EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On their way back at the end of the day, it became stormy and their motor broke down.
A rescue team had to be dispatched and a search was started.
Luckily, teacher Jane Thomas brought a camera with her.
She was able to use her flash to have the rescue team locate them.
They were found and rescued at that time.
They are doing well today.
The members of the boat trip were Louise Smith a nurse, Jane Thomas, Nancy Hovica, a teacher and Grant McDonald, an RCMP officer.
These were the members of the trip.
I would just like to say that I am very happy they were returned to the community safely.
Member's Statement 014 - 1(5): Iqaluit Street Names
Mr. Speaker I want to start off today by just mentioning that I was talking to my constituents and they said you guys in here are always serious and never smile. So I’ll start off with a smile for everybody just to show we are not always that serious.
Mr. Speaker I rise today to draw the attention of the House to an exciting initiative by the Municipality of Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, when we convene in Iqaluit for the fall session later this year, members from outside of the capital may notice it’ll become a little easier to find your way around town.
Thanks to the hard work of the Town’s administration, and in particular of the Iqaluit Fire Chief, Mr. Wheaton, the naming of the Iqaluit street signs is in the works.
Mr. Speaker, while I must advise members that I am not sure if we will ever have a Picco Place, or a McLean Lane, or a Kilabuk Corner in this community.
The development of street names and signage will provide a number of benefits to all residents.
It’s expected the response time for emergency services will improve and this is an important public safety issue.
It will also help to support the development of 911 services.
The pride of residents in their community will grow as people are being asked to provide suggested names over the next few months.
One excellent idea I have heard is to make at least one street name for every community in Nunavut in keeping with the spirit of Iqaluit being the capital for all of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, our town plans to introduce signs in more than one language.
The use of Inuktitut on street signs will be a good step in serving to promote the use of language in the community.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, it will be good for the Arctic Winter Games next year to welcome athletes from elsewhere in Canada and abroad to a Capital City in which they will be able to find their way around without too much difficulty.
We want Team Nunavut to beat the competition in a fair match, not through default because the other team got lost on the way to the event.
I ask members of this House to join me in applauding this initiative.
Member’s Statement 015 – 1(5): Responsibility as MLA
I rise today to talk about the people of Nunavut and of the creation of Nunavut.
What I am about to say is very important to me and it happened on the morning of February 15, 1999, at 10.15 a.m.
This was election day.
After the election, I was given the task by Nunavummiut to protect their own land here in Nunavut and to handle its affairs.
To me this means to protect our wildlife while looking after the land, running our own lives, using our language to run our own affairs.
This happened so that people outside of Nunavut would not run our affairs.
Mr. Speaker, to elaborate on this, if we are going to work with people from outside of Nunavut, they should listen to what we tell them to do and respect our culture and not to try and run us.
Mr. Speaker, we are Nunavummiut, with our own land and our own government and we are going to keep our culture alive and promote it.
Mr. Speaker, these issues are very important to me and I wanted to express my feelings on this.
The day I am talking about was a very important day to me and I respect my land.
When I look out on the land I am able to say that this is my land and we will have to try and live our lives as best we can.
Member’s Statement 016 – 1(5): Commercial Fishing in Amittuq Region
I have also been told that when our sessions are being televised, the members always have long faces.
I would like to welcome Rebekah Williams into the House.
Today I would like to talk about the Amittuq riding and the communities of Igloolik and Hall Beach.
I would like to talk about our economy as it relates to the harvesting of resources.
There is a lot of wildlife in my constituency and I know hunters have a hard time selling products that result from hunting and fishing.
I will use selling Arctic Char as an example.
There is about an 80 thousand pound quota of fish for us in our area.
But when our hunters go fishing they can’t sell the amounts that they used to.
I think we are going to have to look for ways to benefit our people in this area.
During question period I will be raising this issue with the Minister responsible for Sustainable Development.
Just as a note of interest, I have also been told that I don’t smile enough.
But if the members had to sit in this chair for two or three hours you would know that your chairs seem much more luxurious than this one.
>>Laughter  Next on our list we have Mr. Havioyak.
Member’s Statement 017 – 1(5): Kitikmeot Regional Games
I rise today to talk about our youth...(interpretation ends)…who took part in our regional games over the weekend of February 2 to 4.
