EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I was in the high arctic meeting with different organizations, with the Hamlet, Education, Housing Association and other co-operative groups and the residents who brought their concerns to me.
So this afternoon I would just like to state that it's very important that we speak in Inuktitut so the residents of Nunavut are able to understand us clearly.
I would also like to tell my colleagues that they should be expecting letters from my constituency about certain issues.
There was a dog derby from Pond Inlet to Igloolik and it went very well.
They were using Inuit dogs and next year the plan is to have the derby from Clyde River to Hall Beach.
When I was visiting my constituency they raised again the concern that they don't have a social worker.
Member’s Statement 201 - 1(5): Fauna Kingdon - Young Canadians’ Forum
Mr. Speaker, many of our youth here in Nunavut have brought recognition, awareness and pride through their accomplishments for themselves, for their communities and for Nunavut.
This may have been through academic achievement, sports, artistic or other skills.
One such young person who has combined all of these is Fauna Kingdon who lives in Happy Valley in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, Fauna is no stranger to the political world, having been a page in both Yellowknife and Iqaluit and a secretary for the Inukshuk High School student council.
Last month she attended the forum for young Canadians, in Ottawa.
There she met and learned with youth from across Canada about our government and our institutions.
This month Fauna was in Toronto attending the youth truth conference.
This conference again brought youth from across Canada to participate with the objective of promoting a positive youth image in the media.
Mr. Speaker, overseas Fauna has travelled to Ecuador with teen missions where she worked as a missionary with 27 other young people from across Canada and the United States.
She was a participant and a fundraiser for Europe Trip 2000, where she travelled to England, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
In sports again, Fauna has excelled.
She was a skip for the Nunavut Junior Girls’ curling team at the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse and she's also a senior life guard at the Iqaluit swimming pool.
Mr. Speaker, Fauna has been recognized nationally for her work to promote youth and youth issues.
She was a recipient of the Federation of Aboriginal Advancement of Youth national bursary for the year 2000.
Fauna Kingdon demonstrates some of the best qualities of Nunavut youth at home and abroad.
With the support of her parents Allen and Eliza, Fauna has been able to travel, to experience other cultures and most of all is an excellent ambassador for youth and particularly for Nunavut youth.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you and this House join with me in congratulating Fauna and all of our Nunavut youth for their accomplishments whether they be in sports, academics, culture, at home or abroad, they deserve our support and recognition.
Member’s Statement 202 - 1(5): Fossilized Rock from Tunnuniq
I’d like to talk about the stone I brought in from Pond Inlet.
It was a very heavy stone and it’s from a tree, part of a tree and if you want to see it, I am able to show it to you.
I believe we have the Grade 7 Class here with us today and I’d like to welcome the class as I believe there is mock sitting taking place on Thursday at 4 o’clock.
I’m going to try and mention the participants from the Grade 7 Class, forgive me if I mispronounce your name.
Dana Sutherland, Brendon Peterson, Josh Fisher, Melissa Aknavigak, Julienne Tologanak, Robbie McDuffy, Tannis Peterson and I believe she is going to be the Minister of Education, Brian McCullum, Candace Berness, not here.
AJ Aknavigak, Steven Angulalik, Catherine Anakjuak, Sarah Jencke, David Ohokannoak, Qaqa Kaniak, Bubba Kiugak, and last, Courtney Klengenberg, not here also.
Those are the students that are taking part in the mock sitting scheduled for Thursday.
Once again welcome to the Assembly.
I’d like to thank Minister Kilabuk my colleague for recognizing the students, I won’t have to go through the whole routine.
But I would also like to recognize accompanying them, the minister I believe forgot the teacher, Ms. Patty Bligh, also with the Grade 7 Class.
Also of course, we have, if you bear with me Mr. Speaker, once again Mayor Keith Peterson is with us.
We have a few individuals, staff members from the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
David Aquak, Tamlin Gillis and Bill Gothan, who is also the representative on the NEU bargaining team for the region.
We have long time friends and associates Jimmy and Ruby Hanniliak here.
We have Judy Triniak, the vice president, or sorry, the Vice Principal of the Killinik High School, along with a few high school students, here in the audience.
We have Reverend Russ Blanchette and we have Sean Peterson who works for the Kitikmeot Employment and Training Partners and I also see just coming in Steve Anaktak, another constitutent.
And of course, sorry Mr. Speaker, I just noticed the spouse of my colleague from Kugluktuk, Margaret Havioyak who is here as well.
So join me in welcoming our guests.
Thank you Kelvin, you beat me to it, I just want to recognize today my wife Margaret Havioyak and her younger sister Ruby Haniliak, my brother in law Jimmy Haniliak, I will recognize others tomorrow.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Ms. Thompson.
I would just like to say Mr. Ng is just like Mr. Picco in Iqaluit, so I guess I'll repeat whatever he says right after.
