EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
However, no matter what decision may be taken in the future, it is critical that the people of Sanikiluaq be fully consulted in the matter and have their say.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Premier and Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs questions on this issue.
Member’s Statement 018 – 4(3): Impact of Codeshare Agreement (Savikataaq)
I say “good day” to the people of Arviat who are watching the proceedings.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express the frustrations that my constituents in Arviat have been experiencing as a consequence of the new codesharing agreements between the airlines.
Mr. Speaker, the impact that this had had on airline service to Arviat has been extremely negative.
Service is down but prices remain high, despite the recent drop in the price of oil in this world.
Cargo service is plagued with problems, not just the cost but just the fact of getting the cargo, and the flight schedule to the community provides less choice to the public.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the Premier took the time to formally write to the airlines about the concerns that all of us in this House have been hearing.
The impact that the codesharing agreement has had on our own operations, such as medical travel, has been severe.
Mr. Speaker, I realize that the airlines are a business and that they have to make a profit to stay in business, but that does not mean that services should have to fall so far down that almost every airline customer in Nunavut speaks of a negative experience since the codesharing agreement has been implemented.
Member’s Statement 019 – 4(3): 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (Akoak)
Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, fellow MLAs. Good afternoon to Gjoa Haven-miut.
Before I begin my Member’s Statement, I wish to take a moment to congratulate Hunter Tootoo for his election as our new Member of Parliament.
I very much look forward to working with him on issues of concern.
I also want to take this opportunity to publicly thank Leona Aglukkaq for her years of service and achievements.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House about the 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, which was held earlier this month in Cambridge Bay.
For the second year in a row, I had the privilege of speaking to the delegates during their deliberations.
Mr. Speaker, a number of important issues were addressed during the annual general meeting and I look forward to tabling, at the appropriate time, copies of formal resolutions that were passed by delegates.
Mr. Speaker, a number of these resolutions address issues that were raised by elders, women, and youth from the Kitikmeot.
They address such topics as suicide prevention, homelessness, and language preservation.
Mr. Speaker, the issue of the codeshare agreement between the northern airlines was discussed in detail during the annual general meeting and is also the subject of one the resolutions that I will be tabling.
The codeshare agreement has had a very negative impact on the Kitikmeot.
Medical travel is just one of the areas that have been impacted by the codeshare agreement, and I will have questions for the appropriate minister at the appropriate time on this subject.
Member’s Statement 020 – 4(3): Appreciation of Cabinet Visit (Mikkungwak)
I say “good day” to the residents of Baker Lake and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say that on October 12, my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, and I was home for that day.
Just recently, on October 14, the Nunavut Premier and his staff were able to go to our community, as well as Minister Kuksuk and his staff.
After our spring sitting, I had extended an invitation to the Premier to come to our community of Baker Lake so that he could personally see the issues that I brought up. They had a meeting with the hamlet council.
I am very pleased that we have the largest population of elders in Baker Lake, and he was able to have a meeting with the elders group.
They were able to voice their concerns to the Premier personally. At that time, at the Martha Taliruq Centre, which is an elders facility, he was able to have a meeting with that group and he had an opportunity to view that centre and hear the concerns of the elders. Before they left for Chesterfield Inlet… .
When I was newly elected, I worked very hard on the subject of search and rescue.
He was able to have a meeting with the search and rescue group in Baker Lake and obviously, the concerns that were voiced were not only for search and rescue operations in Baker Lake but for all of Nunavut. I extend huge gratitude to the Premier for being able to come to our community.
Member for Uqqummiut, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak.
Member’s Statement 021 – 4(3): Grateful for First Grandson (Keyootak)
I am very proud to rise today to say that I just got my very first grandson, so we have further work to do on behalf of my grandson.
I also extend my love to my daughter.
Member for Aivilik, Mr. Steve Mapsalak.
Member’s Statement 022 – 4(3): Successful Bowhead Whale Hunt in Naujaat (Mapsalak)
I rise today to bring up an issue of the bowhead whale hunt that we had this summer.
The ice has finally left and we were finally able to catch a whale with Captain Paul Malliki.
They caught a whale and I am very proud that this whale was caught traditionally because the whaling gun didn’t work.
I would like my colleagues to join me in congratulating the residents of Naujaat on their successful bowhead whale hunt. The whale they caught was 48 feet long.
I would like my colleagues to join me in congratulating the people of Naujaat.
Member for Aggu, Mr. Paul Quassa.
