EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We have inherited more than 100 statutes from the Government of the Northwest Territories.
Many of these laws do not reflect the philosophical direction of the Government of Nunavut.
We are in the process of establishing a Law Reform Commission that will examine these statutes.
This body will provide an ideal opportunity for our elders to play a prominent role in reshaping the laws that govern Nunavut.
The task of reviewing this legislation will be long and arduous, in those areas the need for major amendments- or possibly entire new laws- we ask for patience to allow the Commission to do that work.
Once completed though, we will have a set of Nunavut statutes that will better reflect the people and philosophy of our territory.
Before we get to next fall, however, we have much work to do.
This summer will be a time to renew longstanding friendships and build new alliances.
Next week I will attend the Western Premier’s Conference in Drumheller, Alberta where I will join in all discussions as a full participant.
I will add Nunavut’s position and concerns to the discussions as I gather there with my counterparts from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
At last year’s Western Premiers’ Conference, Premiers reaffirmed their statement that strengthening north-south highway links and promoting increased trucking efficiency would promote expanded trade with the United States and Mexico.
I will pursue discussions with my counterpart in Manitoba about connecting our two lands through a transportation link from Churchill to the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. I will also be speaking with Alberta Premier Ralph Klein and Northwest Territories Premier Jim Antoine about a link into the Kitikmeot region.
The potential economic links such as these could provide an encouraging partnership.  Building relationships with the leaders of all Canadian provinces and territories will be a key area as Nunavut forges ahead in its goal to become more self-reliant.
I will also begin discussions with the Premiers of Yukon and the Northwest Territories on a Memorandum of Understanding outlining our common concerns.
Nunavut will join the voices of its neighbouring territories in a lobby of the federal government for our share of the royalties realized from the development of resources within the North.
Currently, Nunavut receives zero percent of all the revenue collected from revenue (resource) development.
The Government of Nunavut will also be looking to the federal government to change the fishing quotas off our coasts to better represent the people.
Most of the quotas are currently allotted to fishers living outside Nunavut, whereas our fishers are given a very low percentage of the fishing quota.
This is very unfair and we will be asking the Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to correct this disparity.
I have also asked my staff to begin discussions with the aboriginal community living alongside the southernmost boundary of Nunavut, the James Bay islands.
We look forward to the progressive discussions on a number of common issues.
But while we look to form alliances outside our geographical boundaries, the Government of Nunavut understands it will be essential to form strong ties within Nunavut as well.
We look forward to signing a memorandum of Understanding with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated regarding the development of our relationship in the coming months and years.
The Government of Nunavut is committed to honouring our obligations as outlined in the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement.
We will also be looking to the Nunavut Social Development Council to advise us of the social implications on Inuit of government policies and decisions.
Their input will become increasingly necessary as we gradually phase out regional health and education boards.
In this ever-shrinking world, it will be necessary to look outside Canada to our international neighbours.
Later this summer, in June, two Cabinet Ministers and I will travel to Nuuk to celebrate with the people of Greenland their 20th anniversary of Home Rule Government, which was introduced on May 1, 1979. This is their 20th anniversary.
We in Nunavut have learned a great deal from the Greenland experience and we will continue to look to our closest international neighbour for inspiration.
Amid the celebrations, there will also be business, and I hope to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Greenland Premier Johnathan Motzfieldt outlining future relations between our two governments.
This government has also begun work on establishing a single time zone for Nunavut.
We will work with the federal government to ensure the federal regulations that need amending will be done as quickly as possible.
The establishment of a single time zone will unify Nunavut and ease problems currently encountered in day to day business.
While there is much work to do during this session and in the coming months, I encourage everyone to take time this summer to enjoy the beauty Nunavut has to offer.
Take time to fish and hunt and enjoy the traditional activities of summer.
Take time to be with your friends and families.
Take this time, as Members of this Legislative Assembly, to remember why we were elected and why we want to make Nunavut a better place for everyone to live.
Qujannamiik. Merci. Thank you.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Premier, for your opening statements.
Mr. Ng.
Ministers' Statements 2 - 1 (2): Budget Address
Hon. Kelvin Ng: I wish to advise the house that on Friday, May 14, 1999, I will deliver the Budget Address.
Speaker: Thank you from the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Kelvin Ng. Minister’s statements, Paul Okalik.
Ministers' Statements 3 - 1 (2): Labrador Inuit Association
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you , Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Inuit of Labrador for their recent signing of their Land Claim Agreement in Principle.
