EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Bay Online Atlas is the collaborative work of the Inuit Heritage Trust, Nunavut Youth Consulting, Nunavut Arctic College, and the Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre of Carleton University.
The website includes interactive maps with spoken place names. Users can follow the 2008 Nunavut Quest dog team race from Igloolik to Arctic Bay, explore videos and images from different places in the area, and even learn about some of Arctic Bay’s artists.
Mr. Speaker, this website is a perfect blend of leading-edge computer technology using a dynamic, interactive mapping interface and living cultural history incorporating the knowledge, wisdoms, and voices of our elders.
Mr. Speaker, this project started five years ago as a literacy partnership between Arctic Bay’s Nunavut Youth Consulting and Nunavut Arctic College. Over time, it has provided employment for youth and valuable learning opportunities, as well as establishing a web-based storehouse for traditional and cultural knowledge.
Mr. Speaker, the time to record and capture the traditional heritage of our elders, our communities, and our territory is now. We cannot afford to wait until someone else does it for us.
Mr. Speaker, the community of Arctic Bay has provided an excellent example of what a community initiative can accomplish.
I urge other communities across Nunavut to join Arctic Bay in taking on their own initiatives to preserve Inuit language, culture, and tradition. And I look forward to attending many future launches showcasing what our Nunavut communities can accomplish in this area.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I look forward to seeing you and my colleagues at the launch for the Arctic Bay Atlas website on Monday.
Member’s Statement 091 – 3(1): Pangaggujjiniq 2009 (Tapardjuk)
Every year, there’s a dog team race called Pangaggujjiniq where we usually have participants from northern Baffin Island.
This race will take place from Arctic Bay to Pond Inlet on April 20.
I want to mention my constituents in Igloolik and Hall Beach who will be taking part. They are: Jaypeetee Palluq, Joanasi Sarpinak, Samueli Amaaq, Simon Qamaniq, Christopher Piugattuk, Jonah Qaunaq, Pitsiulaaq Attagutalukutuk, and the only participant from Hall Beach will be Qanngualuk, son of Siakuluk.
He takes part every year and this year will be his 11th year taking part in the dog team race.
The participants from Repulse Bay, Pond Inlet, Clyde River, Hall Beach, Igloolik, and Arctic Bay put in a lot of work for this major racing event.
I want to say to these representatives from the communities I just mentioned and my fellow colleagues in the House that Igloolik and Hall Beach will take part, so consider that you are warned in advance.
Member for Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove, Mr. Kusugak.
Member’s Statement 092 – 3(1): Happy 15th Birthday to Daughter Terri (Kusugak)
Today was an exciting day. Montreal won again yesterday and I will want to borrow Paul Okalik’s tie on Monday.
In regard to comments made by Mr. Ningeongan, I envy the hockey tournaments that are being held in Coral Harbour.
As for my constituents from Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove who are there for the tournament, I wish them the best.
If you can win the gold, please do so.
I know they will be treated very well in Coral Harbour and I just want them to have fun while they are there.
I wanted to mention that my child’s 15th birthday is tomorrow and I just wanted to say “happy birthday” to him.
I’m sorry that I’m not able to be there. Happy birthday, Terry.
I also wish a happy birthday to Andrea Duffy and my older sister, Monica, who will also be celebrating their birthdays. I wish them all the best.
Member’s Statement 093 – 3(1): Seal Issue (Okalik)
First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Ningeongan, who is wearing a very nice tie with little flag motifs. We won the hockey game. That is one thing out of the way again.
I would like to take this time to thank the Minister of Environment.
He made a very interesting Minister’s Statement.
If we are going to have three weeks, I urge our government to take full use of it.
As Members of the previous Legislative Assembly, we went to the European Union to oppose their proposed seal ban and to tell them about how we live and explain the uses of sealskin.
It’s important that we convey this message. We will have to be extra active this time around.
I urge that we cooperate with the Greenland Home Rule government.
If you can go to Europe, I urge you to go with them to oppose the ban on sealskin products. We have to oppose the proposed import of seal and sealskin products to Europe.
I urge our Premier to prepare a delegation to go to Europe after this session to lobby the European nations on this issue and also to talk to our federal counterparts and urge them to oppose the ban.
Member’s Statement 094 – 3(1): Congratulations Genevieve Killulark (Aupaluktuq)
I would like to thank Hon. Minister Tootoo for recognizing Genevieve Killulark, who is the Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Award winner.
I am very pleased and honoured that two people from Baker Lake have won awards this week alone.
I wanted to inform my fellow colleagues and especially our elders that young people are listening.
We are told that learning is a lifelong journey and we have been urged to take higher education.
For the 2008-09 school year, there are a lot of students from Baker Lake enrolled at colleges and universities.
