EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The Department of Community and Government Services has purchased 500 of the SPOT devices which will be activated and shipped out to the communities over the coming week. Each community will receive 20 of these units.
Fifteen of these devices will be available for members of the community to borrow when they go out on the land. Five of the devices will be set with a tracking function to be used by our search and rescue teams.
This new technology has been tested over the last few years to ensure that they are suitable for use in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, these will assist us should one of our citizens need help.
Last year, our search and rescue teams responded to 125 requests for assistance.
Many of these requests had our volunteers out for days looking for individuals who had not returned as scheduled.
It is estimated that our volunteers accumulated over 2,000 person hours in time assisting our citizens.
With the use of this new technology, we hope to reduce the time required to locate lost persons and respond faster and more efficiently to the need for assistance.
It is not exaggeration to say that the shorter the search times, the better the outcome may be for both searchers and the individuals who may require assistance.
Mr. Speaker, as these units become available over the next few weeks, I urge everyone who heads out on the land to go to their hamlet office and log out one of these units.
Mr. Speaker, I also urge everyone who goes out on the land to take a little extra time to be prepared.
If you are not sure what to bring, be sure to consult an elder or an experienced hunter.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to make my statement.
Minister’s Statement 101 – 3(2): Nunavut’s Participation in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games (Taptuna)
Good afternoon, my colleagues and Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to inform this House of our success in promoting Nunavut during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Mr. Speaker, The Province newspaper awarded Canada’s Northern House a gold medal as the finest Canadian pavilion in Vancouver during the games.
This follows highly favourable media coverage from coast to coast to coast.
In partnership with our sister territories, Canada’s Northern House showcased Nunavut as a wonderful place to live, a wonderful place to visit, in which to invest, and to live.
Mr. Speaker, since Canada’s Northern House opened in January, we have seen up to 9,000 people visit daily, with lineups to get in up and down Seymour Street.
The total number of visitors had reached 100,000 by Nunavut Day held on February 21.
Canada’s Northern House has been an important venue for our artists to showcase their work. Sales in the retail shop passed the $100,000 mark by mid February.
Canada’s Northern House continues to be a popular place after the completion of the Olympic Games. Canada’s Northern House will remain open for the Paralympics and close on April 18.
Mr. Speaker, the Olympics provides a world stage and Nunavut has grabbed the spotlight, and we have successfully promoted Nunavut’s arts and crafts, film, sealskin designs, our tourism and our mining industry at special events throughout the games.
At the mining reception and fur fashion show held in West Vancouver, I responded to great interest from many junior companies that may invest in our economy.
At another special event, Nunavut’s tourism industry was featured, and I am told by Nunavut Tourism that already five major international media outlets have expressed their intention to visit Nunavut and report on the many attractions here.
Mr. Speaker, I am also very proud to report the excellent reception received by our youth.
They were truly Nunavut’s ambassadors in Vancouver, and thrilled the people there with their exhibitions of Inuit games and with their performances of contemporary circus routines and traditional drumming and dancing.
I know the experiences of our youth in Vancouver will last a lifetime.
They were able to share our language, culture, and traditions and witness the pride all Canadians take in our way of life.
This makes our youth proud of themselves, as they should be.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of the members for their support in this initiative and I know I share with them the joy I feel at the success Nunavut has had at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
I look forward to reporting on the final outcomes of our participation at the next sitting of the House. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 102 – 3(2): Knowledge Sharing Forum (Curley)
One of the most important goals of the Department of Health and Social Services is to work in partnership with Nunavutmiut to create a better future for children and their families.
At the last session this winter, I committed my department to bringing together representatives from across Nunavut to find some common agreement on an approach to improve our current Child and Family Services Act, enhance child protection services, and to provide greater support for families.
Mr. Speaker, this knowledge sharing forum occurred in December and brought Inuit elders and youth, community representatives, and Inuit organizations together to share their experiences and reflect on aspects of child welfare practice that have worked to protect children and strengthen families and communities.
The knowledge sharing forum was an important first step in an effort to review legislation, programs, and services from an Inuit, community, and family-centred perspective.
It also opened the door to a working in partnership with local community members in response to child welfare that is rooted in Inuit cultural values.
The event ended with a sense of optimism for the future of Inuit children and families.
One participant said, “I can see much further now; I can almost see the future.”
Mr. Speaker, there is still a lot of work ahead of us to bring about change to child and family services, and I look forward to keeping my colleagues informed of our progress for this coming fiscal year.
Minister’s Statement 103 – 3(2): Nunavut High Arctic Transportation Analysis (Taptuna)
Most Members of this House are aware that my department is currently undertaking a full analysis of transportation issues facing residents of our High Arctic communities.