I would just like to recognize my staff again, David Aquak, who is the Vice President of the Housing Corporation and also Bill Goethe, Technical Manager and Tamlyn Gillis, Finance Officer.
Kelvin said the rest, we don’t have anything to say any more.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
I'd like to recognize David Aquak who has already been introduced but I'd like to recognize him, he worked very hard with us while we were working on the housing task force.
I'd also like to recognize a CBC staff person Jennifer who is here, who grew up in Pond Inlet.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Kattuk.
I would like to recognize and thank an individual that was already recognized but I wanted to thank that person because I used his warm clothing this weekend.
I want to thank him as I was able to get two geese this weekend so I want to thank Bill Gothan for giving me his clothing.
I would like to begin by thanking Ms. Thompson for her wonderful remarks earlier concerning the welcoming of guests to the Legislative Assembly which is a nice privilege that we have.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking a resident of Cambridge Bay and he's not in the Gallery but I want to thank him publicly for the weekend for getting me a ski-doo and filling it up with gas and helping me and several other people with the kamotik to go out fishing.
We weren't lucky with the fish but we were lucky with the good friends and the excellent food in Mr. Crossley’s cabin.
Also Mr. Brent Boddy an old friend of mine from Iqaluit.
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome to the gallery Leetia Nowdlak.
Leetia is well known, if you have ever been to Iqaluit, she does TV bingo every Saturday evening, recognize her for that and also research at the ledge.
I would like to welcome Leetia to the gallery.
Also behind me Mr. Speaker, my neighbour, used to be my neighbour in Iqaluit.
Mr. Michael O’Shaughnassy.
Mike is here now with CBC based in Yellowknife as a camera person.
I would like to welcome him.
Now that we are at the media I would like to welcome our media friends beginning with Cambridge Bay, CBC's own Tara Tayeurr who is up on the stage I believe here from Cambridge Bay for CBC.
I would also like to welcome Denis Rideout from Nunatsiaq News, as well as Kerry McClusky from News North both from Iqaluit, are here today.
I also welcome you back in that wonderful chair Mr. Speaker.
I don’t believe there’s anybody left to be recognized, but I will recognize David Akuak of the Housing Corporation as he will be settling into his new position in Arviat in the next month or so.
Question 226 - 1(5): Community Government & Transportation & Chesterfield Inlet’s Community Dock
I asked previously about the docking facilities that we require.
A docking facility is not just a place where you stop your boats, the hunters use them in Iglugigajuk.
We want to get a dock in Iglugigajuk because the fisherman use that dock.
First of all, I would like to thank the minister for supplying us with a freezer but I would like to ask the minister if he is going to be working with the Minister responsible for Transportation when we are trying to get the dock so that the commercial fisherman will be able to have more opportunities in Chesterfield Inlet.
Qujannamiik. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker and I thank the Member for Nanulik for his good question.
In regards to giving more support to the programs, especially when it comes to commercial use, I can speak with the Minister for Community Government and Transportation to look at these, how we can work together on this and what the method will be.
So I’m willing to speak with the Minister responsible for Transportation.
What is the Minister for Sustainable Development going to do when he is discussing these issues with the Minister responsible for Transportation.
What kind of funding are you looking at for the docking facility to help them out.
Perhaps once we start working on that we’ll look at the funding for different programs.
We have funding for different programs for the communities or for projects.
Especially when they are projects for commercial purposes or for the community itself.
Once the written document is prepared, we’ll look at ways to work on the dollar figure.
So once the document is written up, we’ll look at how we can work on the dock in Chesterfield Inlet.
The minister is already aware that if the community doesn’t have adequate docking facilities or if they don’t have a proper freezer it hinders the number of fish that the fishermen are allowed to catch for commercial purposes, even prior to using the full quota.
When you are working on this issue, once this docking facility is completed, will you know the total allowable harvest the Chesterfield Inlet fishermen can get.
Yes I will have my officials work with the communities and look for ways to improve the docking facilities.
Our staff will work with the community of Chesterfield Inlet closely to find ways they can improve the docking facilities and work with the community itself, while we are dealing with this.
Question 227 - 1(5): Environmental Concerns with Mining
I want to direct this question to the Minister of Sustainable Development. (interpretation) Sometimes it's very dangerous out there in terms of mining, especially for wildlife.
As you heard in Ekati, they'll be drilling for diamonds and it'll be expanding and they'll be requiring licensing from the water board.
I just want to ask the minister responsible, it'll get harder again sometimes once we move on, and for the mining companies and it'll be very difficult for us at times in regards to mining.
I don't know if I can give you an adequate response because I didn't quite understand your question.
But I will try and reply to you.