The Inuit of Labrador have struggled long and hard for this agreement, which includes recognition of land rights, financial compensation, and an extensive self-government agreement.
The Inuit of Labrador still have much work ahead of them to ratify this agreement in principle, and to implement this very complex land claim but I have the utmost confidence in their abilities, and vision to implement this.
The fourth and final Inuit Land Claim Agreement in Canada.
That finalizes the Inuit land claims agreements in Canada.
I can provide a copy of this historic agreement to all interested members when I receive a copy.
I’m sure, Mr. Speaker, that the people of Nunavut join us in congratulating our southern Inuit neighbours in Labrador.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier, Paul Okalik.
Ministers’ statements, Mr. Picco.
Ministers' Statement 4 - 1 (2): National Nursing Week
Hon. Ed Picco: Qujannami, Okakti.
I am pleased to inform you that May 10-16 is National Nursing Week.
I’d like use this opportunity to thank and pay tribute to every one of our nurses for the commitment to serving and caring for the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, nurses and other health care professionals in Nunavut make a significant contribution to our communities.
Every day, they face and deal with challenges that are unique to the Nunavut region, including being the primary care-givers in many of our communities.
The purpose of this week is to increase awareness among the public of the many contributions that nurses make to the well being of Nunavummiut.
Their commitment to prevention and promotion is a crucial component of the integrated system.
Okakti, join me and the rest of our communities, the public service, and private business to recognize the contributions that nurses make to ensure our communities are healthy and safe places to live in.
Qujannami, Okakti.
>>Applause.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Picco.
Ministers’ statements… Ministers’ statements…we’ll move on to item #4, members’ statements.
Members’ statements, Mr.
Kattuk.
Item 4: Members' Statements
Members' Statements 1 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): I don't have very much to say, Mr. Speaker, but I would just like to thank the people of Sanikiluaq for having elected me to be their member.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kattuk.
Thank you Peter Kattuk, MLA for Hudson Bay.
Members’ statements.
Members' Statements 2 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents
I would also like to thank my riding in Uqqurmiut community of Qikiqtaqjuaq and Clyde River that they have elected me to represent them at the first Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
I would like to tell them that I’m very proud of them and I’m very happy to be representing them.
We hope to make a contribution in the future.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Mr. Puqiqnak?
Members' Statements 3 - 1 (2): Gjoa Haven Wall Hanging
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
First of all, I wish to congratulate all of the people of Nunavut for becoming Nunavut for all the hard work they have done to make this dream come true, and I would like to note that we are all very proud to have been involved in my riding near Gjoa Haven and because we became Nunavut, they wanted to make something to commemorate the very important day and what you see hanging behind you is what was created by the people in my riding with the assistance of two elders and they donated this to the Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Puqiqnak.
We will write them a letter of thank you.
Mr. Irqittuq?
Members' Statements 4 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents, Sympathies to Families
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the people of my riding who elected me to this seat, and also, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to make a correction to your opening address; it was Eugene Amaroalik who was known as Anguataq, who had passed away, he had made a significant contribution to all the people of Nunavut, and also to the people of Igloolik, to the children and Mr. Panimera’s son was six years old, not sixteen, and I would like to express my sympathies to these families in my riding.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Irqittuq.
I apologize for the information that was passed to me which was erroneous, and these will be corrected in the Hansard and we will write a letter to the mayor and to the relatives and elder who just passed away.
Members’ statements, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark?
Members' Statements 5 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents and Family
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to express my appreciation to the people who have elected me to this seat, especially to the people of Pelly Bay, and special thanks to my family, especially to my wife who supported me wholeheartedly when I decided to run for MLA.
I would also like to thank the people here who have been most helpful when I come to Iqaluit and who will be providing guidance to us in the future as we are working to get the Nunavut government up and working.
I think that as elders we will be trying to assess everyone so we can have a better future and I’d just like to thank you for the privilege of being here.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Alakannuark.
Members' Statements 6 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents, Challenges of Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on opening day to say how honoured and thankful I am to be an elected member of the first Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, and to represent the people of Iqaluit Centre and Nunavut.
It has been a long struggle to have an elected body representing the people of Nunavut and I thank the Inuit leaders who persevered and brought us to this point in our history.
Looking around the world, we see the other jurisdictions such as Scotland that are also voting the first time for their own assemblies, and I know how proud and hopeful the people there must feel too.
The Inuit of Labrador will be voting this summer on their land claim agreement with the government of Newfoundland.
