EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Development in the Kivalliq could well lead to economic development for the territory as a whole.
The current level of activity in the mining sector in the Kivalliq makes Rankin Inlet the ideal location for the 2005 Nunavut Mining Symposium.
If the Members are able to come, you are invited.
Member's Statement 190 – 2(2): Medical Travel Escort Policy
I rise today with respect to the government’s Medical Travel Policy.
Several of my colleagues have stood in this House recently to talk about situations such as unilingual elders being stranded in the Iqaluit Airport and other southern airports.
Recently I was told that one of our elder from Kugluktuk was sent out on medical treatment.
She was alone and lonely and wanted to call home but she was not familiar with calling long distance.
Clearly this elder should have had an escort.
The issue of escorts for patient on medical travel is not new.
Perhaps now I have added my voice to those of my colleagues and hope that we will be heard.
I will be asking the minister questions at the appropriate time.
Member's Statement 191–2(2): Checker Players of Pangnirtung
Today being Friday I would like to first of all say hello to my constituents. They all know in Pangnirtung they play checkers in my constituency and if you don’t know anything about playing checkers then I would like you to know that they got their opposition in the corner.
In this House during question period that is what they do is they move around when they are playing checkers.
In Pangnirtung what they do is they play checkers for recreation.
Those people include Peteroosie Qappik, Pauloosie Veevee, Mosesie Qiyuarjuk, Mosesie Nuvaqiq, Tom Evic, Padloo Etuangat and the others that are involved in playing checkers.
They enjoy it very much and I would like to send my regards to my constituents in Pangnirtung.
Member's Statement 192 – 2(2): Hockey Game Against Firefighters
I am glad that it is Friday and we are on the lighter side on Fridays when we have to deal with serious issues during the week.
I want to announce to the people that I will be playing against the fire fighters.
I urge all my constituents to come and watch the hockey game.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t know which side you are going to go for but I urge all the members to go to the hockey game.
Members’ statements
Member's Statement 193 – 2(2): Amauti from Alice Panipakoocho
I rise today to thank Alice Panipakoocho from Pond Inlet.
She had made this amauti for me and I am wearing it.
I wanted to get a souvenir and Alice, I can still picture you.
I send my regards and good morning to Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove residents.
The weather here in Iqaluit is really nice but it is quite windy but finally the weather has warmed up.
Also Brock Junkin, I would like to congratulate him for being elected as the President of Sakku Investments.
No matter who is elected, I would like to congratulate them.
Member's Statement 194 – 2(2): Develop an Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Relevant Game
I want to make a statement on the lighter side.
It seems like nobody really notices me.
Every time I change my hat every few days, nobody notices me wearing a different hat.
I just wanted to bring that up.
As an Inuk person I don’t know what hockey is all about because it is not in the traditional knowledge if Inuit.
I was wondering if we can get an association with traditional games where you throw rocks to put the rock down.
There were too many long faces here I figured that I would make everybody smile.
Member's Statement 195 – 2(2): Hockey Game Against Firefighters
As my colleague directly across my indicated that we are going to be playing the fire fighters in Phase 2 of our challenge this year.
I look forward to playing and joining forces with my 2 colleagues from on the power line, as it is called.
Hopefully, the Premier when he is playing tonight, he won’t have things in his ears so he can hear us say, “Pass the puck, and get off the ice.”
I look forward to having some fun tonight.
For all those people that are starving for hockey with the lock out that is going on right now.
I urge all the public to come out.
Any funds raised will be going to a good cause.
I can guarantee those fans that it will be as entertaining, or more entertaining than watching the NHL on television.
The skill level may not be as good but it will be much more comical to watch.
I also understand that we have a special guest referee, Mr. Brian Twerdin is going to be refereeing and he is indicating that Mr. Picco had better watch his antics on the ice, otherwise he is going to give him a game misconduct.
So I just hope that Mr. Picco behaves himself, but we could use his puck handling skills on the ice instead of the penalty box.
I just want to acknowledge this morning that I was at a parent/teacher interview and I want to acknowledge parents that were there with their children going to meet the teachers to go over their report cards.
I just want to commend all of them as well for going out. And I look forward to getting a little bit of exercise on Sunday evening.
Member's Statement 196 – 2(2): Inuktitut Item on CBC Newsworld
I rose this morning at 4:30 and although I have a small heart, but around 5:30, I was deeply affected when I was watching the CBC Newsworld and unexpectedly saw an Inuk appear onscreen.
This morning I actually experienced something that I’ve never experienced before.
The past experiences that we’ve had, such as when we would go hunting and they would be airing Inuktitut programs while going on a dogteam.
I didn’t expect to see any Inuit on television and that is what I saw on television 5:30 this morning.
I’m sure they were on, they were aired last night, but also I was watching a funeral for the four policemen who died on duty and this Inuk woman was singing a very moving and beautiful song.
I don’t usually get teary eyed in the morning, but I was getting emotional when Susan Aglukark was singing at the funeral.
