EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Both sales figures and volume represent 10-year highs for the sealskin industry in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to say that our activities in the sealing industry are not limited to the harvesting sector.
We support the development of the “Nunavut Inuit Collection”, which is a collection of high-end sealskin garments produced here in Nunavut and displayed each spring at the North American Fur and Fashion Exposition in Montreal.
We are also providing promotional support to artists like Lucie Idlout, who wears Nunavut sealskins while hosting her television show “Buffalo Tracks”.
We provided a number of sealskin garments to Lucie during her first year on the set of Buffalo Tracks and we will be looking to provide further support to her during the upcoming year.
Mr. Speaker, our garments have also been seen around the world in cities like Munich, Berlin, Moscow and Beijing.
We will continue this promotion over the upcoming year with events like the Team Canada Trade Mission trip planned for Milan, Italy.
Mr. Speaker, we will continue to aggressively promote new market opportunities for Nunavut sealskins in both harvesting and production sectors of our industry.
Minister’s Statement 119 – 1(6): Income Support Information Campaign
I would like to inform my colleagues about the Income Support Information Campaign that has been initiated by my department.
We heard during the Income Support policy Review that many people did not understand the program or did not know what was available through the program to help them.
The series of information materials are aimed at informing Nunavummiut about the Programs available under Income Support.
These materials are the first step in meeting our commitment and obligation under the Bathurst Mandate to inform people about the programs that they can access, while supporting them in their progress towards self-reliance.
The materials include an informational kit with an Income Support Booklet plus five pamphlets.
The pamphlets cover topics such as programs for seniors, programs in support of children, training initiatives, participants and work rights, and responsibilities, and general program information.
I am sure that Nunavummiut, especially the Income Support participants, will find the materials both informative and helpful.
I would like to invite you to view the posters that are on display in the Lobby.
They depict Nunavummiut engaging in productive choices and training initiatives, the pride and traditions of our seniors, and caring for our future by supporting families.
The information materials have been sent to the three regional offices of Career and Early Childhood Services for distribution to Income Support Offices across Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 120 – 1(6): Dry Cargo Contracts
Seven companies have requested and received Requests for Proposal packages for the sealift services of dry cargo to the Baffin and Kivalliq communities.
Five of these companies attended a proponent’s information session in January, and three of these companies submitted proposals.
The review and evaluation of these proposals is now complete and I am pleased to announce the new Dry Cargo contract for the Baffin and Kivalliq communities.
(Interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, a contract for dry cargo sealift services to Baffin communities, with the exception of Iqaluit, will be awarded to Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping (NEAS).
NEAS is a Nunavut Firm and Inuit firm registered with NTI with a great deal of experience of operating in the North, I am confident that they will provide excellent service to Baffin communities.
Mr. Speaker, the contract for dry cargo sealift services to the Kivalliq communities and Iqaluit will be awarded to Nunavut Sealink and Supplies Incorporated, NSSI.
NSSI is also a Nunavut firm and Inuit firm registered with NTI.
With a solid background in serving the North, I believe NSSI will provide excellent service to the Kivalliq and Iqaluit.
These new contracts will maintain the shipping frequency and high level of service that Nunavut communities deserve while providing savings to a number of communities.
We have worked hard to include and to secure the best service at the best price because this is what Nunavummiut deserve.
Mr. Speaker, these new contracts mean a change in how communities receive their cargo.
All cargo will now be shipped from Montreal.
The comprehensive pamphlet highlighting cargo rates, sailing schedules, and contract information for the new dry cargo carriers will be distributed later this week.
In the meantime, an information sheet will be provided to all Members of the Legislative Assembly’s, hamlets, media, community residents and Winnipeg suppliers.
A Public Service Announcement will be available to radio broadcasts in all communities.
Speaker: Ministers’ Statements, are there any further Minister Statements?
Member’s Statement 373 – 1(6): Education System Concerns
I rise today regarding the education system in Nunavut.
I have risen in this House often about my concerns with the education system within Nunavut.
A lot of Nunavummiut have just dropped out from school and once they drop out of school, they have nothing to do.
Is it because the education system is failing Nunavummiut?
If the education system were adequate, we would not see as many dropouts and I think it is time we look into this matter.
A lot of people who have dropped out have committed suicide and it is hard for us as Nunavummiut.
As parents, the rearing of our children takes much less time on the child’s life than it used to and that is the reason why we should look into it as to why the education system is failing our kids.
The future of Nunavummiut, of our loved ones has to be more positive.
I am glad to hear the Minister say in the House today that the teachers will be having a convention in Iqaluit to deal with these matters.
I would like more attention paid to Inuit participants of this conference to ensure that the Education Act and the education system that is foreign to Inuit is examined, that it is set aside and listen to the needs of what Nunavummiut want.