Member’s Statement 023 – 4(3): Condolences to the Family of Thomas Kublu (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
I am very glad to see you again. I wish my fellow residents a good day.
I rise today to bring up the issue of Inuit elders. Those who know the traditional lifestyle of our ancestors are becoming very few.
We feel compassion when we lose an elder who knows the traditional lifestyle of Inuit.
We just recently lost an elder in Igloolik and we extend our condolences to his relatives.
He used to be a mayor in Igloolik, he was an instructor/teacher, and he also worked in the church and other voluntary positions.
Mr. Thomas Nutarariaq Kublu is from Igloolik, but he had many relatives in Pond Inlet.
This loss was great and I extend my condolences to his relatives.
Two people recently passed away in our community, so I would like to think of the people of Igloolik and Pond Inlet.
Our elders, who know the traditional lifestyle, are lowering in numbers, so I urge my colleagues to listen to their elders, to ask questions to them, and to seek their advice because they know a lot more than we do.
Return to Oral Question 007 – 4(3): Need for Improved Adult Basic Education (Clerk)
I wish to table a return to Oral Question 7 – 4(3), which was taken as notice during the June 2, 2015 sitting of the House.
Hon. Premier, Peter Taptuna.
I would like to recognize Nunavut Senator, Senator Dennis Patterson.
Welcome to the House. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I see Mr. Jim Bell sitting in the back over there. I’m sure we will be looking forward to an interesting editorial coming out from the paper.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t recognize my lovely assistant, Jessica Patterson, who I have been keeping quite busy lately.
Instead of watching the proceedings on TV, she took the privilege of attending in person today.
Speaker: Welcome to the gallery. (interpretation) Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.  Minister Okalik.
I would like to recognize one of my constituents, Thomas Rohner, across in the gallery there.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. I have no more names on my list.
Question 014 – 4(3): School Replacement for Coral Harbour (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, after one of the schools burnt down, some of my constituents in Coral Harbour became concerned about the proposed schools to be built in the community and the fact that they were delayed.
I would like to ask the minister about the prospective school in Coral Harbour. Is it really going to be delayed?
*See Appendix for full text of Return to Oral Question 7 – 4(3).
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Education, Hon. Minister Quassa.
I can say that the Coral Harbour school is in the preplanning stage. It is continuing and has not been stopped.
It is the first step and we are looking at the construction and it is still under the preplanning stage.
Can the minister tell me when the construction will start for the new Coral Harbour school?
Speaker: The Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Quassa.
As I stated earlier, it is still in the preplanning stage.
However, I can’t say right now when construction will start, but it’s in the preplanning stage.
We all know there are a high number of students in Coral Harbour and they are at 80 percent capacity.
The school is quite old there, but their new school is in the preplanning stage.
In regard to the question I had earlier, is the minister telling me that the prospective school for the Coral Harbour community has not been delayed and that construction will go ahead as scheduled?
As we are all aware, the schools for Coral Harbour and two other communities, following the increase in the number of students, we’re looking at those communities to get them into the preplanning stage.
I can say that it has been in the preplanning stage and that hasn’t been changed.
Member for Rankin Inlet-Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
Question 015 – 4(3): The Costs of Codeshare (Sammurtok, T)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as we are all well aware, the airline industry’s recent codeshare arrangement is having an alarming impact on travel and freight services both within and outside of Nunavut. The costs associated with medical travel and accommodation comprises one of the government’s single largest expense items and it seems clear that problems with the current codeshare arrangement must be adding to those costs.
I was pleased to note that the minister himself has raised concerns in this area.
(interpretation) Can the minister confirm (interpretation ends) whether or not his department is tracking and recording the number of times medical travel clients are unable to make it to their appointments or return home due to scheduling changes or the lack of seats as a result of the codeshare arrangement and how many extra nights of accommodation are being paid for as a result of the disruption in travel for medical clients and medical staff as a result of the codeshare arrangement?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Paul Okalik.
We are always keeping track of what’s happening with this issue. It has become apparent that what the airlines did has caused problems. However, we have been meeting with the airlines and we have been advising them as to how they could make improvements.
We will keep on doing that. We’re always looking for better solutions and always trying to advise the airlines.
We will keep on doing that, but they are independent businesses and do not always follow our suggestion.
Your first supplementary, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
I forgot to acknowledge my fellow residents of Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet and Nunavummiut.
Have a good day, everyone.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the negotiation of medical travel contracts is a longstanding issue. Yearly expenditures in this area represent over $40 million of the government’s overall budget.
