EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
24 – 1(3): Extending the Review Period for Bill 11 (Akesuk) 1858
94 – 1(3): Task Force on Housing - Final Report (Thompson) 1859  Wednesday April 26, 2000
Wednesday April 26, 2000
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable James Arvaluk, Honourable Jack Anawak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Mr. Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Mr. Glenn McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Mr. Kattuk) (interpretation): I would like to ask Mr. Irqittuq to say the opening prayer.
This morning just before we begin I will ask the Clerk to ascertain the Commissioner's availability to assent to Bills.
>>Commissioner Irniq enters chamber.
Bill 16 – An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act - Assent
Commissioner Irniq (interpretation): Good morning Mr. Speaker, Premier Okalik, Honourable Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
As the Commissioner of Nunavut this is my first time to give assent to a Bill.
I am extremely happy to give assent to the following; Bill 16 An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act.
Mr. Speaker in closing I would like to wish you a safe and enjoyable spring and summer with your family and friends.
While you are enjoying the warm days on the land, please keep in mind Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Teach your children about the Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun languages and culture and take an elder on the land once in a while.
Thank you very much, Ma’na, Merci Beaucoup, Qujannamiik.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Commissioner Irniq.
>>Commissioner Irniq exits chamber.
Minister's Statement 124 – 1(3): Policing in Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the Legislative Assembly about some positive developments with respect to policing.
First, I am pleased to say that two more Inuit recruits recently graduated from the RCMP training program in Regina.
They are Ian Monteith and John Tagak.
Ian Monteith has been posted to Igloolik and John Tagak to Iqaluit.
These graduates follow the six Inuit recruits who graduated last October and are now on active duty in various communities.
We should all proud that our young people are choosing to take the rigorous RCMP training so that they can make real contributions to their communities as RCMP officers.
I wish to extend my personal congratulations to Ian Monteith and John Tagak.
Second, Mr. Speaker, I want to inform the members of the Commanding Officer's Inuit Advisory Committee.
Chief Superintendent Bothe of "V" Division has recently established the Inuit Advisory Committee to provide him and his detachment with advice on Inuit culture and community matters.
The committee will also serve as a link between the RCMP and the communities by explaining the procedures of the RCMP to the communities.
The committee has six members, two from each region.
The members will rotate every two years.
Chief Superintendent Bothe will select the committee members on recommendation from community leaders and Detachment Commanders.
The present members of the Inuit Advisory Committee are, Leah Metuk from Pangnirtung, Alesuk Idlout from Resolute Bay, Jeannie Iqaluq from Sanikiluaq, Guy Kakkianuin from Pelly Bay, Fiona Corey from Cambridge Bay and Mariano Aupilardjuk from Rankin Inlet.
(interpretation ends) I believe the RCMP Inuit Advisory Committee is another way that relations between the RCMP and Inuit communities will be strengthened.
I welcome this initiative by Chief Superintendent Bothe.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to report on the Community Constable Program.
Members will know that the Community Constable Program was started in 1986 to enhance the role of By-Law Enforcement Officers.
Funding for Community Constables, By-Law Enforcement, is normally the responsibility of the community in partnership with the Department of Community Government & Transportation and the Department of Justice.
The RCMP provides a four week training course at a training academy in Regina.
Once the training is completed, Community Constables may receive an appointment as a Supernumerary Special Constable under the RCMP Act.
This allows the Community Constables to assist the RCMP while on duty and under the supervision of the RCMP member.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, there are presently 25 Community Constables in Nunavut.
The RCMP have indicated that they are pleased with the service being provided by the Community Constables.
Whale Cove, Chesterfield Inlet and Repulse Bay do not have RCMP detachments.
The RCMP, in partnership with the Nunavut Department of Justice, agreed to fund Community Constables in each of these communities for a two year period under the Inuit Policing Program.
Repulse Bay and Chesterfield Inlet presently have two Community Constables each, while Whale Cove has one Community Constable.
