EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, today, RCMP officers no longer use Inuit clothing, however, I am positive that officers appreciated the warmth of this clothing and to show their appreciation, they should commit to keeping their furs …I would like unanimous consent to conclude my Statements.
As I stated earlier, the RCMP officers long time ago used only caribou or sealskin clothing and they should retain the usage of the muskrat fur hats.
Mr. Speaker, as a proud Member at the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut and in order to keep the people of Nunavut’s economy up, I would recommend that the RCMP serving in Nunavut communities consider using fur or skins from Nunavut such as sealskin and other sealskin or other products that are from Nunavut.
I am very sure that the Inuit officers who are serving on the force would be especially proud to use our Nunavut products because of course they are Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to our Minister of Justice presenting sealskin models made in Nunavut and a fur hat to the Commanding Officer in the ‘V’ Division.
This is the concern that I have because I’m from Nunavut; we have to start using the Nunavut products.
The extremist don’t know anything about the conditions up here.
I’ll ask questions on this matter at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 621 – 1(6): Cost of Housing Rent
I’m sure some of the Members missed me in my absence.
I apologize to the House for my for two days absence.
Mr. Speaker, I’ll probably request that you give me six minutes because I have missed two days, two minutes in the last two days and that should equal to six minutes.
Mr. Speaker, today I’d like to talk about housing situation in Nunavut.
Nunavummiut are provided housing through the Housing Corporation.
Since the creation of Nunavut why is it that Nunavut Housing Corporation is still here and who is responsible?
We’re not the ones who brought them here; we are not the ones who brought the Housing Corporation to our territory and we all know that they came in here on their own before we made the request.
Mr. Speaker, the issue of housing and the recommendations that were made by Housing Task Force have not been implemented by the Nunavut Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, we as the people of Nunavut do not have a whole lot of money.
The people do not have the economy and there is a lack of jobs.
The issue of housing is extremely expensive to keep a house.
The fifteen year old has to put in his share to pay the rent in Nunavut but the nineteen, the age of nineteen is usually considered the age where a child is considered mature, but why are we using fifteen years old?
Speaker: The Member is taking unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Are there any nays? Are there any nays?
I am extremely please to be back in the House.
Mr. Speaker, the issue of housing, as people of Nunavut we have supported the Housing Corporation with $53 million dollars so that we could increase the number of social houses in Nunavut.
With $53 million dollars to provide housing to the people of Nunavut, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is said to be an independent body but the Government of Nunavut provides $53 million dollars to this entity. $53 million dollars is a lot of money that we fork out to the Housing Corporation.
The rental scales in the communities when was it that we asked for a review of the rental scale. We never saw anything to date.
We worked extremely hard to get our recommendations implemented within the Government.
I have yet to see one item put in by the Government.
This Nunavut Housing Corporation did not come from the Legislative Assembly.
The Housing Corporation is a separate entity.
I would like the people of Nunavut to know that.
Because if nobody is going to be listening to us out there, is it possible to get rid of such entities and create our own that are Nunavut made.
I think that we should be able to have the power as a government to do that.
The people of Nunavut did not create the existing entities.
They came here by themselves and they call themselves Nunavummiut, and it is something that I do not like.
The reason why I am making those comments today is the people who are paying rent to the Housing entities is the source of revenue coming for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation does not build additional houses even though they have revenue coming in.
The rent that we pay, where is it going?
What bank account does it go to, because they are not increasing the number of houses in Nunavut.
The Nunavut Government that I want would provide the money in order to increase the amount of houses in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 622 – 1(6): Recognition of Constituent Josephee Takijualuk
Today we are going to be televised in Inuktitut.
I would like to recognize a person from Pond Inlet, Josephie Takijualuk Kunuk.
There are two Josephie Kunuk’s so I use his middle name Takijualuk.
Josephie Kunuk used to work at DPW.
And he worked at the water reservoir.
When they first came out there would be frequent freeze-ups.
When the tank came into refill, the connecting pipe would freeze between the booster and the truck.
So what he did was improvised the pipe so that it would no longer freeze.
All of these types of equipment were improvised.
Because of the improvisation, there was a better system.
I do not know if he was recognized for introducing these gadgets. So I would like to recognize Josephie Takijualuk Kunuk, who modified that equipment in order to improve the services, and I want to recognize that in the Legislative Assembly.
Member’s Statement 623 – 1(6): Pleased with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit
I am very pleased and would like to congratulate the new Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit appointees.
We have been talking about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit for many years and as regular Members we would become frustrated talking about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I am not opposing the Minister, but they would be frequently stating using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and I have always been frustrated about it being used or just put out as a lip service by the Government.
