EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Second, to begin the search for a potential supplier of these types of services for Nunavut in case, Mr. Speaker, in case we decide to pursue a separate Nunavut Power Corporation
I want to ensure that Nunavummiut are well informed of our activities and of this government's commitment to ensure safe and reliable power.
Therefore I am launching an information campaign for the public in the very near future.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the staff and members of the Ikuma Working group for their dedication – they have done an extraordinary job. And last, but definitely not least, my deepest thanks to all of the NTPC staff in our communities.
We are very fortunate to have such loyal and talented people looking after our electrical power needs – it is my hope that we will be able to benefit from their expertise for a long period to come.
Minister's Statement 05 - 1(3): Inuglak School Create - a - Book Award
Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report that 15 young Nunavut authors from grades 4, 5, 6 and 7 were honoured at a book awards ceremony in Whale Cove on September 9.
The fifteen students worked co-operatively to write and illustrate an original picture book entitled the “Lonely Inukshuk”.
Their creation won the grand prize in the Scholastic Create-A-Book competition. The Inuglak School students book was chosen from over 150 entries from all across Canada.
Each student also received a medallion, a copy of their published book and a Create-a- Book T-shirt.
(interpretation ends) The Inuglak School also received a commemorative plaque and a cheque for 1,000 dollars from Scholastic Book Fairs.
I had an opportunity to congratulate the students and teachers involved when I attended an awards ceremony in Tikirarjuak, with the Hon. Manitok Thompson and Jack Anawak.
This book award is a concrete example of the excellence that quality literacy programs can achieve.
The student authors in Inuglak School were Mona Panika, Tina Kaurayok, Lazarus Teenar, Samuel Igviksaq, Peter Scottie, Malaiya Enuapik, Delores Muktar, Florentine Voisey, Michelle Nattak, Rachel Misheralak, Germaine Ekualaaq, Karlene Napayok, Alanna Copland, Lisa-Grace Sheetoga, and Laura Udlualuak.
The project leaders were Sue Callard, Ken Jacobie and Michael Montcombroux.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, let’s have a round of applause for the students that won that award.
Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk.
Members’ Statements, Mr. Puqiqnak.
Member’s Statement 01 - 1(3): Problems with Project Surname and Census
I would like to make some comments.
In the 1970’s the Government of the NWT signed an agreement to do a census.
Our names were put in there and were recognized with our last names, especially by Revenue Canada.
But the way our last names were written, they were misspelled. Also the birth dates are wrong in Project Surname.
Mr. Speaker, naming people is very important in any way of life.
The writing of names should be done properly. Our ancestors had names with meanings.
When a loved one dies they name their children after them so they can remain close to the memory of their loved ones.
For that reason Mr. Speaker, in the beginning of our government, we should correct this situation and have the proper surnames written down and that is what I would like to see.
I will use myself as an example, Mr. Speaker.
My name is misspelled, my mom had named me Puqiqnak, puqik meaning the back leg of a caribou.
When project surname was there, my name was changed to Pokirk, and that work doesn’t mean anything.
So it puts me down as an Inuk person, because my name is misspelled.
Mr. Speaker, our names have meaning, and they have to be written down properly. I rise today so that our names can be spelled correctly in Nunavut and so that the birth dates can be corrected.
An example of the problems with the census, I have a sister who is older than I am by two years, but in our birth dates it says that we have the same birth date on the same year.
Just a reminder on Members’ Statements, you have 2 and a half minutes, let’s try to abide by the guidelines. I let the Member go well beyond 2 and a half minutes.
Next time I will stop you if you go beyond and you will have to ask for unanimous consent from the House to see if you can go beyond your time limit.
Mr. Irqittuq, Member’s Statement.
Member’s Statement 02 - 1(3):Congratulations on New Legislature
I am happy to rise today to say that I am very happy to be in this new building.
During our campaign, most of us did not think we would have a nice facility so I would like first today to extend my congratulations to the builders for completing this building.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t just want to talk about that, I am also very happy that now our summer is over and we are in a beautiful House.