It is very important because it is preparing the lives of our young Nunavummiut.
Speaker: Members’ Statements. Mr. Puqiqnak.
Member’s Statement 374 – 1(6): McClintock Channel Polar Bear Moratorium
I am glad to rise today and welcome you back, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on an issue of great concern to my constituents in Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.
Please bear with me if I pass my time.
All Members know that there has been a moratorium for some time on polar bear hunting in the McClintock Channel.
Mr. Speaker, as an Inuk, I understand the principles of conservation.
I want my children and my grandchildren to be able to hunt polar bears long into the future and to not just see them in a zoo down south.
Mr. Speaker, there is a problem with a moratorium that does not adequately respect Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, which has always been the controversial issue with the Inuit hunters.
I reiterate that Inuit have been observing the polar bears of the McClintock Channel for many generations.
Almost exactly a year ago, I rose in this House in the same spot where I am sitting today to tell Members about field work in the channel to conduct a survey of polar bear activity in the area.
At that time, I was hopeful that a solid timeline for polar bear recovery in the McClintock Channel would be reached.
Now, Mr. Speaker, I am receiving letters from the Gjoa Haven Hunters and Trappers Organization asking for clarification of the current situation in the McClintock Channel.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the process leading up to and following the moratorium has not been transparent and clear.
I do not think that we should blindly trust the results of a biological study that has not been finalized yet.
Speaker: The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude the statement. Are there any nays?
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): Thank you, my Colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I believe there should be more transparency in the decision making process by the Department of Sustainable Development, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
These Organizations will be doing more community consultations in the near future.
However, Mr. Speaker, it is not clear what will follow these consultations at this time as we are still in the dark.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister of Sustainable Development questions on this issue.
Members’ Statements. Mr. Arvaluk.
Member’s Statement 375 – 1(6): Caribou Hunt at Coral Harbour - Waste of Antlers and Hooves
This past week, I mentioned it and asked the Premier questions regarding the economic opportunities in the communities, particularly those communities that have not benefited from decentralization and what initiatives, specifically funding, will be made available to these communities and what planning has occurred?
This is following the line of questioning, the Premier said to the residents of Chesterfield Inlet and Coral Harbour that these non-decentralized communities will receive assistance from the Government to fund economic and job opportunities.
It is now roughly three years since that statement, but as of today, we have yet to see evidence of this promise by the Premier occurring in these communities.
At this point, I would like to speak on the possible economic opportunities existing in these communities.
For example, the caribou hunt in Coral Harbour, is close to 3,500 commercial tags, 6,000 being the limit.
Then you realize that 3,500 caribou hides are just discarded, another 3,500 pairs of antlers, adding up to 7,000 antlers that are just thrown away.
Mr. Speaker, I have seen some nice carvings here in Iqaluit that were made out of caribou hooves. We did not realize that 56,000 hooves from these caribou are simply thrown away.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was almost done. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Please proceed, Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues.
The Minister for Education responsible for Income Support spoke of an information campaign.
Through the Income Support Program, they provide $22 million dollars on that Program.
Through that Program, I think that is a direction that they can take in my community with the Department of Sustainable Development mentioning that they can receive proposals from the people of Coral Harbour.
There are only 700 people in Coral Harbour and we do not have the administrative support that can make it possible to come up with proposals from these communities or market studies that can be done with these communities.
Member’s Statement 376 – 1(6): Appreciation of Ottawa Medical Boarding Home Staff
I rise today to extend my gratitude and a good news item, because we rarely do that.
I was in Ottawa at the Boarding Home and was escorting my mother.
I would like to thank that staff down there at the Baffin Larga Home, Trudy Metcalfe, Jessica Babshaw, Ursula Reddon, Lena Barnes-Alivaktak, Jessie Kanguq, Linda Uviluq, Malachi Kiguttaq, Oleepa Brown, Regilee Amaaq, Joe Sharfield, Oleepeeka Shoo, Jason Taqaugak, Sateana and Clement Goupil, Rayhill Mache’, Jonah Kanguk, Ahme Pee, Sarah Birmingham, originally from Iqaluit, and I thank her, Jeannie Korgak, Corinne Philips, Sarah Thompson, Carol Morris, and Rodney Cornell.
They were very supportive of the patients who go down to Ottawa.
They feed them, and give them the necessary support for the Baffin region's patients.
I extend my thank you to all of them.
Member’s Statement 377 – 1(6): Expected Priorities of Budget Address
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in order to talk about what I hope to hear in tomorrow’s Budget Address.
Tomorrow is the only day when we actually lock people into the Legislative Assembly tomorrow morning.
I am sure that they are all looking forward to it.
Mr. Speaker, we all know that although there is a shortage of resources in Nunavut, there is no shortage of our needs in our communities.
For four years now, we have talked about this in the House, about priorities.