I want to again say to Nunavummiut and Members of the Legislative Assembly that young people are listening and we are proud of them.
I also want to announce that Lucy Evo will start on March 30 as my new constituency assistant. She will be starting on Monday.
As I said earlier, young people are listening and Genevieve Killulark is a good example of that.
I congratulate her for winning the Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Award. I also congratulate our young people for attending post-secondary institutions and for pursuing higher education.
I am very proud and happy to have had the opportunity to make this statement today.
Thank you kindly, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 095 – 3(1): Pangnirtung after Last Year’s Emergency (Komoartok)
Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
Last year in June, there was a disaster in our community where we couldn’t use the two bridges anymore because the permafrost under the bridge collapsed.
From the floor to the ceiling of these Chambers, it was about that high, and about 1,000 feet broke off under the bridge.
This was an unexpected occurrence and we are prepared for emergency response, but this was one unexpected experience for the people of Pangnirtung.
It started from the bottom of the bridge and because the river was flowing due to the spring thaw, it started melting the permafrost under the bridge foundation and took out a huge area and collapsed.
The people of Pangnirtung responded to this emergency. They put a water truck right across because it was obvious that we wouldn’t be able to use the bridge anymore. They also put a hose from the one side of the river to the other side to make sure that all services will be provided on the other side of the river.
They had also put a hose in the shoreline, which was used to provide sewage services to the other side of the river.
They put temporary…
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Komoartok, your time is up.
If you would like to conclude your statement, you will have to ask for unanimous consent.
Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Komoartok (interpretation): Thank you for that consent.
We experienced a disaster in our community and we had to put temporary pipes in for temporary services.
We also put in a container that could be used for waste products.
The RCMP, the fire department, and the emergency response team had to put temporary measures in place to provide services during that time of need for the people on the other side of the river.
They were given access to the other side of the community by being transported by boat when there was high tide.
That was the only time that we could go from one side of the river to the other.
There were also some people going back and forth with their hip waders.
We were very pleased at the time when the Nunavut government was very supportive and provided emergency services by sending over a new bridge in September.
It wasn’t completed this year because it was already the end of October.
I would like to thank the people of our community. We never recognized them, especially the hamlet council and the SAO, Ron Mongeau, Kevin Okpik, and our past MLA, Peter Kilabuk, Ed Zebedee, and from CGS, Mike Constantineau, and the CGS regional offices in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cape Dorset.
They all helped in any way they could. The Premier’s office also helped a great deal, especially to Timiusie Dialla, the fire chief at that time.
The bridge hasn’t been completed, but we are anticipating its completion this summer.
That wasn’t the only disaster. There was also another river that collapsed at the Auyuittuq National Park.
Aircraft and helicopters were brought in to participate in the disaster response.
This was the first time that we experienced this and we anticipate more disasters as the permafrost is starting to melt.
I would just like to say “thank you” to everyone, especially the people of Pangnirtung. There were a lot of onlookers as the emergency team responded to the disaster.
Some were not affected as services for water, sewage, and garbage were provided throughout the whole event.
It’s not something we wish on anyone, but I hope it will help when it comes to emergency response in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 096 – 3(1): Nunavut at 10: IBC Call-in Show (Aariak)
Good morning to Iqalummiut and Nunavummiut.
On April 1, Nunavut will be 10 years old and we’re all aware of that.
It’s not just 10 years that we have been working on Nunavut.
Previous to that, there was work done on the preparations. Many people have worked on the plans prior to Nunavut’s creation.
Mr. Speaker, since Nunavut was created, many things have occurred and we now have the Government of Nunavut that provides services to the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform Nunavummiut and also my colleagues that next Tuesday, I will be on a show hosted by the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation with the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet North, Tagak Curley. We will be on the Qanuq Isumavit call-in show with IBC.
At that time, I encourage all Nunavummiut to call and tell us what you are celebrating.
Member’s Statement 097 – 3(1): Rankin Inlet Hunters and Trappers Organization (Curley)
I rise today to talk about what has been happening here.
I first of all say “good morning” to Rankin Inlet residents on this Friday morning.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate and thank the individuals who came here on Monday from the Rankin Inlet HTO, especially Harry Tattuinee, who was recognized yesterday.
He’s a member of the HTO and also the HTO manager, Norman Ford.
They have been here this past week and they had requested two projects from the Kivalliq region in regard to wildlife.
The first one was to survey the musk ox in that area and they also wanted to do a survey on polar bears in western Hudson Bay.
They attended the meeting to request and to negotiate with the board.
Last night, they told me that both of these projects have been approved and Rankin Inlet residents are so proud.
I would like to congratulate these two individuals at this time and I’m sure there will be reports done.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I believe that this new partnership that the local hunters and trappers worked on, teaming up with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, is a good example for surveying wildlife in Nunavut.
