EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I appreciate that future plans for the Rankin Inlet Elders Facility may be in the works.
However, the need is there now and the opportunity to meet that need exists.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage the government to reconsider its plans to renovate the children’s group home in Rankin Inlet.
Member’s Statement 044 – 4(3): South Baffin High School Graduates of 2015 (Joanasie)
Good day to everyone here and those listening and watching the proceedings.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and congratulate six constituents of mine who attained their high school diplomas this year.
Mr. Speaker, in Kimmirut, two young men, Brian Padluq and Allan Kolola, completed their grade 12 requirements this spring.
It was an honour to celebrate with them and the community in June, shortly after our spring sitting.  Mr. Speaker, after the high school graduation ceremony, we were treated to some marimba music.
It was very good music, courtesy of the staff and students at Qaqqalik School.
I thank you all for a wonderful event.
Mr. Speaker, in addition, four individuals from Cape Dorset finished their high school studies. Carmen Rowsell, Arnakadlak Pootoogook, Taiann Hayward, and Josephie Sila celebrated with school staff, friends, community members, and family. We had a great celebration.
That was just days before the Peter Pitseolak School caught fire and we were able to do that.
I’m glad we were able to come together and commemorate these individuals’ achievements and I look forward to joining future graduate celebrations in the years ahead.
Member’s Statement 045 – 4(3): Sanikiluaq’s Table Tennis Team (Rumbolt)
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Sanikiluaq Table Tennis Team, which travelled to Iqaluit to compete in a tournament from October 15 to 19 of this year.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, travel from Nunavut’s remote communities is extremely expensive for our athletes and sports teams. It is a testament to their passion and dedication to their sport that, on top of their training and ensuring that they have good equipment, uniforms, and other gear, our athletes work very hard to raise the funds to enable them to travel and compete, which is no small feat in itself.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the table tennis team of:
Quetin Sala;
Johnassie Sala;
Eli Sala;
Jimmy Mickiyuk;
Mina Mannuk;
Alicia Arrarutaniaq;
Betsy Audla; and
Martha Novalinga
The chaperones were Noah Emiqutalak and Dora Kavik.
Mr. Speaker, after all their hard work, Sanikiluaq’s table tennis players did well.
I would like to congratulate Johnassie Sala, who came in third, and Betsy Audla, who came in fourth in the tournament.
Both of these players are listed as alternates for the Arctic Winter Games to be held in Greenland this coming March.
Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, Mr. Paul Okalik.
Member’s Statement 046 – 4(3): PRIDE Celebration in Iqaluit (Okalik)
(interpretation ends) This past Saturday, I was honoured to be invited for the Iqaluit PRIDE and celebration event at the Storehouse.
The event was the celebration of how far we have come as a territory and as communities.
I was very proud to be standing on the stage with Jack Anawak, who was my colleague when we were discussing and debating the Nunavut Human Rights Bill. I was very proud to reminisce how far we have come.
When we were celebrating at the Storehouse, a lot of people couldn’t even make it in.
There were too many people that wanted to come.
I was very proud to be taking part in the celebration for everyone, as our territory is rather young, but at the same time, we’re very welcoming of all those who come our way.
I want to thank the organizers of the PRIDE celebration and all those who took part. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 047 – 4(3): Successful Environmental Clean-up in Constituency (Keyootak)
I rise today to congratulate and show my appreciation. As we know, in our community, especially near Qikiqtarjuaq, they were cleaning up for many years on Inuit owned lands.
When we signed to become Nunavut, there were huge parts of lands that needed cleaning up, especially DEW line sites.
There are many of these sites around Qikiqtarjuaq. Qikiqtarjuaq is surrounded by DEW line sites and there were some near Clyde River.
Those clean-ups have been completed.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to show my appreciation to those who performed the clean-up. They also trained heavy equipment operators. Many people were trained on those machines working for those companies.
They cleaned up very well.
They built a bridge in Clyde River and they built a road to where Clyde River residents have cabins. They did some work around Qikiqtarjuaq and they built more roads within the community. They left behind HF repeaters and these were items that were needed in the community.
I truly appreciate them and I am proud of the people who returned the land to its natural state.
There were huge tracks of land that were contaminated and a lot of it has been completed today. The contaminated soil has been cleaned up along with the many old barrels.
This was a huge concern within our community.
I rise here today to show my appreciation to the people who are now trained in heavy equipment operation.
Member’s Statement 048 – 4(3): Opening of the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth (Quassa)
I want to welcome you on your return. I say “hello” to the residents of Aggu and my colleagues.
Friday night, I was able to attend the opening ceremony of the new office of the (interpretation ends) representative for children and youth. (interpretation) We met the staff and there are nine members.
