EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
310 – 1(5): Commercial Clam Diving in Qikiqtarjuaq (Iqaqrialu) 4
311 - 1(5): Docking Facilities for Baker Lake (McLean) 4
312 - 1(5): Activities for Restorative Justice Month in Nunavut (Williams) 4
313 - 1(5): Group Home for Kugluktuk (Havioyak) 4
314 - 1(5): Construction of a New Home for the Disabled in Chesterfield Inlet (Arvaluk) 4
315 - 1(5): New Health Boarding Home for Winnipeg (McLean) 4
316 – 1(5): Unsafe Location of Dump in Taloyoak (Puqiqnak) 4
317 - 1(5): Public Housing, Staff Housing and Rent (Iqaqrialu) 4
318 - 1(5): Increasing the Minimum Wage in Nunavut (McLean) 4
048 - 1(5): Briefing Note from Hamlet of Kugaaruk (Alakannuark) 4
Bill 12 – Appropriation Act No. 1, 2002/2003 - Consideration in Committee 4
Thursday November 22, 2001  Nunavut Hansard
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. Alakannuark to say the opening prayer.
Speaker: Ulluukkut, good afternoon Mr. Premier, Members.
Minister's Statement 106 - 1(5): Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grants & Librarian Training
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our library and technical support staff who participated in the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation training held recently in Iqaluit.
I would also like to thank the Gates Foundation for their support of life long learning in Nunavut, which as you know Mr. Speaker, is a cornerstone of the Bathurst Mandate.
Mr. Speaker, the librarians have returned to their home communities armed with new skills to both set up their new computers and help the public to use them to access information resources from software on the computers and from the internet.
Mr. Speaker, the Gates Foundation grant was meant to be a catalyst to assist librarians to provide further opportunities for Nunavummiut through free computer and Internet access.
The training also empowered librarians to increase the variety and quality of resources they offer to the community.
(interpretation ends) The Gates Foundation grant Mr. Speaker, was for 486 thousand dollars and was used to purchase customized hardware consisting of 27 computers and two travelling labs, each with 11 laptops.
Mr. Speaker, to ensure the library could handle the new equipment, all participating libraries had electrical and networking wiring upgraded.
Mr. Speaker, Microsoft Canada has also donated 125 thousand dollars in software.
The Foundation provided the necessary training and in addition, the Foundation will provide online technical support for one year.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge Nunavut's librarians and technical support staff and to further state that the Department of Education will continue to operate libraries with ever increasing resources.
Minister's Statement 107 - 1(5): Minister Develops New Homeowner Program
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give the members an update on our progress on creating a new program for homeownership clients in Nunavut, the Tenant to Owner Program, TOP.
Currently, the Nunavut Housing Corporation offers the Nunavut Downpayment Assistance Program, NDAP.
NDAP provides eligible clients with grants of 15 thousand dollars to purchase a pre-owned home.
Twenty five thousand is available for clients who purchase a new home.
To date over 19 Nunavummiut are clients under this program.
Mr. Speaker, although I am pleased with the interest shown in NDAP, we must do more to assist Nunavummiut to own their own homes.  The objective of TOP is to assist Nunavummiut who are ready to become homeowners.
TOP will allow these clients to purchase their public housing units, their homes. The Housing Corporation will replace the public housing units. The public housing portfolio will receive a new unit for every one that is sold.
I am pleased to report to members that the idea of this program has been very well received by all stakeholders.
Mr. Speaker, a draft of TOP has been reviewed by the Housing Managers of our Local Housing Organizations, their comments have been included in the newest draft of the program.
This newest draft has been sent to the staff and the Board of Directors of our housing partners for a final review and comments.
I will be discussing the newest draft of the Tenant to Owner Program with the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development over the next couple of months.
Mr. Speaker, I expect this exciting new homeownership program to be in place for April 1, 2002.
Minister's Statement 108 - 1(5): Earth Summit Meeting in Iqaluit
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Qujannamiik, Uqaqti.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform you of two very important meetings that are being held in Iqaluit in preparation for Earth Summit 2002.
These meetings are part of the consultation process that includes all jurisdictions in Canada and it is being led by the Canadian Secretariat for Earth Summit 2002.
On Thursday afternoon, officials from the Government of Nunavut will be meeting with the Secretariat and on Friday an all day workshop will be held with representatives from the Secretariat and the public, non-governmental organizations, designated Inuit organizations and industry.
Input from these activities will be used to develop a status report for Canada, which in turn will be presented at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa in the fall of 2002.
Mr. Speaker, let me provide you with some background on the Earth Summit.
In 1992, the global community came together in Rio De Janeiro and committed to address three major issues, 1) how to mitigate and/or halt the effects of global warming, 2) environmental protection in general and, 3) the concept of sustainable development.
