak)
I rise today to convey Nunavut’s participation in the federal Food Mail Program and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs’ recent work to renew the program.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut do not currently see the subsidy in the sticker price at the store, but the Food Mail Program provides tremendous value to Nunavummiut.
Annually, this subsidy is equivalent to $650 per person but can exceed $2,000 per person in the more remote communities. As such, we fully support the continuation of a food subsidy program for the north and agree with Canada’s plans to renew the program.
The Food Mail Program should be realigned from its present day use to a culturally relevant and appropriate food security program for all Nunavummiut.
We expect that the food mail review will lead to substantial program and administrative changes and we would like to collaborate in a meaningful way into the design and implementation of this change.
The Government of Nunavut would like to see the Food Mail Program revised to be based on clear principles, measurable objectives, and relevant indicators.
In Nunavut, focusing the program on the most vulnerable populations must be the first principle.
Now more than ever, we should be supporting the traditional economy and the health and culture benefits of harvesting country foods.
Mr. Speaker, country foods must be adequately addressed in the renewed Food Mail Program.
It is no longer acceptable for Canada to discriminate against country foods.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Nunavummiut must have a voice in the development in the eligibility list for the renewed program. By fully involving our experts on northern diets, nutrition, and healthy food, we will find meaningful ways to work together on nutrition, health education, and promotional activities.
The renewed program should focus on food products rather than a component of cost. Only by focusing on food itself will the program be aligned with the principle of good quality, nutritious foods at affordable prices.
For those individuals in our smaller and more remote communities, for Nunavummiut with dietary restrictions, for daycares and breakfast programs, some form of individual access should be maintained.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, we expect diligent monitoring on the impacts and outcomes of a revamped program.
As our communities are serviced by air only, any change to the program has the potential to dramatically affect the cost of living, access to medical care, and supply of other goods and services.
Speaker (interpretation): Madam Premier, I have shut off your microphone and I’m sorry to disrupt your statement, Premier, as your time allotment has expired.
If you wish to conclude your statement, you must ask the House for unanimous consent.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Yes, I did try to ask for unanimous consent, but it was cut off right at that time, so I doubt I was heard.
The Premier is seeking unanimous consent from her colleagues to conclude her statement.
There are no nays. You may conclude your statement, Premier Aariak.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to conclude my statement.
To reiterate, we expect diligent monitoring on the impacts and outcomes of a revamped program. (interpretation ends) As our communities are serviced by air, any change to the program has the potential to dramatically affect the cost of living, access to medical care, and supply of other goods and services, as I said earlier.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will table the Government of Nunavut’s response to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs’ food mail review.
Mr. Speaker, food mail is an essential program in Nunavut.
We strongly support the renewal of the program and offer the Government of Nunavut’s time and expertise for the development of a culturally relevant and affordable food program. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you, Madam Premier.
Member’s Statement 106 – 3(2): Condolences on the Passing of Ashevak Ezekiel (Schell)
I rise here today to send my condolences to the family and friends of Ashevak Ezekiel, who recently passed away in Cape Dorset.
Ashevak Ezekiel was a respected elder who contributed much of his time and efforts to the well-being of the community of Cape Dorset. He served on a number of boards and committees and he was always considerate of the interests of others in his community and in Nunavut. He also had many friends and relatives in Nunavik.
Ashevak was very involved with a variety of church activities and other community events.
For many years, he played an important role in maintaining the Cape Dorset Airport.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in extending condolences to the Ezekiel family and the community of Cape Dorset.
Member’s Statement 107 – 3(2): Pangnirtung Students to Participate in United Nations Climate Change Conference (Komoartok)
Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today to inform the House of an exciting initiative being undertaken by a group of students from Pangnirtung.
As the House is aware, the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference starts on December 7 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
A group of students from Pangnirtung will be departing for Europe this Saturday in order to participate in this important event.
The students will be participating as part of the Portraits of Resilience project. This photography project illustrates the ethical dimension of the climate change discussion through the words and photographs of high school students from four arctic communities in Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and Nunavut.
The goal is to give these young people a voice in Copenhagen in 2009 and to put a youthful, human face on climate change in the Arctic.
Through this project, the students have written essays, learned to take photographs, and worked hard to show their communities to the outside world. Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be tabling further information on this project.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud that students from Pangnirtung will be participating in this international event.
During their time in Copenhagen, they will also be sharing elements of our Inuit culture with the rest of the world through their participation in cultural performances.
The issue of climate change is complex and it is important that Nunavut be represented at this conference.
