EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Minister’s Statement 167 – 4(3): All Arts Summit (Ell-Kanayuk)
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Good morning.
I’ll be partly speaking in Inuktitut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update my colleagues on the All Arts Summit that was held earlier this week from the 17th to 19th here in Iqaluit. The summit brought together arts organizations and stakeholders from all over Nunavut and across Canada, representing all arts disciplines.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, participants heard about the state of the cultural industries, from funding to Inuit arts administration, intellectual property, marketing and distribution, and northern perspectives.
What we learned in these discussions will help sculpt a new strategy for the cultural industries.
Both Sivumut Abluqta and the 2014 review of Sanaugait: A Strategy for Growth in Nunavut’s Arts and Crafts Sector recognize the importance of all the art forms practised in Nunavut.
With the outcomes of the summit in hand, we will work towards developing an all arts strategy.
Mr. Speaker, it will be important to ensure that the right programs are in place to support the art sector’s needs.
Those needs are many, from infrastructure to research to facilitating relationships between artists and buyers, retailers, and organizations, regardless of what form of art they specialize in.
We must encourage emerging artists to develop their art through creative residencies.
Working together, we will foster a viable and dynamic arts economy that will benefit all Nunavummiut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 321 – 4(3): Sanikiluaq Athletes Earn Recreation and Parks Awards (Rumbolt)
Good morning, members. Good morning to the people of Sanikiluaq and the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize some of Sanikiluaq’s fine athletes who were recently honoured at the fourth annual conference of the Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, this conference brought in athletes, coaches, and individuals involved in recreation from all across Nunavut.
The special guest was Erica Wieb, who won the gold medal in wrestling at the Rio Olympics this past summer.
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to announce that Sappa Cookie of Sanikiluaq was named male athlete of the year, Stephen Keoughan from Sanikiluaq was named coach of the year, and Mike Kavik represented Sanikiluaq’s Paatsaali badminton team that was named team of the year.
I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these fine athletes.
Member’s Statement 322 – 4(3): The Need for an Elders Centre in Taloyoak (Qirngnuq)
Good morning to my fellow residents of Kugaaruk, the people of Taloyoak, my colleagues, ministers, and Nunavummiut.
I want to first state that my granddaughter is celebrating her birthday today and her name is Arvaq, whom I love dearly.
I wish her many more birthdays for years to come.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that the residents of Taloyoak have identified the need for a meeting place for their elders, not just for their elders but also a space for other residents.
They want to build a centre that can assist their fellow Inuit and youth. They want to work on a place that allows people to gather with their fellow residents.
This is a short statement I am voicing to reiterate what Taloyoak has requested for a meeting place. They want to ensure that it goes through the proper process, but it starts with an elders centre design.
At the appropriate time I will have questions on this project, but most likely not today.
Mr. Speaker, thank you for being allowed to make this statement.
Member’s Statement 323 – 4(3): Congratulations to the Hansons on their 50th Anniversary (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good morning.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate my constituents, Bob and Ann Hanson, on their 50th wedding anniversary.
Mr. Speaker, Bob and Ann Hanson are long-time friends of our family and also residents of this community.
Ann was born and raised in the Arctic and received her post-secondary education in the south.
Bob was born in New Brunswick and moved to the north to what was then the community of Frobisher Bay in 1965.
Mr. Speaker, Ann Meekitjuk Hanson served as the Commissioner of Nunavut from 2005 to 2010 and was deputy commissioner before that.
She has been a civil servant, broadcaster, journalist, and author.
Bob is a long-time businessman and a successful entrepreneur.
Both Bob and Ann have been recognized for their service to the community. Ann is a Member of the Order of Canada, a Dame of the Order of St. John, and a Member of the Order of Nunavut. Bob and Ann have both been awarded the Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal.
Mr. Speaker, Bob and Ann have five daughters, one who is with us today, Ms. Kathy Hanson, four sons-in-law, and ten grandchildren.
I am sure they are looking forward to their first great-grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, their golden wedding day is actually tomorrow, October 22, and I hope that the Hansons celebrate it with much joy and happiness. I congratulate them again on their 50th wedding anniversary.
Member’s Statement 324 – 4(3): The Urgent Need to Incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles (Shooyook)
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good day to the people of Arctic Bay. To my fellow residents there, you are in my thoughts and I love you all and I share in your hardship today.
Please live a good life.
I rise today to offer an apology to my colleagues. I had to leave yesterday due to an emergency situation update I received from my constituency worker that Arctic Bay had lost another person, not due to any illness.
I personally lost loved ones who passed on without any illness, where relatives passed away in the seas while they were out hunting. My two nephews passed away when their motor broke down and their boat upturned.