The Community Constable Program is continuing to grow and to work well in our communities.
I am pleased to say that in all the examples I have given you today we can see positive steps in the services being provided to Nunavut by the RCMP.
Minister's Statement 125 – 1(3): Task Force on Housing – Final Report
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Good morning Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House that I will be tabling the Task Force on Housing's Final Report under Tabling of Documents.
Mr. Speaker, the final report is a very comprehensive report that contains a total of 15 recommendations.
A cursory review of the recommendations reflects the hard work and dedication of the Task Force members.
Mr. Speaker, the first recommendation, supporting a stand alone Housing Corporation, was achieved on April 1, 2000.
I am very happy that we were able to achieve one of the basic recommendations at the outset.
Mr. Speaker, we must be realistic and recognize that the remaining recommendations will take time to properly analyse before implementation.
(interpretation ends) Let me state for the record that this report will be carefully reviewed and will not gather dust on a shelf somewhere.
We are very serious in wanting to make fundamental changes where possible, that will benefit Nunavummiut.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the fifth recommendation, to complete a "Housing Needs Assessment" is also a priority.
The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation completed the last needs assessment in 1996.
It is essential that we have current information to adequately address the housing requirements within Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Nunavut Housing Corporation to complete this assessment on a priority basis.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, it is important to recognize that some key recommendations within this final report, such as changes to the current rent scale and the high rates by public housing for municipal services, cannot be implemented by Nunavut Housing Corporation in isolation.
It will be necessary to ask for co-operation and agreement from other government departments in order to achieve these recommendations.
Mr. Speaker, we support the Bathurst Mandate objective to "open and maintain a public dialogue on housing issues, while developing and implementing immediate and long term plans to respond to housing shortfalls…". Mr. Speaker, you have my commitment that the community housing experts in the local housing organizations and the empowered Hamlets will be included in the analysis of these recommendations.
Mr. Speaker, the Task Force on Housing's Final Report has clearly outlined the many challenges that we face. (interpretation) This will not be a simple task that can be completed overnight.
This will take time and will need to be reviewed and revised as we proceed.
We must make a commitment to work together to meet the housing needs of Nunavummiut.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank, once again: Enoki Irqittuq, Hunter Tootoo, David Iqaqrialu, Uriash Puqiqnak and also Darrin Nichol, David Akoak and Sandra Turner for their hard work as members of the Housing Task Force.
Minister's Statement 126 – 1(3): Bobby Suwarak
Hon. Jack Anawak: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the Legislative Assembly about the accomplishments of Bobby Suwarak, an inmate of the Baffin Correctional Centre.
Mr. Suwarak has been at the Baffin Correctional Centre since September of 1999.
He is unique because he is deaf and is limited in his use of sign language.
While he does not use the American Sign Language which is common among the deaf, he and his friends and family from Baker Lake have worked out a special sign language for his use.
(interpretation) Mr. Suwarak needed his interpreter from Baker Lake, Mr. David Kautaq, if he was going to be able to participate in treatment programs at BCC.
I am pleased to say that the staff at BCC made arrangements with Northern Stores, who employ Mr. Kautaq, to allow him to move from Baker Lake to Iqaluit on a temporary transfer as an interpreter.
Mr. Suwarak then worked with the psychologist at BCC and Mr. Kautaq and was able to engage in treatment programs.
Mr. Suwarak then indicated that he wished to attend school.
He has limited formal education because of his disability.
With the help of the teacher at the Baffin Correctional Centre and his interpreter, he enrolled in Arctic College for upgrading.
(interpretation ends) I am pleased to report that last Thursday, Mr. Suwarak received the Literary Council Award for Student of the Year at a ceremony at Arctic College.
This was a well-deserved award that paid tribute to Mr. Suwarak's hard work and dedication.
(interpretation) I would also like to point out that this kind of success story is a good example of what could be accomplished when the staff at the Baffin Correctional Centre get co-operation from private interests such as Northern Store and community members like Mr. David Kautaq.
