EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Member’s Statement 441 – 2(4): Mining-Related Training Initiatives (Simailak)
I say hello to the people of Baker Lake and it was very good to be back in Baker Lake and to have my wife recognized by the community.
When she was awarded recognition, it caused my wife to both cry and celebrate intermittently.
(interpretation end) Mr. Speaker, it’s good to be back in the House.
I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to again address the issue of mining-related training for my constituents in Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the Minister of Education for having helped to arrange for a number of my constituents to attend heavy equipment operation training at the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario.
I am aware, Mr. Speaker, that many graduates of this course were subsequently able to find work on the road to Meadowbank project.
Mr. Speaker, as I have said on a number of occasions, a pay cheque is always preferable to a welfare cheque. Good jobs and meaningful employment are the most effective tools for addressing the social problems facing our communities.
Mr. Speaker, the pace of mining development in my region is speeding up and my constituents must not be left behind.
I look forward to many more training initiatives in the months and years ahead and I look forward to working with the minister and my community to look at ways of accelerating and enhancing training opportunities for the residents of Baker Lake by taking advantage of such facilities as our own community learning centre. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 442 – 2(4): Visit to Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet (Peterson)
I rise today to inform the House about an important visit to the communities of Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet that took place earlier this month.
Mr. Speaker, I have raised concerns about the condition of the housing in these two communities on many occasions during the last few years. The residents have asked me to request the Nunavut Housing Corporation to help them with repairs and improvements to their houses.
Mr. Speaker, I accompanied three technical staff from the Nunavut Housing Corporation to the two communities to inspect the condition of the housing.
We flew down on a Health and Social Services charter. It was a very informative and productive visit and the residents welcomed us with their famous hospitality.
Mr. Speaker, the residents of these two communities haven’t asked for much help from the Government of Nunavut over the last decade.
They are used to making do with the resources that they have available to them, including housing that has clearly suffered from a lack of professional upkeep and maintenance.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation technicians noted that most of the houses they inspected required levelling, upgraded cribbing foundation, flooring, replacement chimney stacks, stoves, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fresh paint, and some need new windows.
Mr. Speaker, one house that was inspected in Umingmaktok displayed evidence of soot on the ceilings and walls. The elder who resides in this house has her entire family history pictured on the walls and does not want to be relocated to Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation will now review their 250 pictures and pages of notes to prepare cost estimates to undertake the repairs to the houses.
The residents are looking forward to the day when their houses are upgraded.
Mr. Speaker, I was also impressed by the level of medical care that the Cambridge Bay nurse and community health representative provide to the residents in both communities.
It is difficult for the elderly residents at the best of times to make the long, arduous trip to Cambridge Bay.
It makes more sense to maker regular medical visits to the two communities.
Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association board member who represents these two communities recently informed me that the KIA would be sending a letter to the Government of Nunavut calling on them to recognize Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet as communities and provide them with a reasonable level of government support.
Mr. Speaker, in the meantime, the residents are thankful that the Nunavut Housing Corporation and some Government of Nunavut departments are doing what they can now to improve the lives and living standards of the residents in Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet.
Member’s Statement 443 – 2(4): Congratulations to Grade 12 Graduates (Barnabas)
I rise today to congratulate the high school students in the three communities comprising my constituency who are graduating this year.
In the community of Grise Fiord, a graduation ceremony is being held on June 2 at the Umimmak School.
With the local population hovering around 150, it may be more or less as I do not have the figures in front of me, out of that small population base, there will be five graduates completing their grade12 courses this year.
I would like to congratulate the following people for successfully completing their high school courses: Russell Atagootak, Benjamin Audlaluk, Robert Flaherty, Melissa Patty and Lisa Kiguktak.
I would like to wish them success in the future.
In Resolute Bay, from the Qarmartalik School, there will be eight graduates this year as well.
I would like to congratulate the students from Qarmartalik School. This year, there are a record number of graduates completing their education from the school.
The graduation ceremonies are being held in Resolute Bay on May 29 and I would like to extend congratulations for all of the following students: Absalom Manik, Philip Manik, Inuutiq Manik, Sharon Kalluk, Sylvia Kalluk, Pilipuusi Iqaluk, Amelia Aqaatsiaq, and Christian Hunter.
I would like to congratulate those graduates and I am very proud that they have completed their high school courses and graduated.
I wish the people of Resolute Bay a very good year.
Lastly, I would like to comment on the students who will be graduating out of my home community of Arctic Bay.
In my home community of Arctic Bay, a fairly large contingent of students will be graduating from the Inuujaq School and the ceremonies will be held in August 2008.
