EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Honourable Jack Anawak, , Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Honourable Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo, Ms. Rebekah Williams.
Speaker (Mr. O'Brien): I would like to call on Mr. McLean for the opening prayer.
Speaker: Ublakkut.
Good afternoon Mr. Premier, Members.
Before we return to the Orders of the Day I would like to acknowledge and greet some very special guests that are here from Manitoba for a few days of meetings with various ministers here in our government.
A number of these people have dealt with us and met with many of us over the last number of years regarding power line discussions between Manitoba and Nunavut and also road links between the two regions.
I would like to give a special welcome to the Honourable Jean Friesen, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Another good friend the Honourable Eric Robinson the Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs.
The ADM for Tourism for Manitoba, Hubert Meseman.
The DM of Transportation, Andy Horosko.
Special Assistant to the Minister Mr. Friesen, Val Bingeman.
David Chadwick, Special Assistant to Minister Robinson.
A long time friend to the people of Nunavut and also to the Northwest Territories, Ross Thompson, with Community and Northern Development.
Somebody that is no stranger to many of us here, Richard Connelly, he is the Liaison Officer between Nunavut and Manitoba.
Last but not least, another good friend and a long time friend to the Keewatin and Nunavut, Jack Wilson of Manitoba Hydro.
Welcome to the Gallery and welcome to Nunavut.
Minister's Statement 100 - 1(5): Extension of Workers' Compensation Board Intergovernmental Agreement
I am pleased to inform the Legislative Assembly that on November the 13th, the Honourable Joe Handley and I signed an amendment to the intergovernmental agreement on a shared Workers' Compensation Board.
This amendment will keep this shared Board together to serve both employers and employees in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
The last agreement, which was negotiated prior to April 1, 1999, had the shared Board as an interim arrangement that would come to an end by the end of this year.
The Government of Nunavut undertook a consultation with Workers' Compensation Board stakeholders in Nunavut and it soon became clear that a shared Board was in the best interests of both employer and employee groups in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, from both an economic and service standpoint, the arrangement allows the Workers' Compensation Board to continue to be a cost effective organization.
The Workers' Compensation Board is committed to reducing accidents in the workplace, but should an accident occur, it is also committed to providing quality rehabilitation and fair benefits to the injured worker.
Mr. Speaker, sound management of the Board has resulted in the highest Yearly Maximum Insurable Remuneration paid for injured workers in any jurisdiction across Canada.
It is also has the lowest assessment rates for employers.
This is indeed good news for both employers and employees and for investment in our two territories.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Minister Handley for coming to Nunavut to sign the renewed agreement on the shared Workers' Compensation Board and for the opportunity to discuss Workers' Compensation Board issues during a joint ministers' meeting on the Workers' Compensation Board that I hosted here in Iqaluit.
Over the next few years we look forward to seeing an increasing presence of Workers' Compensation Board staff based in Nunavut to serve Nunavut based employers and employees.
Mr. Speaker, later today at the appropriate time I will be tabling the Annual Report for the Workers' Compensation Board for 1999/2000 and 2000/2001.
>>Applause  Speaker: Thank you, Minister.
Minister's Statement 101 - 1(5): Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform Members of the Legislative Assembly that the Department of Community Government and Transportation has secured 645 thousand dollars over the next three years from the Canadian Coast Guard for the establishment of Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary units in Nunavut.
Over the next three years, we hope to establish 30 units throughout Nunavut.
These Community Units will consist of two or three local boats, with five or six trained members per vessel.
(interpretation ends) Each vessel will be outfitted with all required safety equipment as well as all necessary search and rescue response gear.
All members will receive training and will learn key concepts of conducting marine search and rescue.
This training will also include an important component that identifies and records local conditions, concerns and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Every community in Nunavut will benefit from the program’s key components, which include:
Insurance coverage for each Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary responding vessel;
Insurance coverage for each Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary responding member;
Reimbursement of certain operational costs;
Local training development that has international recognition;
Assistance from and co-management with the Federal Rescue Coordination Centres on all Nunavut Marine search and rescues.
