EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In the south, people are not familiar with polar bears, and too many have the simple and incorrect view that all polar bear populations are changing due to climate change.
Officials in my department have been correcting misinformation in the national media regarding the health of the polar bear populations we manage.
We have had letters and news stories published in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, the National Post, and the New York Times in an attempt to make sure the most accurate information is available.
This is something that I will continue to do. Inuit and scientific knowledge agree that in general, polar bears have never been more numerous.
Of the 13 populations of polar bears that Nunavut has or shares with other jurisdictions, there are two populations in the Western Hudson and Baffin Bay that may be having difficulties, but overall, polar bears are not threatened.
The Government of Nunavut remains committed to ensuring that our polar bear population is sustainable and that the traditional hunting can continue.
Later this afternoon, I will be tabling the Government of Nunavut’s response to the United States’ fish and wildlife service review.
I am sure that you will agree with me when I say it is an excellent defense of our Polar Bear Management Program.
Minister’s Statement 095 – 2(3): Heavy Equipment Operator Program (Picco)
I rise today to inform my colleagues about an exciting opportunity for Nunavummiut.
This opportunity offered through the labour of market development agreement.
Since January 2006, 44 Nunavut students traveled to Morrisburg, ON for the Heavy Equipment Operators Program at the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario.
This training is being offered at a transitional program until programs at our Nunavut Trade School are delivered.
Mr. Speaker, students are enrolled at the institute for a total of ten weeks where they receive two weeks of safety instruction, followed by a four-week practical training component on two separate pieces of equipment. This training prepares students for employment in the private sector at DEW line site clean up with hamlets, and mine and exploration sites.
Feedback in the courses have been very positive, Mr. Speaker, and the students have shown excellent work ethics and incredible dedication. At present, the student completion rate is 92 percent.
Student follow-up will be administered through 12 weeks after the completion of each program to track employment opportunities and student satisfaction.
Mr. Speaker, the instruction allows Nunavummiut to participate mark fully in our territory’s expanding economy. I look forward to offering similar programs right here in Nunavut in the near future when our own Trade School opens in Rankin.
Minister’s Statement 096 – 2(3): Pan North Projects – Torch Relay (Tapardjuk)
I rise today to update the House on one of many projects associated with the upcoming Canada Winter Games 2007, the Nunavut Torch Relay.
I am not exactly sure what it is called in Inuktitut.
In grouping with the Pan Northern vision of the 2007 Canada Winter Games, the Torch Relay is a journey that spans the entire Canadian North.
From April 2006 to February 2007, three northern torches bring the spirit of the games to every region of Canada’s territories.
Culminating in the Games’ opening ceremonies on February 23, 2007, no Torch Relay of this scale and challenge has ever been attempted in Canada.
It is made possible through partnerships fostered by our government with the Canadian Forces, Parks Canada, The RCMP, hamlets, and the Pan North host partners the governments of the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
A schedule of the route for the Nunavut Torch Relay has been widely distributed, and my staff is working with community representatives to bring the torch to every Nunavut community.
I hope all of you can share in the celebrations that this event will bring to all Nunavummiut. The torch is on display for the rest of the day in to foyer outside of the Legislature.
Member’s Statement 241 – 2(3): Congratulations to NTEP Students (Alagalak)
I rise today to congratulate the NTEP students in Arviat with their recent graduation.
First of all, I would like to thank Minister Picco and his staff, who made the long trip to Arviat this Saturday to be with the students who were graduating from the NTEP program. There were thirteen of us on the plane. It was bit crowded by we came back on Sunday morning.
It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the NTEP graduates from Arviat.
I would like to acknowledge those individuals. They are: Susan Arloo, Darryle Baker, Michelle Curley, Joshua Iqkahik-Gibbons, Angeline Eqkahik Koomuk, Jocelyn Okuktak-Malla, Agnes Mamark, Maggie Manik, Rufus Manik, and Tiffinay Aniksak-Mukpak.
We have heard that many Inuit teachers, some of the very first graduates from the NTEP program, will be retiring soon.