It’s very inspiring to see these changes happening where people are able to have their own representatives who understand their concerns, making decisions about their own people and their land.
Mr. Speaker, members of this house have an important opportunity to shape our assembly so it operates in a more productive and co-operative manner than is seen in other places in Canada.
I share with the other members the hopes that this assembly will be open, accountable, and accessible to the people of Nunavut, and the goal of that is that this assembly helps people realize their dreams, at the same time, it also helps address the painful realities that many people face on a daily basis, like the lack of adequate housing and jobs, family violence, and other hardships.
We’re here to do a job, get the job done.
I also share with the members, the hope that this assembly, will proudly support and promote the Inuit language and culture and honour our elders and the way of life that has enabled us to survive and flourish under extreme living conditions and giving Inuit our distinctive character.
At the same time, the government of Nunavut is a public government and our legislative assembly will be a leader in creating harmony among all people who live in Nunavut and equality among all our communities in this vast region.
I look forward to working together with all my colleagues in this house to fulfill the goals that were envisioned by those who worked to create the new territory and to see Nunavut become a successful reality.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. McLean?
Members' Statements 7 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents, Sympathies to Families, Constituency Issues
Mr. McLean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to take this time to thank the people of Baker Lake for electing me as their first Nunavut MLA, I hope that I can represent them in their best interests.
Since the election, February 15th, I have lost a number of elders and friends and would like to acknowledge their families for their loss and I feel for them.
As Baker Lake MLA, the people gave me a mandate to follow; housing, education, health care, job creation, outpost camps, and lastly, the traditional economy; these are the issues that I will be bringing forward and promote for both my community and all of Nunavut.
We are heading into the millennium.
We as a new government could recognize, and should recognize, working together to achieve our goals and objectives, to keep the circle strong and collectively, we will achieve what all the residents of Nunavut inspired to do.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Members’ statements.
Mr. O’Brien?
Members' Statements 8 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents and Family, Challenges of Nunavut
Mr. O’Brien: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge and thank the residents of my home community of Arviat for electing me as their MLA and I can only try to promise to deliver… I’ll do the best I can.
Mr. Speaker, it’s one thing to be elected, that’s one of the highlights I think of being an MLA.
It’s actually that the work begins, and that’s where we are today.
We have an enormous challenge ahead of us; there’s a lot of people counting on us, and as I look around the room here at the other new members, I believe that we’re up for the challenge.
It’s refreshing to see all these new faces and the fact that you’re all really from the same people.
Mr. Speaker, one of the difficulties of being an MLA is being away from families…our families.
I bring this up because I feel that there are times when some of our constituents don’t realize that it is difficult to get home, we can’t be home as often as we’d like to be, because of the schedule that we have at the assembly and in other cases, because of the weather, for example, last week, myself, when we went from Baker Lake, we were attempting to get home, unfortunately, because of the weather, we couldn’t make it.
Mr. Speaker, the issue of working with our constituents and looking after their concerns, I think is critical to what we do here.
I believe that if we all work collectively, we can carry out the wishes that our constituents are looking for us to deal with and, I believe that at the end of the day, it’ll be a better place for all the people in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. O’Brien.
Mr. Ng?
Members' Statements 9 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents and Members
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I, too, would like to recognize and thank the residents of Cambridge Bay, Umingmatok, and Bathurst Inlet for the confidence they gave me and the mandate to represent them in this first Nunavut assembly. I would also like to recognize and thank them and also the residents of Kugluktuk for the honour of being able to have represented them in the past two NWT Legislative Assemblies.
At this time, I would like to thank my colleagues around this table as well for the confidence they’ve expressed in selecting me as one of their executive council members, and in closing, I want to also on behalf of my constituents congratulate all the members for their election to this first assembly.
In a spirit of co-operation, I certainly look forward to collectively working together, serving the people all across of Nunavut over the next four or five years with members of this house.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ng. Members’ statements.
Mr. Nutarak?
Members' Statements 10 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents and Elders
I would also like to thank the people of Tununirmiut for electing me to the first Nunavut legislative assembly and giving me the opportunity to represent them.
I would like to express an appreciation for the people who were here before us and the elders who have taught us and for assisting us in identifying what should be in the land claims agreement, and I would like the elders to be recognized for the contribution they have made in different areas including the government and the land claims and I would like to see them included in every aspect of this government.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Nutarak.
Yes we will also write a letter to the elders from the legislative assembly for all their contribution.
Mr. Akesuk?