Just another reminder on Members’ Statements, you can only talk about one issue during members statements.
I know that we are all new so we are just learning.
Member’s Statement 03 - 1(3): Sanikiluaq Left out of Decorative Map
I rise today to talk about the decorations for this House.
This House is decorated by Nunavut arts and crafts and it reflects Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker I am very appreciative and proud of all the gifts that we have received from the other Canadian jurisdictions and provinces.
But the gift from the Federal Government, the map, I must say that the decorative map does not reflect all of Nunavut.
For example, the Ungava Bay, Hudson Bay islands are not included in that gift.
Sanikiluaq is not included in that gift Mr. Speaker, so I would like this to be rectified sometime very soon in the near future.
We will deal with this as soon as we can.
Thank you for reminding us about that.
Mr. O'Brien member’s statement.
Member’s Statement 04 - 1(3): Need for Houses
Mr. O'Brien: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too, like my colleague, am honoured and humbled to be in this chamber, this brand new beautiful building.
Mr. Speaker I only hope that in the years and months to come we can dedicate the same amount of money, time, effort to providing a home for the rest of the people of Nunavut, that are in need, that are in overcrowded houses and so on.
Member’s Statement 05 - 1(3): Size of Legislature
Mr. Speaker I would like to say again that the business we have done within the last six months has been related to the people of Nunavut.
I think the public has heard we would be building another legislature for Nunavut, but that is not the case.
I think we have to start considering whether we have enough money to build a new Assembly. We did not state how long this House would be used, perhaps for fifteen or twenty years and after that we could make a decision over whether we should build a new home for the Legislative Assembly. We should do so according to the population growth and I want the public to understand that.
I know we are all aware that everything we want will cost money and due to the lack of funds we have run into some problems with this House.
This House is a bit small, we know when we say that this Assembly belongs to Nunavut residents, Iqaluit residents, Inuit, not all of them can come into the Gallery because it gets filled to its’ capacity right away.
We want the public to be aware that we would like to welcome each and every one of the people from Nunavut.
We should be able to welcome any Inuit people or any Nunavut residents to come and view the proceedings of the House.
But it is impossible due to the lack of space.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Iqaqrialu, for your wise words.
Member’s Statement 06 - 1(3): Irene Avaalaqiaq receives Honorary Doctorate
The attentiveness of a young woman to the stories her grandmother told her of the ways of her people led to a historic moment this March.
That’s when the Senate of Ontario’s University of Guelph announced Baker Lake’s Irene Avaalaqiaq has become the first aboriginal Canadian to be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from that University.
Avaalaqiaq was awarded the Degree in recognition of the outstanding contribution that she has made to the development of Inuit Art and the leadership role that she has played through her work in wall hangings, drawings and sculptures.
Born at Princess Mary Lake in 1940 she has lived in Baker Lake ever since.
She started creating her art in 1969 when she decided she wanted to do something to preserve her grandmother Anashujuaq’s tales of how Inuit life used to be.
This honorary degree will be presented this week to Avaalaqiaq, and I would like to take this time with my colleagues to congratulate her and remember this is a very proud moment for Nunavut.
Members’ Statements, Mr. Tootoo.
Member’s Statement 07 - 1(3): Issues to be Dealt with in New Legislature
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker I will try and get this done in 2 and ½ minutes.
It is an honour for me to make my first statement of this session in our new chamber.
I would like to echo the Speakers’ comments of yesterday, and acknowledge and salute the tremendous skill and dedication of those artists and individuals who have made this place the thing of beauty that it is.
This is the people’s house.
It is the arena in which the issues affecting Nunavut are discussed; and the forum for the elected representatives of Nunavummiut to stand up in support of the concerns and aspirations of the constituents we serve.
I encourage all residents of Iqaluit to take the opportunity to observe the proceedings of this House from the Gallery.
It was good to listen to Commissioner Maksagak’s speech from the throne yesterday.
The speech was a clear articulation of the priorities and challenges that face this government.