Teams entered badminton, minor hockey and boys’ basketball events.
With the hard work and training of their coaches and the team players, our team pulled off a huge success and the winning goal for Kugluktuk.
The badminton team won gold in the 10 category, in basketball the Wolves won the gold, in minor hockey bronze.
In minor hockey there were eleven players and two coaches.
Badminton had six players and the coach and basketball there were eight players and one coach.
Mr. Speaker, with the youth participating in sports and having fun, they have done Kugluktuk proud.
Congratulations to the teams and coaches who have worked very hard.
Thank you very much to Kugluktukmiut.
Member’s Statement 018 – 1(5): Polar Bear Plate Hockey Tournament
This weekend I had the pleasure of being in Rankin Inlet to see the Polar Bear Plate.
This invitational tournament has been held in Rankin since 1999.
This tournament displays the talents of our midget aged hockey players.
Mr. Speaker, there was some very fine hockey played at this tournament.
I would like to congratulate all the teams, players, coaches, officials and organizers who made this tournament possible.
I would especially like to recognize the work and great players on my riding’s team, Rankin Inlet.
I’d like to recognize the achievements of some promising young Rankin Inlet hockey players. As everyone who has been reading the paper knows, Jordin and Terrance Tootoo have been turning heads in the Canadian Junior Hockey Leagues in the south.
Jordin and Terrance will also be featured this Saturday on Hockey Day in Canada.
Terrance is once again the captain and one of the leading scorers on the OCN Blizzards of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Terrance has been offered a chance to play at the University of Alaska in Anchorage next year under a full hockey scholarship.
Jordin Tootoo is currently starring for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League and is currently ranked by central scouting to be selected in the second round of the 2001 NHL draft. Since Christmas, Jordin has been Brandon’s leading scorer and has continued to keep his opponents honest with his huge body checks and physical game.
Jordin participated in the Prospects Game this year in Calgary, which showcased the very best Canadian junior players in Western Canada.
In the skills competition, Jordin registered the hardest slap shot at 96 mph and the fastest time in the 150-yard sprint.
Last summer, Jordin was selected captain for Team Western in the World Under 17 Hockey Challenge in which they finished first and Jordin led the team in scoring.
The Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame obtained his jersey after the series for induction to the Hall.
In January 2001, Jordin was selected as the Keg player of the month for the Brandon Wheat Kings, which awards the most valuable player of the month on that team. Not bad accomplishments for a young Inuk youth from Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, if I could have consent to finish my statement.
In addition to the Tootoo boys, Rankin Inlet has also sent Kyle Tattuinie south to attend school and play Junior B hockey with Norway House, Manitoba and Dustin McDonald is being courted by the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League.
Pujuut Kusugak is currently the captain of the Carleton Place Kings in the Ontario provincial junior A hockey league, who are currently in first place.
The athletic success of all these athletes speaks to the support and guidance of their family and friends.
But it also speaks to the incredible job that the coaches, officials and volunteers do in organizing minor hockey in Rankin Inlet and providing an environment where the development of hockey skills are nurtured in conjunction with teamwork, cooperation and academic success.
The challenges that the volunteers involved with Rankin Inlet Minor Hockey face are similar to most Nunavut organizations; lack of volunteers, lack of competition, limited numbers of coaches and officials, cost and most of all the limited length of the hockey season operating in a facility that uses natural ice.
Virtually all arenas in southern Canada have the capacity to produce artificial ice in order to extend the playing season to a more practical and productive amount of time.
Hockey seasons for most organizations utilizing artificial ice normally commence in September and end in April.
Today, in Nunavut communities that lie geographically south of the Arctic Circle, the global warming trend has dramatically reduced the hockey season in the facilities that utilize natural ice.
In most communities now, it is impossible to install natural ice before the end of November and the spring weather plays havoc with ice conditions as early as the beginning of April.
Mr. Speaker, as MLA for Rankin Inlet North, I ask all my colleagues to support this government in developing a policy that makes the use of our recreational facilities a year-round possibility and not just a building with limited uses.
I regret to inform the members that we will be closing the House.
We have contacted the RCMP and the weather is not getting any better.
I know the members were in full agreement to stay but we have to be considerate of the staff, some of whom live out of town and their families and children and so on.
So we will be closing the House.
Just before we do that I have two points.