I also want to congratulate Arctic College for their willingness to take Bobby Suwarak as a student, and Mr. Dan Page, Mr. Suwarak's teacher, for his dedicated work.
With this kind of co-operation between the government and community institutions and individuals, we are going to achieve more successes like this.
Member's Statement 358 – 1(3): Respect for All Dialects
Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a few comments on an issue that is very important to me, our Inuktitut language.
Inuit have many different dialects.
When we start talking about other people's dialects negatively it contributes to the loss of the Inuit culture and language.
When we are making fun of other people's dialects or the way they pronounce certain words, the only language that they revert to is the English language.
The Inuit language is unique and I would suggest that we do not mock other people's dialects because it is unique to their region.
It is very important for the future and for generations if we are going to preserve and protect our culture and language.
We are starting to lose our Inuktitut language because people, especially young people, are shy to speak their language because somebody else might make fun of them.
I believe that we should respect other people's dialects because there are various dialects out there.
I am trying to suggest to everyone that they use their own unique dialect if we are going to preserve and protect our own language.
Member's Statement 359 – 1(3): Access Road for Grise Fiord Hunters
First, I would like to add my condolences to our Commissioner, for his family’s tragic loss over the long weekend.
Mr. Speaker, it has been almost three years ago that I went hunting in Grise Fiord while visiting my constituency.
The sea ice has just left in Grise Fiord although the other communities had been boating for quite a while.
Mr. Speaker, we were stuck at a point for two days, at a point just little distance past Grise Fiord.
I realized Mr. Speaker, that the hunters of Grise Fiord do not have the same advantages as hunters of other communities.
When we went out there we had already loaded our catch but we were not able to go to the community itself because of the ice conditions.
Mr. Speaker, the access road in Arctic Bay is very beneficial to our community because the people of Arctic Bay can use that access road to go hunting during these types of conditions.
The people of Grise Fiord do not have that same benefit and they get stuck when the ice comes back in or when the ice is eroding, where you can't go by snowmobile or out by boat.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to get unanimous consent from the members to continue my statement.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is asking for unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you to my colleagues for giving me consent.
As I was saying for this reason Grise Fiord residents are requesting to get an access road.
This request was given to the Minister already and I would like to state my support today for Grise Fiord to get this access road.
It would be very beneficial to the hunters and the community as a whole.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Barnabas.
Member’s Statement 360 - 1(3): Films by Kugluktuk Elders and Youth
I rise today to talk about some good and some not so good news.
Many of our young people do not speak Inuinnaqtun anymore and our elders are having a hard time communicating with them.
Sometimes they get shy because the way they speak the language.
When the elders see this they wonder how can we teach them in Innuinaqtut so they can get their own language back.
The elders’ culture and the young people lives are different today.
It is not the same as long ago.
I would urge the young people and the elders to get together so they can see how they can work together as they did a long time ago.
We should do the same today.
Mr. Speaker, I am asking for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Speaker: Mr. Havioyak is asking for unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays.
Go ahead Mr. Havioyak.
I will finish my statement.
The elders came up with a project to deal with these important issues.
(interpretation ends) They were hired for 7 weeks to write several plays.
They are called; As we were, Life on the land, Survival, Travelling and hunting, Contact encountered with Qallunaq, Health and social services, education and missionaries and so on.
The good and the bad.
Drinking and gambling.
Changes in lifestyles.
The wise one sleeps.
Violence, suicide and family breakdowns.
Culture heritage for future generations.
(interpretation) The elders are Jack Allunak, Nellie Iqquq, Joan Klengenberg, Bessie Alluquq, Buster Qailiaq, Eedeth Arluq, May Allgunark.
The young people that acted in there are Clifford Talliqtuk, Darleen Ailiraq, Nichol Bullduck, Halina Bolt, Barbera Qaburatuarq, Jack Kiarjak, Daniel Adjun, Stephan Qauluq, Kathleen Arqanaq, Miles Petersen..