So, therefore I would like my colleagues to join me in praising Susan Aglukark for she has really had a beautiful impact in my heart.
But, I would like to encourage Mr. Picco.
This is Friday morning, so I would like to encourage him since he sings in English.
I will sing in English.
Member's Statement 197 – 2(2): Hockey Game Against Firefighters
That was beautiful singing, but I would like to make a statement in regards to hockey game.
I would like to ask the coach to watch out because the last time when we went to play hockey in Yellowknife, Ed the Forrest Gump Picco had checked a woman.
I’m going to ask him to watch out and be careful with the coach because at times he doesn’t know what the gender of the coach is.
Member's Statement 198 – 2(2): New Hair Colour by Arctic College Students
First I wanted to begin by saying that Mr. Kattuk, I don’t like the competition that I’m hearing across the floor.
I’m going to invite Peter to join with me in my next recording session.
It won’t be on the National this time, we’re going to go Memphis and we’re going to do some Elvis tunes.
Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Barnabas had indicated, by tradition, Fridays are usually allocated for humourous or lighter statements.
Mr. Speaker, I would raise at this time, however, on an issue of seriousness.
An issue of seriousness, an extreme information update.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Arctic College is well known for many things.
Eighteen years ago, when I worked with the college, it was a very serious workplace.
Earlier this session, some members have worked with the college students to improve and enhance their training.
The students’ training, Mr. Speaker.
After my visit with the students, I came away looking younger, physically fit, and in better frame of mind.
My new hairstyle and colour has been well received by the thousands of fans across Nunavut and Canada, where they are viewing this on APTN.
I want to say this right now.
It is not the image, it is not the hair colour and it is not even the hair style that makes the man, it is what is inside.
In my case, there are lots to go around.
In seriousness, I want to take this opportunity to thank the hair styling students at Nunavut Arctic College, Ms. Suzanne Laliberte and her students, who will be traveling south very soon to enhance their professional development as hair stylists, but also they will be entering in a national competition there and we believe that they are going to be doing very well.
Member's Statement 199 – 2(2): Cape Dorset Hockey Team in Iqaluit Tournament
I too want to make a statement.
I play hockey with the senior men’s hockey group here in Iqaluit.
They will start the hockey game tonight.
They will be three individuals from Iqaluit, as well as some individuals from New Hampshire.
Once the weather gets better in Cape Dorset, they’ll be arriving here in Iqaluit and I will be joining the hockey team from Cape Dorset.
If you’d like to watch the hockey game, you are invited.
It is going to be exciting and lots of fun.
I am sure that there will be Americans playing with us.
I am sure that it will be even more exciting then.
So I am just trying to announce the hockey game in Iqaluit.
I am sure that many people are watching so I am inviting all of them to come to the hockey game and enjoy the fun.
Member's Statement 200 – 2(2): Daughter in Hair Dressing Class
One of my colleagues reminded me when he made a statement in regards to the hair dressers.
The students in the Hair Dressing Program will be leaving.
My daughter, who is adopted, is one of the students in the Hair Dressing Program, and I am so proud of her.
She will be going down to Montreal.
Although I can get free haircuts, I never get a chance to see her.
Every time she comes home from school, she just wants to sleep and then gets up in the morning and goes back to school.
I am sure that there is an individual that I am sure can further their training how to grow hair on a bald head.
I am very proud of the fact that she is going down to Montreal with the Hair Dressing Program.
I urge all the Members of the Legislative Assembly to wish them good luck.
Return to Oral Question 227 – 2(2): Access Housing Causing Hardship
I would like to return to oral question that was asked by the Member for Cambridge Bay, Mr. Peterson, on Tuesday, March 8, 2005.
I am pleased to stand today in response to the question asked by the Member from Cambridge Bay.
When a mortgage client of the Corporation turns sixty, they no longer make mortgage payments – in other words, they receive 100 percent of mortgage payment subsidy.
With respect to other operating subsidies, the Nunavut Housing Corporation does not have any, although some assistance could be available through the Income Support Division of the Department of Education, depending on the client’s circumstances.
An example of this is the Senior Citizen’s Fossil Fuel Program.
I’m also pleased to inform members that in the last Legislative Assembly, in recognition of the high cost of living in the territory and the responsibilities that go along with our extended families, we changed the access repayment scale.
Clients would previously pay up to 30 percent of their income for shelter costs.
It is now 20 percent.
Mr. Peterson also asked about the sale of an access home.
This is possible, Mr. Speaker. However, within our Access agreement, there is a profit sharing formula.
We must remember that Access clients make mortgage payments to the Nunavut Housing Corporation, based on their income.
The client pays a part of the mortgage payment and the balance is subsidized by the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
If a client sells their home, the profit sharing does not allow the client to earn a windfall by keeping the entire mortgage subsidy that has been provided by the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
If an Access client sells their unit and then moves out, they are eligible to apply for public housing.