For me, the priorities I want to hear addressed in tomorrows budgets speeches are clear.
I want to hear a real commitment to meeting the human needs in the areas of housing, education, and health care.
Mr. Speaker, last week we discussed the crisis of suicide in Nunavut.
I want to repeat what I said during that debate.
We need to give our young people hope.
We can begin to do that by putting our scarce dollars in areas I just described.
Adequate housing and good education, quality health care are all necessary in order to achieve our goal of a territory that is characterized by self-reliant individuals living in healthy, prosperous communities.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to touch a little on what I do not want to hear in tomorrow’s budget speech.
I do not want to hear that the department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth has no resources for youth projects.
I do not want to hear that we have more dollars for the department of Human Resources or other central agencies but with fewer dollars for our teachers in our classrooms.
I do not want to hear that the size of the bureaucracy is going to mushroom while the frontline employees we already have on the job have to fight tooth and nail for a fair collective agreement.
Mr. Speaker, it is also important that the tomorrows’ budget presents to us, the elected Members of the Legislative Assembly with a clear picture of Nunavut’s fiscal position.
I’ve spoken before in this House to the mysterious and magical way in which the Government’s deficit seemed to turn into surpluses and then back into deficits.
Our Members of the Legislative Assembly are entitled to information that is presented in a consistent and transparent fashion, on real fiscal positions.
We need this information to make necessary decisions for the good of our constituents and communities.
I would like to close by saying, I am looking forward to tomorrow’s budget speech and I hope that the expectations of our public are met.
Member’s Statement 378 – 1(6): Cost of Living Increase
I rise today to speak on the rising cost of living for Nunavummiut and the hardships we face in trying to meet our basic needs and this is becoming a major concern.
It is especially harder for those people who own their homes and are forced to cut corners to ensure that they keep up with these living costs.
Sometime people undergo severe stress due to these pressures and it affects them profoundly.
Our people are deliberating these issues daily.
Regarding the higher cost of living, for everything from groceries to transportation a lot of people find it hard to make ends meet, especially without regular income.
And as well, a lot of Nunavummiut are concerned about the lack of employment in the communities which adds to the concerns on this matter.
Mr. Speaker, how can we initiate economic opportunities in our communities and where can we market the arts and crafts in Nunavut?
It is very hard for a lot of Nunavummiut and the majority of the people are suffering.
I just wanted to mention this again.
Mr. Akesuk. Minister Picco.
Member’s Statement 379 – 1(6): Inauguration of Air Labrador
Mr. Speaker, last Saturday Air Labrador inaugurated a direct flight from Goose Bay, Labrador to Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, several dignitaries were on hand to greet the inaugural flight.
As well, Air Labrador hosted a buffet for those present at the Iqaluit Airport Terminal.
Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Wally Anderson, an Inuk Minister from the Newfoundland and Labrador Government, Labrador Business people and the President of the Goose Bay Area Chamber of Commerce were also present at the arrival.
This flight opens the possibility for more trade, commerce, tourists, and goods to be imported and exported, Mr. Speaker, north and south.
It will also provide a connection with the capital of St. Johns, and it will further enhance the links between the Labrador Inuit Association and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the development of Voisey’s Bay, the continued mineral exploration in the Baffin region, and other possible developments may have a positive economic impact on our region.
Having this route in place may enhance this, Mr. Speaker.  Mr. Speaker, I know that several Iqaluit residents who were present at the airport last Saturday, as well as local business people were optimistic that this route could open up other possible air routes within the Circumpolar North, Iqaluit, and Nunavut.
I want to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, take this opportunity to thank Air Labrador, and especially the owners of Air Labrador, Ward and Roger Pike, for their vision and interest in Iqaluit and in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 380 – 1(6): Kivalliq Dry Cargo Contract
I am very pleased to see you back.
I would like to welcome everyone.
I think due to the blizzard the Gallery is getting full with visitors.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak in regards to Peter Kattuk’s Ministers’ Statement.
In regards to this issue of dry cargo, the Kivalliq residents have been very interested in the issuance of the dry cargo contract to the Kivalliq communities.
My colleague, Minister Kattuk made a Ministers’ Statement in regards to the dry cargo contract.
Mr. Speaker, in his opening comments, he spoke about the dry cargo sealift services to the Baffin and the Kivalliq and he outlined what people can expect with this new contract.
He stated that it will come out of Montreal and if his statement was properly understood, he outlined the ships that will be providing this service to the communities in the Kivalliq.
He stated that this company has a great deal of experience of operating in the North, he is confident that they will provide excellent services to the communities, including lower costs especially in the Kivalliq, because the region has been quite concerned about this contract.
Also the Minister stated that our cargo will now be shipped from Montreal.
This was a concern by the Kivalliq region and the Mayors of my riding.