Mr. Speaker, we have established the following goals for the development of this program:
The hiring of a local ‘Arctic Operations Officer’ to work with communities during the development phase;
The creation of a Nunavut Specific Marine Search and Rescue Training Manual.
The development of community based training;
Increased communication capabilities and awareness throughout Nunavut;
The development of on going program maintenance for long term marine search and rescue response.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, it is through third party funding such as this that the Department of Community Government and Transportation is working to increase the funds it has available to it for the communities.
These new Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Units will make marine search and rescue throughout Nunavut more effective and will contribute to the safety of Nunavummiut.
Member's Statement 279 - 1(5): Suicide of Taloyoak Youth
I rise today with a picture in my right hand to make a statement.
At the end of my statement you will understand why I have this picture and what I am talking about.
Mr. Speaker, there are young people out there or people out there in Nunavut who don’t seem to be afraid of ending their lives.
Yesterday my colleague Mr. Anawak made a members’ statement on suicide.
I don’t want to talk about suicide two days in a row but my community has been affected by suicide.
When there’s a suicide the parents and the family go through a hard time.
Not just the family or just the community but all the communities of Nunavut are affected.
Mr. Speaker, in my community of Taloyoak there was a suicide just last October.
I was wondering if I could talk about this.
I got the permission from the parent to make a statement on this and I got approval from the parents and that’s why I’m making my member's statement today.
Mr. Speaker, last May when we held a session in Cambridge Bay, a few young kids from Taloyoak came to be the pages for two days.
Once the session was over, on the last day of our session they took pictures of the speaker, my community pages and myself.
I have that picture with me and here it is.
One of the pages, Jayco, on October 25 committed suicide in Taloyoak at the age of fifteen years old.
It was just twenty six days prior to his sixteenth birthday when he committed suicide.
He did not make it to his sixteenth birthday.
He was our page, he worked with us and he would deliver our water during the session.
He was our page and we had more opportunity to use him but he cut his life short.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the parents and send my condolences to the parents and sympathy.
I would like to tell the young people that we care for them.
Please don’t be alone, don’t feel alone.
There are people out there that you can talk to who are just waiting for you to approach them.
They are your friends, even us Members of the Legislative Assembly, fellow human beings and we’re just waiting for our young people to approach us.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And also during the appropriate time I will be asking questions about this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member's Statement 280 - 1(5): Expansion of Kitikmeot Boarding Home-Yellowknife
Mr. Speaker, on the sixth of August of the past summer in Yellowknife, I had occasion to visit the Kitikmeot Boarding Home in Yellowknife.
I had lunch at the Boarding Home, met with the staff and toured the facility.
Mr. Speaker, I want to express my gratitude to Kitikmeot Health and Social Services, the staff of the Kitikmeot Boarding Home and especially the Government of Nunavut for providing a good service to Kitikmeot in Yellowknife, NWT.
Mr. Speaker, having had the privilege of first hand experience visiting the home I now realize that the Kitikmeot Boarding Home is too small to facilitate the demand placed upon the home by the Kitikmeot residents.
There have been times when medical patients from Kitikmeot are required to stay at other places in Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, we should at this point in time look at the possibility of expansion of the boarding home in Yellowknife.
It needs to be expanded.
Member's Statement 281 - 1(5): Manitoba Delegation Acknowledgement
I thought I was going to go last.
Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to thank the members of the delegation from Manitoba.
They are very friendly and everybody in the Keewatin area knows them.
There is a good working relationship between the Keewatin and Manitoba.
Usually they send representatives over to the Keewatin area and I would like to say that there is an excellent working relationship between Manitoba and the Keewatin.
Richard Connelly has worked extremely hard so that there is consultation between Manitoba and the Keewatin and I would like to acknowledge him.
He is very well known by the mayors in the Keewatin area and by the community representatives.