That is the way it should be done. We have to involve elders, hunters, and people who know about the history of the wildlife during the last century and these records are available.
I hope that we will learn from this new partnership arrangement and encourage similar studies be done, which would include frontline workers in communities which include local hunters and trappers organizations.
Member’s Statement 098 – 3(1): Hockey Season (Tootoo)
Again, this being Friday and because of a couple of other statements that were made earlier, I figured I should get up and talk about something that, at this time of year, a lot of people have hopes and aspirations and dreams. That’s in regard to hockey, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I know that the end of the regular season is winding down and as my colleagues, who obviously cheer for a team over a tie, it’s been pointed out they did win their game in overtime last night.
Everybody has their own team that they cheer for.
It’s no secret, as my former colleague from Qamani’tuaq would say, I cheer for the Nashville Predators.
They did upset the division leading San Jose Sharks last night, in regular time when they came back in second period, from being down 2-0 to win 3-2, so I congratulate them and I’m crossing my fingers, hoping that I’ll be watching them post-season as well.
Mr. Speaker, leading up to this time is the playoff crunch.
We know, for example, if you talk about the team on the tie, that not very long ago, I think they were in fourth place. I think they were scrambling, struggling, and crossing their fingers to even be able to make the playoffs.
I’m sure that my best wishes go to those fans who hope that their teams make the playoffs.
Maybe, Mr. Speaker, my colleague might want to loosen his tie to help those guys out for the playoffs if it gets a little bit tight. I think it’s something that Toronto Maple Leaf fans have seen over the years, where they had their ties too tight and they choked...
... near the end of the season. So I would encourage my colleague, if he really and truly hopes to have a stick in his hand after the regular season, to be cheering for his team rather than a golf club. Perhaps he should loosen off the tie and cross his fingers.
Member’s Statement 099 – 3(1): Pauktuutit’s 25th Anniversary Gala (Pauloosie)
I would like to extend my appreciation to the Pauktuutit Inuit Women’s Association.
Yesterday, we participated in Pauktuutit’s celebration and it was very enjoyable. They were very hospitable as we watched shows, including Cambridge Bay dancers, and we ate nutritious food.
I would like to extend my appreciation for their invitation yesterday as we were very well-received.
I would like to thank the members of the Pauktuutit Inuit Women’s Association.
Return to Oral Question 076 – 3(1): Plans for Lottery Booths in Nunavut (Tapardjuk)
I have a return to Oral Question 076 – 3(1) asked by Paul Okalik on March 25.
Mr. Speaker, I have filed the return with the Clerk to be entered into the record as read.
Online lottery operations in Nunavut fall under the Western Canada Lotteries Corporation; the Government of Nunavut has a negotiated contract with Sport North Federation in Yellowknife to administer lottery operations in Nunavut.
There is currently a single online lottery operation in Nunavut located in Iqaluit.
A second operation existed in Rankin Inlet until February 1 of 2006, when the operations ceased due to the absence of a licence holder.
Under Nunavut’s Western Canada Lottery Act, the lottery operation must be conducted by a non-profit organization, with revenue received from sales on a quarterly basis.
Lottery retailers must be granted a licence in order to operate.
Applications must be submitted to Sport North.
Licence holders must be non-profit organizations in good standing with the Department of Justice, Legal Registries with the capacity to maintain the operation.
The hours of operation are determined by the licensee.
Operators may apply for amendments to their licence if another terminal is required to accommodate customers during high volume periods.
Return to Oral Question 070 – 3(1): Responsibility for Establishing Social Assistance Rates (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Speaker, I also have a return to an oral question asked by the Member for Hudson Bay; I can’t remember the name in Inuktitut of that riding and I apologize, it’s Tasiujarjuaq; concerning the responsibility for establishing social assistance rates.
The return is quite detailed, so I have filed it with the Clerk to be entered into the record as read.
I apologize, Mr. Speaker, that they’re just in English and some time today, I’m sure they will be translated into Inuktitut and I will file a copy with the Clerk.
So therefore, I will be re-filing this return.
I am submitting them only in English so that they may be entered into the record as read.
I would like to take this opportunity to clarify and correct statements made in the Legislative Assembly on March 19, 2009, and on March 25, 2009, addressing concerns regarding the income support food allowance rates.
On March 19, 2009, the member from Sanikiluaq asked if the Income Support Program had conducted a review of the food allowance rates zoning allocation for Sanikiluaq and if I could provide him with the results of such a review.
In my response, I stated that the food allowance rates are set by the federal government through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).
At this point in my answer, I was referring to the INAC Food Mail Program that provides perishable food and other essential items to northern communities at reduced postal rates.
I would like to clarify that I was speaking of a federal program that is entirely separate from the Nunavut Income Support Program.