Its focus on housing and education as the top two priorities of this government reflect the concerns that I and other regular members of the Assembly have expressed, and at the same time not forgetting other vital services such as health care.
Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that I am alone when I say that it is now time to get down to the hard work that will make the vision a reality.
We are in our new House.
The appropriate ceremonies have concluded.
Ministers and Members are familiar with their portfolios and roles.
The senior management of the bureaucracy is in place.
We have held our priority-setting retreats, and reached a broad consensus on where we want to go.
The political direction to departments is clear, and now it is time to start delivering.
Mr. Speaker, I fully recognize that Rome, nor Jerusalem nor even Iqaluit can be built in a day and I appreciate that we as MLAs and the government as a whole are under tremendous pressure to meet the expectations of the people of Nunavut.
To expect immediate solutions to every challenge is not realistic.
At the same time, however, most of the fundamental challenges facing Nunavut are not new, they are issues that have been with us for years - and there are people in our communities whose ideas and experience we need to draw upon for solutions.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward throughout this session of the Legislative Assembly to speak out on the issues that my constituents have raised…
Speaker: Excuse me Mr. Tootoo.
Your time is up, you will have to ask for unanimous consent to conclude your statement.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my member’s statement.
Speaker: Mr. Tootoo is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Are there any nays.
There are no nays. Mr. Tootoo, you have unanimous consent.
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I was just about done.
The issues such as the homelessness crisis in Iqaluit and other housing related issues.
Child care for working families, providing fair opportunities for northern businesses to compete, ensuring that the government lives up to its obligations under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement.
Looking for innovative approaches to improving our schools, and rewarding excellence and a fair deal for the members of the Nunavut public service.
Mr. Speaker, our vision as a government is clear.
The language in the throne speech was inspiring.
Let’s make those words reality.
Members’ Statements, Minister Anawak.
Member’s Statement 08 - 1(3): Appreciation of Support during Boating Trip
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Just this past summer, my colleague right beside me, James Arvaluk and I came over here by boat from Rankin Inlet.
It was an excellent challenge and very enjoyable.
We had motor breakdowns a few times and I think that we have to thank a lot of people.
First I would like to thank a person from Repulse Bay, George Qaviuputulik. I would like to extend my gratitude to that person in Repulse Bay and from Coral Harbour, we also received help from Cape Dorset.
I apologize if I don’t say their surnames.
Timoon Toonoo, who is the SAO from the Hamlet, and also Qimmiata Nungusuitok, who towed our boat and the Cape Dorset search and rescue team that we would like to say thank you to.
Of course, our staff from here, Mr. Mike Ferris, David Akeeagok, Mr. Methuselah Kunuk and also Kenn Borek staff member Joanne, I apologize for not saying the last name because I don’t remember.
Also in Kimmirut, Sandy Akavak, and also the Mayor of Kimmirut, Mickey Akavak and also, the people of Kimmirut who helped us tremendously, we even left our boat there and it was taken care of by the residents of Kimmirut.
Also Simeonie Natsiq from Repulse Bay, my children Robin and Amanda, and also Peter Irnirq and his son.
From Coral Harbour, who accompanied us also and who was in James’ boat, Solomon Awa, his little brother, James Arvaluk Kattaluk and Erin.
I would like to say thank you to all these people and for the hospitality that was shown in Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay, Cape Dorset and Kimmirut and Iqaluit.
Simon Awa and some of his colleagues also helped us when we were coming here to Iqaluit.
It was a good trip but very challenging and I would like to say thank you to all those people.
Member’s Statement 09 - 1(3): Nunavut Capital Commission
Mr. Speaker, during the recent elections one of my promises was to commission a study to examine the pros and cons of a Nunavut Capital Commission.
Mr. Speaker, I have forwarded copies of the report to the Mayor and Council of Iqaluit as well as to member Tootoo and Premier Paul Okalik.
An advance copy was also provided to the Minister for Community Government, the Honourable Jack Anawak.
This was a report commissioned for me as the MLA for Iqaluit East and Mr. Speaker, it has not been formally endorsed by the Nunavut Government.