I would like to recognize two individuals in the Gallery, Mr. Carmen Loberg and Mr. Cameron Clement from Norterra.
On a sadder note for my second point, I would like to send my condolences to the family of Mr. Ted Thompson.
Mr. Thompson passed away earlier this week suddenly, and I am sure I say this for all the members that our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Orders of the Day. Mr. Clerk.
Meeting of full caucus today is cancelled.
Orders of the Day for Friday February 23, 2001:
Opening Prayer
The House will close for the day and resume tomorrow at 10 a.m. Sergeant-At-Arms.
>>House Adjourned at 2.02 p.m.
Friday February 23, 2001
Pages 43 - 80
Revert to Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4
Written Questions 4
Returns to Written Questions 4
Reports of Standing and Special Committees 4
Tabling of Documents 4
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 4
Friday February 23, 2001 4
007 - 1(5): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Akesuk) 4
019 - 1(5): Capital Projects – Kitikmeot Regional Health Facility (Puqiqnak) 4
020 - 1(5): Polar Bear Plate Hockey Tournament (Arvaluk) 4
021 - 1(5): Gasoline Subsidy (Alakannuark) 4
022 - 1(5): Speaking in English (Nutarak) 4
023 - 1(5): Elders’ Qammaq - Pangnirtung (Kilabuk) 4
024 - 1(5): Hockey Equipment Donation to Sanikiluaq (Kattuq) 4
025 - 1(5): Baker Lake Basketball Team (McLean) 4
026 - 1(5): Tribute to Jack Kabvitok (Anawak) 4
027 - 1(5): Dog Team Race (Irqittuq) 4
028 – 1(5): Clyde River Hockey Team (Iqaqrialu) 4
029 – 1(5): Elders’ Assistance (Williams) 4
030 – 1(5): Appreciation to CLEY Minister (Havioyak) 4
031 – 1(5): Iqaluit Traditional Games Association (Picco) 4
032 – 1(5): Jump Rope For Heart Event (Tootoo) 4
010 - 1(3): Fuel Subsidy Program (Alakannuark) 4
011 - 1(3): FAS/FAE Information (Nutarak) 4
012 - 1(3): Support for Businesses (Iqaqrialu) 4
013 - 1(3): Iqaluit Water Treatment Plant & Road Issues (Tootoo) 4
014 - 1(3): Increasing Nunavut Minimum Wage (McLean) 4
015 - 1(3): Commercial Fishery Marketing (Irqittuq) 4
016 - 1(5): Liquor Act Review Consultations (Williams) 4
017 - 1(3): Status of Police Dog (Puqiqnak) 4
018 - 1(3): Health Minister’s Visit to Kugluktuk (Havioyak) 4
019 - 1(3): Sustainable Development Minister’s Visit to Coral Harbour (Arvaluk) 4
020 - 1(3): Implications of Fuel Price Increase (Tootoo) 4
021 - 1(3): Support for FAS Victims (Iqaqrialu) 4
022 - 1(3): Status of Rent Scale Review (Nutarak) 4
001 – 1(5): Progress on Manitoba/Nunavut Road Link (McLean) 4
002 – 1(5): Transfer of Nursing Residence in Baker Lake to Hamlet (McLean) 4
003 – 1(5): Status of Baker Lake Group Home (McLean) 4
004 – 1(5): Policy for Assistance to Elders (McLean) 4
005 – 1(5): Status of Kivalliq Regional Health Centre (McLean) 4
006 – 1(5): Status of Medivac Contract in the Kivalliq Region (McLean) 4
002 – 1(5): Taloyoak Residents on Time Zone (Puqiqnak) 4
Reports of Standing & Special Committees
001 – 1(5): Review of the 1999-2000 Annual Report of the Information & Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut 4
001 – 1(5): Provincial & Territorial Minimum Wage Rates Across Canada (McLean) 4
002 - 1(5): Responses to Petitions 1-1 (4) to 4-1 (4) (Clerk) 4
Bill 1 – Appropriation Act 2001/2002 - Notice (Ng) 4  Friday February 23, 2001
Nunavut Hansard  Iqaluit, Nunavut
Speaker (Mr. O'Brien): I would like to call on Ms. Williams to say the opening prayer.
Speaker: Good morning, Mr. Premier, members.
Ministers’ Statements. Mr. Akesuk.