He understands Inuktitut I believe and he is also my in-law.
He is part of the family.
I would like to at this time to thank the delegation from Manitoba for taking the time to come up here even though they live far away.
Member's Statement 282 - 1(5): Clyde River High School Graduation and Recognition of Qikiqtarjuaq Residents
Mr. Speaker, we all go through challenging times in our life and I would like to recognize Jake Jaypoody for completing his Grade 12, he is from Clyde River.
I was invited to the graduation ceremony but I wasn't able to attend due to other commitments.
I am sure the Minister of Education is extremely proud of this young fellow.
Ever since grade twelve was put into smaller communities there have been many graduations.
It is something that we are very proud of.
Also to make another comment. The people of Qikiqtarjuaq are people that I am very proud of.
They are extremely receptive and friendly and because of their hospitality I am able to work harder when I am in the House.
Even though I am not from Qikiqtarjuaq I would like to thank the residents of Qikiqtarjuaq for opening up their arms.
I can say I will help them to the best of my ability and that includes all the residents of Nunavut.
Members' Statement 283 - 1(5): Relationships of Kivalliq Businesses & Mayors with Manitoba
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to welcome the Manitoba delegation to Nunavut again.
We keep seeing them a lot of them lately and they are more than welcome to come back.
Over the last several years, members of the Kivalliq business community, mayors and yourselves have been having numerous meetings and trade missions with the Nunavut Government. Back and forth building strong trading ties and friendly relationships.
Mr. Speaker, people in Manitoba and the Kivalliq have a strong relationship over a long number of years and wish to continue this.
You yourself Mr. Speaker, have been one of the strongest advocates for a highway and power grid linking Nunavut.
Also Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask our government to work harder in developing these dreams of the Kivalliq people and also look at building a stronger tourism relationship.
Great statement.
Member's Statement 284 - 1(5): Kivalliq MLAs & Mayors Meet Manitoba Delegation
Mr. Speaker, in September my fellow colleagues, Manitok Thompson, Kevin O'Brien, Glenn McLean and James Arvaluk had the opportunity to travel to Churchill Manitoba to participate in meetings with the Kivalliq Mayors and the Mayors representing the northern communities in the Province of Manitoba.
Also in attendance were the Manitoba Premier, Gary Doer, and his cabinet colleagues, Minister Jean Friesen and Minister Steve Austin and Minister Eric Robinson.
In addition to these delegates were representatives from industry, trade and commerce from both Manitoba and Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Churchill Manitoba holds special significance for me as I attended school there in the mid-60's as did many other leaders in the north.
It was nostalgic to go back and visit places and people that I knew years ago.
I will digress a bit here.
As I pointed out, when I was in Churchill, all my points of reference for my school were all gone.
The Samuel Hearne Hall, the Duke of Edinburgh, all the F12 Upper and F12 Lower and all these places were gone from the map.
But it was nice to go back.
It was a welcome opportunity acquainting myself with the new people in new jobs and to build on existing relationships.
Mr. Speaker, the meetings in Manitoba offered my colleagues and myself the opportunity to discuss with Kivalliq Mayors their concerns and their priorities, which have been moved forward to this government for review and discussion.
Mr. Speaker, the meeting in Churchill was intended to further develop the relationship that Manitoba and Nunavut have in a wide variety of areas.
These include tourism, trade, commerce, joint studies, projects such as the hydro line feasibility.
I asked my colleague responsible for power whether we were starting the transmission line tomorrow after his meeting with them, and the Manitoba/Nunavut road.
This relationship has existed in one form or another for many, many years.
Last April a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Kivalliq Mayors and the northern Manitoba Mayors in Brandon Manitoba, that is intended to lend support for mutually beneficial issues and to demonstrate the spirit of partnership and co-operation.
We have expressed our concerns to Manitoba on this trade and we all realize for trade routes to be most beneficial, they must travel two ways and we all have taken steps to achieve this goal.