The Earth Summit 2002 will facilitate discussions and review the status of the implementation of decisions and promises that were made at the Rio De Janeiro Summit.
All jurisdictions in Canada, including Nunavut, have been invited to participate in the Earth 2002 Summit.
My department will be working very closely with the Earth Summit Secretariat over the next few months to ensure that Nunavut's views and concerns are heard.
Item 3. Members' Statements.
Member's Statement 299 - 1(5): Kugluktuk Residents Desire Local Group Home
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express a concern that has been growing in my community for some time now.
Currently there are a number of people in my community who are residing in group homes outside of Kugluktuk and in some cases, Nunavut facilities.
Many of them have said at one point or another that the best way to care for these members of our community, especially our children, is to provide the services that they need within our home communities.
Mr. Speaker, by removing people or children from the community, nobody learns to solve problems or deal with specific problems that come up at the community level.
Taking people away from their home community and putting them into group homes somewhere else is not a real solution.
When these people come home they face the same kind of situation they left and often this then leads to repetition of the same community problems.
While we currently do have a couple of individuals in my community who deal very well with their placements, they are very overcrowded and this puts great demands on the foster parents.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that the community based group home is the way to go and my constituents also believe strongly in this solution.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, a building has been identified in my community that could be used for such a facility.
After many invitations, I was pleased that the Minister of Health and Social Services visited the community this fall and one of the items on the agenda was the review of the viability of this project.
I fully support the idea of having a group home in the community where those individuals can be close to their relatives and families and can work together towards solving problems.
Mr. Speaker, the residents of Kugluktuk are impatient to move forward with this proposal.
I urge the Minister of Health and Social Services to respond to them in a favourable and timely manner.
Member's Statement 300 - 1(5):Fishery Project for Gjoa Haven
Mr. Speaker, I rise today regarding the great potential for fisheries in Gjoa Haven.
I was pleased to hear the minister's statement yesterday with respect to the developments in the turbot fishery here in Nunavut.
This shows that some good work is being done to build our economy.
Mr. Speaker, there is great potential in Gjoa Haven as well.
Gjoa Haven has plentiful stocks of Arctic Char which are not being exploited to the best advantage.
In the past, freezers were purchased for the community by the GNWT that were never used.
There is an opportunity for the development of a fish plant in Gjoa Haven that will allow us to use these resources.
Not only would it mean using idle resources, it would also create jobs and lead to greater prosperity.
This summer, a report was prepared for the Kitikmeot on the potential for a fishery in the Gjoa Haven area.
That, study which was commissioned by the Department of Sustainable Development, is now complete and in the hands of the department.
I strongly urge the department to use this study to examine economic development opportunities and to work with the community on this project.
Member's Statement 301 - 1(5): Elders' Dream - Masters in Our Own Land
Mr. Speaker, our elders in Nunavut have paved the way to the realization of an ancient dream of mankind, being our own masters in our own land, which was realized when we celebrated April 1, 1999, Nunavut Day.
Mr. Speaker, the ultimate test is now to prepare the youth for the future role of leadership.
Through hardship and difficulties, what was once called a vast wasteland was conquered by our elders and is now called Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, we have much to be thankful for from our elders.
They have delivered us to the present and our youth, who will take us to the next step, the healthy, educated, working and economically self-sufficient Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, and honourable colleagues, please join me in recognizing our heart and soul, the elders and youth.
During question period I will raise questions regarding this item.
Member's Statement 302 - 1(5): St. Theresa's Home Contract Expiry
Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents in Chesterfield Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, the contract with Health and Social Services for residential facilities and care services at the Saint Theresa Home ends on March 20, 2002.
There is deep concern and uncertainty in the community about the long-term future of the home.
Between 25 and 30 people are employed at the home, the majority of whom are women.
The loss of these jobs would be devastating for the community.
The home has a long and distinguished record of providing care to Inuit.
It would be a profound tragedy to see the end of such a facility in Nunavut, where the care provided is in keeping with our culture.
Their work has been ongoing for decades.
Mr. Speaker, we know that there are Inuit living in long-term care facilities in southern Canada.
We need to make efforts to have them here.
(interpretation ends) The Chesterfield Inlet Development Corporation, in partnership with Tapiriit, has responded to the department's request for proposals with an innovative and positive proposal.
We have not yet heard what decision the department will make, and I urge the minister to act with the best interests of the patients and the community in mind.
Member's Statement 303 - 1(5): Recognition of Nunavut Volunteers
I rise today to express my appreciation to the volunteers of Nunavut.
There are volunteers in each community that coach hockey games, referee sports and we also see a lot of volunteers in the schools and throughout the communities there are volunteers that work in different areas.