Can the minister clarify whether his departmental officials have taken any recent steps to renegotiate the terms of those contracts, specifically taking into consideration the impacts of the codeshare arrangement?
This has been continuing for a number of years.
We will be opening up the contract for any other businesses that are interested in trying for the contract because the contract will be ending next year and we will be able to look into that again.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) It is quite clear that the current codeshare arrangement and the resulting lack of services is having a serious impact on the delivery of medical services to Nunavummiut, from disruptions in medical client and staff travel to delays in the transportation of laboratory samples for testing.
Will the minister commit to reviewing the additional financial burden that the codeshare arrangement is imposing on his department’s budget and sharing his findings with Members of this House and with officials from the federal government’s Non-Insured Health Benefits division?
The cost of patients’ airline tickets has not increased.
For that reason, this [summer], we extended the contract, but for this upcoming year, we will have to look at whether we have to send out an RFP for the contract. However, if we can get another private airline, I’m sure we can look into opening the contract.
We will continue work and meet with the airlines.
Question 016 – 4(3): Status of Decentralized Positions in Pond Inlet (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, before I ask my question, if you can give me the opportunity, I would like to remind my colleagues that as the Speaker said earlier, he will be out of town.
The Speaker’s position is very important. Please remember what he stated and make sure you respect me as the Speaker.
It’s just a reminder to everyone.
Mr. Speaker, I have some questions for the Minister of Transportation.
I have asked this question previously in the House and I have asked questions all year about the positions that had to become vacant or were dissolved in your department in my community. I think the minister is prepared to answer these questions.
This past summer, one of the positions advertised in the newspapers was for a transportation programs officer, which opened and closed this summer. It’s based in Pond Inlet.
The question I have about it is: what’s new with that position? Has it been filled?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I thank my colleague for asking questions about staffing.
To date, I haven’t checked into how the staffing is doing in other places.
I can say that I will get back to you or take it as notice and get back to you.
Question 017 – 4(3): Inuktitut-speaking Mental Health Workers (Keyootak)
The first question I have will be directed to the Department of Family Services.
Mr. Speaker, we are all aware that we have a big problem in our community and that is people that we lose to suicide.
There are so many of them and I know we all want to deal with it and put a stop to it, but we just can’t do so.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Family Services: do we have an Inuktitut-speaking mental health worker in Nunavut?
Some communities have Inuktitut-speaking social workers, but I’m not too sure how many counsellors there are who are bilingual.
There are 10 counsellors taking the social service program in Cambridge Bay and this program is a two-year course for social service workers.
I urge them to complete their training course because we lack social workers who can speak Inuktitut.
I’m talking about mental health workers because there are many people in Nunavut that want to get mental health counselling and they can’t speak English.
Some individuals think about suicide and they want to get counselling or mental health services, and I have seen people who approach me to ask for help. They tell me that there are no Inuktitut-speaking counsellors and they find Ottawa counsellors to help them.
Individuals want to speak their language in Inuktitut and they want to speak with counsellors in Nunavut.
There are Inuktitut-speaking counsellors in Ottawa who are stationed there.
Why are we not making any plans to have Inuktitut-speaking counsellors?
They say that Inuit have the highest rate of suicide and we have not even received the Inuktitut-speaking counsellors.
We don’t even have a mental health worker and there are many people in Nunavut, such as elders, who could be used at the local level.
Even though they don’t speak English, they can deal with life issues. We don’t necessarily have to go all the way down south when it’s very expensive to go down. There are patients that are required to travel down, even when we have many knowledge-holders who can counsel people.
I was wondering why there are no plans to have that kind of training program, not for social workers. I’m asking in regard to mental health workers.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleague for asking a question on this very serious issue.
The mental health workers are under the Department of Health.
For social services, I can tell my officials to extend an invitation to meet with this men’s group and look at ways of how we can resolve some issues.
I know that the Department of Family Services knows, when there are families that want help, there are no counsellors that are geared towards men’s issues.
For mental health, it is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and I am willing to work closely with the responsible minister.
Perhaps it is time to start planning to have a healing centre in Nunavut. Is that within your department to have a healing centre in Nunavut?
The number of people receiving counselling out of the territory is increasing.
Back in the 1980s and early 1990s, there were over 1,000 people going out of the territory.
Some people who leave the territory for counselling services have never come back to the territory.
In order to get social and counselling services done properly, does your department have any plans of getting some kind of healing centres in the north?
Yes, we are now considering how we can provide more support in Nunavut.
We are looking at ways to provide support within the Department of Family Services.