They were really happy to show the old ways, our language and our culture.
The programs will be aired this summer on APTN.
So the people can watch the elders and the young people on how they worked very well together.
Member’s Statement 361 - 1(3): Youth Abroad Programs
Mr. Speaker I rise today to voice my support for a worthwhile and valuable experience for youth to gain experience and understanding through travel aboard.
Miali Coley, a student from Iqaluit has written to ask me for support for her Canada World youth proposal to travel to Ontario and to Ecuador to live in each area for 3 months while she works on a volunteer project related to social services.
Recently other Members and I met with students who are participating in the Nunavut Youth Abroad program in Rankin Inlet.
One of those students Ms. Gloria Kowtak has written to me and is working towards a trip to Swaziland Africa to work for the summer.
From Iqaluit, Chris MacLellan who may be known to you as author of the Nunavut poem that was read on April 1, is busy fundraising for an opportunity to participate in a tall ship program to sail from Bermuda to Virginia this summer.
Mr. Speaker, not only are our young people like this ambassadors for our territory but they will return with the knowledge and experiences to share with other members of the community.
Opportunities such as these give Nunavut youth positive experiences and wish to grow and develop.
This knowledge and experience will build their abilities to become the leaders of the future.
In this way opportunities such as this can benefit all of Nunavut as well as to the individuals who participate in them.
Mr. Speaker I will be making an investment in our future by donating one hundred dollars towards each student’s goal.
I encourage other Members of the Assembly to encourage and support youth from their communities and from across Nunavut to take part in programs such as these that will provide them with invaluable experiences.
The future leaders of Nunavut will need learning, knowledge and experience to carry on the tasks of running this Territory to the best of their abilities.
It is up to the leaders of today to make every effort to ensure that opportunities are available to support the leaders of tomorrow.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo.
Member’s Statement 362 - 1(3): Anglican Church Layperson Promotions
Mr. Speaker I am going to make my statement about an event that occurred recently in Hall Beach, the community that I live in.
On April 5 the Anglican Bishop Paul Idlout came to our community and two laymen for the Anglican Church were promoted from the blue ribbon level to the red ribbon level.
The two gentlemen are John Nattuk and David Kanatsiak.
Also Helen Nattuk a young person became a layperson.
I would like to congratulate all these three people and thank them for promoting healthy lifestyles.
No matter what religion you are in it helps to live a healthy lifestyle.
We also congratulate them.
Member’s Statement 363 - 1(3): Easter Tragedies
Prior to 1999 when we started establishing the Nunavut Government the people told us what they wanted during the pre-consultations tours to the communities.
The Inuit wanted to have a transparent and open government and we are still very sensitive to that.
They wanted the government to have a heart.
There were two tragic incidents that happened during the Easter break.
Our Commissioner Peter Irniq’s daughter who was very young tragically died down south.
We send our condolences.
It is very evident that the people of Nunavut feel the same sorrow and they have expressed sympathy for the family.
We are with them through our prayers and our sympathies.
Right after that tragedy there was also another tragic death in Cambridge Bay.
One of the instructors at the Arctic College, Mrs. Margaret Lyall passed away.
She was with her husband Johnny Lyall, who survived.
We have sent our condolences to the family.
I want the public to know we are sensitive.
I do not want people to think that because we are a new government that we do not have a heart.
We are human beings and we still have the same feelings as anyone.
I would like to send our condolences and sympathy Peter Irniq’s family and also to the family of Johnny Lyall.
We will keep them in mind through our minds and prayer.
Members of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to urge you to think and pray for these families who have lost their loved ones.
Member’s Statement 364 - 1(3): Changing Ways
I am very pleased to rise today to make a few comments.
When we were just hunters it was totally different from the way we live today.
When we were living out on the land although we enjoyed surviving off the land.
I know myself because I have experienced it.
The way we live today is totally different from the past.
Even though we went to our respective communities on the long weekend.