I am pleased that young people will be at this event alongside their leaders and officials.
Mr. Speaker, the participating students are Julie Alivaktuk, Janet Evik, Danny Ishulutak, Jenna Kilabuk, Johnny Kilabuk, and their chaperone is Emily Karpik, who happens to be a young hamlet councillor responsible for youth in our community.
At this time, we would like to express our appreciation and thanks to the Department of Environment and the government for their strong support.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in extending our best wishes to our youth as they prepare to embark on their important journey.
Member’s Statement 108 – 3(2): Junior Canadian Rangers in the House (Elliott)
I am very proud to rise today to acknowledge a fine group of Junior Canadian Rangers who will be our pages in the House today and tomorrow.
Mr. Speaker, the Junior Canadian Rangers who are with us today are from my constituency of Quttiktuq.
Valerie Amaruk and Menda Iqaluk are from the community of Resolute Bay.
Celina Ipeelee and Michael Muckpa are from the community of Grise Fiord.
I would also like to mention that from Grise Fiord, we have with us Ooleesee Akeeagok.
Mr. Speaker, Ooleesee is a crack shot and placed third overall in the regional air rifle competition.
She will be travelling to Yellowknife to shoot in the national level competition in May of 2010. I wish her luck.
Mr. Speaker, there are a number of opportunities for the Junior Canadian Rangers to travel and receive training outside of their communities. Last summer saw 94 Nunavut youth take part in an enhanced training session in Whitehorse, Yukon that included activities, such as whitewater rafting, horseback riding, trapping, and logging.
Thanks to the generous invitation by Brigadier General Millar, Commander of Joint Task Force North, I was able to participate first hand in Whitehorse in some of the wonderful training these youth receive.
Mr. Speaker, the Junior Canadian Ranger Program is a structured program for boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18 from communities where there are Canadian Rangers.
At the moment, there are over 110 Junior Canadian Ranger patrols with about 3,400 youth participants across Canada.
Mr. Speaker, the Junior Canadian Rangers are taught ranger skills, such as first aid, using small boats, snowmobiles and ATVs, and firearm safety. They are also taught traditional skills and life skills in keeping with the cultural traditions and language of their community. The program supports healthy lifestyles, respect for others, and respect for the environment.
Mr. Speaker, when we think of our Canadian Rangers, we think of their skills on the land and their critical role in arctic sovereignty exercises. We often do not realize that many of them also share their skills as instructors for the Junior Canadian Ranger Program.
Mr. Speaker, although they are sponsored by the Canadian Forces and other organizations, the Junior Canadian Ranger patrols can only exist with strong community support.
Mr. Elliott is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
As I was saying before, this program requires strong community support. I know that in both Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay, they have that.
Mr. Speaker, the Junior Canadian Rangers are recognizable by their uniform, which is a green sweatshirt and ball cap emblazoned with the Junior Canadian Rangers crest. In keeping with decorum in the House, our pages are not wearing their ball caps.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing this fine group of Junior Canadian Rangers.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. (interpretation) Welcome to the Gallery.
Member’s Statement 109 – 3(2): Ikajurasuaqtiit Recognizes Elise Qulaut (Tapardjuk)
I rise today to say “thank you” and to acknowledge some people.
As the government and people of Nunavut, we strive for peaceful and harmonious communities. Even though there was colonialism in the past, we are starting to regain our strength.
Elders are working closely together with the government to regain their cultural aspects, social lifestyles, and counselling especially.
In Igloolik, a committee was established a long time ago. In the last two weeks, we recognized an individual, Elise Qulaut, who is my aunt but is actually my birth mother. Elise Qulaut recently received an award for her selfless dedication to provide family counselling as a volunteer over many years in her desire to assist her fellow residents.
She was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Ikajurasuaqtit Group.
Further, I am aware of other communities’ successes, such as Clyde River and Taloyoak. Based on what has been voiced to me, one exists also in Rankin Inlet.
These selfless, dedicated people provide this service out of the goodness of their hearts, to act on their love for their fellow Inuit and a wish to provide assistance so that other families are able to cope.
As a government, we spout off about the fact that Inuit must repatriate control over their own lives here in Nunavut.
These noble people work extremely hard in the background and are not very visible. However, today, in this House, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in a public thanks to these unselfish volunteers. We need to acknowledge these people who provide a service that is too often unseen.
We, too, as a government, have to join in acknowledging these valuable community resource people. I would like take this occasion to thank these family counsellors on behalf of my colleagues and to distinguish the valuable contribution they make, even though it may not be very visible.