I am also very pleased to welcome the next generation of Inuit teachers.
They will be able to communicate together.
I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these NTEP students on their success.
Member’s Statement 242 – 2(3): Igloolik High School Graduates (Tapardjuk)
On Friday, there were graduates in Igloolik. They had completed their grade 12.
The individuals graduating at this time make up the most number of graduates at the end of the year, since we began to deliver grade 12 within our community.
There were 16 individuals that graduated and I’m not sure if they will be listening or not, but I would like to list their names.
The graduates consist of: Corey Akittirq, Danny Akittirq, Jason Angilik, Kirt Aqatsiaq, Annie Main-Arnatsiaq, Melissa Arnatsiaq, Allen Auksaq, Jonathan Ferguson-Smith, Lila Haulli, Jessica Rosie Komak, Roseanne Krunnut, Esther Krunnut, Sally Kunnuk, Elizabeth Qaunaq, Sienna Tulugarjuk, Alexander Ungalaq, Tracy Uttak, and Terry Ujarak.
I would like to congratulate these individuals and also the Department of Education for funding those educational programs as we’re seeing more and more young people graduating.
Some of the graduates may not receive employment right away, but it does open them to another door of opportunity. I would like to urge all young people in Nunavut, to make sure that they complete their schooling, and also to push for further education.
Member’s Statement 243 – 2(3): Relocation to Grise Fiord (Barnabas)
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon.
I recently received a copy of a letter to our Premier Mr. Paul Okalik from Mr. Larry Audlaluk, one of my constituents in Grise Fiord.
The letter clearly outlines the historical and ongoing challenges faced by people of Grise Fiord.
I rise today to share the contents of the letter with my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, as many members know, the people from Inukjuaq and Pond Inlet were relocated to Grise Fiord.
Many reasons for these relocations have been identified. To this day, the relocation continues to support the federal government’s claim to sovereignty in the High Arctic.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the letter from my constituents speaks of decline in providing services and promises that were made and then broken by the federal government.
The letter is full of frustration in the lack of breakwater, cost and level of services offered by airline companies, and inadequate community infrastructure.
I think this letter describes that many of my constituents feel they are frustrated by seeming neglected of people of Grise Fiord by both the territorial and the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Audlaluk for taking time to write such a comprehensive letter.
At the appropriate time, I will be tabling the letter in its entirety, and I urge all Members of Cabinet to take time and read this letter and work and address the issues that were raised in this letter.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. (interpretation) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 244 – 2(3): Ninth Annual Nunavut Mining Symposium (Peterson)
I rise today to update the House on the very successful Ninth Annual Nunavut Mining Symposium that Cambridge Bay was host of March 31 to April 2 of this year.
Mr. Speaker, the Premier and Ministers Akesuk and Picco attended this symposium.
Their appearance was vital to the success of this symposium and I thank them for their support of this key sector of our economy.
Mr. Speaker, nearly 250 delegates from around the north and across Canada attended this very important event.
It was an excellent opportunity for them to be colleagues and counterparts in the mining industry and for government to talk about the state of industries in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of meeting with many of the delegates during the symposium and I personally contacted several of them after they returned home.
I’m happy to report that they were all very pleased with the event and feel that Nunavut is a great territory to do business.
However, I also heard from them that it would be better if there was less red tape and more streamlining of mining permitting.
Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity with the Minister of Education and myself to meet directly with several mining and exploration companies to discuss current and future issues related to training and employment.
Mr. Speaker, we clearly heard from the companies that there will be many employment, training, and business opportunities for Nunavummiut in the coming years.
However, Mr. Speaker, we also heard from them that Nunavut has to work hard to prepare Nunavummiut to fully participate in the mining sector.
They emphasized the need for trades-qualified Nunavummiut in all of the major trades, otherwise jobs will be lost to people from the south.
Mr. Speaker, Minister Picco learned much during our meetings that would enable him to incorporate the appropriate training that our Kitikmeot high schools and the Nunavut Arctic College Campus need to prepare our future grads for exciting careers in the mining sector as well as the mining support industry sectors.