(interpretation ends) They do this from the goodness of their hearts.
This being the International Year of the Volunteer I would like to, as I mentioned earlier, recognize all the volunteers.
However, I’d just like to focus on a group I had an opportunity to meet last night and those volunteers who put their efforts to making life better for little girls.
Those are the volunteers that look after girl guides.
Last night I had the opportunity to see some of them in action as they were getting some of the little girls to become girl guides.
I think we have to understand that these people give up their free time because they’re dedicated to helping others.
I wanted to make sure that we recognize those efforts.
To finalize this comment I would like to inform all the members that I have some Girl Guide cookies that all of you are welcome to come and buy from our office.
Members’ Statements. Members’ Statement. Ms. Thompson.
Member’s Statement 304 - 1(5): Selection of Jordan Tootoo to the NHL
They can buy the cookies in Mr. Anawak’s office and eat them in my office.
Mr. Speaker in June, during the National Hockey League’s annual entry draft, the Nashville Predators chose as their first pick in the fourth round and ninety eighth overall in the world, Mr. Jordan Tootoo of the Brandon Wheat Kings.
And Mr. Speaker, and listen to this, and from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jordan on his selection as the first Nunavummiut to be selected by the National Hockey League.
We are all extremely proud of his achievement and the dedication and hard work and the desire Jordan has demonstrated in pursuit of his life long dream to play in the National Hockey League.
I join with all Nunavummiut to wish him all the best in his pursuit of a professional hockey career.
I look forward to Hockey Night in Canada announcer Bob Cole announcing for the first time in the very near future, Nashville Predators goal scored by number 22 Jordan Tootoo.
A feature article on Jordan and his family can be found in the December issue of Esquire Magazine.
Also I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jordan’s older brother Terrance Tootoo who after a stellar Junior A career with the OCM Blizzards in The Pas, Manitoba where he won three consecutive provincial junior championships, recently signed his first professional hockey contract with the Royal Nokis Express of the East Coast Hockey League.
Mr. Speaker, there are many more hockey players from my riding of Rankin Inlet plying their trade in the competitive hockey of southern Canada with dreams and hopes of a professional career or the bonus of a fine education.
Dusty McDonald is playing goal for the Notre Dame Hounds, a Triple A midget team in Saskatchewan and is on the protected list of the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League.
Carls Tattuinee is playing junior B in Winnipeg while attending university.
Troy Arsarniq is also playing junior B hockey in Norway House, Manitoba with the Karetak twins Robert and Charlie.
And finally, Mr. Speaker, Paul Kimmiq is playing triple A midgets in Thompson, Manitoba with Norman North Stars.
We’re all very proud of the accomplishments of these young athletes and we would like to compliment them on their efforts.
They are very important role models for all youth that are Nunavummiut.
Member's Statement 305 - 1(5): Transportation Crisis in the High Arctic & North Baffin
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to alert Members of the Legislative Assembly about the transportation crisis that is affecting the High Arctic.
Earlier this week, I spoke about the need for our government to address the environmental and economic challenges facing the High Arctic as a consequence of the pending closure of the Nanisivik mine.
Today, I want to speak about the need to address the transportation crisis that is affecting not only the three communities in my constituency, but our neighbours in Pond Inlet, Igloolik and Hall Beach.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this summer, I wrote to the Minister of Community Government and Transportation to impress upon him the need for the government to take action in response to the steady stream of cut-backs to air service in the High Arctic and north Baffin.
(interpretation) We are now in a situation where the residents in our communities no longer have regular air service within the region.
The latest blow was the cancellation last month of the flight between Resolute, Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet.
The pending closure of Nanisivik will likely mean the end of jet service from the High Arctic to Iqaluit.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, it's outrageous that a resident of Arctic Bay now has to first fly to Iqaluit in order to travel to Pond Inlet.
When Kenn Borek flew between the two communities, it was affordable.
Today, I personally know of families who have to spend thousands of dollars to make the same journey.
Mr. Speaker, the infrastructure in Arctic Bay is totally inadequate.
There is not even a building in which families can shelter from the cold while waiting for their flight at the little airstrip in Arctic Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the five-year capital plan projects new airport development in Arctic Bay, but work is not scheduled to begin until the 2004-2005 fiscal year.
With the early closure of the mine, it is essential that work be moved up.
Mr. Speaker, Pond Inlet has put forward a strategic plan to address the air transport needs of the High Arctic and north Baffin.
I urge the government to consider it seriously.
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to finish my statement.
Mr. Speaker, a territory with our uniquely challenging geography means that we are highly dependent on air travel.
Nunavummiut deserve to have access to safe, reliable, regular and affordable transport.