We are very grateful for their contributions.
Member’s Statement 110 – 3(2): Inadequate Space for Hamlet Staff in Kugaaruk (Ningark)
Just prior to my trip to the capital for this session, both the Hamlet of Repulse Bay and the Hamlet of Kugaaruk provided copies of their capital estimates. Although I will not be using these as a basis for my questions, I would like to refer to them as they are public planning documents.
With respect to the Hamlet of Kugaaruk, they informed me that one of their items includes a larger office facility. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that the existing hamlet offices are too small for our growing community since this facility was constructed back in the day when our population base was much smaller.
The hamlet complex, as it is called locally, was built in the 1970s, close to the actual year of 1970.
Just to provide a sample of the inadequacy of the current office space, some of the hamlet workers are working outside of the hamlet in reclaimed houses which were previously written off and turned into their offices.
Due to the extreme lack of office availability, the hamlet is even utilizing the elders and youth centre, as it is called in English.
The hamlet is using space in the facility to serve as their office space, and the elders and youth are no longer able to use the facility to its fullest. It used to be only for elders and youth, but due to the lack of office space, the youth and elders have been displaced.
Yes, when I was informed by the Minister of Community and Government Services about these capital estimates, I was very appreciative of the noted renovation budgets for our hamlet offices.
It does not state whether this will include an expansion of these offices to provide more space.
So I would like to notify the government that the Hamlet of Kugaaruk would prefer to get a more spacious facility or perhaps even the use of a government office. I would like the capital estimate planners to include this provision to the capital estimates so that this addition can be included prior to April.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation) I would like to apologize as I overlooked a member.
Prior to moving on to Item 4, Mr. Okalik.
Member’s Statement 111 – 3(2): Amarok HTO Letter to Department of Environment on Proposed Bridge (Okalik)
It is unfortunate as I thought you had noticed me when I had my hand up.
I would like to speak to an issue in our community that I have brought up on several occasions and one that is known to all members.
The issue relates to the bridge across the river. I had a meeting last week with the local hunters and trappers association over this issue and what position they wished me to take with regard to this bridge.
They repeated their position.
I was tasked to represent the concerns of local residents and what options we may have so that we do get a bridge that meets the needs of all residents.
As a result, I will continue to pursue this issue.
We are a government that represents all people of Nunavut and tries to help one another.
At the appropriate time, I will be tabling a petition to the Department of Environment for all members to examine.
Return to Oral Question 153 – 3(2): Funding for Travel to Dubai and Support to the Kinngait Studio (Tapardjuk)
With regard to Question 153 – 3(2), Mr. Schell asked if we provided funds for a group travelling to Dubai and the answer is no.
I rise today to recognize one of my constituents, Linda Pemik, sitting over there against the wall, from Arviat.
Linda is a very dedicated senior employee of the Nunavut Arctic College and also a very involved citizen of the community of Arviat and has contributed greatly.
I would like to introduce to the House from Yellowknife, from the First Canadian Ranger Patrol, Warrant Officer Ed Patten. He is here helping to supervise with the pages.
Question 158 – 3(2): Energy Efficient Homes (Okalik)
He made a statement yesterday which was very interesting.
I missed part of what the government is going to be doing.
Particularly on homeownership, we often seem to be outdone in other jurisdictions.
There is an office in Yellowknife that seeks to improve housing units, for example, on units that are too drafty. They looked at how to design a building or how they can install better insulation in houses.
We don’t have an energy conservation program here in Nunavut and I think that we should have that type of service available. Are we going to be setting one up here?
With regard to energy efficiency, we are making plans and looking at options that could be made available by the government and the Qulliq Energy Corporation. We are at the planning stages at this point, Mr. Speaker.
This office in Yellowknife investigates homes that belong to homeowners on how drafty units can be fixed.
I wanted to ask if the government is at the planning stage to do this kind of research for homeowners and that is what I’m trying to ask.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): I’m not exactly sure if there is such a program, but at this point, I would like to take his question as notice to make sure that I will have the proper information to present to the member.
Thank you, Mr. Okalik. The question is taken as notice.
Question 159 – 3(2): Status of the Nuiyak School Floor Replacement (Rumbolt)
My question is also for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
As the minister is aware, in August of this year, his department advertised a tender for the Nuiyak School floor replacement. The tender closed on August 28.
As of today, what is the status of this project?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thank the member for the question.
The status so far is the tender has been contracted out. The materials for the work are on site and it will be done.