Most provincial, territorial and international capitals have a capital commission in place to help the locally elected body deal with development and planning issues.
The Nunavut Capital Commission would function in a parallel fashion to these other similar commissions, but would also be flexible to deal with the different aspects of a northern capital.
It would also have representatives, Mr. Speaker, from other Nunavut communities appointed as Commissioners.
The designation of Iqaluit as Capital of Nunavut is a result of a vigorous territorial campaign and plebiscite in 1995.
As part of that team I travelled with local residents, Mr. Gordon Rennie, Leah Inutiq, and Jerry Ell to Rankin and Arviat promoting Iqaluit as our capital and, as our campaign slogan said, “Iqaluit for all of Nunavut”.
The Capital Commission Report, if adopted, would follow up on that commitment and that promise.
Mr. Speaker, some of the exciting recommendations of the report include a proposal to set aside a reserve of 200 acres of land for the future Legislative Assembly and a possible museum site.
This follows along with the seat of government in the west where Yellowknife has designated the area near Frame Lake as the capital site.
It contains walking trails, benches, open spaces and interpretative displays.
The two hundred acre proposed Iqaluit reserve runs parallel to the Apex road and takes in the historic Apex Beach area and the old HBC buildings.
Mr. Speaker I think that the Capital Commission Report is proactive and it is an idea whose time has come.
I now await the recommendations of the Iqaluit Town Council on their review of this report.
Later today I will table the report in this House so that it will be made available to the public in both English and Inuktitut.
Return to the Orders of the Day, item number 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Today I would like to recognize some members who are here from the Qikiqtani Inuit Association youth organization, they are having their meeting here in Iqaluit.
Anna Qaunaq, from Arctic Bay, if you would stand up please, welcome.
Chris Pudlat, from Cape Dorset, Eric Nutariariak, from Igloolik, welcome.
Lizzie Akulukjuk from Pangnirtung, welcome.
Rhoda Nutaraq from Pond Inlet, welcome.
Mr. Henderson working here in Iqaluit, and also Kayak Ellsworth, who is also here.
Welcome all and have an enjoyable meeting.
Hon. Ed Picco: Ii, Qujannamiik Uqaqti.
Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure today to recognize in the gallery a very respected Iqaluit elder and family friend, and I guess who by the way I should mention has the warmest qammak in Iqaluit, Mittuk Nowdlak.
I would like to recognize students that are here in Iqaluit.
They are from my home community and they're here for Inuit Studies, Hannah Olayuk and also the youth chairperson Chris Pudlat, who is from Cape Dorset.
At this time I'd like to acknowledge the presence of an individual in the Gallery who is a constituent and also a member of the Municipal Council of Iqaluit.
I'd like to recognize John Mathews.
(Interpretation) Recognition of visitors in the gallery.
I believe it was in 1971 that I was here in Iqaluit for the whole year.
I would like to recognize Mittuq Nowlak who was like a mother to me.
In the 1970s she used to take good care of me and that's one of the reasons why I feel I've got two mothers.
That's why I would like to recognize Mittuq for that and also to welcome the youth.
I believe there would be a lot more people here if there was room here.
Thank you very much and welcome all.
Yesterday I recognized some people and today I would like to recognize them again.
Yesterday we had our elder Mr. Qitsualik from Uqsuqtuq.
I'd like to give you a brief profile of Mr. Qitsualik whom I recognized yesterday.
When we started setting up the Hamlet Council in Uqsuqtuq he was elected.
He is still a member of different boards and agencies in our home community.
I think he knows all the inside workings of Uqsuqtuq.
I grew up without a father and he was the one who taught me the traditional skills of hunting.
I know he's very capable and I haven't learned as much as I can yet.
I would like him to be recognized and I believe he's very well respected not only in Uqsuqtuq but all the Nunavut communities.
Item 6, Oral questions. (interpretation) Oral questions, number 6 on the orders of the day.