In his Ministers’ Statements, it was quite interesting to hear about the dry cargo contract so that communities will know when the cargo ship will be arriving.
Also they will provide announcements through the Hamlet and media.
MLAs also will provide announcements to the Winnipeg suppliers; Public Service Announcements will be made on the radio.
The Kivalliq residents are expecting to hear the news, because they are quite concerned about the dry cargo operation.
My colleague made a very wonderful Ministers’ Statement, and his staff and his officials will elaborate to the Kivalliq communities on whether we will still be purchasing from Winnipeg or another city and whether these costs will actually be lower to ship them to Montreal.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my appreciation briefly to the Member so therefore I am seeking unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Please proceed, Ms. Thompson.
I would like to see this decision proceed smoothly.
I know that the Kivalliq Region will want to order their goods from Winnipeg because they know their suppliers and are used to ordering from Winnipeg suppliers.
In the past, the shipper would ship it on the train from Winnipeg to Churchill and it is distributed by barge from Churchill and we want to know the changes in the operations, both logistically and figuratively.
The Minister stated that he will provide announcements and updates and make them available to the Winnipeg suppliers.
I do not know what you call them in Inuktitut, long dog sleds - trains.
The details as outlined were that the train would go from Winnipeg to Montreal and from Montreal, it would be shipped to the Kivalliq Region via ships and that there would be a cost saving there.
The region and the residents will look at whether this is going to be an actual fact or not.
So, therefore, I would like to extend my appreciation to my colleague, as they will be providing announcements to all of the communities, organizations, people and suppliers involved in the Kivalliq Region.
Member’s Statement 381 – 1(6): Long Travel with Air Canada for Session
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): I am not going make any substantive comments relevant to the House at this time.
However, since I have been a Member of the Assembly attending meetings, this is the first time that I have gone to a meeting that is very far away from the legislature.
We just got back from Toronto and I have been up since 3 o’clock this morning, knowing that I had to attend this session.
We traveled Air Canada from Toronto and then we had to switch planes, to Canadian North to come back to Iqaluit.
So, this is the first time that I attended a Legislative Assembly Session coming from a meeting that is quite far from Iqaluit, something that I am going to be quite proud of.
Member’s Statement 382 – 1(6): Fundraising for the Dog Team Races
I rise today with not much of a statement, but every spring we have dog team race in the North Baffin region.
The committee fundraises for the operational funds from the communities of Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Pond Inlet, Igloolik and Hall Beach.
These participants from these communities worked very hard in fundraising to pay for the dog team prizes, the dog team racing crests and every time there is a dog team race happening in the community, it has another effect on the residents.
These races are quite important and are cause for celebrations and uplifts individual feelings and the host community celebrating that event.
So, when the appropriate time comes, I will be asking questions in regards to how they can be given more support.
Member’s Statement 383 – 1(6): Decentralization Employment Plans for Baker Lake
Mr. Speaker, my statement today is brief and to the point and it is not a happy statement.
Mr. Speaker, I did not create these reports, Footprint I and II. That was done by a group of visionaries, I think.
And since then, it has been a dogfight in my community to get some jobs, along with your community and the other decentralized communities. What has happened over the last couple of weeks was not nice.
My community has been portrayed as the bad guys because they are trying to get employment for the young people in that community.
Mr. Speaker, I will fight to the end to get those jobs in my community for my young people also.
And this afternoon, I will be asking the Premier who is responsible for decentralization, the plan to get more employment in my community.
Members’ Statements. Are there any further Members’ Statements?
Member’s Statement 384 – 1(6): Bad Fuel in Pangnirtung
I am going to make a very brief statement because we usually listen on the radio to the communities’ concerns in regards to the fuel problem.
I want it noted that I have been relaying the concerns from my community to my colleagues here but they have not been announced on the radio and once there is any additional information that it be sent to my riding, I will make that announcement on air.
Member’s Statement 385 – 1(6): Mining Sector Training and Jobs
I am glad that we made it safely to the Legislative Assembly and I am happy to see my colleagues again.
I have a very short comment; it is not a new issue and I have been raising it for quite some time regarding the mining sector.
We just arrived from Toronto where we saw mining companies at a big trade show. There were a lot of companies having a big meeting there and I am happy to note that a lot of companies have been coming to our region to explore for minerals.
In looking at the sector, there are going to be a lot of jobs for young people in our region and yesterday, I had a chance to make a statement where I supported the training programs we will be providing for the young people to be able to take on this type of work.
I suggested to the Federal standing committee reviewing the issues, that we have a lot of young people in our region and the hamlets who do not have any employment prospects.
I think they can get together to work on the future of the mining sector, the federal government, the industry and the Inuit organizations and communities.
This sector is one that is going to be providing a lot of jobs for the young people.
It is definitely one of our only bright prospects for employment opportunities in Nunavut.
Now we move onto Item 4.