There will be 13 graduates this year of which I am proud to state and I wish to congratulate the following students in Arctic Bay: Nathaniel Chouinard, Sheena Makpah, Tagoona Willie, Ryan Willie, Edward Qaqqasiq, Imo Kilabuk, Johnny James Kilabuk, Angela Alurut, Adrian Qaunaq, David Uujukuluk, Dorian Iqaqsaq, Angus Hughes and Samantha Eecheak.
I would like to congratulate them for completing their high school courses.
I am quite proud of the recent graduates from my entire constituency as well as from my home community.
Although there are a lot of distractions and hardships throughout the year, these individuals continued to attend their classes to finish their courses. Personally, I know that springtime is a perfect time to go hunting and a lot of Inuit students have a difficult time keeping their attendance rates up when the weather is so nice. However, these students have shown their commitment towards their education in that they completed their courses, even though the spring weather was surely a distraction.
I would also like to encourage all of the students to continue on with their studies this year and to work towards completing their grade 12 courses and try to emulate the graduating students who have passed this part of their lives.
I would like to encourage all of the graduates and remind the students that graduating from high school is just one small step towards higher education and it opens up opportunities. Therefore, I would like to tell all of the students not to quit school and continue their education.
All courses or school years eventually finish and people with education have more opportunities to acquire jobs.
It opens up a career path if you continue down the road to a higher education.
It expands their horizons when their minds are opened and graduating from high school also assists your self-esteem and pride in yourself.
Member’s Statement 444 – 2(4): Regulating the Assignment of Rights under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): That was quick.
I rise today to state that just recently, Mr. Speaker, we have heard and we are aware that the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement just passed.
It was signed in Iqaluit in May 1993 by the Government of Canada and the body representing Nunavummiut which were comprised of Inuit.
Let’s take a look at what has transpired in the 15 years. Some of us can state that this was quite some time ago, while others can state that this is fairly recent.
However, all of us have to realize that, 15 years ago, Nunavut did not exist.
The Nunavut Government did not exist then.
We did not have19 Members of the Legislative Assembly from Nunavut and the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly in the NWT were not comprised of that many members.
As a matter of fact, we only had ten members from the Eastern Arctic and we had members from the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq, and Qikiqtaaluk altogether.
Inuit people have progressed quite quickly since we had the signing ceremony in 1993.
I wish to thank all of the people who worked on the land claims, but this is a very important event to me, personally, because Inuit, without realizing it, have never congratulated and thanked themselves when our progression as a people has moved forward after 15 years. We have to be proud of our own accomplishments and I congratulate all the Inuit people.
I would like to mention James Arvaluk as I am proud that he was involved in the initial parts of the creation of Nunavut. James can speak to this matter himself, which I am alluding to.
James stated that he did not believe that the creation of Nunavut would ever happen and he has made comments previously to that affect, but when he changed his mind and started to believe in the dream, he and I gave our full support to Nunavut.
Based on this anniversary, I would like to thank all of the Inuit listening to the proceedings. As well, we also received rights contained in the NLCA, which included Inuit hunting rights. These are our rights.
There was a meeting held today down by the beach in regard to hunting rights because there are still some aspects that we have to flesh out. We need to work harder on this, Mr. Speaker.
I read rights that Inuit can assign in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
This shows that the Inuit had feelings for their relatives because some Inuit beneficiaries knew that they would not have an Inuk spouse. These beneficiaries would assign their rights to their spouse who is a non-beneficiary so that they can feed their families.
These are rights we can be absolutely proud of.
I want to make a statement on that because if Inuit were not sensitive about the fact that some of our Inuit beneficiaries were and are in mixed marriages, whether that spouse be female or male, we would not have added assignment rights.
Some women do not have the equipment, time, or resources to go out hunting for their subsistence.
In a particular section of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, you can assign your hunting rights to a spouse or relative.
Personally, I am satisfied of this right of assignment because Inuit can assign their rights to a non-beneficiary, but non-beneficiaries cannot assign their rights to us, and.
Inuit have had to fight for their rights.
In regard to a right outlined in Section 5.7.3 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, it states where an Inuk beneficiary or an HTO are given the power and authority to assign their rights (interpretation ends) with conditions or without conditions (interpretation) to non-members.
However, Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to the issue. The section based upon goodwill seems to be abused today.
The way it is now, they are assigning their harvesting rights to trophy hunters. Let’s take musk oxen as an example. When a sports hunter is assigned the right to a musk ox, they search for the biggest horned specimen they can find.
Why? It is like this now: conservation officers have been given the administrative oversight for this and they are now administering this right.
There is a form out there in use that states that if a person is a non-beneficiary and they are my spouse, let’s just use a woman as an example to highlight this, a woman can assign their harvesting rights to their spouse by just signing this form and that is the current practice.