Question 01 - 1(3): Outboard Motor Propellers
I have been a hunter from the time that I was a child.
With the outboard motors that we use today the propellers are sold separately.
For the hunters this creates a problem. They might buy the whole outboard motor but the propeller is sold separately and because of that the hunters lose out on income that they might be earning because they're waiting for the propellers.
I believe that outboard motors or any equipment should come whole because it's very hard to buy parts in our communities.
I think that you are very well aware that if we need parts we have to order them and it takes a while so I'm suggesting that the Minister of Transportation write a letter to those retail outlets or to the manufacturers and tell them that they should send us whole motors instead of having to buy parts separately.
Mr. Anawak, if you'd like to respond, you could do so.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Anguti, we call them anguti, I don't quite know how to respond to your question but I do know exactly where you're coming from because I bought an outboard motor this summer.
Yes, we could write a letter to the retail outlets and to the manufacturers, but they're the ones who manufacture this equipment.
We could only urge the retail outlets to meet the needs of the consumer.
Question 02 - 1(3): Differences between Public Tenders and RFPs
Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister responsible for Public Works, Telecommunications and Technical Services and I believe, Housing.
I would just like to ask the minister if she could indicate the difference between a public tender and a request for proposals.
I just wonder if I could get an explanation of the difference.
Minister of Public Works, Telecommunications and Technical Services, Ms. Thompson.
I will take that as notice.
Question 03 - 1(3): Terms of Reference for Task Force on Housing
My question is directed to the minister responsible for Housing for Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, in reference to the statement the minister made earlier today regarding the task force, I note that it looks to me like the task force has not been given any direction as to terms of reference.
Can the minister explain in more detail as to what direction she has given the task force.
Minister of Housing, Ms. Thompson.
There are a lot of issues in housing that have to be addressed and they require policy changes, for example the rent scale and to address the overcrowding situation in Nunavut.
The task force will be getting together and that's their first step, to come up with their terms of reference.
My direction to the task force is that I want a report of their recommendations the first week of December for the urgent needs of social housing and also another report in March.
The task force will come up with their terms of reference.
We have a problem with social housing, housing shortages, overcrowding, rent scales.
I think this government is quite aware that we need to do something in housing and that's why we are doing something to solve this problem.
Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Housing made a number of recommendations for the immediate and long term, regarding the crisis that we have with housing in Nunavut.
I would like the minister to explain to me or this House as to why she did not include some of the recommendations that the Standing Committee on Housing made to her and her department when she provided direction to the task force to review and to study what the problems are and to find solutions.
I find it somewhat difficult to comprehend that we have a Standing Committee that's been elected by the members of this House who are elected by the people of Nunavut.
When they come forth with recommendations as to some immediate and long term solutions, why were these recommendations not passed on to the Task Force.
Minister responsible for Housing, Ms. Thompson.
As Minister of Housing, I have the authority to set up a task force so I can include the expertise of different people out in the field that are not elected, just to concentrate on housing.
The task force has not met yet.
The recommendations are going to the task force.
Thank you minister for clearing up that point.
I'm glad to hear that the recommendations that were made by the Standing Committee on Housing are going to the task force.
Mr. Speaker I'd like to ask the minister in her thought process I guess, what she considers short term solutions, immediate solutions to the problems that we have with housing and what she considers long term solutions.
Minister Responsible for Housing, Ms. Thompson.
As I said to the standing committee already, when the task force meets some time this week I'm hoping they will come up with their terms of reference. What I have said is that whatever happens in the task force will go to the standing committees so that they can have a part in the decisions that are being made.
This is not a secretive task force, I'm trying to involve everybody.
The people have different opinions and at this time as a consensus government, I have to form a plan by gathering different people’s opinions, so that's my answer.
Final supplementary.
I don't think I made my question clear to the minister and that's my fault.
Mr. Speaker does the minister believe that the results of the task force, that they will be available so that we can use these results when we're doing the analysis of the budget debate for the next fiscal year?
Question 04 - 1(3): Decentralization
Mr. McLean: Ma'na Uqaqtii.