We celebrated with them for being able to open the new facility.
I would like to show my appreciation with my colleagues as this office is now open and it’s obvious that they will be going to do their job.
Minister Peterson has worked hard on this project, and I celebrate with him that we were able to open the office facility for the representative for children and youth.
Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, Ms. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
Member’s Statement 049 – 4(3): QIA’s 40th Anniversary (Ell-Kanayuk)
I would also like to show my appreciation for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association for celebrating their 40th anniversary here in Iqaluit recently.
Three people were recognized and I was one of the people who collected the award on behalf of my late father.
I wanted to show my appreciation to my late father, Siusaarnaaq, who was one of the people recognized. The late Pauloosie Kilabuk was also recognized, as was Simon Nattaq. They were given recognition awards for their help to Inuit.
Last weekend, we commemorated the ice that stuck around Iqaluit for a long time this summer. A lot of us were only able to get out by boats in the water in August.
When my father’s old boat, “Black Jet,” was launched last weekend in Iqaluit, I wanted to announce it.
That boat helped a lot of people in Iqaluit, and I am extremely proud and happy that they were able to feed a lot of walrus to Iqaluit residents over the weekend.
I appreciate the hunters, although I won’t mention their names, as well as the HTO that organized the event, as there were very many.
Member’s Statement 050 – 4(3): Impact of Codeshare Agreement (Enook)
Before I go to my statement, (interpretation ends) let me begin by giving my belated birthday wish to our colleague, Mr. Rumbolt, who claims to be 36 all over again.
I don’t know about that, but I would like to wish him all the best.
(interpretation) Good afternoon to the people Pond Inlet and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the impact that the recent codeshare agreement between the northern airlines has had on my constituents in the community of Pond Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by saying that all of us understand perfectly well that it is very expensive to run an airline, and it is particularly expensive to run an airline in the north.
We fully understand that airlines, like any private concern, have to make a profit to stay alive.
At the same time, many of my colleagues have joined me in pointing out the need to clearly acknowledge that air service is not a luxury; it’s a necessity, which is why we need to identify the problems that codeshare has caused for our communities and constituents.
Mr. Speaker, when the codeshare agreement was launched in July, one of the major airlines publicly claimed that the new schedule would, and I quote, “create immediate benefits for our Northern customers.”
Mr. Speaker, I must say that I haven’t seen any benefits myself.
(interpretation) I didn’t hear any nays.
Mr. Speaker, over the past few months, I have heard numerous concerns from my constituents and fellow Nunavummiut about the different ways in which the codeshare agreement has actually made life significantly more difficult for ordinary people.
As recently as yesterday, somebody told me a story that all the passengers arriving from Rankin Inlet to Iqaluit were not allowed to take their suitcases.
They were probably coming here to work and to attend meetings, but not one was allowed to bring a suitcase.
Where in Canada does that happen?
In Nunavut, they do that to customers.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to highlight some of the most critical areas today. I will be speaking mostly about Pond Inlet.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the frequency of flights between Pond Inlet, Iqaluit, and Ottawa has been severely reduced as a consequence of the codeshare agreement.
This has had a ripple effect on everything from medical travel to cargo.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, residents of Pond Inlet travelling to and from Ottawa for medical treatment used to be able to get there and back in a single today.
The recent reduction in service frequency now means that many of my constituents have to spend extra time in Iqaluit while in transit.
Is this a benefit to customers?
Mr. Speaker, this, in turn, results in increased medical travel costs for the government, and we all know that this is an area that is already under severe pressure.
I would also note the concern and I have been told about medical supplies and samples not being transported in a timely manner or they’re delayed, and these are daily requirements.
Does this benefit the customer and my community?
Mr. Speaker, I cannot identify a single way in which codeshare has benefited my constituents or any resident of Nunavut.
We talk about the importance of food security and poverty reduction, but cargo costs are through the roof for everything since this codeshare agreement.
We talk about the importance of tourism as a sustainable source of economic growth. We get a lot of tourists in Pond Inlet, but how can we expect tourists to visit our communities when it costs less to fly to Europe than it does to come up north? It’s way less.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, I asked a number of questions to the Minister of Health earlier this year concerning the government’s contracts for medical travel and duty travel.
The hon. minister is also affected because he has already mentioned that it needs to be looked at again.
Mr. Speaker, although Nunavummiut recognize that the government does not directly control the airline industry, we also recognize that the tens of millions of dollars that the government spends each year on essential air travel gives us an important stake in this issue.
I think that the government needs to be able to talk on this issue.
Member’s Statement 051 – 4(3): 2015 High School Graduates of Whale Cove (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s good to see you back.
