EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
You, as the present government, will be required to protect our Language Acts and protect our language so that Nunavummiut will access goods and services in our territory’s majority language.
Each of you recognized the importance of developing our youth from day care to primary school and all the way to post-secondary education.
After their education, our youth will then require jobs to follow as we, the older generations, know from experience.
While you are sitting in the Third Assembly of Nunavut, we are also expecting more rights and benefits accruing from our federal government down in Ottawa. We have expectations now as well from our House of Commons.
This process has been ongoing for many years.
We have to work for our self-sufficiency and more devolution from our federal government.
These will allow Nunavut to become more self-reliant and will lead to healthier individuals and local community control in the smaller communities.
The issues that are faced by our people require teamwork and this is one of the biggest hurdles we face - to assist others or consensus building.
The only way we will grow and move forward is to cooperate and collaborate on issues of importance to Nunavummiut so that all programs and services are offered equitably in Nunavut.
As Members of the Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, you bring to this House the hopes, expectations, and visions of your constituents and Nunavummiut.
Each of you is responsible to your constituents for building a government that serves your electorate while deliberating legislation and providing more relevant services to your constituents.
Further, we are counting on your best efforts in directing the affairs of Nunavut.
I’m sure that you are up to the task ahead, but the people who voted you into office are entrusting you to represent them and they know that you were their best choice to do so.
I hope that all Members of the Third Assembly will exercise restraint to manage the territory and enact legislation here in Nunavut.
I know that you will represent your constituencies in a professional manner and to the best of your ability and skill.  I extend my best wishes to you, the Members of Nunavut’s Third Legislative Assembly, and I’m confident that you will serve the people of Nunavut to the best of your abilities.
I wish you well in your deliberations and decision-making.
Speaker (interpretation): We will return to the Orders of the Day.
As we have not yet sworn in our ministers, there will be no Ministers’ Statements today.
Member’s Statement 001 – 3(1): Welcome and Opening Remarks to the Third Assembly (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am honoured to be the first member recognized under your portfolio and for the opportunity under Members’ Statements. Firstly, I thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m delighted with you on your appointment to the Speaker’s seat and you expressed your acceptance of the oath of office quite forcefully.
I also wish to thank my constituents who re-elected me as their representative to this House. I am grateful for the support of my constituents when I was running to represent them in Iqaluit West, so I express my gratitude to my constituents.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the Members of the Legislative Assembly to my riding, where the House is located. So I would like to welcome everyone to my riding and I know that you will enjoy your work here. For your information, the residents of Iqaluit are very friendly and hospitable.
Further, I offer my congratulations to the returning members and in particular, the members elected to sit on the Cabinet. Madam Premier, I am extremely honoured and I celebrate with you on your successful run for the premiership because you have reopened the door for others.
My upbringing hinged on my mother, and my mother was an extremely capable and wise mother when I observed her, and that outlook is what I see in the new Premier, an extremely capable and wise woman who has reopened the door for all women.
I say this because as a father, I have two daughters. They will see that anything is achievable for young women. On their behalf and all other women, I congratulate you on your achievement.
You are a true role model to the people of Nunavut and to the women and the young women. It shows that anyone can run for Premier and be elected.
I urge all women to put their names forward in the next election, not just some of the ridings but in all of the ridings.
I would like to see a more varied representation in the House and one that is more representative of our varied society.
It’s unfortunate that you were the only female elected, but I know that our electorate deliberated on the candidates. However, your appointment will cause our electorate to conduct a more thorough review of all candidates, especially with our encouragement for more women to run in any future elections.
I thank you all, as well as congratulate all members who made it to the Cabinet.
I will work with all of you in this Assembly as my priorities are for Nunavut and I will continue to assist my colleagues, whether it be legislative or in any other manner you may wish to be assisted in. All you have to do is to ask and my door will be open to all the Members of this House.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and colleagues.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik. (interpretation ends) Members’ Statements.
Mr. Rumbolt.
Member’s Statement 002 – 3(1): Thanks to Constituency and Family (Rumbolt)
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
For my first statement, I would like to start by congratulating you on being elected as Speaker. I would also like to congratulate the Premier and the ministers for their appointments.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to say a special “thank you” to all my constituents from the riding of Hudson Bay. I also thank my family for being here today on this special occasion.
I want to thank the people of Sanikiluaq for putting their trust in me to represent them and be their voice to the Nunavut government. I want to assure them that I will represent my riding to the best of my ability.
And Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House. I want all of us to work together to make Nunavut a better place for all our constituents.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Rumbolt.
Member’s Statement 003 – 3(1): Looking Forward to the Third Assembly (Tootoo)
It is an honour to rise today and first off, congratulate you on your selection as Speaker.
I look forward to your presiding over our deliberations with the same fairness and sense of dignity that you brought to the Chair during your previous service as our Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take this opportunity to publicly congratulate all Members of this House on their election.
Having stood for office in three territorial general elections, I am very aware of the personal costs that inevitably accompany the scrutiny that comes with public life.
I would like to thank my family, my constituents and my campaign volunteers for their support.
It has been almost ten years since I was first elected to this Legislative Assembly, and I would not be here today if it were not for their unwavering support.
In that time, Mr. Speaker, I have watched my children grow up before my eyes, starting off from being here with the choir when we first started to being pages and now, being too old to want to be pages anymore, and sometimes, like I said, in this very building with very long hours and sitting days.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, this place can be hard on families.
As both parents and elected members, we too often find ourselves having to choose between attending an important vote, or sitting, or being present at a child’s first sporting event or school function.
This can be an impossible choice and I recognize the need for members to support one another in our most difficult times.
Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the efforts that were made by my fellow candidates in the general election. Both Madeleine Redfern and Joe Sageaktook brought energy to their campaigns, and I pay tribute to them for putting their names forward.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents in Iqaluit Centre have placed their trust in me as their MLA on three occasions.
As their MLA, I intend to live up to that trust and earn their confidence every single day.
Although I anticipate that the view from the seats to the right of you, Mr. Speaker, will be different than that of which I have been accustomed to, my approach to our work and my work here in the Assembly will be consistent and the same as it has in the past.
Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank my fellow members for having selected me to serve with our new Premier and Cabinet team.
Although I long ago lost count of how many questions I have asked in this House, I have not forgotten the frustrations of not getting the answers that members and their constituents deserve.
I will do my best to treat all members with respect when they hold me to account.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with all Members of this House on the common issues that face all Nunavummiut.
Over the years, they have been: housing, education and health care being three of the main priority areas in the past.
I look forward to working with my fellow MLAs from Iqaluit and local leaders to ensure that the needs of our capital city and its residents are adequately met.
Mr. Speaker, today is a good day. It is a day of change and optimism.
As we prepare for the long path ahead, it is fitting that we reflect on how we got here.
Our elders and leaders taught us the values of patience and perseverance.
These qualities will be needed by all of us in the months and years that are before us.
Mr. Speaker, I have high hopes for this new Assembly and government, and I will conclude today by expressing my satisfaction that we begin the journey together.
Mr. Shewchuk.
Member’s Statement 004 – 3(1): Beginning of the Third Assembly (Shewchuk)
Mr. Shewchuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would first like to say that I am honoured to be in this House today.
I would like to congratulate you as being elected Speaker and Ms. Aariak as the Premier-elect of the Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
I am also here today very honoured and proud in representing the constituents of Arviat who elected me as their MLA.
I want to assure them that I will work hard and voice their concerns about our community.
I would also like to congratulate all the other members for being elected, and a warm welcome to all their families and guests that are here today in this very special day.
During these two weeks of our orientation to the Legislative Assembly, it has been a life changing experience for me. I feel very privileged and honoured to work with all the members who are here and all of the support staff we have had from the Legislative Assembly.
As an avid curler, I recently went and watched many Canadian mixed curling games here at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championships in Iqaluit.
I would like to congratulate the Mayor and Council of Iqaluit for holding such a world-class event. I believe it will lead to bigger and better things in the curling world for Nunavut and other sports.
I would like thank all of my campaign team for their hard work during my election campaign. I would also like to thank all the Members of the House for having confidence in me to represent all of Nunavut and electing me to the Executive Council.
I assure each and every one of you that I will do my best to represent my constituents of Arviat and also all Nunavummiut, and work hard to make Nunavut a better place to live and be part of a stronger country of Canada.
Speaker: Thank you, Shewchuk. (interpretation) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 005 – 2(4): Thanks to Constituents, Outgoing Premier and the Third Assembly (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, my Annuraaqatik.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to congratulate you and the new Members of the Executive Council led by Premier-elect Ms. Aariak.
The public perception, Mr. Speaker, may be that you and Ms. Aariak are married.
So just to cut that off at the pass, I’m letting everyone know that these two members are not related or married; they just have the same last name.
My reason for expressing my appreciation here in this House is to acknowledge my constituents who elected me to represent them again.