In Nunavut, we all feel the consequences of high priced transportation, but the further north we go, the more serious these impacts are. For people living in the Quttiktuq riding travelling to other communities or even transporting goods into their own communities is beyond the reach of most people.
Mr. Speaker, the study we have undertaken demonstrates that transportation costs in the High Arctic are the highest in the country and are higher than most of those found in other arctic countries.
Our neighbours in Greenland and Alaska have found ways of offsetting high costs into their remote communities, but we in Canada have not done so.
Our Quttiktuq communities define the northern edge of our country, Mr. Speaker, and the well-being of our people in those communities serves Canada’s interest as well as our own. The High Arctic study is looking at ways to ensure the communities are sustained and the quality of life of the people in them is improved through better transportation options.
Mr. Speaker, the High Arctic study is nearing completion.
While it was certainly my hope to be able to table it during this session of the Legislative Assembly, the issues have proven to be very complex and my department has asked for more time to ensure its completeness.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the time when I can table it at this Assembly. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 156 – 3(2): Cape Dorset Health Centre Replacement (Schell)
I rise today to continue my efforts to convince the Government of Nunavut to review its capital plan and bring the Cape Dorset Health Centre Replacement project forward in the plan to where it rightfully belongs.
Mr. Speaker, the Cape Dorset Health Centre is the second oldest operating health centre in all of Nunavut.
It is the oldest health centre not to have received any major renovations since it was first built 29 years ago in 1980.
Mr. Speaker, like any community across Nunavut, Cape Dorset has grown significantly over the last 29 years.
And like any building, the Cape Dorset Health Centre has suffered through wear and tear over these 29 years and is no longer in the fine shape it once was.
The Cape Dorset Health Centre is ailing.
Mr. Speaker, I recently experienced first hand one of the problems that has developed in this aging building.
The ventilation system is totally inadequate. When the x-ray machine is running, staff and clients in the building have to wear face masks to protect themselves from the fumes and the poisonous atmosphere.
Mr. Speaker, as I am sure you and my colleagues will agree this situation is not a healthy one.
Mr. Speaker, in 2004, the Government of Nunavut’s 2004-2010 Five-Year Capital Plan indicated that the Cape Dorset Health Centre Replacement project would begin in 2007-08.
The project stayed on the five-year capital plan until 2007, when other higher priority projects such as the continuing care centres were identified and bumped the Cape Dorset project and others off the list.
Mr. Speaker, the Cape Dorset Health Centre Replacement project has finally reappeared on the latest five-year capital plan. However, it is now not set to begin until 2013.
In the meantime, the government has introduced a number of other newly identified projects to begin well before this time.
Mr. Speaker, the health of our Nunavut residents should be one of our most fundamental priorities. Projects that have already been identified as necessary should remain priorities.
I call upon the government to reconsider its capital planning process and bring forward the Cape Dorset Health Centre Replacement project to begin as soon as possible.
Member’s Statement 157 – 3(2): Aspirations of Young Nunavummiut (Ningark)
I rise today to bring attention to the suggestions made by young Nunavummiut in a recent edition of “Street talk” as published in the Nunavut News/North edition of February 8, 2010.
The question put forward to Nunavut youth was “What would you like to see in our community that we don’t already have?”
The theme that emerged in the replies referred generally to places where youth can take part in activities, such as swimming, reading, games, and socializing with other youth.
Mr. Speaker, as I draw attention to this information which I have here, I hope that it encourages the Government of Nunavut in their ongoing efforts towards the establishment of infrastructure and programs for youth.
I am encouraged that youth are asking for such things as libraries and swimming pools.
These are establishments that would offer healthy lifestyle choices for youth.
Mr. Speaker, the more that youth are able to participate in healthy activities, the less likely they will become involved with unhealthy activities such as drug and alcohol use and abuse.
As with youth all over the world, no child asks to become an alcohol or a drug abuser.
As with youth all over the world, our young Nunavummiut opt instead for healthy lifestyle choices.
Let us make those healthy choices available for them.
Member’s Statement 158 – 3(2): Team Nunavut’s First Medal of 2010 AWG (Elliott)
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate and thank the hard-working athletes, coaches, and volunteer staff that are participating in the Arctic Winter Games.
The Arctic Winter Games, which officially started on Sunday evening in Grande Prairie, Alberta, had their first set of games played yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that for 2010, it was the Arctic Bay Open Men Dene Games Team that brought our first medal to Nunavut.
Team Nunavut climbed to the podium yesterday as the team won silver in the Dene hand games competition. The team consists of Bobby Kilabuk, Darryl Levi, Thomas Levi, and Tom Naqitarvik.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure it is the first of many medals for Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating all of these individuals.