However, under Section 5.7.3, they are not adhering to the section that states that the HTO can assign the rights “with or without conditions.”
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the minister responsible for wildlife should make sure that this assignment right is not being abused and that we set up a better system so that it does not cause conservation issues due to its misuse.
Inuit beneficiaries can assign their harvesting rights and where they have assigned their rights, let’s make sure it is used properly because this right was originally for subsistence purposes and not sports hunting. Our wildlife has been given to us for our sustenance and not for sport, so let us deal with this before it causes further issues.
Member’s Statement 445 – 2(4): Mining Operations in Nunavut (Arvaluk)
Today being the 15th anniversary of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, as our colleague, Mr. Curley, has just mentioned, it’s something we ought to be proud of.
When it first started around 1970, we used to be negotiators arguing Inuit rights to the government negotiators and we would hold quite a few caucus meetings amongst ourselves to determine how to reach our objective of becoming self-governing.
This is not the first time I have met Tagak, we were quite young when we were involved in this process.
I would like to rise today to mention, Mr. Speaker, last week, we read in the news from the Keewatin region that NTI will be among the owners of the uranium exploration company and they will be involved in the sale of uranium.
The announcement states that if they’re going to be taking part in the mining sector and own the company, they cannot collect the royalty.
I think we clearly understand that right away.
And in Mary River, Baffinland is mining in that area and they’re just waiting for anyone to take part in that venture.
I’m sure this will make money for 30 to 100 years before it is depleted.
It is for that reason that the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation now has a contract with them in that mining area and they can take part, assuming the board members agree to it.
I feel this is dangerous, not just for beneficiaries to own part of the company but that they would lose royalty sharing.
What I’m trying to show here, Mr. Speaker... I have run out of time, so I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
We should share the same clock. Sometimes it goes really fast but sometimes it goes really slow, it should be consistent.
What I am trying to talk about, is the fact that although Inuit own that parcel, both surface and subsurface, if any of our Inuit corporations are involved, the royalty would no longer be paid to Inuit.
The communities of Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet, Igloolik, Hall Beach, and Clyde River would lose out on the benefits.
I will be asking questions to the government regarding their involvement or lack thereof on the Inuit Impact Benefits Agreement during the negotiation process to protect Inuit so that they are not caught unaware.
Member for Iqaluit East and Niaqunnguuq, Mr. Picco.
Member’s Statement 446 – 2(4): Annual Anglican Synod (Picco)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome to Iqaluit over 100 guests and visitors, participants and community activists that have travelled to Iqaluit from across the north, from the Western Arctic, and indeed, Mr. Speaker, from many locations down south.
Mr. Speaker, they are all here to attend the annual Anglican Synod. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Anglican Diocese of the Arctic.
His grace, Bishop Andrew Ataguttaaluk, lay persons, deacons, reverends, and delegates will be meeting in Iqaluit all week to discuss and raise community issues and the overall direction of the diocese.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you would join with me in welcoming the delegates and wish them the very best in their deliberations and discussions this week.
I would also like to welcome all those Anglican delegates.
Member’s Statement 447 – 2(4): Rankin Inlet Army Cadet Ceremony (Brown)
I rise today to thank the members for allowing me to attend a show in Rankin Inlet when I was invited by the cadets.
They had a great show and many cadets were recognized and awarded.
There were 16 cadets rewarded in total.
I also attended the annual ceremonial review.
It was very interesting and very good to see.
I would like to congratulate the Commanding Officer, Dorothy Atuat-Tootoo.
She was promoted to lieutenant and earned more stripes. There were many people attending that gathering and there was a standing ovation when they introduced Dorothy for her promotion.
Also, the cadets are increasing in numbers in our community and we’re very proud of that, and I wanted to report this to the Assembly.
Member’s Statement 448 – 2(4): Congratulations to Aqsarniit Middle School French Students (Tootoo)
I would like to thank Ms. Brown for recognizing my aunt. Everyone knows Lucassie, who would probably say that she shouldn’t be a first leftenant, she should be a general.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the French students at Iqaluit’s Aqsarniit Middle School on their fund-raising efforts and wish them a very good trip to la Belle Province of Quebec.
Mr. Speaker, the students in the French program have been very active in their fund-raising efforts over the last few months for a trip to Montreal and Quebec City.
They have raised a grand total of a little over $47,000, which I believe is a tremendous accomplishment for them.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the community of Iqaluit for its generosity. A number of individuals, businesses, and organizations donated money.
First Air provided a very reasonable rate for the airline tickets and I would like to thank the many others who contributed by eating chocolates, buying raffle tickets, and getting their vehicles washed over the weekend at the Fire Hall.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge a constituent of mine, Ms. Geraldine Penny, for the hard work on the fund-raising activities, as well as all the other parents who contributed their time and efforts.