Good afternoon, my fellow residents of Arviat, Nunavummiut, and residents of Whale Cove.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the graduates in Whale Cove at Inuuglak School. (interpretation ends) I am very proud of them for this accomplishment.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to say “thank you” to their families and to their teachers and staff at the Inuuglak School for their support.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I will say the names of the graduates in Whale Cove:
Blandine Qijuk;
Vanessa Siturak;
Kayla Jones;
Jolene Adjuk; and,
Marsha Qaugaarjuk.
(interpretation ends) Uqaqtii, I know it’s not always easy today for our youth. I really want to say “good job” to these young people for all their hard work and I wish them all the best in their future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Member’s Statement 052 – 4(3): Nunavut Tourism Awards (Mike)
I would also like to thank you for the opportunity.
This Saturday, the Members of the Legislative Assembly were invited to an event organized by Nunavut Tourism. I would like to thank the Minister of Economic Development, Minister Ell-Kanayuk and her husband for inviting us.
We also had Hunter Tootoo, the new Nunavut MP-elect, our Commissioner, the Member for Baker Lake, the member for Niaqunnguut, and the member for Tasiluk.
At that time, we had discussions and a feast.
I am very grateful, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 053 – 4(3): Happy 75th Birthday to Johnny Lyall (Peterson)
Good afternoon, constituents in Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a milestone birthday for a very dear and good friend of mine that I have known for what seems like most of my life, and it is Mr. Johnny Lyall.
He celebrated his 75th birthday earlier this month.
The interesting thing about Mr. Lyall, or Johnny, as most of us know in Cambridge Bay, is even though he has reached this milestone, he is still working.
He’s probably one of the hardest working guys in Cambridge Bay.
Over his 75 years, he’s had many careers.
I know of some of them.
He has been an Inuit special constable in Nunavut. He has been a fishing guide. He has been on the hamlet council.
When I was mayor, he was a councillor giving me some good advice on things.
He’s a taxi driver now and you can always see him driving around town.
A few years ago, Johnny came to me with an important initiative in Cambridge Bay to recognize Inuit special constables from our community.
We didn’t have RCMP headstones. We worked together on that project.
Of the four names that we identified, we got headstones for three of them. It’s very nice to drive by the cemetery and see those headstones there.
I would like to thank Johnny for that support.
I wish Johnny a happy birthday and to the elders in Cambridge Bay and across Nunavut who will celebrate their birthdays this month. If you’re still working and you’re 75, I hope your boss gives you a day off.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I would like to recognize Cindy Twerdin. Welcome to the House.
Cindy works at Canadian North and she is my constituent.
I would like to recognize the Nunavut Teacher Education Program students and their instructor from Nunatta Campus.
In the visitors’ gallery are the following students, (interpretation) and please rise when I say your names:
Clara Akulujuk,
Madison Cormack,
Celina Kalluk,
Jimi Paton,
Geela Reid,
Megan Ungaalak.
(interpretation ends) Of course, their instructor is Margaret Pearce.
These students are currently taking the sociology of the family course and using as a resource, Arnait Nipingit: Voices of Inuit Women in Leadership and Governance. (interpretation) I ask the members to join me in congratulating these individuals.
I would also like to recognize an individual that was recognized already, my sister-in-law, Jimi Paton. Welcome to the gallery.
Question 047 – 4(3): Nunavut Suicide Crisis Announcement (Shooyook)
I am very pleased today and I have to make some comments today.
Mr. Speaker, this past week, we had discussions on suicide and I heard something that I really liked.
You said that suicide was in crisis in Nunavut now. I would like to ask the Premier about the plans he has for suicide prevention in Nunavut.
What usually happens is that any program that’s started is usually started in the larger communities.
What about the smaller communities? Is it only when programs are set up in the larger communities that you will start thinking about suicide prevention programs in the smaller communities?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Premier, Mr. Taptuna.
I also thank the member for asking a question about that.
Mr. Speaker, the other day, I stated that as soon as we meet in the next few days, we will know the chair and we will work on suicide prevention. It’s not only in Rankin Inlet. We hope to meet with the people in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay.
I would like to thank the Premier very much.
Suicide is of great concern to the territory of Nunavut and it’s crucial that we set up some suicide prevention programs in Nunavut, both in the larger and smaller communities.
I am very pleased that the Premier has already taken some initiatives.
We also have to think about the elders and their participation in the programs.
There are Inuit out there who have never participated in any training programs, but they do know the traditional social skills and know how to deal with things such as suicide prevention.
I would like to ask the Premier if he is going to have the elders participate.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Premier Taptuna.
Hon. Peter Taptuna (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
As we set up the committee, we will have elders on the committee as well.