Minister's Statement 007 - 1(5): Nunavut Business Credit Corporation
Good morning, everybody. I am very pleased to provide members with an update on the establishment of the office of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation in Cape Dorset as part of our government’s commitment to decentralization.
The NBCC is a crown corporation.
It provides loans and loan guarantees up to one million dollars to Nunavut’s small and medium size businesses.
Last year, our government announced the appointment of a 7-member board of directors who govern the activities of the credit corporation.
We are very fortunate to have Mr. Robert Hanson and Ms. Monica Ell as the corporation’s first chairperson and vice chair representative, respectively.
The NBCC currently has a loan portfolio totalling eight millions dollars, so the responsibility of this board is significant.
Staffing for the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation is well under way.
The Chief Executive Officer has been on staff for 6 months and an experienced loans and investment manager has been hired.
The Cape Dorset office is scheduled to be opened for business the week of March 19th.
Mr. Speaker, a lot has changed in the Nunavut business environment since the Northwest Territories first passed the legislation for the Business Credit Corporation.
Thus, one of the first items of business that I have asked of the Board is to complete a strategic plan for the NBCC that will reflect the lending needs of Nunavummiut businesses today.
I want the NBCC to complement the other lending programs available in Nunavut, not duplicate them.
I have also asked the Board to increase their attention to lending in non-decentralized communities as part of our Government’s commitment to increase the availability of our programs in our smaller communities.
Finally, I have also asked the NBCC to begin discussions with the three regional lending operations known as “Community Futures.”
Effective April 01, there will be a much closer working relationship and accountability between the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation and the Community Futures offices.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation can play a significant role in financing opportunities that arise with the growth of our Territory’s economy.
In the days ahead, I will be tabling their Annual Report in this House so that members can review their activities.
Member's Statement 019 - 1(5): Capital Projects – Kitikmeot Regional Health Facility
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give you my overall view of Nunavut’s three regions and the government’s capital projects in the three regions.
Mr. Speaker, there’s a regional health facility being planned for the Kitikmeot region and this is not new.
It has been planned to be built for some time now, even when the Government of Northwest Territories was in place.
Mr. Speaker, we expect and anticipate these kinds of projects in the future to move forward.
We have to encourage the Government of Nunavut to move forward with them.
We believe this will be best for the Kitikmeot region.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health and Social Services of the Nunavut Government has been planning to build the health facility for quite some time now and we appreciate them for moving forward on this.
Member's Statement 020 - 1(5): Polar Bear Plate Hockey Tournament
Yesterday we heard that there was a hockey tournament in Rankin Inlet and there were some participants from Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and other communities.
I’m very pleased Mr. Speaker, that the athletes of Iqaluit won the tournament, because, of course, they have a population of over 5000.
We heard Rankin Inlet came in second with the total population of 2500 or approximately around that area.
Of course, these two communities have the largest population and they have a good pick of athletes and since today is Friday, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that with a total population of 740 in Coral Harbour, we came in third.
Member's Statement 021 - 1(5): Gasoline Subsidy
Today I think when I am talking I tend to have a long face, so I will have a smile today while I am standing.
Mr. Speaker I understand there are many people in Nunavut communities that are unemployed and there are many elders who would like to go out camping during the spring, summer, and fall.
Mr. Speaker in my constituency in the communities of Repulse Bay and Pelly Bay I know that there are people who go out camping on the land.
We were informed that the Nunavut Government and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated would be providing assistance in the form of a gasoline credit to hunters that fall within certain criteria.
Mr. Speaker I will be seeking more information on this matter during the question period.
Member's Statement 022 - 1(5): Speaking in English
We have four official languages in the Nunavut settlement area.
We provide Inuktitut as a second language courses for people with English as a first language.
For people who do not speak English we will have to try and speak English also.
So since today is Friday and it is a more informal day, I will give it a shot and I will try to speak in English, here goes… (interpretation ends)…Seven. Eight. Nine
(interpretation) I think everybody understood me.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Nutarak .
Member's Statement 023 - 1(5): Elders’ Qammaq - Pangnirtung
I did not expect you to call my name that early.
Mr. Speaker, on February 7, the Elders’ Society of Pangnirtung opened a Qammaq, a traditional Inuit dwelling house.