A third loss was my son, who followed a group of people to a river in Ottawa and started playing around in the water during the night and drowned.
Further, in part of the same winter, another nephew passed away due to alcohol, as they found him frozen outside.
On another matter, one of my grandsons, in foreboding about his upcoming court case and as per the lawyer’s advice of facing the possibility of incarceration, committed suicide.
When I was impacted yesterday by the news from my community, I was unable to continue to sit here.
I could not remain here since I had too many things on my mind nor did I find out the reasoning for this tragedy.
I learned what the personal reasons were later on.
With that being the case, here in Nunavut we are debating solutions to suicides to see how we can improve the situation.
However, no progress has been made to date.
I have voiced in the past both through just oral presentations and others to be more aware of the issue.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangat has to be revived. Our society needs this.
When the GNWT ran our lives, it seemed there weren’t issues with the legislation at first.
Certain laws have their benefits, but the legislation had no applicability in Nunavut in many ways.
Mr. Speaker, traditional Inuit customs… .
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to his statement.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleagues.
With that being the case, the only way to alleviate that is to use part of the traditional manner of counselling, with elders included in the judging of the matter.
I urge my colleagues to keep in mind that even if immediate results aren’t forthcoming, this would be a boon to the people.
Please believe me as I am sincere and I am not being antagonistic to our legislation.
Only through partnership with both the Nunavut government and Inuit Qaujimanituqangit can proper legislation succeed and to stop systemic belittling of this knowledge.
We have to have equality in order to move forward so that our elders can be included in fixing this malaise we are in.
This is becoming urgent today.
When we are deliberating on these matters, with only verbal sparring without the inclusion of elders, it will result in this problem snowballing further.
I would like to see funding specific to the incorporation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into counselling processes and to have elders included in all family-related matters. Today only with funding can anything move forward now.
Member’s Statement 325 – 4(3): Tribute to Annie Pootoogook (Joanasie)
Good morning, my colleagues. Further, the Member of Quttiktuq’s constituents are in our thoughts today.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and commemorate another remarkable Cape Dorset artist who passed on, Annie Pootoogook.
Mr. Speaker, Annie had similarities to me in that she was originally from Cape Dorset, but had become a resident of Ottawa for the last several years until her untimely death when she was found last month. Her family, her heart, as well as her fondest memories will always remain in Cape Dorset.
Mr. Speaker, the knowledge is well disseminated that the late Annie came from an artistic family and community of Cape Dorset, which is renowned for its art and prints that originated from the community. In actuality, her mother, Napatchie Pootoogook, along with her grandmother, Pitseolak Ashoona, were recognized artists of their time.
Annie continued this work, becoming the third generation of exquisite artists.
Mr. Speaker, Annie’s drawings capture some incredible depictions of how she viewed and interpreted the world around her.
She sometimes would draw everyday kitchen or living room scenes that give a glimpse of what our modern Nunavut culture has come to be.
In other times Annie drew some raw, emotional, thought-provoking, and disturbing images that were not the kind of traditional Inuit art that was expected.
That’s why she was so well known.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
One of Annie’s accomplishments was winning the prestigious Sobey Art Award and there was a cash award accompanying it.
However, I think her greatest accomplishment, after seeing all the outpouring, well-wishes, and condolences from the art community around the world, was her ability to reach so many hearts and the imagination of people through her work.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in paying our respects in memory of Annie and her relatives. She was recently laid to rest in Cape Dorset and our hearts and thoughts are with her family, friends, and fellow art enthusiasts.
Member’s Statement 326 – 4(3): 2016 Graduate of Qikiqtarjuaq (Keyootak)
I rise today to also extend congratulations.
Prior to my actual statement, I want to wish excellent birthday celebrations to my grandchild, as he is my only grandson out of all of our grandchildren and amongst the most precious. He is celebrating his birthday today. Happy birthday wishes to A.J. Keyootak.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to express my pride on the accomplishment we heard about in our community this spring, when only one graduate completed their studies for grade 12.
I have mentioned this person previously for other accomplishments and her future included further education.
I want to name Lindsay Evaloajuk, who is currently enrolled in the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program and she is the very first resident of my constituency to attend that program. She is extremely capable.
Ms. Lindsay Evaloajuk showcases her abilities by assisting her fellow youth and has represented youth in suicide prevention work with other youth, so it is very visible in how she tries to make a difference.
Further, she has succeeded in the plans that she laid out in the past and now she is attending the courses in the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program.
I want to share with my colleagues our pride in her accomplishments.
Member’s Statement 327 – 4(3): Breast Cancer Awareness (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I rise today to acknowledge the survivors of breast cancer for their strength, courage, and will to survive.