Mr. Speaker, the minister’s commitment earlier this year to upgrade the high school shop area to deliver mine training and millwright courses is a good start.
However, Mr. Speaker, the Kitikmeot requires substantial Nunavut Arctic College Campus infrastructure upgrades to offer a full array of diploma and degree courses to Kitikmeot residents and other Nunavummiut to prepare them for careers not only in the mining sectors but for careers in accounting, business, health services, and public service professions to name only a few.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to request unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. The member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays?
There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Peterson.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.
I urge the Government of Nunavut to seriously consider the future of education and training needs of our Kitikmeot residents during the upcoming Government of Nunavut capital planning process.
Member’s Statement 245 – 2(3): Congratulations to Qikiqtarjuaq High School Graduates (Arreak)
Mr. Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Legislative Assembly.
I’m now looking at new faces since I’m sitting on the other side of the table now.
I would like to congratulate the people who have graduated with grade12 from Qikiqtarjuaq. There are just a few, but again, they are increasing every year, and when they have finished their grade 12, it opens up further opportunities education, or to take on employment.
In the smaller communities, there are barely any jobs, but of course they can move onto the other communities to take on jobs because, of course, this government’s goal is to reach the 85 percent representative mark.
These are the students that graduated Grade 12 from Qikiqtarjuaq: Alana Nuqingak, Grant Sanguya, and Jerry Kooniliusi graduated last year, but are celebrating this year with two other individuals from Qikiqtarjuaq. I congratulate these students.
Member for Nattilik, Ms. Aglukkaq.
Member’s Statement 246 – 2(3): Congratulations to Taloyoak Nunavut Arctic College Graduates (Aglukkaq)
I would also like to congratulate the students from Taloyoak. They have gone back to Nunavut Arctic College. They are: Rachael Totalik, Louise Aqqaq, Dora Qayaut, Elizabeth Nuliajuk, and Mary Iqalliijut.
They returned to school even though some of them now have grandchildren, I want to offer my congratulations.
Secondly I want to mention four students graduating from grade 12.
Only two graduated last year, but we now have four in 2006 and they are: John Charles Lyall, Curtis Pauloosie Jayko, Violet Jayko, and Megan Pizzo-Lyall.
Megan stated that she wants a seat reserved in the Legislative Assembly, as her goal is to become a politician.
I would also like to thank the Minister of Education who was able to participate in the graduation ceremony, and also Steven Mapsalak.
Lastly, I want to congratulate these students who went to Cambridge Bay from Taloyoak and took the Social Service Program. The students consist of; Rita Qaminguaq, and Jeanie Ugyuk. I congratulate them both.
Member’s Statement 247 – 2(3): Shortage of Nurses in Rankin Inlet (Curley)
I rise today, although there will never be unanimous consent in this House; we are having a severe shortage of nurses in Rankin Inlet.
That’s happening today. There are people who are there who don’t have the RN status.
This is an urgent matter and it has to be dealt with as soon as possible by the Minister of Health and Social Services. This problem has to be rectified.
I believe there were five nurses from overseas who were placed in Rankin Inlet.
Two of them failed their Canadian nurse’s exam, the other two have written their Canadian exams twice and we don’t know if they passed or not.
This is now an urgent matter. There are a lot of people who utilize the nursing station, or the hospital in Rankin Inlet.
I just received a letter from Rankin Inlet which states that this is now an urgent matter and that they need help from the Government of Nunavut. I would like to assure the people of Rankin Inlet that they will be getting this support.
We have a doctor who is based in Rankin Inlet and tours the Keewatin area.
I hear that Friday, June 16 is going to be his last day working as a doctor over there.
He is very well liked by the elders and we need the minister’s support to make sure that this doctor stays in the Keewatin.
In the Keewatin region we are now in an urgent situation and it is something that should not be tolerated by the people of Nunavut. I urge the minister to work on this as soon as possible.
Members’ Statements. Mr. Picco.