Because my life has not changed from the past and I am very pleased to say that.
I wanted make a brief comment on that.
When I got home I was exhausted.
During the weekend just like the time when I use to go out hunting out on the land I would come home totally exhausted.
That is how exactly how I felt when I went home.
I told my wife I am exhausted the same way as I use to go when I went out hunting.
Although my life has changed in a way it is still the same.
Member’s Statement 365 - 1(3): Joamie School Anniversary
Mr. Speaker last Thursday Joamie school, here in Iqaluit, celebrated 10 years of excellence in learning and teaching.
The staff and students invited many parents, teachers and community supporters as well as students to celebrate with them at a concert and later a feast.
Mr. Speaker, Joamie School is named after a well-known hunter, Joamie who helped selected the town site of our community.
Over the past 10 years Joamie school and staff have been recognised for many National and International awards.
For example Mr. Speaker Joamie staff have been honoured recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence.
Florence Slinny, Darlene Nuqingaq, Catherine Herzige, Paul Maggs, Sheila Longsdale and Lesley Serkoak were rewarded in 1993 for environmental project that lead the Joamie school in Iqaluit being the first Earth School in Canada.
In 1997 Elizabeth Tumblin was awarded for her work in Technology in the classroom especially for the knowledge forum.
Mr. Speaker several of the Joamie staff have been named outstanding educators from the Baffin Regional Education Council.
They include Lesley Serkoak in 1991-1992, Darlene Nuqingaq in 1993-1994 and Paul Maggs for 1998-1999.
In 1994 Joamie school was the first school in Canada to reach Earth status after completing 1000 environmental projects under the Seeds Foundation.
Joamie is a Green school which is why the school background in green.
Joamie was featured in several magazines in that same year. Also Mr. Speaker a textbook on Nunavut features Joamie’s accomplishments. Joamie staff received a Hillride fellowship award for greening of Joamie school.
In 1996, Joamie was the first Baffin school to have a website.
Joamie also received a Burke Environmental Award from the NWT Recreation and Parks Association.
Mr. Speaker Joamie School represents excellence in education and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the students and the staff of Joamie School on their 10th anniversary.
The Joamie school family is a great model for schooling in the north and the south.
And at this time I would like to take special note, a special thank you to Elizabeth Tumblin’s class who hosted me and my guests for the day and to Premier Paul Okalik for an excellent meal of Ujuk and bannock last Thursday.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 366 - 1(3): Rankin Inlet Youth Abroad Participants
I would like to say hi to the people of Rankin Inlet especially my brother Misa if he is listening.
During the sitting of the Legislative Assembly we had a meeting with the youth of Rankin Inlet.
Some of us also made a trip to Whale Cove for a presentation to youth abroad.
I would like to thank the Members who attended.
As well I would like to express my support to the statement made by Mr. Tootoo to support the students who go abroad to work on different programs.
It is very good to see this.
I want to congratulate Gloria Kowtak and Jeff Tulugak who is the son of Michael Tulugak and Jacqueline.
They will be travelling out of the country on this program.
As the Member for Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove I would like to congratulate them and say I have given them a camera to take pictures.
I will be bringing the pictures to the members to view.
They are taking pictures to raise funds to go abroad.
I am sure that in the future that the things they learn will help us in Nunavut.
The youth right now in Rankin Inlet are taking pictures of the events that are happening in Rankin Inlet.
Member’s Statement 367 - 1(3): Cambridge Bay Delegation
Mr. Speaker yesterday a delegation from Cambridge Bay made up of elder Frank Analok and Martha Angulalik of the Kitikmeot Heritage Society and Mayor Keith Peterson had an opportunity to meet with the Regular Members Caucus.
They made a small presentation on the cultural heritage centre being proposed in Cambridge Bay.
I believe Mr. Speaker, that there was a good exchange of information between them and the regular Members.
I just want to acknowledge and thank the regular Members to take the time out to meet face to face with the representatives from Cambridge Bay.