EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We need to strengthen our education system, and help our youth achieve their full potential.
Mr. Speaker, these graduates will also inspire other students to complete their high school education.
I ask them to encourage other students to continue to work hard towards this goal.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating this year’s Grise Fiord graduates.
Members’ Statements. Member from Kugluktuk, Joe Allen Evyagotailak
Member’s Statement 230 – 2(3): Medical Travel Escorts and Airline Services (Evyagotailak)
I am pleased to be back in the House this week in order to raise concerns on behalf of my constituents in Kugluktuk.
I would first like to note the community’s appreciation for the condolences that we received following our recent tragedy.
I know that the families appreciate this.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am committed to hearing directly from my constituents.
Last month, I held a public meeting in Kugluktuk to hear their concerns.
Some of the issues that were raised with me included the concerns surrounding medical escorts, bird flu, and the airline service.
Mr. Speaker, a number of my colleagues have raised the issue of medical escorts.
In Kugluktuk, people are also concerned about unilingual Inuinnaqtun elders going to Yellowknife or Edmonton without having escorts.
I am committed to raise this issue with the minister.
Mr. Speaker, during our last sitting, I raised the issue of our airline service in Kugluktuk. I noted that the government recently introduced a Fuel Tax Rebate Program to attract more mining exploration and development activity in Nunavut.
I look forward to hearing an update from the Minster responsible for Transportation as to what can be done to encourage more air carriers to serve our smaller communities.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to a productive sitting this month.
Members’ Statements. Mr. Mapsalak.
Member’s Statement 231 – 2(3): Repulse Bay Fishing Derby (Mapsalak)
I rise today to congratulate the people who worked extremely hard in Repulse Bay in regard to the fishing derby.
I am not going to naming them all, but I will also not be naming the names of the people who won in the fishing derby because it is going to take too long.
I would like to congratulate the people who did an excellent job in organizing the fishing derby and I think there is $30,000 that was given to the people who won in that fishing derby.
I would like to congratulate the individual who won and I would also like to say that I did participate in the fishing derby and I am very pleased that I was able to go back home without getting snow blind.
It is an annual event with me and this is the first spring that I did not get snow blindness, and I was able to go home in one piece.
I think, last year, I came here in the spring, and could hardly see.
I would like to congratulate the individuals and the volunteers who put together that annual event, and it was a joyful event for all the families participating.
Again, I congratulate the people who put this event together.
Members’ Statements. Member for Rankin Inlet North, Mr. Curley.
Member’s Statement 232 – 2(3): Congratulate Rankin Inlet Elementary School Students (Curley)
I rise today because of course we congratulate a lot of people and we are very proud of the elementary schools.
I would like to enjoy this event with the people of Nunavut.
Starting from kindergarten to grade five we are very proud of the elementary school students, especially the parents, the grandparents, and relatives.
In Rankin Inlet there is an award for elementary school students and it’s in remembrance to Heather Solomon, who was a teacher in Rankin Inlet.
On behalf of Sally and me, we would like to congratulate an individual who worked extremely hard and joyfully participated.
Our grandchild, Meagan Netser got the Heather Solomon Award.
She also got a bicycle. Be proud and congratulate your children and your grandchild.
For your information we only have one page in the House. Our page will not be able to go the second or third floor at this time. For your information we only have one page available.
Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, Ms. Levinia Brown.
Member’s Statement 233 – 2(3): Congratulations to Whale Cove Graduates (Brown)
I rise today to congratulate the graduates in Whale Cove.
As you know, I represent Whale Cove.
This is the second year that Whale Cove has had graduates. Last year was the very first time that they had graduates, and this is the second year.
In Inuglak School there were three graduates who are very young, and were born around 1986-87. They completed their Grade 12.
I would like to congratulate Germaine Ikualaaq, Rachel Panika, and Levinia Voisey. They are the three graduates.
Also I would like to thank the individuals who participated in the event: Mayor Sandy Adjun, from NTI, Raymond Ningeocheak, and Nancy Karetak-Lindell, who is our Nunavut MP.
It was a beautiful day and the school was elaborately decorated.
We celebrated this event with the parents of the graduates and I’m sure that the whole community of Whale Cove also congratulates these individuals.
Members’ Statements. Member for Arviat, Mr. Alagalak.
Member’s Statement 234 – 2(3): Arviat Kindergarten Graduates (Alagalak)
I am very pleased to congratulate the children from Arviat.
I am very happy that things are starting to grow and the earth is starting to grow its vegetation.
It is going to turn green and it is going to be very scenic out there of which I am very pleased, but I would like to tell you that in Arviat, as you know the kind of terrain we have, but I apologize that we can’t grow any mountains or cliffs in our area. We have no high mountains.
The one thing that I am very pleased about is that five and six year olds, the kindergarten students, have celebrated and held their graduation ceremony and have been promoted to grade 1.