As I heard earlier, they would be having meetings with the Deputy Ministers and I am extremely pleased to hear that, but the Deputy Ministers will also have to listen to the elders, listen to their advice and wisdom and believe in them.
If I use an example, there was an elder in Igloolik and before passing away, he wanted muktaaq or bowhead whale and that was at the time when there was a moratorium on harvesting bowhead.
At that time, one of his friends harvested a bowhead whale and he was taken to court, but he was acquitted because he harvested that bowhead at the request of an elder.
So, the Deputy Ministers will have to understand where the elders are coming from if they want to understand.
We are aiming get to 80 percent Inuit in the work force and we will be able to teach the non-Inuit about our tradition and culture.
I’ve kept this to myself for years; I had to let it out.
Member’s Statement 624 – 1(6): Economic Development in Smaller Communities
I rise today to revisit one of my priority issues, economic development in smaller non-decentralized communities.
I recognize many of the elders here and I have been board members with them.
I am sure that we will have an opportunity to recognize the elders here, but going ahead with my Members’ Statement, we all know that economic development opportunities in the smaller communities are limited.
For the past five years, I have seen the Government place an emphasis on implementing its decentralization strategy.
I believe that the needs of the smaller communities have been neglected in this process.
Mr. Speaker, the Government has a responsibility to help ensure that businesses in local communities have a chance to get off the ground.
It also has a responsibility to help ensure that its procurement and that contracting procedure does not create monopolies.
We are at this stage at this point and in my communities there is concern that limited economic opportunities are not being spread out far enough.
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to see that the Government recently released economic development strategy stressing the need to encourage and I quote: “...greater participation of local and Inuit firms in selling goods and services to Government and in providing Inuit employment…”
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Statement.
Speaker: The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her Statements.
And it also states that it will provide Inuit employment.
Mr. Speaker, the Government needs to look closely at every one of its contracts to ensure that it balances the need for good value with the need to build a strong, diversified economic base in each community.
Member’s Statement 625 – 1(6): Salute Working Families of Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, even though we were not sitting last month on Labour Day, I would like to take this opportunity to offer a well deserved salute to the workers who keep Nunavut moving forward.
Mr. Speaker, thousands of Nunavummiut get up every day and head out to make our territory a better place in which to live and raise our families.
Teachers and classroom assistants and daycare staff provide our children with the tools they need to build their destinies.
Nurses, doctors, counsellors, and mental health workers, as well as social workers help to heal our wounds and comfort our communities.
Police officers, court staff and attorneys keep our streets safe and protect the rights of our citizens.
Public servants keep the machinery of Government well oiled and develop the programs and services that our Constituents rely on.
On the front lines, they are keeping our water clean, protecting our facilities, and caring for our patients.
In the private sector, people work long hours and provide goods and services that we rely on for the comfort and efficiency of our homes and our workplaces.
Mr. Speaker, I have continuously spoken out for the need for our Government to support our employees and provide worker-friendly environment in Nunavut, but the record to date has been mixed.
For example, it took three years and many questions, mostly from my Honourable Colleague from Baker Lake, from this side of the House, to have the Government, finally, raise the minimum wage.
Thanks to an amendment proposed by the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit, the Government is now legally obligated to report back to the House on an annual basis as to whether the minimum wage should be changed.
I look forward to seeing that obligation fulfilled during our coming Sessions.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to Government of Nunavut employees, I am concerned, I am concerned that while senior executives receive supplementary pensions, the Union has to fight tooth and nail for a fair deal and at times are dealt with pretty much by the take it or leave it approach to things.
I am concerned that there is a climate of uncertainty for our work force in respect to decentralization.
I am concerned that there are inadequacies and inequities in our system, our sometimes chaotic system of staff housing.
Mr. Speaker, all of these issues can be addressed if we have an attitude that puts the needs of our workers and their families, our constituents, high in our agendas.
I ask all Members to join me in saluting the working families of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 626 – 1(6): Community Learning Centre Opening in Baker Lake
Mr. Speaker, my statement will be brief today.
After almost five years, I finally felt comfortable in Iqaluit at lunchtime today.
The reason being in coming from the east coast it is not very often that you get to partake in a good old-fashioned turnip and potato stew.
So I would like to thank the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth for making me feel that I was down on the east coast again.
I would like to thank the elders for putting up with me there.
I felt like I was back in the Maritimes, in the old days when I was a kid having stew amongst our big family down there.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to stand up today and thank the Department of Education and specifically, Nunavut Arctic College for finally, finally after fifteen years, and I am sorry, and I want to apologize to the Arctic College Board of Directors for missing the grand opening of our new Community Learning Centre.