Member's Statement 306 - 1(5): Need for Infrastructure Upgrades in Nunavut
The people in Nunavut, wanted to have the infrastructure in the communities upgraded when we were with the NWT, but with the Government of Nunavut this has not happened.
I realize there is not enough funding for all the upgrades required for various infrastructure in the communities, but it is still the same as it was in the past.
When we do the five year capital planning, we will probably put those things in place, to try and priorize the communities that are not in the five year plan as of yet.
The most important ones I can think of that we need are not in the plans because there is inadequate funding in the Government of Nunavut.
Things such as community halls for the young people, gymnasiums that young people can use, those are the items that we would like priorized by the Government of Nunavut.
We feel that those items such as arenas, gyms and community halls are very important for the young people especially in the communities.
These things I would like the government to consider.
Perhaps the Minister of Finance could consider my statement and the government could get these types of infrastructure started as soon as possible.
Member's Statement 307 - 1(5): Community Letter of Support for St. Theresa Home
I have a letter from my community.
It is in support of Saint Theresa's Hospital in Chesterfield Inlet.
There are people that go down south from my community with mental and physical disabilities and we have wanted to hear from those people but are not able to contact them because there is no facility here in Nunavut.
These people have disabilities and there is no adequate facility to house them.
There is the Saint Theresa's Hospital and we would be in support of it not closing down so there would be a place here in Nunavut for those people.
Member's Statement 308 - 1(5): Sanikiluaq Publication on the Environment
I am going to speak about the environment Mr. Speaker.
I have never talked about the environment before even though there are papers passed out to the members on this subject, so I would like to talk today about the weather and the environment in my community.
It is a concern that we have as people living in the north.
There is a book here about the environment and we did the book because we were concerned about the blockage of rivers and the environment being damaged surrounding our communities.
Especially because we live on an island, we have a great concern, as we know that mining and oil companies want to do development around our community.
It is a great concern for the people of Sanikiluaq.
I would like to say in this House that this is a concern for my community of Sanikiluaq and this book talks about the different and unique kinds of food that we have to sustain ourselves from the environment.
We don't want our food source to be damaged by these developments.
This is good reading material and I would like all the Members of the Legislative Assembly to have a copy of it.
The concern that our people in Sanikiluaq have is that the water system might flood because of actions taken in Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario, and damage our food sources.
Some of the communities have been involved in developing this book.
I would like to seek consent to conclude my statement Mr. Speaker.
There are many communities that were involved in developing this book.
From Repulse Bay to James Bay and Kimmirut, people have been involved in this environmental study that was done.
I will be speaking to that again on behalf of the people of Sanikiluaq.
Member's Statement 309 - 1(5): Heating Fuel Donated by Uqsuq to the Homeless Shelter
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the involvement of Scott Cooper and his team at Uqsuq Oil, who are helping to provide home heating oil for the homeless shelter here in Iqaluit, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, they are providing this heating oil at no cost to the shelter.
Mr. Speaker, this involvement will help alleviate some of the monetary pressure on the facility and it will also at the same time ensure a warm place for the homeless here in Iqaluit this coming winter.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you and this House join with me in thanking Mr. Cooper and Uqsuq Oil for their generosity and support to the homeless shelter.
Mr. McLean, since you are the last on the list we will give you another two and a half seconds.
Member's Statement 310 - 1(5): Jonah Amitnaaq High School Graduation
Mr. McLean: Uqaqti, earlier this spring, the final graduating class from the old Jonah Amitnaaq School in Baker Lake rose to receive their diplomas at one of the most moving ceremonies that I can recall in quite some time.
In the presence of the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, four exceptional young people took a major step forward in their lives.
Janine Bodner is a young scholar who earned the prestigious Governor General's award for academic excellence.
She is presently enrolled in university in Manitoba.
Bradley Hart has entered the tough but rewarding private sector.
He is working in his family's tourism enterprise - a sector of our economy where we need young people with vision, drive and determination.
Nathan Annanowt is also an aspiring businessperson.
His energy will take him far in a community where we value highly the entrepreneurial spirit.
Richard Pudnak is planning on starting a career as a Renewable Resources Officer.
His love of the land is a quality that we need to ensure is in the people entrusted to protecting our environment for future generations.
This quality is one that he inherited from his parents.
Uqaqti, it's no secret that the community has been vocal for the past two and a half years about the need to replace the old Jonah Amitnaaq facility with a school that will serve the needs of young Qammanittuammiut in the 21st century.
It was a joyous day indeed when the government finally, finally saw the light and made the decision to invest in the future.
Uqaqti, it was a bittersweet moment during the summer when the old school began to get torn down.
More than a few tears were shed as generations of memories passed before our eyes.
However, there will be no tears shed for the appalling and dangerous conditions under which teachers and students were forced to work for too many years.