Yes in regards to environmental issues whether it be the Nunavut Water Board or other various agencies, environmental agencies and also with the Federal Government. We'll have to be very careful with the Nunavut land and review the environmental impacts, especially when we are creating mines in Nunavut and plus mines are going to help with job creation and other opportunities.
Yes, as a government we'll do the best we can to work with the environmental boards and agencies as well as the Nunavut Water Board so that we can look at development and review it with the affected community prior to these things happening.
Especially in regards to mining so we can ensure we don’t have a negative impact on the environment.
That's my response.
Speaker: Mr. Havioyak. Supplementary.
It can be very dangerous because the drinking water that we have in Kugluktuk might be affected by the mining sites there.
There are many streams going into Kugluktuk as well.
You being the minister should be able to look at this right away instead of having to wait for them to get permits and so forth in looking after the environment in that area.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, we are aware that it’s very dangerous, especially in Nunavut when we are creating mines.
We’ll work with the mining companies on this, to look at how best we can work together.
First of all we will have discussions with them and perhaps with these entities who represent us such as the Nunavut Impact Review Board and the Nunavut Water Board.
We will carefully review their proposals and our department doesn’t just want to wait until this happens but we want to do it ahead of time.
When are you going to be meeting with the mining companies.
They have rules to follow and we as a government have representation and the mining industry has representation on the Environmental Monitoring Board.
There are staff already there reviewing that.
Once the meeting is set, I will inform you as soon as possible.
Once I hear from you I’ll be meeting with you again.
Speaker: I didn’t hear a question but Mr. Akesuk do you care to respond to the comment that Mr. Havioyak made.
There was no question, we’ll move on.
Question 228 - 1(5): Polar Bear Management and Surveying
I would like to direct my question to the Minster responsible for Sustainable Development in regards to the same questions I have been asking, about polar bear management.
When we start dealing with polar bear management, I would like to ask the minister that we have heard in Nunavut for several years now that the number of polar bears are decreasing but according to our knowledge, this is not the case.
But with all the heavy equipment, whether it be airplanes or ships, once they start using these modes of transportation they scare away our animals in Nunavut.
I was wondering what your department is going to do in trying to research the noise pollution, not just on the Inuit but also deal with the noise pollution.
Perhaps before the airlines and the ships started arriving in Nunavut we had more abundance of animals, but we require them to come up north.
In regards to having research on that, yes, if it's requested and I'm sure it's already included in some of the research.
I'm sure the noise pollution has been researched.
If we came here by dog team from Iqaluit I don't think we would have made it yet to Cambridge Bay.
I'm sure it could be researched.
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and scientific knowledge have to complement each other when we do surveys on the animals.
Not just on polar bears, but also caribou and seals.
We need to do surveys on our animals because we need to have proper wildlife management.
In the hunting areas I'm just talking about mainly our hunting areas when these companies want to do their exploration on our hunting grounds.
I was more talking along that line, I was wondering if you could speak to that.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Yes, we can research it with them.
I am willing to discuss this matter with the Minister responsible for Transportation as their department can take care of the transportation part and we will take care of the wildlife part.
Thank you very much for a great answer, and that's what I'd like to see .
My question is that when we hear about the polar bear population decreasing in Nunavut, down south they have polar bears in zoos and when we see them in zoos they are skinny and their fur colour changes and it's not nice to see them in cages.
I was wondering if they can be brought back to Nunavut.
I was wondering if you can look into this.
Speaker: Just a reminder to members that when they start a line of questioning it has to stay in the same line, I guess, the same subject.
That's a different question Mr. Iqaqrialu.
I will allow you to re-ask the question following the same line of questioning you had earlier.
I have to rephrase my words.
My question is in regards the polar bears that are caged in the zoos and especially these animals that came from Nunavut.
We hear from the polar bear biologists that our population of polar bears is decreasing.
I was wondering if we can increase the numbers of polar bears by bringing back the polar bears from the zoos to Nunavut.
I will look into it to see what we can do to bring back the polar bears from the zoos.
Question 229 - 1(5): Funding for Nunavut Filmmakers
Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to Mr. Kattuk.
He made a statement saying that government will be able to assist people that produce films in Nunavut.
I just wondered if there is any funding available from the Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth for this purpose.
In response to the member’s question, there is funding available from Culture, Language, Elders & Youth.
The statement that I made earlier was about providing funding for that purpose, just for that purpose.
Mr. Speaker, I understand his response.
If his department deals with providing funding for these awards, would they be able to provide funding for producing films.
In Nunavut there have been various organizations that have requested funding and I’m not exactly sure at this time which agencies or organizations are going to be approved.
There are over 200 applicants that have to be considered for the dollars they have requested. I’m not exactly sure which of those organizations or agencies will be provided funding at this time.
I’m just following up the response I got in the beginning.
He mentioned there will be money available for this type of project, such as the film Atanarjuat.
Is there any funding for producing films such as this.