Members' Statements 11 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents and Campaign Workers
Mr. Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would first like to thank Kimmirut and Cape Dorset residents for electing me to this chair and I would like to express a special thank you to the people who helped me to campaign for this seat as I said before, if I were elected, I would be representing all of Nunavut as well as my constituency but I will participate in considering issues in light of all of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Akesuk.
Mr. Picco?
Members' Statements 12 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents and Wife
Hon. Ed Picco: Kuyannami, Okakti. (interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I wish to thank the residents of Iqaluit. I wish to thank all of Iqaluit residents and Oopah (interpretation ends).
Thank you for your help over the last two and a half years and also to members, the people of Iqaluit East who voted me as an MLA in the Nunavut assembly and special thanks to my wife, Oopah, and my family who have supported me over the last three years and who are in with me for the next five.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Kilabuk?
Members' Statements 13 - 1 (2): Thanks to Constituents and Family
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would also like to express my appreciation to my constituency.
They also know that I have additional responsibility and I have been unable to return to my family ever since.
I would like to ask for their patience and I think we made a commitment when we ran as candidates to this legislature that the people of Nunavut come first, and I think our families will have to understand that.
I think today is a very first important step in trying to work on our peoples’ aspirations.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kilabuk.
Members’ statements?
Item #5 on the orders of the day.
Recognition of the visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Arvaluk?
Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize Gord Raymond?
Gord Raymond and communications students from Arctic College, please stand up.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Havioyak?
Hon. Donald Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize people from Kitikmeot, my wife, my daughter Bertha Havioyak, and Margo Havioyak who are here from Kugluktuk.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Havioyak.
Welcome to the gallery.
Sivuliuqti?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize one of the elders in my riding, Celestine Erkidjuk, welcome to the legislative assembly.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik, thank you Mr. Erkidjuk.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a distinguished resident of Cambridge Bay who also happens to be also the director of Language and Culture, Clay, Mr. Atima Hatlari.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the legislature.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t recognize anybody there from my home community.
I think it only fair to recognize all those people who have not been recognized.
Hon. Ed Picco: Mr. Speaker there’s quite a few people from Iqaluit, at least I’ll try to name some of those that I recognized…Geela Giroux, Simon Nattaq, Anne Crawford, Joe Kunuk, Hugh Lloyd, Jimmy Onalik, Peter Irniq – all from Iqaluit East.
I’d like to take this opportunity to say a special hello to a page, Miss Stephanie Rose who’s with us a second time, first she came to Yellowknife to serve as a page and now she’s one of the first pages in the Nunavut assembly.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Picco.
Welcome to the people who Mr. Picco welcomed.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Iqaqrialu?
I would like to say that some of us who are in Nunavut, I think we’ve all been to Iqaluit at one time or another, and we know that Iqaluit residents are one of the most warmest people, and there are many people who are on the verge of just moving to Iqaluit.
Please know that the long time residents of Iqaluit are always opening their hearts to the people and will feed you, and I would like to recognize Mr. Irniq from having worked with him over the years and having worked with him in the land claims and I’m very happy to see him, and he’s working for Nunavut and I would also like to extend welcome to all the people who are here with us today.
Peter, welcome.
You used to be a member of the legislative assembly of the Northwest Territories, I’m sure you recognize a lot of faces here.
I would like to recognize, because he went ahead of me, my sister Geela.
When I was in Pangnirtung and having come from the same community, it makes me feel more like at home to be here in Iqaluit.
Also Peter, my other sister and my brother, as well as my cousin, Jonah Kilabuk, who all make me feel more like at home in Iqaluit.
Mr. Alakannuark?
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): I would like to recognize a resident of Kugluktuk who are just moving to Iqaluit, the mother and her daughter.
I would like to just notify the people that they will be moving to Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Welcome, and thank you, Mr. Alakannuark.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): I would like to recognize everyone in the different departments of Nunavut and I would like to recognize the very new department of CLEY, who is department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
The Deputy Minister of that department is Mr. Irniq and I think the department is going to be responsible for what we northerners perceive to be the most important thing on the agenda.
That new department is going to be doing very important work for the future of our people.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Puqiqnak.
Speaker (interpretation): Recognition of visitors in the gallery.
Even those who were not mentioned by those of us here, I would like to welcome all of you.
Item 6, Orders of the Day.
Oral questions.
Item 6: Oral Questions
Speaker (interpretation): Oral questions.
Question 1 - 1 (2): Dismantling Health Boards
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you Mr. Speaker.