Member’s Statement 159 – 3(2): Keeping Decentralization Commitments to Communities (Komoartok)
I rise today to talk about the importance of keeping promises.
Mr. Speaker, when the Government of Nunavut was established, the decentralization of positions to communities was viewed as an essential part of doing business differently.
My community of Pangnirtung has been a strong supporter of decentralization.
In 2007, the government confirmed that there would be approximately 70 decentralized GN positions located in the community. Six departments have a presence on the ground, which greatly helps to improve the connections between the community and the government.
Mr. Speaker, over the years, good progress has been made in filling these positions with residents of the community.
This has greatly helped to strengthen the community in such areas as skills development and training.
Mr. Speaker, last week’s announcement that three decentralized positions in the community are being recentralized to Iqaluit has caused some concern in my community.
Mr. Speaker, although I fully recognize that we must be prepared to make adjustments to our government’s operations in order to effectively serve the public, I also believe that we must maintain our commitments.
I have not yet heard a clear commitment from the government that it will move new positions to Pangnirtung to balance the positions that the community has lost recently.
Mr. Speaker, in his Budget Address of yesterday, the Minister of Finance said two very important things.
First, he noted that one of the best ways to fight crime and poverty is to provide opportunities for our residents to work.
Mr. Speaker, he also mentioned that the Government of Nunavut currently has about 900 vacant jobs.
According to the government’s own figures, the Department of Health and Services alone has almost 300 job vacancies.
Mr. Speaker, I cannot see why the government can’t find three new positions to locate in Pangnirtung.
At the appropriate time, I will be seeking a commitment from the government that it will do so.
Member’s Statement 160 – 3(2): Assistance for Polar Bear Outfitters (Arvaluk)
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On occasion, we try to remind people about certain issues.
We, as Members of the Legislative Assembly, agreed to remember where we came from when we were settling our Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and our government.
We wanted a government and that is why we went that route.
Inuit wanted to be self-determining, to allow for self-sufficiency, to retain their language and culture, and to be able to enact legislation that is adapted to Nunavut.
They also wanted to set their own goals and to create their own vision of the future that applies to this land.
From what I have heard, there will be a ban on the sale of polar bear hides to the European Union as well as the United States.
As soon as we heard about this ban, we knew right away that this would impact the Inuit dog team owners who employ their dogs to create some revenue from these polar bear sport hunters.
They are generally the guides and caretakers of sport hunters and they will now lose this source of revenue.
Once this revenue is lost, the government hasn’t taken a stance on how it will be reimbursed to those who are impacted nor have they even indicated what level of compensation will be offered, neither is there any sort of timeframe if there is to be compensation.
This runs counter to one of the goals we set back in the day, which is no longer the same goal.
We never stated that we would abandon our fellow Inuit when we completed the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. The scenario here is that when our fellow Inuit are under attack by outsiders, we abandon their rights and send them to income support workers. That is not how we tried to change the system when we fought for Nunavut.
Therefore, I am deeply regretful at the stance taken by our government, which is to stand idly by and abandon their citizens. They haven’t even offered options towards this end, so the only option is to send them to income support workers.
This is especially the case of our traditional life-based people, those who still work their dog teams to support themselves, which gives them a sense of cultural pride and identity when they are able to support themselves in that manner.
I have run out of time, so I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
I thank my colleagues for allowing me to conclude my statement.
I was almost finished, but I ran out of time.
There are many discussions and debates that can accrue out of this issue, especially by a skilled orator.
However, the dereliction of fiduciary duties by our government, especially when no alternatives are offered, along with their refusal to voice the concerns of their citizens and not promoting the interests of the people living along Davis Strait and Baffin Bay, is unacceptable.
The communities impacted are Pond Inlet, Clyde River, and Qikiqtarjuaq. These are the most impacted communities and yet, our government hasn’t even released any options or alternatives available to those Inuit who are losing their income nor any compensation benefits.
This government didn’t have the foresight to plan for possible impacts when the ban would be implemented.
At the appropriate time, I will be raising questions so that the impacted communities are fully informed as to what options they may have in this area.
I would like to recognize an individual who has lived in Rankin Inlet for a very long time and now lives outside of Rankin Inlet.
Everyone knows Mr. Raymond Mercer and I would like to welcome him to the Gallery.
Today is day two of having the 795 Air Cadets Squadron here with us paging and today, there is Cadet Warrant Officer Second Class Thomasie Murray, Cadet Sergeant Pakak Picco, Leading Air Cadet Lee Wah-Shee-Anawak, and Cadet Warrant Officer Second Class Colin Gunn.
As well, I believe behind me is our Integrity Commissioner for the Legislative Assembly, Norman Pickell.