Member’s Statement 248 – 2(3): Recognition of Peter Irniq (Picco)
I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize one of my constituents and a friend to the Legislative Assembly, our former Commissioner Mr. Peter Irniq.
Mr. Irniq was honoured on May 15 with an honourary doctorate degree in civil law from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
Throughout his distinguished career, dedicated to Nunavummiut, Inuit culture, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, and helping a worldwide audience learn and know about Nunavut, the North, and Inuit; Mr. Irniq has been a tireless advocate.
Mr. Irniq is a former MLA, minister, deputy minister, and Commissioner. He has held elected and other leadership roles in all levels of government throughout Nunavut.
He has spoken all over the world about Inuit and Nunavut, whether in Canada, the United States, or Mexico. He is much in demand.
On behalf of all Nunavummiut we wanted to extend our very best and sincere to Dr. Peter Irniq and his family; his wife Marie, on the awarding of the honourary doctorate degree in Civil Laws to this distinguished Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 249 – 2(3): First Poetry Slam held at Inuksuk High School (Tootoo)
I’d like to take this opportunity today to inform members of a first, I think it was the first Poetry Slam that was held at Inuksuk High School by Beth Gregory’s Grade 8 Language Arts Class. My daughter, who is paging here with us today, was the first person to go up and recite her poem at the Slam.
I’d like to just acknowledge the fact that it made a subject that I’m sure most of us didn’t look forward to in language arts – poetry - fun.
I’d like to congratulate all the students that said a poem, I’d like to share with members a poem, as my first ever poetry recital, with the members that was read by one of the students at the Poetry Slam at the High School.
The poem, I’ll just say was recited by Lewis. It’s a poet by Pat Williams entitled, ‘Winners Versus Losers.’
“When a winner makes a mistake, he says, ‘I was wrong.’
When a loser makes a mistake he says, ‘It wasn’t my fault.’
A winner works harder than a loser and has more time.
A loser is always too busy to do what is necessary.
A winner goes through a problem.
A loser goes around it, and never gets past it.
A winner makes commitments.
A loser makes promises.
A winner says, ‘I’m good, but not as good as I ought to be.’ A loser says, ‘I’m not as bad as a lot of other people.’
A winner listens.
A loser just waits until it’s his turn to talk. A winner respects those who are superior to him and tries to learn something from them.
A loser resents those who are superior to him and tries to find chinks in their armor.
A winner feels responsible for more than his job.
A loser says, ‘I only work here.’”
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask unanimous consent to conclude my member’s statement.
You may go ahead Mr. Tootoo.
I’d like to thank my colleagues for not shutting down my first ever poetry recital.
My favorite of the poem, Mr. Speaker, that caught my attention the most was, “A winner says; there ought to be a better way to do it.
A loser says, “That’s the way it’s always been done here.”
Mr. Speaker, again I would like to ask all members to join me in congratulating the students that had the courage to get up in front of their classmates and all their parents that were there and recite their poems.
That was worth a good portion of their language arts mark for this semester.
I also thank Ms. Beth Gregory for coming up with a fun way to present this to these students.
Item 3 in our Orders of the Day. Members’ Statements.
I am pleased to draw members’ attention to the presence in the Gallery of visiting parliamentarian interns from the House of Commons.
These young Canadians are participants in a prestigious national program.
They are in Iqaluit this week for their annual study tour.
The participants are; I apologize, Lesia Horbay, please stand: Jordan Hatton, Marion Laurence, Tannis Bujaczek, Shannon Wells, Maxime Bernard, Paul Thomas, and Joshua Bates.
I would like to welcome them all to the legislature.
As I mentioned earlier in my Member’s Statement, I would like to recognize my daughter, Eden Tootoo, that is here with us today as a page.
She is filling last minute to help out our other two pages that were pretty tired working on their own on Friday.
So I’d like to welcome Eden to the Gallery.
Item 5 in our Orders of the Day.
It was very enlightening to hear Mr. Tootoo quoting some poetry. I’d like to get into a conversation at some point about his favourite poet.
I would say, “For whom the bell tolls, break, break oh mighty seas on these twisted, torn rocks.” He knows the context.