I would also like to thank all levels here of the Assembly - the first floor, second floor, and third floor - who all contributed as well. I know I was selling chocolates and I know Annie Akoak was selling chocolates and her husband, David; everyone was selling chocolates, so I’m glad it’s done because I can’t look at chocolate too much anymore.
I appreciate everyone’s support.
Mr. Speaker, 29 students will be travelling with their teachers, Linda, Candace, and Byron, to Montreal tomorrow for their six-day trip. They will visit a number of sites, such as the Biodome, the Olympic Stadium, the IMAX Movie Complex, the Botanical Gardens, and when they travel to Quebec City, they will visit the Aquarium, the Citadel, the Chateau Frontenac, and the Civilization Museum, amongst others.
Opportunities such as this are a wonderful experience for our students. They have been studying the French language and will now have the chance to be immersed in its culture.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing the students of Aqsarniit a very good trip and a very positive experience.
You were right on time.
Member Nattilik, Ms. Aglukkaq.
Member’s Statement 449 – 2(4): Congratulations to Lillian Aglukark on Passing the Bar Exam (Aglukkaq)
I would like to recognize an individual this afternoon. I received an email from her this morning and she is no longer a resident of Nunavut, but I think it’s worth noting her accomplishment and to offer her our congratulations. My good friend, Lillian Aglukark, passed her bar exam in the Northwest Territories.
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: I received an email from her.
I’m so proud of her.
Lillian, if you’re listening, there are many people here who are also very proud of you.
I know it was hard work for her. As well, in between her studies, she had a healthy baby boy and resulted in a slight pause in her studies. At the end of the day, she refocused back to her studies and wrote her exam and passed.
I just want to, on behalf of Nunavummiut, offer her my congratulations and that we’re very proud of her.
I also know that she just learned this morning that she is also moving to Edmonton, so I would also like to wish her the very best in her new home in Edmonton.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Aglukkaq. (interpretation ends) We also forward our congratulations to Lillian.
Members’ Statements. (interpretation) If there are no more, Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions.
It gives me great pleasure today to recognize a couple of people in the Gallery that I’ve had an opportunity to work with since 1999 and they are Rob Vandersanden and Aaron Rutherford.
They are principles with the firm, Hewitt and Associates. I would like to welcome them to Iqaluit and to the Gallery.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the Gallery.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have noted many times over the years, it’s not very often I get to recognize visitors to the Gallery from my riding of Cambridge Bay.
I’m very proud today to recognize two pages who have been working with us this week, Jordan Lyall, sitting over there in the corner.
And Noelle Ehaloak, I think she’s probably in the back getting water for somebody.
They’re students at the Kiilinik High School. Their chaperone is Mr. Greg Hoosier. I just saw him leave the room for a while, and sitting right behind me is Jordan’s mother, Bernice Lyall.
She was the page in the NWT days.
I would like to welcome you all to the House.
I wish all the members to welcome this individual, whom I believe a number of members here went to school with in Churchill, Manitoba.
In Churchill, while we were attending our classes, he got married, moved to Baker Lake, and became a real in-lander.
That is why I refer to him as Inuktuarmiinnaqattaq.
Mr. Speaker, he will be our Sergeant-at-Arms, John Avaala from Baker Lake. I would like everyone to welcome him to the House.
I am very pleased to recognize an individual from my constituency of Rankin Inlet, who is one of our pages, Jamie Shawn. Welcome.
She is also the daughter of Shawn Maley, who is our long time friend as well as an ADM for Community and Government Services.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the Gallery. (interpretation) Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
If there are none, Item 6. Oral Questions.
Question 551 – 2(4): GN’s Involvement in Regulatory Process (Answered June 3, 2008) (Arvaluk)
I would like to direct my question to the Deputy Premier.
On more than one occasion last year, I raised the issue by posing questions with respect to Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement and how Inuit are affected by mining development and oil exploration projects.
One of the rights of Inuit in the NLCA states that the Inuit have ownership of certain lands.
However, organizations that hold these lands in trust are only paying lip service to this ownership by Inuit.
I would like to ask the minister how we can get transparent and effective agreements that people can peruse.
The only response from the government has been that this is outside the purview of the GN and that it is the NTI or DIO, Designated Inuit Organization, who have the responsibility, along with the federal government, to negotiate these agreements with mining companies.
When will the Government of Nunavut start participating in these talks to protect the interests of the people of Nunavut?
Deputy Premier, Minister Brown.
I’m not fully versed on these issues, so it’s difficult to answer when asked about them. Basically what I’m saying is that I will have to be briefed on the matter.