Because it’s hard to do this kind of work while the school is on and the building is being utilized, that work will begin as soon as the school is out over the Christmas break.
In Sanikiluaq, our sealift arrives in early July, which is approximately two months before school starts.
By the time the supplies are offloaded and work is completed on a project of this nature, it could delay the beginning of school years.
Can the minister indicate why the tender was not advertised earlier in the year to minimize any interruption to students and staff?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: Mr. Speaker, no, I can’t.
I thank the minister for his short answer.
For future tenders of this nature, will the minister commit to ensuring that all of the departments take each community’s sealift schedule into consideration when considering projects at schools?
There are many factors that get played into working on a project such as this and our department tries its utmost to ensure that materials can arrive on sealift so that it can be worked on as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately it didn’t happen at this time, but I assure the member that the work will be done and school should not be disrupted while the work is being done.
Yes, we will do our utmost to ensure that materials are in the community at the earliest convenience so that construction can be done.
Question 160 – 3(2): Funding for Inuit Broadcasting Corporation and Support for the Kinngait Studio (Schell)
I would like to follow up on the issue of providing assistance in support for a new printmaking studio in Cape Dorset.
I recently noted that the Deputy Minister of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation was quoted in the news as saying that funds for the new media centre in Iqaluit for the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation are coming from the department’s Strategic Investments Program. As I recall, he said that the department would be looking at providing $250,000 this year and hopefully $250,000 next year.
Given that the Government of Nunavut sees merit in providing funds to the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, would the Department of Economic Development and Transportation also be willing to consider setting aside funds towards a new building for the Kinngait Studio in Cape Dorset?
We will look into every possible infrastructure program that you mentioned. Of course, Cape Dorset is one of the most productive arts and crafts communities on Baffin.
You’re right when you said that we funded to a certain amount for IBC, or the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, for a new building.
But at this time, we would like to see an application coming from the community so that it can be assessed as to its feasibility and the department will take it from there.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s strategy for growth in Nunavut’s arts and crafts sector states that “Many have noted the importance of the arts sector as a foundation for growth in the economy as a whole.”
Here’s a pamphlet that Economic Development had put out about strategic growth in Nunavut’s arts and crafts sector and I’ll just quote you three little articles.
Number one, it says that “Nunavut artists are a major contributor to Canada’s international art export market: more than 10 per cent of Canadian art sold internationally is Inuit...” It also states that their goal No. 1, increasing the quality of Nunavut art, is to create affordable, safe workplaces for artists. It also goes on to say that “Cape Dorset, where the arts economy in Nunavut…” as an example and it has also been described as the most artistic community in Canada.
So as you can see the list of seven goals for Nunavut’s arts and crafts sector, the first one includes the creation of affordable, safe workplaces for artists. As I noted in my Member’s Statement last Friday, the building that houses the Kinngait Printmaking Studio is a half century old and concerns have been brought to my attention with respect to the condition of the building.
I trust that the government would see merit in providing support to a printmaking centre which has contributed to Nunavut’s economy and I would like to ask if the minister is willing to commit to having his officials meet with the studio to discuss this matter.
I again thank you for that question.
We do have the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association that works in arm’s length of the department. We put them in charge to look at all of the possibilities of improving our arts and crafts economic sector for the whole of Nunavut.
Again, we will be speaking with them to take a look at your concern.
As the building is half a century old, there are safety concerns about the building and we will certainly look at that.
As it was stated in that pamphlet, “more than 10 per cent of the Canadian art sold internationally is Inuit art,” “Cape Dorset, where the arts economy in Nunavut may be said to have had its beginning, is often used as an example,” and “described as ‘the most artistic municipality in Canada.’”
The Kinngait Printmaking Studio has been one of the key players in the development of Cape Dorset art community and the Inuit art economy.
I would like to ask the minister if he will take these facts into consideration when considering the matter with his officials.
The arts and crafts sector is a growing economy in our territory of Nunavut, and one great thing about it is there is no retirement age for artists: they can carry on and do what they love doing. There are old folks out there, elders who still carve and contribute to the economy as old as 90 years old. So that’s one of the great things in arts and crafts in Nunavut.
As a department, we had indicated that’s one of our priorities, to make sure arts and crafts are an economy that will be helped out.
We have the Nunavut Development Corporation and other partners, the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association.
As I indicated, we will take a look at any kind of application that comes in from any community.
I would just like to thank the minister for his comments and I look forward to meeting with him on this situation.
Question 161 – 3(2): Update on the Nanisivik Naval Facility (Elliott)
My questions are directed towards the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.