It gives me great pleasure to introduce to the Gallery today some very distinguished guests and visitors.
They come all the way from Syracuse, New York. I have a brother in Syracuse, as some of the members know. They’re representing different indigenous people from across North America, indeed I believe there is an Inukpiat among them from Alaska, so it give me great pleasure to begin by introducing them.
I will ask them to stand up when I say their names.
The Program Director from Syracuse: Holly Uniqaq-Dobbins, Holly, nice to see you. The Teaching Assistant, who is Marina Hosener-Briggs. Amanda Tiana, Amanda is from the Mohawk nation in Syracuse.
We also have with us, Hannah Gullickson, Hannah; Heather Knapp; and Elizabeth Rexworth. A very warm welcome to this Inukpiat Inuk from Alaska.
(interpretation) Please don’t hesitate to give us a hand. (interpretation ends) We have Bethany Higgins. We have Simone Jorgen, Simone again I want to point out is a Sami from Sweden. I’m a big fan of Mats Sundin.
We’d also like to take this opportunity again to welcome Carol Thomas, Carol is also from the Onagan Nations in Syracuse; a very warm welcome to the Gallery.
I want to add that when we were up to the graduation in Cape Dorset two days ago, a student from Cape Dorset, who just graduated over there is actually going to Syracuse University, Evie Pootoogoo. I hope that you extend a warm welcome to Evie when she goes there this fall.
I would like to recognize that we’ve been married for 13 years, me and my wife, and our adopted daughter, Susie Evyagotailak.
It was nice to be with my wife during our anniversary here. I am very happy that she could be here with me.
Item 5. Recognition of Visitors to the Gallery.
I would like to welcome all the visitors to the Gallery.
Question 287 – 2(3): Recruitment of Nurses Contract (Tootoo)
I’d like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
On February 23, my colleague from Arviat asked a Written Question on the recruitment for nurses in Nunavut.
I was very interested in the minister’s reply.
It indicated that while the Government of Nunavut, the Department of Health, has hired 40 nurses through the efforts of the Trillium recruiting company.
The company has actually been paid over $200,000 more than the actual costs of recruiting those 40 nurses.
I understand from the minister that this over-expenditure is considered a credit balance on the contract with Trillium Consulting.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify for this House whether it is common practice for her department to set up credit balances with services providers?
It is not a common practice to set up credit balances.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Aglukkaq. Your first supplementary, Mr. Tootoo.
I’d like to thank the minister for her response that it isn’t a common practice. Why is a firm from outside of Nunavut getting prepaid for hiring people that they haven’t hired? Meanwhile, I know that there are many businesses within Nunavut that can’t even get paid six to eight months after they render their services?
Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Aglukkaq.
I had provided a response to the member on that in writing based on a letter I had received in regard to that same question.
The situation behind, from what I understand is that the nurses that were being recruited on an international basis, we have recruited about 40 to date.
It was an average of a certain amount divided by a prorated amount, and that was distributed that way.
The other piece that I think needs to be factored into this is that to initiate the process, there are initial costs that are also incurred.
At the same time, during the process in the hiring for the international nurses, we had asked the firm to evaluate how they are doing before we proceed further.  At the same time, we have also directed the agency to concentrate more efforts in recruiting within Canada.
So that there is that balance that was for the international recruitment efforts but that is also being used up for services to recruit nurses within Canada.
I know that that response of that letter that the minister was talking about is what kind of caught my attention.
The math didn’t add up for the number of nurses that were hired and I understand that the contract says that the company is going to get paid so much per nurse.
The initial contract I believe was for 100 nurses. What was the expiry date of that initial contract?
From what I understand, that contract is still in place.
The department’s officials met with the Trillium Organization over the last few months again to refocus it’s energies to recruiting within Canada.
At the same time I’ve asked my department, through Trillium, to also evaluate the international recruitment efforts and see how we are doing with the ones that we have here so far.
In terms of the expiry date of that contract: I don’t have that specific date, but can provide that information to the member.