Mr. Speaker, it is estimated that in one year approximately 25,000 women and over 200 men in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
However, with research, awareness, education, and health promotion we can combat this disease.
We are seeing great progress in prevention, detection, treatment, and care.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in the United States the third Friday of October, which is today, has been declared as National Mammography Day.
Mammograms are important diagnostic tools for detecting breast cancer.
Throughout this week a number of cities and municipalities across Canada have held Bra Day events, promoting breast reconstruction awareness in support of survivors who may be considering reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy.
Mr. Speaker, I am wearing my pink ribbon in support of breast cancer awareness and also to demonstrate my heartfelt support and admiration for breast cancer survivors across this land. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to again recognize Kathy Hanson.
She’s one of my constituents and I am proud of her. (interpretation ends) Welcome.
Question 421 – 4(3): Sanikiluaq Water Supply (Rumbolt)
Today I would like to ask my questions to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
This summer the community of Sanikiluaq’s drinking water supply experienced a major situation involving elevated sodium levels.
Mr. Speaker, providing safe, clean drinking water is one of the most basic responsibilities of government, and I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the different partners who responded rapidly to the situation.
These include the Department of Community and Government Services, the municipal staff in Sanikiluaq, volunteers from the community, and Calm Air, which airlifted in supplies of bottled drinking water to the community.
Can the minister confirm when the investigation report into the causes of this incident will be completed and tabled in the Legislative Assembly?
Yes, we all have to have clean, safe drinking water.
I myself know that too because once Arviat almost ran out of water. Never mind having safe water, we almost ran out of water.
The incident in Sanikiluaq is still being looked at. We’re not sure why the sodium levels have increased because it has been the same water source for many years.
Analysis on exactly why it happened and when it happened is not out yet. As soon as we have the final interpretation of the results, we will be looking at it and I will inform the member.
As of right now we are not sure why the sodium levels have gone up when it has been the same source of drinking water for many years.
I also thank the minister for ensuring that households in Sanikiluaq have been provided with reverse osmosis filters as a short-term solution to help improve the quality of drinking water.
Can the minister indicate how this type of filtering system will be maintained now that a majority of houses in the community have them installed?
The reverse osmosis machines work on a filtration system.
With the style and models that have been installed in the residents’ houses in Sanikiluaq, normally their filters would have to be replaced every six months, but the amount of use that they are going to be getting might be less than what they were designed for. We might only have to replace the filters once year.
We haven’t worked out exactly who is going to be replacing the filters, but I can assure the member that it is being looked at.
The ones in public housing, obviously the housing association will be responsible for that.
I would think that the ones in residential housing, we will be able to assist people who own their own homes, if not completely do it for them, because the number of residential housing in Sanikiluaq is small compared to the number of people in public housing.
We have been looking at that and we have been monitoring it.
Right now we’re just not sure how often the filters would have to be replaced, but it’s in the neighbourhood of maybe once a year.
I wonder if the minister can indicate if his department is considering funding a long-term solution to water quality issues in the community through the construction of a new water treatment plant or through major upgrades to our existing facility or finding a new water source for the community.
This problem of the high sodium levels was tackled. We have come up with a short-term solution for now and we are still looking at a long-term solution.
We acknowledge and we know that everyone has to have safe drinking water, including Sanikiluaq.
We haven’t come up with a solution yet, but we will come up with a solution as to how they can have safe drinking water.
We haven’t narrowed it down to just a water treatment plant yet. We’re looking at all options, but we are also aware that there is a limited water supply for Sanikiluaq.
All options are being looked at.
Once we come to a conclusion that is reasonable, not financially too burdened, and practical, I will get back to the member.
Question 422 – 4(3): Rankin Inlet’s Water Supply (Sammurtok, T)
(interpretation ends) As the minister is aware, Rankin Inlet’s water source has been gradually depleting for a number of years, as my tabled document photograph shows.
I recognize that the department has previously attempted to replenish Nipissar Lake by using a pipeline and pumping water from Char River. However, residents of the community remain concerned about the extent to which this solution will meet the needs of Rankin Inlet’s growing population.
Can the minister indicate how his department measures and monitors the water service needs of Rankin Inlet?
Today must be water day.
I did see the pictures that MLA Mr. Sammurtok tabled yesterday.
This summer when I was in Rankin Inlet and this fall I did go see the lake and I can see that the water levels are down.
The member is correct that we are pumping water from a water source.
Currently we’re not pumping because of freeze-up, but we were pumping.
Due to the water board licensing, where we were pumping from, we could not pump enough to bring the water levels back up on Nipissar Lake.
Just to assure the member, we are working on getting a new water licence so that we can pump water from another source.