In particular, our outgoing Premier, Mr. Paul Okalik, has led us to this day and age. He has assisted Inuit tremendously here in Nunavut.
As Inuit, if we put all of our skills and abilities towards attaining our goals, then, as per Mr. Okalik’s example, we can accomplish anything. As Premier, he dealt with many challenges faced by Inuit.
Due to his leadership, we have passed a fair number of issues as a government.
Although the path we chose wasn’t always smooth or easy, life is like that. When problems are tackled head on and people explore all their options, then it’s possible to achieve your goals.
I know this for a fact because I have experienced it firsthand.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all my constituents, even the ones who voted against me.
I thank those who participated in the democratic process because they have shown that elections are an integral part of identifying whom the majority supports.
I would also like to thank the people who didn’t bother to vote because they followed their own minds and desires.
They can also voice their concerns to me even if they didn’t vote because they are part of the electorate and this is democracy at work. So I will do my best to represent them in this House and we will do our best to try and represent everyone.
I would like to thank all my supporters in Igloolik, specifically my assistants in the election process, and John Illupalik in particular. As well, I would like to thank the people of Hall Beach for electing me to represent them once again.
For those reasons, I will try my best to represent you all as much as I can, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk, for clarifying the matter for our people. (interpretation ends) Members’ Statements.
Mr. Elliott.
Member’s Statement 006 – 3(1): Appreciation to Constituents in Quttiktuq (Elliott)
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am humbled and honoured to rise today on the first sitting of the Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin today by extending my congratulations to you, our new Premier and the Members of Cabinet on their appointments.
This is an exciting time, a time of change and new direction, and I look forward to working with all members on both sides of the House during the years ahead.
Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my deepest thanks to all of my constituents in our three communities for the trust that they have placed in me as their elected representative.
I know that many of them will be watching today’s proceedings, and I want to speak directly to them today and reiterate my commitment that I will listen closely to your concerns, articulate your aspirations and work hard for you each and every day that I have the honour of representing you in your Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to pay public tribute to the years of dedicated service to the High Arctic that were undertaken by my predecessor, the Hon. Levi Barnabas.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents in Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, and Arctic Bay have high expectations for this new Legislative Assembly and government.
During my campaign, numerous concerns and ideas were brought to my attention.
I am committed to raising them in this House and pushing for action.
In Resolute Bay, I heard many times about the need for a new arena.
This is a project that should have been undertaken years ago and is critical if we are to fulfill our commitment to providing opportunities for healthy lifestyles and recreational initiatives for youth.
In Grise Fiord, government staff continue to work in a condemned building. I look forward to the government making good on its commitment to build a new facility in the community.
In Arctic Bay, the need for a new health centre remains critical and residents look forward to real progress being made.
Mr. Speaker, I fully recognize that the government’s resources are not unlimited and I fully respect the need for all MLAs to advocate on behalf of their constituencies.
As a member representing three of Nunavut’s smaller, non-decentralized communities, I am committed to working with all partners to build on our strengths.
Although we may be lacking in modern, essential infrastructure, we are strong as a people.
Our elders continue to play a central role in the lives of our communities. Their wisdom and values guide us in our decision-making.
Our youth are full of energy and new ideas.
Mr. Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to continue with my address.
Please proceed, Mr. Elliott.
I have been proud to have had the opportunity to work as an educator for many years in the High Arctic and I know that our youth have tremendous potential.
As MLAs, we have a responsibility to ensure that every opportunity is made available for youth to pursue training and educational opportunities in order to gain the skills and tools with which they can make their dreams of today their realities of tomorrow.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude today by expressing my condolences and those of the community of Arctic Bay to the family of the late Jayko Tunraq.
Jayko recently passed away while out on the land with family and close friends. Jayko was a respected community leader whose wisdom will be deeply missed. I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to Jayko.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Elliott.
Mr. Kusugak.
Member’s Statement 007 – 3(1): Opening Remarks to the Third Assembly (Kusugak)
Mr. Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I also wish to congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, as you will be our Speaker for the next four years and I know that you have a heavy workload but I know that you are capable of completing your tasks.
I am also very proud to have Ms. Aariak as the Premier, your colleague with the same name, and I look forward to working with her.
I would also like to thank Mr. Okalik for bringing us to this day and I know that he experienced hardship over those years. I would also like to thank Mr. Curley.
Mr. Curley’s vision is finally coming into fruition and he worked for many years to attain that dream.
I thank them for all of their hard work.