This shows the commitment on part of the Nunavut Government to help educate and to help train individuals in Nunavut.
I have stood up here many times and ask them to help Nunavut, give them the skills so they could stand on their two feet.
I would like to congratulate the parties involved, Kilabuk, the Premier, Mani, and everybody for finally having a Learning Centre that we can be proud of and I would also like to thank Arctic College and the Department of Education for finally, after almost five years of asking, and praying, and cajoling, and begging that they are now running a pre-mine training course in Baker Lake.
My hat’s off and thank you very much to that side of the House for listening to one of my banters.
Member’s Statement 627 – 1(6): Nunavummiut Dreams and Expectations
As well to the elders, it is very good to see you here.
I am probably as old as you are.
What I would like to speak about today, Mr. Speaker is that I am happy to rise today with the dream of Nunavut, that things would become easier in the everyday lives for people in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, Inuit to date are still expecting this dream.
Perhaps if we were told back then that once Nunavut came to be, it will still be difficult and that it will take time for the dream to come true, if we had been told that, expectations would not have been so high.
Mr. Speaker, it will take time to get things straightened out and for the youth we have to build a solid foundation for their future.
Member’s Statement 628 – 1(6): New Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit
I welcome them, the newly appointed Katimajiit for the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Mr. Speaker, they have a difficult task at hand.
Mr. Speaker, perhaps I can briefly mention that this Government, although with only five years behind us, we have truly been developing towards the right direction.
And with the previous NWT Government, which was in place for over thirty years, perhaps because Inuit did not have a strong voice there, although we had Members of the Legislative Assembly.
However, Mr. Speaker, we now have our own Government, although it seems like a thankless job a lot of times, what we have done to date, Mr. Speaker, is made more progress than the previous government that was in for thirty years.
In this newly appointed Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee, perhaps, we will need workshops as to how the Government process is done so that they have a better idea of how the Government operates and how the Assembly operates because we do have rules and procedures. We follow Parliamentary procedures and just from sitting here, they will note that we as Ministers on this side, when we are being asked and when we are being asked of the numbers, a lot of times it seems like they are belittling us and this is because of the adversarial system of the British Parliament.
We do work hard to try to get our job done, but it is apparent that in this House, we are still not really using the British Parliamentary procedures, yet it seems like we are just against each other because we have not incorporated Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit well enough into this process.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut has provided perhaps over 300 housing units since 1993 which were long overdue.
Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my Statement.
Speaker: The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her Statement.
There are no nays. Please proceed Ms. Thompson.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our culture is very different, obviously, we grew up within Nunavut and the previous Government and the people who planned for the Nunavut Government perhaps should have planned, right at that time, how to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and we would have seen a completely different procedure run in this House.
And as well, I am very proud that we have had only five years in our mandate, we have managed to bring in schools, public housing, vehicles, and infrastructure that has been beneficial to Nunavut and as well, Mr. Speaker, we see more Inuit appointed to boards and we can speak Inuktitut in the House and say what is on our minds.
So, I am proud to see the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit in here and I welcome them to help with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit curriculum development people in the next room and I do wish to see a workshop be held by this Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee about the process of Government and the process of this House.
Member’s Statement 629 – 1(6): Pangnirtung Road for Turbot Fishing
I would like to welcome our visitors as well.
Today, I would just like to make a further clarification to my Colleagues here that we have, in Pangnirtung in the fall, what we usually have is an annual occurrence where ships come into the community to unload some cargo and they have been able to go to the community four times to offload some turbot.
This will create job opportunities over the winter and it will be a good time to hire some people while they wait for freeze up when they can start going out on the ice and catch turbot.
And so, I am proud to hear that people in the fisheries plant will be quite successful again this year, but because freeze up has been quite late in the winter, they are going to look for other ways to harvest the turbot.
Towards end of this month, they will be building a road along the river that the skidoos can use as a trail to the turbot fishing site.
They can then get an early start before freeze up.
This trail will have other benefits; during the fall it is quite hard to get caribou and other stuff because they can’t go hunting during the fall.
I am proud of the hamlet and the residents of Pangnirtung.
Mr. Speaker, Kevin, not you Mr. Speaker, my Kevin in Qikiqtarjuaq, I say hi to him if he is watching and to my son Joseph in Pangnirtung, my daughter Jenna and my wife Rosie and my daughter Lynn who is here in school in Iqaluit.
Speaker: Any further Members’ Statements?
Member’s Statement 630 – 1(6): Business Plans to Open a Co-op Store in Iqaluit
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, over the last few days, the school, the students at the high school, the Inukshuk High School in Iqaluit have been studying the politics and studying the operation of the Legislative Assembly.