As a government, we have to treat everyone equally, whether you’re a man, a child, a female, or a young person.
The family services department is quite new. We are now settling down and I expect that we can do it some time in the future.
That is how I can respond to the member’s question, Mr. Speaker.
Question 018 – 4(3): Federal-Territorial Relations (Angnakak)
Less than 48 hours ago, the people of Canada elected a new national government with a clear mandate for change. I would also like to take this time to thank Leona Aglukkaq for her hard work and also to congratulate Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Can the Premier indicate when he expects to have his first meeting with our new Prime Minister?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Premier, Mr. Taptuna.
Mr. Speaker, as soon as the new Prime Minister is sworn in, I will be contacting my staff and officials to see if there can be a schedule in there to talk about.
Of course, in my Minister’s Statement, I indicated that we do have an agenda in Nunavut. There are a lot of issues that we face here in Nunavut, a lot of infrastructure deficit, and the list goes on.
I’m sure, once the new Prime Minister is sworn in and the cabinet has been selected, there will be opportunities for me to visit the new Prime Minister and discuss our Nunavut issues.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for his response.
It’s very important, I think, that we hold the federal government to its promises regardless of what political party is in office.
The Premier mentioned the infrastructure projects that we want in Nunavut, but I would like to formally say that I would like him to be seeking a formal commitment, I think, from Ottawa that the planned new marine infrastructure facilities in Iqaluit and Pond Inlet will go ahead as planned.
When I do visit our capital city of Canada, I do ask for commitments and I’ll certainly be doing that at my first visit down to Ottawa.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Premier for his commitment to be talking about the infrastructure needs of Nunavut.
In my Member’s Statement today, I talked about the responsibilities of the national government in ensuring that essential services are available to Canadians citizens living north of 60, including affordable and accessible air services.
Will the Premier commit to raising this issue when he meets with the Prime Minister?
Certainly I will be bringing up these issues that we face.
Airline transportation in Nunavut is an essential service. There is no connection between our 25 communities. It is essential and I’ll be certainly bringing that out.
Question 019 – 4(3): Energy Initiatives (Hickes)
As this House is well aware, one of the issues that I have raised on many occasions and will continue to raise is the need for Nunavut to end its addiction to burning fossil fuels.
In July of this year, the governments of Yukon, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Quebec, and Newfoundland announced the establishment of a pan-Canadian task force to reduce the use of diesel fuel to generate electricity in remote communities.
Mr. Speaker, our territory consists of 25 remote communities, all of which are powered by diesel generators.
Can the minister explain why Nunavut was not included in this announcement?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Energy, Ms. Monica Ell-Kanayuk.
In regard to this issue, I believe they were down there in August. I was unable to attend the meeting because I had other commitments. I believe I could have sent an official to that meeting.
However, they have the pan-Canadian task force that was established.
Our communities are powered by diesel generators and we all want to come up with ways that we can reduce our dependence on diesel fuel and we will continue to work on that.
One of the objectives of this task force is to, and I quote from the media, “examine approaches that are currently being used or considered for eliminating the use of diesel in remote communities, including grid connection or alternative energy solutions.”
Mr. Speaker, my colleagues from the Kivalliq have been raising the issue of connecting to Manitoba’s power grid for some time and the minister is well aware of the potential for hydro power near Iqaluit.
Can the minister indicate how the Government of Nunavut plans to contribute to the important work of this national task force?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Energy, Ms. Ell-Kanayuk.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would also just like to clarify that I was at that energy and mines ministers’ conference in Halifax. Our name just did not get on the document at that time and several staff were with me when we were in Halifax and we did have these discussions.
(interpretation) Be that as it may, there will be many issues discussed at this task force.
When we have remote communities using diesel, I know that we can’t be taking part in the grid connection.
We have no highways in the High Arctic. Our strategizing is quite unique from the other Canadian jurisdictions on how to reduce our use of fossil fuels when we live in remote communities.
We will be working on how we can use pilot projects or if we can take part in the pilot projects. We will have to come to a decision on how we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and we will start discussions on those.
That’s a very encouraging response from the minister.
I look forward to seeing a lot of progress from this task force.
Keeping in the theme of the day, with the new government that has just been elected at a national level, when the minister’s federal counterpart is named, I’m wondering if the minister could indicate what her top priorities will be when she meets her new federal counterpart.
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that question.
As you know, we are in remote communities. Every community in Nunavut is dependent on diesel fuel. Our discussions will have to be on how we can move forward on reducing our use of diesel fuel in Nunavut.