I would like to recognize the people of Iqaluit who are undergoing hardship at this time.
We empathize with their loss. Mr. Simonie Michael was not just a local elder. He worked for all of Nunavummiut, whom he represented numerous times.
Mr. Okalik stated that the people of Iqaluit are very hospitable.
This is the truth because ever since I arrived in Iqaluit, the people I meet have continued to welcome me as well as my family who arrived with me to Iqaluit.
A heartfelt thank you to Iqalummiut, you are quite hospitable and please welcome me to your community should you see me on the roads.
I would like to thank my constituents of Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove from the bottom of my heart.
I will represent them and work hard to fulfill their goals as a community and to work on issues they consider important.
I would also like to thank my family for helping me while I was campaigning.
During my campaign, I would also like to thank my supporters and my committee. If they are following the proceedings, I thank them all tremendously.
We still have a large plate of items to work on.
(interpretation ends) Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would like to give special thanks to Alex Rudd, who was part of my campaign team.
Although she is not eligible to vote, she worked hard on my campaign.
I just wanted to take this time to acknowledge her.
(interpretation) Thank you, everyone, and I hope that we will work together to make it better for the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Schell.
Member’s Statement 008 – 3(1): Thanks to Constituents, Family and the Third Assembly (Schell)
Mr. Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
On this first day of the first sitting of the Third Assembly, I am pleased to be able to rise and begin my statement by congratulating you on your selection as Speaker of this Assembly. I would also like to offer my congratulations to the Premier and her ministers and the Members of the Executive Council.
I am very humbled and honoured of the trust that the constituents of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut have put in me in electing me as the Member of the Legislative Assembly.
I remember visiting the Legislative Assembly six years ago and I was wondering what it would be like to sit in these wonderful sealskin chairs and here I am.
I would like to also thank my family, Cheryl Constantineau, and the many volunteers that helped me with my election campaign.
I’m looking forward to working all of my colleagues in this House for the next few years.
The main objective that I will be working on is the housing issue in Nunavut.
Housing affects the wellbeing, social issues, and the ability of students to learn at school due to overcrowding.
I’m looking forward to the Cabinet and regular members to work together as a team and contribute to the success of our government for all of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 009 – 3(1): Opening Remarks to the Third Assembly and Farewell to Simonie Michael (Curley)
I would also like to welcome you to the role of the Speaker, and I know that you will work hard for the people of Nunavut.
I certainly hope that you have no family issues while fulfilling your new position.
I would also like to thank the Premier-elect of Nunavut. Welcome to the premiership.
Don’t be cowed by anyone sitting here in the House as well as Nunavummiut and please approach the members when you require assistance.
Further, to your new colleagues in Cabinet, I would like to welcome you to the government.
I know most of you and I will be working with you as closely as I can. As well, my colleague from Rankin Inlet was the mayor for a long while and I know that the community will miss his presence daily.
However, he has a big job ahead of him and I expect to work with him to represent the community of Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, another reason for rising to make a Members’ Statement is that I wanted to acknowledge the late Hon. Mr. Simonie Michael, who passed away this weekend.
I wanted to acknowledge the fact that when Mr. Simonie Michael was first elected, he had almost unbearable pressure in fulfilling his duties as the very first Inuk.
I can just imagine how stressful that was back in 1966 as the Eastern Arctic member.
When I was taking courses in Ottawa, I recall there was a newsbrief about the election of the first Inuk to the Territorial Council.
My school counsellors came to inform us and that’s because Mr. Simonie Michael was the one who had opened the door and that we younger Inuit would be able to deal with politics since the precedent had been set.
I don’t recall exactly what our plans were or what the outcome would be, but I found when I was told about the matter that it was extremely important.
Mr. Simonie Michael, by virtue of your setting the precedent, we acknowledge that you had heavy matters to deal with.
We empathize with those he left behind. My wife and I love all of them and we wish them all loving kindness.
Mr. Speaker, this event has passed and we will continue our journey to our destination.
However, I wanted to reiterate that Nunavummiut have expectations and that many new initiatives will be dealt with by this government.
We will also be the watchdogs here on this side, but I want to say that only by cooperating and dealing with these challenging issues can we move forward and resolve the issues.
I expect that we will cooperate in meeting our territory’s challenges.
Ms. Aariak.
Member’s Statement 010 – 3(1): Tribute to Simonie Michael and Looking Forward to the Third Assembly (Aariak)
Ms. Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The person on my left calls you his Annuraaqatik and perhaps I can call you my Avvaq, same surname.