The other day I had an opportunity with my son to go through different names of the different Members and he knew every Member’s name and when he got to you, Mr. Speaker, he referred to you as UQAQTII of the North.
Just wanted to mention that, Mr. Speaker; he will be watching today.
Mr. Speaker, over the past several years, many attempts have been made to move forward with an organization and a business plan.
A business plan to develop, build, and open, Mr. Speaker, the first community Co-op store here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, over the past several months a number of meetings has been held, Mr. Speaker, a plan have been developed, a plan to move ahead to open a general retail Coop store here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the good work done by Iqaluit residents to move forward with a Co-op plan.
I would like to single out a constituent of mine, Mary Ellen Thomas, who has been one of the most active and indeed long serving members of the Co-op plan here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask you and this House to join with me to wish the newly elected Iqaluit Co-op Board here in Iqaluit the very best and Godspeed in the opening and setting up of the community Co-op here in the Capital of Iqaluit.
Are there any further members’ statements?
Return to Questions.
Once again, I’d like to recognize in this House, there are many of us in Nunavut who don’t have any parents.
I would also to congratulate the Government departments who will be acquiring parents of elders here.
I would like them to stand up one by one when I say their name.
First of all, Renee Audla from Sanikiluaq; Metuq Nowdlak of Iqaluit; Albert Nuvviaq from Hall Beach; Kanaginak Pootoogook from Cape Dorset; George Qulaut from Igloolik and those are from Baffin region.
And from Kitikmeot, Miriam Aglukkaq from Gjoa Haven; Atiima Hadlari from Cambridge Bay; Peter Peetooloot from Taloyoak.
They are from Kitikmeot and Kivalliq Regions, Henry Isluarnik and Jackie Napayok from Whale Cove and Mary Anne Tattuinee from Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, I would like the Members to recognize them and welcome them as well for the job that they are about to do.
Speaker: I would like to, once again, welcome all of the elders to the Gallery and you are certainly welcome here at any time and I would also like to acknowledge and recognize Leona Aglukkaq, the Deputy Minister of Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, welcome to the Gallery, also one of our former table officers.
Once again, welcome to the Gallery.
It was a pleasure to hear my fellow Member from Pangnirtung recognizing the elders and for the Departments who will acquire new “Parents”.
As a Government, please listen to your Elders.
I would also like to recognize as well Kanaginak Pootoogook, Miriam Aglukkaq, George Qulaut, and my constituent, Mary Anne Tattuinee.
I would also like to congratulate and recognize the very important thing that George Qulaut will be doing within the Government.
I would like to congratulate him on his appointed by the Federal Government Minister to be involved in the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
And from my community, Albert Nuvviyak and he knew me when I was a child, Jackie Napayok and my relative Mary Anne Tattuinee; she collects cups, so give her some cups.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my Colleagues.
First of all, I would like to say hello to my constituents of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut and I would also like to recognize and thank the elders, the Minister of Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and to congratulate them for electing or appointing Kananginnaq Pootoogook as a member of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
There are two people who have been appointed to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit and I would like to recognize Miriam Aglukkaq and her Inuktitut name is Milaulaaq from Gjoa Haven.
I would like to thank the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth for appointing the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
It is something that we have been trying to attain from the Government.
I would also like to recognize some people from my constituency; Peter Peetooloot, and behind Peter is Atiima Hadlari; welcome to the House.
Mr. Speaker, the person who used to represent the Kitikmeot region during the Regional Government, Nick Carter; I would also like to welcome him to the House.
I have recognized and welcomed the elders to the House.
First of all, I would also like to recognize George Qulaut.
I have worked with him before the Nunavut Legislature was created.
I would also like to recognize Rynie Nowdlak; she used to live in Resolute Bay.
My Inuktitut name is Oqi, Oqi’s sister; I would like to also recognize, Nooveya.
It is a pleasure to be back in the House. I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome and recognize two individuals, especially Metuq Nowdlak, who is from Iqaluit.
She is like my mother.
Every since I was very young, she has assisted me greatly.
I would like to congratulate and thank the government for appointing her to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
She is also a very good friend of my wife.
There was somebody who wanted to see me, and the individual’s name is Jackie Napayuq.
I would like to say that I congratulate him, and welcome him to the House.
And I will now know him, whenever I see him.
And also to the rest of the elders, I would like to welcome them, and congratulate them, and to let them know that you are our elders and you will know what to do when it comes time for you to do what you have to do within the government.
I would also like to congratulate the Minister for Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
It is nice to hear him say that the Government’s “Parents” are finally here and I would like to congratulate him for that.