My grandchild Lacrecia Flynne, who is named after Niviksarnaaq, was the grandmother of many people, was one of these graduates.
She was the first woman in the north to sew with a sewing machine to make dresses and she was one of the very first people to start selling clothing using a sewing machine back in the 1900s.
She had a manual sewing machine and my grandchild is named after her. I was very happy and I know that she will never forget that.
It will encourage her to stay in school and complete her schooling, especially for those kindergarten students who graduated this year.
Members’ Statements. Minister Akesuk
Member’s Statement 235 – 2(3): Congratulations to Cape Dorset Graduates (Akesuk)
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Tonight in Cape Dorset there will be a graduation ceremony at the Peter Pitseolak School. The ceremony will start at five o’clock p.m. The graduation ceremony will start at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
The students who will be graduating are: Helena Workman, Joe Salamonie, Pitseolak Toonoo, Jesse Toonoo, Evie Pootoogoo, Margaret Hutchings and Arnirniq Oshoweetok.
These are the graduating students today and I am very proud of them. I would like to congratulate them along with their parents and teachers. I would like to thank them for providing them support.
Members’ Statements. Member for Cambridge Bay, Mr. Peterson.
Member’s Statement 236 – 2(3): Nunavut Association of Municipalities Annual General Meeting Resolutions (Peterson)
I rise today to inform the House about the successful Annual General Meeting of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities that was held in Cambridge Bay last month from May 6 to 8.
Mr. Speaker, as members are aware, NAM is a Nunavut-wide organization composed of the territory’s elected mayors.
Mr. Speaker, through the mayors, NAM represents the interests of 31,000 Nunavummiut.
NAM plays an important role in advocating on behalf of Nunavummiut at the territorial and national levels.
Mr. Speaker, NAM has a seat on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Board of Directors.
FCM is the national organization that represents all Canadian municipalities.
Our membership here helps to amplify the voice of Nunavut’s communities.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, the President of FCM, Ms. Gloria Kovatch, attended the AGM last month as keynote speaker.
She told me that she was very honoured to be able to come to Nunavut for the AGM.
Mr. Speaker, the mayors took the opportunity to raise many issues and concerns with the Minister of CGS and her officials.
It was important for the minister to attend and hear first hand from the mayors.
Often, mayors feel that the GN does not want to hear from them.
Mr. Speaker, the senior levels of government must not forget that the mayors and councillors and municipal staff are on the frontlines each day trying to make their communities better places to live.
It has been said many times before, and I’ll say it again, “They are being asked to do more with les.”
We owe it to them to support and listen to them.
Mr. Speaker, as with every AGM, the mayors passed a number of important resolutions.
Later in this Session, I will be tabling them for the ministers and their staff to review and take action on as required.
I encourage the Government of Nunavut to pay particular attention to the resolution entitled, ‘Resource Revenue Sharing Framework for Nunavut Communities.’
Mr. Speaker, in closing I would like the House to join me in congratulating Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik on being elected the new NAM President. Joining her on the NAM Board of Directors are: Elizabeth Copeland as Vice-President; Michelle Gillis from the Kitikmeot; Lootie Toomasie from Baffin; and Stanley Adjuk from the Kivalliq.
We wish them all the best in their positions.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Peterson.
Members’ Statements. Member of Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Tootoo
Member’s Statement 237 – 2(3): Tribute to Inuksuk High School Graduates (Tootoo)
I would like to arrive to today and acknowledge and pay tribute to 32 young individuals that graduated from Inuksuk High school this year.
They had the Graduation Ceremonies on June 3, 2006.
The heading for their graduation was called Remember- This is where our lives begin.
It was a great ceremony I had the honour of attending, along with my other two colleagues from Iqaluit; the Minister of Education Mr. Picco and our Premier were all in attendance. It was nice to see a lot of proud parents and students.
As I said yesterday, I was relieved. I think that was the word that could describe how the students and some of the parents felt after that graduation.
Another thing that I would like to note on that that there was actually the tribute and dedication to the parents was a trilingual affair; there was Lily Maniapik, Lisa Kolola, and Maude Giroux-Cote; one did it in English; in Inuktitut; and one did it in French.
I thought that was something that was really unique.
Also I would like to congratulate the two valedictorians; Loren Teiman, and Matthew Jewis. They did a nice speech, although I think they were a little bit nervous when they were up there standing in front of everybody.
Also I would like to acknowledge that I had a nephew graduate; Anthony Tootoo, and a cousin, Darren Irniq that graduated. I would like to congratulate them on that.
I look forward, and I’m sure as all of us do to a higher number of graduates. This year there were 32 graduates.
I think if you look at the dark side of it, I mean that’s a good thing, but we have a 75 percent drop out rate; there are 96 students that didn’t make it there. I hope that as time goes on we see that drop and those numbers increase.