The elders will use this when they are giving workshops to the people of Pangnirtung and the youth.
They will be teaching cultural programs like living on the land and so on.
During the opening of the Qammaq the mayor and also my colleague Mr. Kattuk were there.
I would like to thank them for participating in the official opening of our Qammaq.
Ms. Carmen Levi was also there.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Pangnirtung have been working really hard to promote our culture and traditions.
We wish the Elders’ Society the best in their endeavours and thank them for inviting us to the opening.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Kilabuk. Members’ Statements.
Member's Statement 024 - 1(5): Hockey Equipment Donation to Sanikiluaq
In regards to my colleague, Mr. Kilabuk’s statement, it was a very enjoyable experience when we had the Qammaq opening.
This morning, I would like to make some comments about a hockey tournament that was held in my constituency of Sanikiluaq.
We had a program where some hockey equipment was donated to the residents of Sanikiluaq.
The hockey equipment was donated by the NHLPA and the residents and teachers of Sanikiluaq worked very hard to obtain the equipment for the residents.
I would like to thank the people who made those donations. We now can have 12 young people in hockey equipment, in full gear.
The youth, I think they're six and seven years of age, were dressed in full gear by the NHLPA, but Mr. Speaker, our arena will be closed at the end of March due to the warming up of the weather.
The children were very pleased when they got their hockey equipment, but of course, like I said Mr. Speaker, we will no longer be using the arena at the end of March.
Speaker: Member's Statements.
Member’s Statement 025 - 1(5): Baker Lake Basketball Team
First of all I would like to welcome my colleague Rebekah Williams to the House, it’s been a few days.
I would also like to recognize one of my heroes, a singer, Johnny Cash, I'm hoping to hear my favourite song before he leaves town.
I still look up to him.
Baker Lake makes the basket, Mr. Speaker.
The Baker Lake men's basketball team players are the hoopsters of the Kivalliq.
They are Baker Lake's; Devon Killulark, Phillip Tagoona, Bill Olsen, Levi Tanungnak, Richard Niego, BA Hart, Kyle Feelie and Victor Killulark.
They defeated a stubborn, very well prepared Arviat team in the final of the five-team tourney to claim the regional Open Men's Basketball Championship in Coral Harbour this month.
The host squad claimed the bronze, while the Rankin Inlet and Chesterfield Inlet teams finished out the medal standings.
The Baker Lake squad and the winning Arviat team each brought eight players to the court while Rankin Inlet and Coral each used six or seven and Chesterfield Inlet six.
Baker Lake dedicated their victory to the memory of Kemp Oguyuaq who died tragically on the basketball court just shortly before this past Christmas.
Coral's acting recreation coordinator Tommy Pauiaq says the teams were impressed by the large crowds that turned out for the action.
I must add to the end of this, Bill Olsen took home a black eye as a souvenir of the tournament.
Speaker: Mr. McLean, just for rubbing it into the Arviat team, there'll be no more questions for you for the next month.
Member’s Statement 026 - 1(5): Tribute to Jack Kabvitok
We are very proud of course when our fellow Inuit people are successful in their endeavours.
Today I would like to congratulate an individual who was elected in December to the Rankin Inlet Hamlet council, Jack Kabvitok, named Tikiq in Inuktitut.
I have known him for quite some time and he has lived most of his life in Rankin Inlet and he has assisted in many areas. He has always made himself available for search and rescues.
He's also served on various boards such as HTOs and municipal governments.
If you don’t really know him, you may know his younger brother Charlie Panigoniak, the singer.
They also have a younger brother George Aaluk, a well-known carver.
They have other siblings in Arviat. The family has done very important work. Mr. Kabvitok is now the mayor.
He's an Inuk and we're very proud that he's serving as the mayor for the second largest community in Nunavut, although he's never attended a vocational school or academic school.
So I feel that we should not let the lack of education hold us back.
He kept at it so therefore I would like to say how proud I am of Jack Kabvitok.
Member’s Statement 027 - 1(5): Dog Team Race
I rise today to recognize an individual from Hall Beach.
A major dog team race is going to happen in April.
They will be travelling to Arctic Bay or Pond Inlet from Hall Beach.
Every year since April 1st, they started racing dog teams from Arctic Bay back in 1999, when the Government of Nunavut was established.
This dog racing started at the same time.