I, too, would like to recognize Utility Rates Review Council members, but I don’t know their names in Inuktitut.
Although we acknowledged some of them, there are three individuals I would like to recognize.
Raymond Mercer is the chair, Vivian Aknavigak is a board member, Gordon Rennie is also a board member, and their secretary is Kirk Janes. I want all of the members to acknowledge these individuals for being here today.
It’s not very often I get to recognize people in the Gallery from Cambridge Bay and the Kitikmeot, where I come from. So I would like to welcome Vivian Aknavigak to Iqaluit. She is a long-term citizen of Cambridge Bay and I believe she is originally from Taloyoak.
Welcome to the Gallery, Vivian.
I would also like to acknowledge Vivian because I have seen her for many years in the Kitikmeot region.
She was also a member of the Nunavut Social Assistance Appeal Board. Gordon Rennie was also a member in one of the boards that I belonged to.
Raymond Mercer can speak the Nattilik dialect better than I can and I acknowledge him as well.
Question 238 – 3(2): Compensation for Polar Bear Outfitters and Harvesters (Arvaluk)
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, the Government of the Northwest Territories announced that it will make available $150,000 to help polar bear outfitters in the NWT who have been impacted by the US ban on the importation of polar bear hides.
They are calling this the Polar Bear Outfitter Assistance Program.
Can the minister clearly explain for the public record why this government is not providing assistance and compensation to Inuit hunters and outfitters who have been most impacted by quota reductions and export bans?
First of all, I think it’s the responsibility of us as the government and all of the residents in Nunavut to take responsibility on managing wildlife. We each have an individual share in that responsibility.
At this time, we are not going to be offering any compensation for polar bears, but we are putting programs in place to mitigate the circumstances.
One, Mr. Speaker, is the Wildlife Stewardship Program that will assist hunters, individuals, and communities in the prevention of polar bear damage in communities and cabins.
The second program is to implement a compensation program. If there is damage done by polar bears, you will be able to put a claim in for that.
Also, in all of the communities affected, we have committed by the end of this year that we will have polar bear deterrent plans for all communities in the Baffin Bay region.
Mr. Speaker, I’m not up to date on the policy or what the NWT has done. This government, as we heard in the budget yesterday, is under financial constraints and we have to act responsibly. We have many priorities in this government and we have to prioritize those as they come.
So at this point, Mr. Speaker, we do not have any compensation programs but we are trying to mitigate the factors.
I will also offer this: that any outfitters and business that are in the outfitting business, we do have programs under economic development that can assist in re-profiling their outfitting business and targeting new industries. Whether it’s into the caribou, sport hunting, tourism, ecotourism, we will assist outfitters in doing that.
I have had the opportunity to review the government’s most recent annual reports on its contracting and procurement activities.
Let me give you a couple of examples because the minister said that they have no money to help hunters right now.
According to the report, the government paid over $225,000 to a single individual to provide consulting to the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services and to the executive director of the same department. Another individual received close to $300,000 to provide financial consulting services to the same department.
If the government can find hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars to help southern consultants to get rich because of the failures of the Department of Health, why can’t it find a few dollars to compensate Inuit hunters and guides for the harm that they have suffered through no fault of their own?
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk: That is not my department.
I can’t speak specifically for the Department of Health, but as part of the government, if these programs are identified by the member to be looked at, then I can understand that.
However, I am not going to speak to the issues that he brought on the expenses of the Department of Health.
However, we can look internally as a government to see where we can save costs on spending.
I would like to state that we do have priorities and we all know that we have priorities in our health care, housing, income support, education, and we have very high priorities in those expenses to make a better Nunavut.
The danger of reductions to our quota system, the danger of not being able to export polar bear hides to other countries, the danger that sport hunting might not continue indefinitely have been known for several years.
In fact, the regional wildlife management board has been discussing in our communities that that may happen.
Why isn’t the government at least asking the question themselves: what are we going to do for the hunters who have been making a livelihood from sport hunts over the last 42 years? What are we going to do now?
Because they are not electricians and they are not carpenters, they cannot switch from that type of guiding to I think the minister called it re-profiling their professions.
These are hunters.
They don’t know anything else.
Are we now going to turn them into welfare people?
They have been at it all their lives quite proudly as Inuit. My question is: why isn’t the minister with his cabinet at least asking the question, “What are we going to do in the event that there is a ban on polar bear hides?”
In this situation with the Baffin Bay, yes, it’s a hardship on hunters, but we are very positive that we have made the right decision and accepted the NWMB’s recommendation on this.
If this had not happened, all polar bear hunting in Nunavut would have been in jeopardy across the whole territory.