Again, I ask all members to join me in congratulating the 32 graduates of the Class of 2006 at Inuksuk High School this year.
We congratulate them.
Member for Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Netser.
Member’s Statement 238 – 2(3): Tribute to Jobie Nutarak (Netser)
Hon. Patterk Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to remember our late Speaker Jobie Nutarak and pay a tribute to him.
I was his Deputy Speaker. Even though he would look to me and say, “Oh, my Deputy Speaker,” in Inuktitut meaning smaller speaker, and say, “Me.”
He was always eager to work and he was very proud to do his work. I think only once that I took over for him as the Deputy Speaker.
Even though I was very interested in sitting at the Speaker’s chair, but he enjoyed his job so well and he rarely got sick. He was very healthy, which I was not too pleased because I wanted to sit in that throne.
Even though he was a small human being he left a huge legacy behind. We will think about him during this meeting.
Yes, we all feel your comments.
Members’ Statements. Member for Igloolik, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Member’s Statement 239 – 2(3): Broadcasting of House Proceedings (Tapardjuk)
We have the most number of students graduating in Igloolik. Perhaps I will probably congratulate them after I attend the ceremony.
I would like to also say how I’m thinking about our late Speaker.
I would like to state again that when you’re a Member of the Legislative Assembly, our constituents are always proud of us.
To date, during the Session, when our proceedings are not televised yet, even though Aboriginal Television should be airing to Nunavummiut, we are aired through the local television in Iqaluit, but we should be broadcasted throughout the whole of Nunavut because the public out there would like to hear us.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge all of us to start broadcasting our proceedings again because we are Canadians.
All of the Canadians have their rights to listen to their elected officials during their deliberations because we need to make our constituents be aware of our proceedings and to make sure that they at least understand what’s happening with it. So we have to be open to the public.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the staff of the Legislative Assembly to start working harder on broadcasting our proceedings before the session or before our term is over.
Member’s Statement 240 – 2(3): Congratulate Sanikiluaq Graduates (Kattuk)
You will have to excuse me, my voice is a bit hoarse yet I don’t know why.
First of all, perhaps, I would like to state that when I called home yesterday my son, who is 12 years old, he said to me, “Father, we have no more ice. We can now go boating in our community.” And I expect to stay here for another whole week.
I would like to congratulate the students from the school in Sanikiluaq. On May 31 we had a graduation ceremony. I would like to congratulate Mr. Picco for coming down to Sanikiluaq to attend the graduation ceremony.
The students that graduated are: Martha Kitoosuk, Sarah Kudluarok, Caroline Meeko.
So we were all so proud to see them graduate and also the parents were there to congratulate those children. I would like to acknowledge the parents of the students who were providing support to their children to complete or to graduate.
Item 4. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation) Item 5.
I have an opportunity to recognize visitors in the Gallery. I would like to recognize first of all my older brother Allen and his wife Pitsiula Kilabuk.
They are here in the Gallery, welcome to the Gallery.
And to the left I would also like to welcome, my almost brother-in-law Joe Inuk.
I would also like to welcome Eva Onalik.
Item 6. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions. (interpretation) Member for Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Tootoo.
Question 279 – 2(3): Health Care Coverage for Students Outside the Territory (Tootoo)
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, on March 14, during our last sitting I asked the minister about students being covered for healthcare when they leave the territory and she had indicated at that time that if a person moved for whatever reason that they have to apply for coverage from that particular province.
My question for the minister is: does the Department of Health provide any assistance or information to notify those students that their healthcare coverage for Nunavut would expire and that they have to apply to that other jurisdiction that they’re going to?
Minister for Health, Ms. Aglukkaq.
Individuals that move from province to province are covered for three months; it doesn’t matter if you’re a student or not. They are covered for three months and during that time you are to apply to the jurisdiction that you moved into to be covered for medical coverage.
Speaking to my colleagues, and the Minister of Education as part of student financial assistance package there is an information sheet advising students to apply for medical coverage in those jurisdictions that they attend school in after three months.
Your first supplementary, Mr. Tootoo.
I have a form here from the Department of Health and from the Program Officer for Non-insured Health Benefits for Nunavut, and it’s a student studying outside of Nunavut form. I don’t know if that’s the one that minister is referring to here, but the first paragraph says, “As a student living outside of Nunavut attending an educational institution you will continue to be covered by the Nunavut Healthcare Plan, provided that you are going to return to Nunavut when you’ve completed your education.’
We have a form here that says that you are covered for the duration that you’re out, and the minister is indicating twice now that you’re not covered.
So I’d just like to ask for some clarification there.
Minister of Health, Ms. Aglukkaq.
It would be useful to share the information that he’s referring to.