I am confident that the Memoranda of Understanding that have been signed and those being developed by our two governments will be beneficial to all Nunavummiut and to all Manitobans.
Mr. Speaker, Manitoba has always been and will remain a very important trading partner with Nunavut and we as a government should be continuously looking to enhance the quantity and quality of this kind of multi-jurisdictional commerce.
The Town of Churchill and the Province of Manitoba were exceptional hosts and it was appreciated by our entire delegation.
Member's Statement 285 - 1(5): Closure of Nanisivik Mine & Arctic Bay Impact
I would first of all like to welcome the delegation and Mr. Robinson.
I believe I worked with one of his relatives.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of my constituents in Arctic Bay.
Earlier this month, we heard the news that the Nanisivik Mine will close down permanently in September 2002, four years earlier than planned.
This news has caused tremendous concern and uncertainty in my community, Mr. Speaker.
One of the concerns is that of transportation.
As members know, we have been seeing steady cutbacks in the availability of scheduled air service in the High Arctic and the Kivalliq.
With the closure of Nanisivik mines, we fear that jet service to Iqaluit will be terminated.
The landing strip in Arctic Bay is not adequate to serve the needs of the community, and we do not know what plans are in place to ensure regular passenger transport and cargo services to the community.
Mr. Speaker, I have been pushing for the government to make clear what its plans are for the future of the mine site and the community of Arctic Bay.
This month's news makes it more imperative than ever that the government act decisively, because time is rapidly running out.
Mr. Speaker, I have called for the immediate establishment of a high-level working group to address this issue.
The group must include representation from the community of Arctic Bay.
I will be travelling to Arctic Bay in early December, after our Session is concluded.
I want to take this opportunity today to publicly invite and urge the Ministers of Sustainable Development and Community Government & Transportation to accompany me to the community.
It is critical that the residents hear first-hand what plans their government has to ensure that transportation links with the rest of the territory are maintained, that the environmental clean-up proceed on track, and that all efforts are made to assist the community in planning for the post-Nanisivik era.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker that is my statement.
Member's Statement 286 - 1(5): Iqaluit District Education Authority Meeting
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous efforts of the Iqaluit District Education Authority over the last year and I extend my recognition to the members of the IDEA and to all the teachers and support staff, especially those at Nakasuk School who have had a very trying year, for all their continued dedication.
Last night was the occasion of the Iqaluit District Education Authority's Annual General Meeting.
It was heartening to see the Minister of Education and members of his department in attendance as well as Mr. Picco, the MLA for Iqaluit East.
Mr. Tootoo: We heard some very frank discussion on some issues that are currently facing teachers in Iqaluit.
The need for Inuktitut language programming at all grade levels is critical to our future and to meet the objectives of the Bathurst Mandate.
Concerns were raised about the high drop out rates in Grade 10 in Inukshuk School.
We also heard about the increasing difficulties of teachers facing large and ever expanding class sizes.
Mr. Speaker, when teachers have a class of 28 to 30 pupils, that teacher cannot provide a quality education, no matter how hard they try.
Despite repeated requests and well-founded arguments for additional teaching staff, the solutions to date have not been adequate.
There is a risk Mr. Speaker, that this situation here in Iqaluit could possibly become the norm for other communities as they see their populations rise as well.
I urge the Department of Education to continue working towards solutions to meet these pressing concerns and I look forward to meeting with the department and the District Education Authority representatives to work towards resolving these issues.
Mr. Speaker, I extend my appreciation for the hard work and dedication of those involved in providing education to our youth and I encourage them to keep up the good work and not to lose heart.
Member’s Statement 287-1(5): Expansion of Kitikmeot Boarding Home in Yellowknife
Today I want to make a statement and support my fellow Kitikmeot colleague.
I’ve gone to the Kitikmeot Boarding Home a number of times and visited those who’ve gone to the hospital.
They’ve mentioned to me a number of times that there’s overcrowding.