I mentioned in my statement earlier that funding is available for culture and languages.
We will give the opportunity to people or organizations that request funding if it has to do with Inuit culture and languages. Last year we had some funding available for those filmmakers at Isuma Productions, and if there are any organizations such as these people that request funding for these purposes, we will consider them.
Question 230 - 1(5): Bachelor of Education Graduation Ceremonies
There are teachers being taught in Pond Inlet and they will finish at the end of May.
I wonder if the minister would be able to go to Pond Inlet for the graduation on the 25th of May, before noon.
We knew beforehand that the graduation for the TEP program or the bachelors of education that was being taken by some students over there will be on the 25th of May.
But up to today what we have done is to have my Deputy go to the graduations on the 25th.
Question 231 - 1(5): Time Frame for Meeting Environmental Groups
I have a question for the Minister of Sustainable Development. (interpretation ends) Earlier he stated he would be meeting with different organizations in regards to the environmental issues on the mining companies.
The question was whether there is a time frame.
I was asking if he plans to meet with them within six months to a year.
Do you have any time frame as to when you plan to meet with these organizations.
I just want to point out that there was a technical problem before and we didn’t pick up that he did have a question but we didn't hear it.
So this is why we are continuing on with this line of questioning.
I don't think I could say the time frame right now, I could look into it and let him know this week when I could try and set up a meeting with them.
As you know we have to talk with them before we make any decisions about a meeting date.
So we have to talk with them first, and I'll let the MLA for Kugluktuk know the time frame, when I know.
Question 232 - 1(5): Funding for Access Road to Tourism Site
The minister is aware that in Coral Harbour last year there were about 5 thousand snow geese harvested and also a little over 5 thousand caribou.
In the summertime there are also tourists that go over there or big game hunters and some tourists that go and take pictures of that area.
The minister heard the Minister of Transportation say that there will not be an access road built to that tourism area.
I just want to ask the Minister of Sustainable Development, we already have a bridge but there's just a short access road required from the bridge.
There's a lot of tourism potential in that area and I just wondered if his department would be able to provide some funding for that.
I know there’s some potential money that should be coming in from tourism in the Nunavut area, especially when tourists come in to communities.
There are more parks being created in the Nunavut area.
We will be looking at all the potential for making money from tourists and talk to people from the communities to work with them.
If there’s any money to be made from tourism in a community we would be able to give them some assistance and we would be able to work with them to provide a longer access road to potential visitors’ sites.
I could work with the Member from Nanulik and I could assure him that we would be able to look into this to see what else we can do.
The minister is aware that there’s already been a study done for Native Point there and there’s also a Bird Sanctuary that receives visitors.
Also in the Gibbons area there’s a sanctuary.
A lot of tourists would like to visit that area, part of that area of Coral Harbour or Southampton Island.
When there is already a bridge over there and they want to extend their access road, can the hamlet request the Department of Sustainable Development to extend their access road from the bridge.
Yes, we welcome requests from the Hamlet Councils and we will speak with our staff in the Kivalliq region, the person that is in Rankin Inlet.
Our staff in Rankin Inlet would be able to work with the people in Coral Harbour to help them access that kind of funding and to put a proposal in on behalf of the people of Coral Harbour to get to some funding to extend their access road.
The response from the minister is greatly appreciated.
Perhaps not just Coral Harbour, but have there been studies done in any other Nunavut communities to try to get some funding to assist the people in making more money through tourism.
Yes, some of the communities have had a study done and our staff, the regional directors have just begun some studies and they are working well in the Kitikmeot and the Baffin regions.
Recently the Rankin Inlet staff just started the region of Kivalliq and she will be visiting here, she will be visiting communities to see what other kinds of assistance Sustainable Development can provide to help the communities.
We will also work with the Federal Government to provide those kinds of services and to do a study on potential tourism in other Nunavut communities.
I know that communities have to get more assistance so they will be able to improve the wage economy in their communities.
Some communities that have not had a study done will be concentrated on and we will provide the information to our staff in each region.
But there are three people that deal with that kind of thing in those three regions and we will be doing that as much as we can.
Question 233 - 1(5): Increased Funding for Local Housing Organizations
Mr. Speaker I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.
(interpretation ends) My question is that, as you are all aware, municipalities were given extra dollars when the cost of fuel increased.
My question is Mr. Speaker, are there any plans to increase local Housing Authority funding to make sure that the services are being provided as much as municipalities.
Housing Authorities in the communities have a very large responsibility and services to provide.
Speaker: Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation.
I'd like to welcome Ms. Williams to Cambridge Bay.
(interpretation ends) I would just like to say Mr. Speaker that we passed the budget just last month and in my budget for O&M dollars we put in 4 million dollars more this year for housing associations so that they'll be able to function effectively in their communities.
So we did provide for housing associations to reflect the changes of fuel.