The Nunavut Income Support Program, including the Nunavut Food Allowance Table, was inherited from the Government of the Northwest Territories regulations upon division in 1999.
The Nunavut Food Allowance Table is part of Schedule A of the Nunavut Social Assistance Regulations.
The food allowance table divides Nunavut into five zones because food costs differ across communities. The food allowance amounts are based on the number of people in the family and the community in which the family resides.
Since division, we have not made changes to the structure of the food allowance table but we have increased the food allowance amounts by 15 percent.
The food allowance table was last increased by five percent in April 2005 and prior to that, it was increased by ten percent in June 2004.
We will continue to pursue increases to the food allowance table whenever necessary and possible to help ensure that Nunavummiut are able to meet their basic needs.
I was also asked whether I would be willing to commit to consulting with colleagues in other departments so that similar standards and criteria are used to measure the impact of the cost of living across Nunavut communities for all residents.
I misspoke in saying that the food allowance rates are set by INAC.
The Income Support Program, including the Nunavut Food Allowance Table, was inherited from GNWT regulations upon division and the structure of the Nunavut Food Allowance Table has not changed since then.
On March 25, 2009, I was asked which government entity is responsible for establishing social assistance regulations, including food allowance benefits, for the residents of Nunavut.
The Income Support Division in the Department of Education is responsible to recommend legislative changes for Cabinet consideration.
Because the Income Support Program is financial in nature, changes to the program often require additional funding and resources, which is an important consideration given the current fiscal environment.
I stated that my staff attended a Federal/Provincial/Territorial Poverty Measurement Conference held in Ottawa on January 28 and 29, 2009.
My staff along with a representative from the Department of Finance attended this meeting to demonstrate the challenges of measuring low income in Nunavut’s communities.
We hoped that our attendance would demonstrate our interest in developing a low income measure that would set a standard of living for Nunavummiut most in need.
At the conference, the three territories showed interest in developing a Market Basket Measure (MBM) for the North.
The Market Basket Measure is based on the cost of contents in a “basket” required for low income individuals and families to meet their basic needs and also allow them to participate in community activities.
The basket includes items like food, shelter, clothing and footwear, transportation, and other necessary goods and services.
Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) discussed the possibility of creating a task team on “Measurement in the North” which is in the early stages of discussion.
It would be unrealistic to assume that one department could address low income measurement and poverty-related issues in Nunavut alone.
My department is willing to work collaboratively with other departments and agencies to address the high cost of living in the North.
I was also asked if the Income Support Program was going to be reviewed and for a timeline as to when the review would be undertaken.
Any time there are changes made to social programs, there are significant costs associated with the change.
There are no plans in the immediate future to undertake a complete program review.
Given the size and complexity of the various programs under Income Support, the department has had to set priorities based on the most pressing issues with the resources that are currently available within the division.
Income Support staff are committed to completing the development of a case management system that will be deployed across the territory.
This case management system, once fully deployed, will provide the department with statistical data that would establish a more accurate baseline from which to begin a review.
The case management system will also allow income support workers throughout Nunavut to focus on improved client service delivery.
As is the case in all jurisdictions, income support is meant to provide temporary financial assistance to help individuals and families meet their basic needs until they are able to provide for themselves.
The Department of Education has made every effort within its fiscal resources to ensure that income support benefits are adequate to help meet the needs of income support clients.
Your returns will be entered into the record as read. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Questions.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation) Item 6.
Question 095 – 3(1): Baker Lake Water Treatment Plant (Aupaluktuq)
My questions are for the Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Kusugak.
Concerns have been expressed to me regarding the quality of drinking water in my community of Baker Lake and the condition of the community’s water treatment plant.
Can the minister indicate to me how often the community’s drinking water is tested and will he commit to providing the results of these tests to both the hamlet council and me, as the community’s MLA?
(interpretation) Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I thank the Member for Baker Lake for asking that question.
The quality of drinking water has to meet certain standards in Nunavut prior to being released and I believe Nunavut has some of the best quality drinking water in all of Canada.
With respect to testing community water, tests are conducted twice a month to see if there are any health hazards in the water supply, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, hon. minister, for your reply.
While I recognize that the department’s capital budget includes funding in the coming year for improvements to the community’s sewage lagoon, I believe the condition of the water treatment plant needs to be reviewed.
Will the minister commit to providing me and the hamlet council with a current assessment of the water treatment plant’s condition?
(interpretation) Thank you very much.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you. I thank the member for his question.
The Baker Lake Water Treatment Plant design plans have been completed, but they are currently reviewing the set-up for the pump house so that they can be ready for the construction season.
The government will be spending over $7 million in the coming year for major improvements to Kugluktuk’s water treatment plant.
Can the minister indicate to me how the department determines whether a community’s water treatment facility requires repair or replacement?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you for that question.