Those that go into the Boarding Home from the Kitikmeot say the facility is small in terms of rooms because it is used by all of those in the Kitikmeot.
At times it becomes full and other accommodations have to be provided.
In Kugluktuk we got together to discuss the issues of the Boarding Home in Yellowknife.
It is not roomy any more.
There are many that go into that facility and once there’s no room then they go into other First Nation's facilities.
I’d like to mention the workers try very hard.
There need to be more Inuit working in that facility because our dialects are very different.
For instance, the Gjoa Haven dialect and Kugluktuk dialects are not the same.
This needs to be rectified.
People from Kugluktuk say there need to be plans to enlarge this facility.
We’ll have more on this later on.
Member’s Statement 288-1(5): AGM of Iqaluit District Education Authority
Mr. Speaker, last night with Mr. Tootoo I also attended the AGM of the Iqaluit Education Council.
Mr. Speaker, the Iqaluit DEA is fortunate to have several long term members like Mr. Josie Papatsie, and chairperson Cathy Smith who bring continuity as well as corporate values to the association.
Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to acknowledge the attendance of our Minister of Education, the Honourable Peter Kilabuk.
The IDEA as well as the Iqaluit Principals gave an overview of the past school year successes as well as Mr. Speaker, explaining some of the pressures facing them.
There were some excellent discussions on the pupil/teacher ratio as well as some of the constraints placed on staff with the increased enrolment in Iqaluit because, as you know Mr. Speaker, of the increase in population.
Mr. Speaker, the IDEA plays a significant role in our community.
This past year it has been very stressful for the IDEA in several different issues that they had to deal with including Mr. Speaker, a change in the Iqaluit school boundaries.
Mr. Speaker, many of the parents and teachers attending the AGM gave some excellent constructive ideas on how to relieve some of the pressures often facing the teachers as well as the classroom situation as Mr. Tootoo rightly pointed out earlier, with the number of students in the classroom.
Mr. Speaker, we look forward to continuing the dialogue with Minister Kilabuk as well as the IDEA over the coming weeks of these and other issues with the Iqaluit Education Authority.
I want to point out Mr. Speaker very quickly that education councils in all of our communities are volunteer boards.
And these volunteer boards put in a lot of effort and time without much public fanfare.
I think I would like to take the opportunity for you in the House to join me not only to thank the Iqaluit Education Authority volunteers but all volunteers in Nunavut who put in so much time above and beyond the call of duty.
Mr. Speaker I don't recognize too many people from my community in the Legislative Assembly and it is a happy day when one or two of them show up.
Today I am blessed to have a close personal friend and Deputy Mayor of Baker Lake, Joe Niego.
Speaker: Welcome to the Gallery Joe.
Because I don't get too many opportunities to recognize visitors in the gallery, I like to take the opportunity any time I get a chance.
I would like to recognize Jeannie Ugluk from Taloyoak.
She is here escorting her child.
Although I have recognized the Manitoba delegation already, I would like to recognize them on behalf of the government.
Especially the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Jean Friesen and Eric Robinson.
Even though there is a session happening in the Manitoba legislature, they are here to meet with us.
So I am very happy.
They have been very supportive in our meetings and I am very appreciative of them being here.
I would also like to recognize their staff and welcome them back to Iqaluit.
I would like to recognize the basketball team from Arctic Bay.
They have been here for quite a while and I think they are leaving tomorrow.
I would like to welcome Manasie Kiluqisaq, Daryl Levi, Nathaniel Charinard, Japie Levi, Roland Tuktu, Tom Naqitarviq, Darren Ujukuluk, Peter Tapani, and Naisana Ejesiak.
I'd like to welcome them to the Gallery.
I've never had the opportunity to welcome non-native people.
So I would to take that opportunity for the first time.
I would like to welcome the Manitoba delegation to Iqaluit.
I am hoping they would consider the Baffin when they are building the grid line and the highway.
I know I was wondering if they could build a highway through the ocean.