In terms of how the needs are measured, I don’t have that formula in front of me, but I know that the water levels were going down from the water source in Rankin Inlet.
There’s no worry of the water source being depleted in the short term, but we are looking at the long term and we will make sure that water needs of Rankin Inlet are not compromised and that the residents of Rankin Inlet have enough clean, safe drinking water for their needs.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As the minister is aware, Rankin Inlet’s population continues to grow steadily.
In its Water Pumping Adaptive Management Plan for Rankin Inlet, the department indicates that, and I quote, “When flow in Char River is insufficient to meet the in-stream pumping objectives, the annual pumping from Char River to Nipissar Lake will be stopped.”
Can the minister indicate if his department anticipates any need to stop pumping water from Char River to Nipissar Lake within the next five years?
Char River is a very small creek. As the member is aware, a lot of the water flow depends on the amount of rain that falls there.
As I stated earlier, we are working towards getting a different water source to replenish Nipissar Lake.
Right now, we’re working on getting a water board licence to pump from First Landing Lake. We feel that we will have our water licence by early summer of 2017. Once we start pumping from First Landing Lake to Nipissar Lake, we will be able to use a larger diameter pipe and a bigger pump and we will be able to replenish Nipissar Lake, Rankin Inlet’s water source.
We feel that once we have our water licence and a bigger diameter pipe, the water levels of Nipissar Lake will be able to be maintained and even higher than what it was.
Obviously the minister anticipated my next question, so I don’t have a question now.
Question 423 – 4(3): Departmental Vacancies (Enook)
The Government of Nunavut’s most recent quarterly employment report indicates that the Department of Environment has a total of seven positions in Pond Inlet, five of which are vacant.
That works out to a vacancy rate of over 70 percent.
Can the minister clarify which Pond Inlet positions in his department are currently vacant and can he indicate how many of them are currently out for competition?
It’s my understanding that as of right now there’s only one position being advertised for the regional manager and that is out for competition right now.
Yesterday the Minister of Community and Government Services explained some of the reasons for why that department’s positions remain vacant in Pond Inlet.
I’m not sure if the Minister of Environment heard the CGS minister’s response.
Can the Minister of Environment clarify some of the reasons for why the positions in Pond Inlet remain vacant?
We work with HR to get competitions out as soon as practical after they’re vacant.
I can’t tell the member why each position is vacant at the moment, if there’s a variety of reasons, and this will give the member a chuckle again, but a lot of it always has to do with staff housing in Pond Inlet.
I understand his concerns when the member has brought up many times that there’s vacant staff housing. I’m not the minister of housing. We can only request housing and once we are allocated housing for a position, we can advertise the job.
There are certain jobs that the skills might not be available locally or even if they are, that person might need a house too. That’s the best I can answer the member at the moment.
Can the minister tell me how many staff housing units the Department of Environment has in Pond Inlet?
I don’t have the level of detail of how many staff housing we have in each community at all. I don’t have that kind of level of detail.
I can get back to the member on that, but for how many staff houses the Department of Environment is allocated or is using in every community, no, I can’t answer that question.
Question 424 – 4(3): Mould Remediation in Public Housing Units (Joanasie)
As the minister is aware, the issue of mould infestation in public housing units is a serious problem across Nunavut.
In July of this year the housing corporation issued a request for proposals for mould assessment and remediation in public housing units.
The RFP indicated that 13 units in Cape Dorset and 5 units in Kimmirut require inspection.
Can the minister confirm which company has been awarded the contract to perform this important work and can he confirm when the work will begin?
Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. George Kuksuk.
Mr. Speaker, it is true that mould infestation caused closures and there was an announcement on what type of mould was found and cleaned out. However, I can’t state exactly which company was awarded this contract as I don’t have the information in front of me.
Once I do receive the information, I will share it with my colleague and provide the information to the member who is asking for those details, which I will commit to in the short term.
As I noted in the preamble to my question, the RFP indicated that 13 units in Cape Dorset and 5 units in Kimmirut require inspection.
Can the minister confirm if mould will be removed from these units altogether?
As per my earlier response, I can’t respond to the question of which community or company got the contracts, but what I can state here is that we are reviewing the planned inspections listed in the proposal.
After the review, we expect that 245 units throughout Nunavut will require mould remediation.
This is the only detail I can provide to the member.
I feel he didn’t really respond to my question. I asked the minister if mould clean-ups would occur, which have already been investigated.
Perhaps I am unsure how he can answer this question properly.
However, he stated that a total of 245 units throughout Nunavut have mould contamination. Due to that statement, I wonder how this number was arrived at.
Did you conduct an inspection of every unit or was something used, such as criteria?