As soon as we find out how much it’s going to cost to put this committee together… .
(interpretation ends) Regardless of which community, we want to include all the communities in Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated, once the committee is set up and the coordination person has been set up, we will endeavour to ensure that all participants within the committee participate.
When it comes to training, we’re starting the process of training the GLOs in the ASIST program and we intend to do that throughout.
Again, once the committee is set up, we’re going to include elders. For that very matter, we have included culture within the committee.
Of course, the committee is going to be chaired by the Minister of Health.
From there, once everything is identified, we’re going to be inclusive to all age groups and to all communities of Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It is something that’s crucial and I’m very excited that we’re taking the initiative to start working on suicide prevention.
Of course, we have to factor in the cost, but it is of high importance to set up that program.
We can’t keep deferring it because there are going to be suicides in the coming years.
I would like to see in the year 2015 some suicide prevention and awareness programs during your term as Premier. I would like to see this crisis dealt with as soon as possible.
There are a lot of us who have lost loved ones and relatives to suicides.
I am urging the government to set up programs in the year 2015.
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you for that question.
In the coming year, as soon as we find out the funding and once we have identified the processes and action items for Nunavut and for those who are having difficulties within our communities, we will look into this very carefully. In 2016, we will let you know for the people of Nunavut… .
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, once we have identified the processes and action items through the recommendations of the suicide inquest, we will certainly announce to the House during our winter session in 2016.
Question 048 – 4(3): School Bus Inspections (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Education today.
Mr. Speaker, this summer, a Government of Nunavut public service announcement addressed the issue of school bus inspections.
The announcement stated, and I quote, “The Government of Nunavut is ensuring school buses are safe.”
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the public service announcement indicated that district education authorities would have to submit completed school bus mechanical inspection certificates to the Motor Vehicles Division of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation.
Can the Minister of Education confirm that all district education authorities were able to submit the appropriate certification and, if not, what assistance does his department provide to ensure that the appropriate documentation is obtained and submitted?
This last summer, on August 4, 2015, the Motor Vehicles Division from the Department of Economic Development did inspections on all buses and they said that they would complete a certificate inspection.
This decision was made and I believe the member is asking in regard to that. In Cape Dorset, I know that there are two school buses.
The smaller bus is used for people with disabilities and the other bus is regular.
As I stated, they will require a certificate in order to be on the road.
I would also like to thank the minister for his answer.
Mr. Speaker, busing services are provided differently in different communities.
In fact, in the community of Cape Dorset, the principal had a very hard time finding out which entity actually owned the school bus.
Can the minister provide an update on how many communities own their own school bus, how many school buses are owned by the Government of Nunavut, and how many school busing services are contracted to private companies?
Speaker: Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Quassa.
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member.
It varies in different communities. In some communities, for example, in Iqaluit, R.L. Hanson operates the school buses. They have the contract.
As I stated, the communities are different. In some, the DEAs are operating the school buses.
In Cape Dorset, for example, the DEA has the contract for providing school busing services.
In the majority of communities, the DEAs hold the contract for busing services.
The minority of them are operated by private businesses.
As I stated before and using Iqaluit as an example, the busing services are provided by R.L. Hanson.
In Pond Inlet, it is the Tununiq Sauniq Co-op that has the contract for providing school busing services. In Pangnirtung, Qijuk Construction Ltd. provides busing services. In Kimmirut, the community runs their own school busing service.
Let us be aware that if the communities require a bus, they need to have a proper space for buses. They have to estimate how many students there are and how far the school is in the community. Those are the criteria we use.
I can also say that we are looking at which communities have older buses and we are doing a comprehensive review so that we can start planning for who will need new buses in the future.
Speaker (interpretation): If you have a question, please ask one question at a time during question period. Don’t ask more than one question at a time.
Member Joanasie, please proceed.
Mr. Speaker, the public service announcement I spoke of stated that the government will ensure school bus safety. I would like to ask the minister if he can confirm that this government is committed to paying for the repairs and maintenance necessary to keep our buses safe.
As I stated before, the contracts vary from community to community. Sometimes the DEAs are responsible for providing school buses. In those cases, they need to monitor the condition of their buses.
All the buses should be maintained properly and should be safe. If we are using their buses, they have to be maintained and they have to be safe for the children to use.
As I stated before, the contracts for providing busing services in the communities vary, and the buses have to be safe in all communities of Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions. (interpretation) Member for Rankin Inlet, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok.
Question 049 – 4(3): Converting Children’s Group Home in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my Member’s Statement, this Assembly approved funding to renovate the Rankin Inlet Children’s Group Home, but to date, no construction work has been done.
Can the minister provide an update on the current status of this project?