What I do understand is that coverage for healthcare coverage doesn’t matter if you are student or not. If you move to another jurisdiction you are covered for three months from Nunavut. After three months you are to apply for the jurisdiction that you’re in.
Whether the information that’s outlined in the student financial information, I have to go through that, but from what I understand, at the medical insurance program, if you move to another territory, or another province, you have three months to apply for coverage in those jurisdictions. During that time you are covered.
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Aglukkaq.
Sharing this information that comes from the Department of Health, I know that it was after that I raised those questions in March that there are some parents that fill out these forms every year to make sure that their children maintain their healthcare coverage for Nunavut.
I would like to ask the minister if she could, for the record, clarify is this program is something where students are covered because they’re out for education purposes and they still live up here; they’re just out for school; that they’re covered for the entire time that they’re out to school, and not just for three months.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. (interpretation) Minister of Health, Ms. Aglukkaq.
I think one distinction that has to be made in that line of questioning there is that under the Non-insured Health Benefits Inuit are covered across Canada. If you’re in any jurisdiction, as far as I understand, that medical coverage is with you. If you’re a student it is a little bit different, and if you’re a non-beneficiary, there are some differences there.
I think we need to be very clear which group of individuals we’re talking about in responding to the member’s question. If it’s a beneficiary, non-insured health coverage will cover. If you’re a non-beneficiary, and you’re a student then there are different positions there also.
If you moving to another jurisdiction then there is the three months coverage, three months timeline, but from what I understand, as an aboriginal under Non-insured Health Benefits those individuals are covered in those jurisdictions under that program.
I would like to ask the minister if she can look into this because I know this form talks specifically about all students, and then there is a specific area for students that are land claim beneficiaries.
So, these forms, the Department of Health and Social Services form tells them that they are covered throughout the year. Is the minister saying that they’re not?
I would really like, for the parents’ sake and for those of us that are really wondering what’s going on, whether children are covered under the Nunavut health care system or not.
I would like a straight answer on this because their hearing from the policies and programs of the government, they’re hearing that their children are covered, and from the minister, they’re hearing that they’re not.  So I’d like to get that clarified for their sake.
Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Aglukkaq.
I will provide the information as to who’s covered under the Non-Insured Health Benefits programs, when people transfer to other jurisdictions, how that process works.
I will also provide information to the member on the student process, and how that applies to beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. Under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, Inuit are covered under that medical coverage, so there are differences in that, and perhaps the member can also table the form in the House.
I can also check to see what document he is referring in further researching the information.
I’ll be prepared to share that information on the program guidelines and information for medical coverage with the House.
Going back to Orders of the Day. Item 6. Oral Questions.
Question 280 – 2(3): Staff Housing for Teachers (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, just before I came here I received a phone call from the principal in the school in Repulse Bay.
The concern was that there will be about six new teachers, and out of those six teachers, four of them won’t have any accommodations.
There are no empty units at all in Repulse Bay for those four teachers.
I would like to ask the minister, I wonder if his department knows ahead of time if those employees will have staff housing units to go into.
Yes, we try and deal with these situations and we realize that we have a shortage of housing for the employees.
We try and look for alternative ways, and look for funding to build the needed units.
I can certainly understand your concern and perhaps we can work with the Department of Human Resources on how we can make some units available, especially if they’re new employees coming from down south to Nunavut.
Your first supplementary, Mr. Mapsalak.
Yes, this is very important and we feel very strongly about education. They should be accommodated well.
They will have to stay in a hotel because there is no housing available.
If you’re going to be living in a community, you don’t particularly want to spend your whole time there in a hotel.
I wonder if the minister on an emergency basis if they can be provided staff housing.
Yes, we can look into this and if there is a unit available in the community, then we will look into this before those teachers arrive in the community.
Your second supplementary, Mr. Mapsalak.
My last question is: can the minister advise me on this during this sitting so I can tell my constituents about this?
Yes, we will be talking with the people, the principal and the teachers that will be going there.
Question 281 – 2(3): Comprehensive Strategy for GN Financial Structures (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, I am reading the news release from May 1, 2006, the Government of Nunavut concerning plans in financial management.
The minister announced the completion of an internal report commissioned by the Government of Nunavut entitled, “The Review of the Government of Nunavut’s Financial Statements.” It made a number of recommendations.
Some initiatives were outlined by the minister that the Government of Nunavut was going to implement. One of them says a comprehensive strategy to produce public accounts within the timeframe required by legislation. As we all know, that has been a long-standing problem with the Government of Nunavut.
My question for the minister: can the minister expand on what that means and whether that includes penalties for not complying with the legislation?
Minister of Finance, Minister Simailak.
Good morning to the residents of Baker Lake.
Yes, we are constantly working on this and we have to produce things every year, and it is getting easier.
We are expecting to have more improvement within the departments. We work with the finance officers and we try to meet the deadlines and we are going as planned when we have deadlines to meet.