I know the member and this house, and indeed all Nunavutmiut understand the current crisis in public housing.
Being eligible to apply for public housing and being put on a waiting list does not guarantee instant housing availability.
(interpretation) A former home owner will receive a point reading and be ranked on the waiting list for pubic housing in the same way as all other eligible public housing applicants.
Mr. Speaker, although it is then possible for homeowners to sell their homes, I suggest caution before doing so, and strongly urge anyone considering this to arrange for an in depth client review session with the Nunavut Housing Corporation program officer to consider all other possible options before proceeding with the sale of their home.
I would like to welcome an individual who is watching the proceedings who is from Rankin Inlet.
Her name is Melinda Tatti.
She has been in Rankin Inlet for many, many years and she’s a family person and has a business with her husband and son.
I’m also very pleased that she was appointed to the Nunavut Arctic College Board of Governors.
I know that since she is a former educator, she works extremely hard on behalf of young people.
Another individual who has been in Rankin Inlet for over 20 years is Joe Alexander.
And originally from Arviat, she is now living in Rankin Inlet, Sheila, I would like everyone to welcome them to the gallery.
I would like to recognize a constituent of mine who is in town this week, Mr. Bobby Greenley.
He’s a long term resident of Cambridge Bay.
He’s on the Apprentice of Trades Board, representing the Kitikmeot region, and it was good to see him this week.
We don’t get to see a lot of folks from the Kitikmeot region over here because it’s expensive and a long distance to travel.
It’s very good to see him here this week.
I’d like to welcome him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Recognition of visitors from the gallery.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognize Melinda Tatti.
I worked with her for a number of years on various boards and I think that we worked many, many hours to take decisions.
We had a good working relationship and her husband.
She is one now one of the board members and I know that she is very, very capable and again, I’m not sure if she started aging, but she is here now, younger looking than before.
I would like to recognize the individual from my home community.
The first time I met him was when I was living in Cambridge in the mid 1990’s.
We were playing hockey and he was playing on the opposite side and we were both defensemen.
I would like him to stay here for the Members of the Legislative Assembly hockey game so that he can play as our defenseman because the reason why I said that, I ran into him as a defenseman and after I bounced off of him, I opened my eyes and he was still standing there.
So, that is why I would like him to stay, Grant Spike Newman.
If I could play hockey, I’m sure Joe would have recognized me, but there are some people from Arviat here.
I’m sure they don’t recognize me because I’m not wearing my hat.
Joy Suluk, welcome to the gallery.
We are very proud of you and Sheila Napayuk who works tirelessly to help the people of Arviat, regardless of whether she gets paid or not.
And also from Rankin Inlet, she works extremely there, Mrs. Tatti.
Mr. Speaker, many of the members have welcomed our guests this morning.
The guests this morning are the members of the Apprenticeship Board of Nunavut.
They deal with issues on the apprenticeship or trades, like electrical, plumbing, carpentry and so on.
So, I’d like to take this opportunity and ask them to stand when I call out your name.
First of all, the vice chair of the board, and a new appointee to Nunavut Arctic College as pointed out by Mr. Curley, well known advocate in Nunavut, Melinda Tatti.
Melinda.
Also, from Rankin Inlet Mr. Speaker, Mr. Joe Alexander.
From Cambridge Bay, Bobby Greenley.
From Kugluktuk, Mr. Grant Newman.
And from here in Iqaluit, Mr. Lloyd Kendall.
And supporting the apprenticeship board is also some staff members introduced earlier, Miss Joy Suluk.
Sheila Napayuk, and Mr. Cam McGregor who is the directors’ advisor.
Mr. Speaker, I met with the board yesterday, and I believe there is going to be some good work with the board and the department when we move forward on some of the issues around the prevocational training school that we’re looking at and, hopefully, we’ll be in a position later on this fall to be able to make some announcements.
I would like to take this opportunity also to welcome Melinda Tatti.
I have known her for over 30 years and I used to work with her in the education field.
She is an excellent person to work with and I worked with her at the hamlet for five years.
I would like to also recognize all her extended family.
I would also like to recognize Alexander, who is an excellent instructor in Rankin Inlet, and Joy Suluk.
I have known her for many, many years and I’ve very glad that you’re able to come here to Iqaluit, and also Ms. Napayuq.
Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize some people in the gallery.
I just want to say it’s very good to see some Arviarmiut here in Iqaluit, besides Mr. Alagalak.
A friend of mine I’ve known since, I won’t say how long, but since high school, we’ll just leave it at that, is Sheila Napayuk and Joy Suluk.
We did a lot of things with them and visited them quite a bit when I lived in Arviat and also Melinda Tatti.
It’s good to see her here again and Lloyd Kendall.
Lloyd’s son is a very good soccer player and Manasee is a very good friend of my oldest daughter, Eden.
Also, Mr. Speaker, Cam McGregor, who owns my house right now.
I’m just waiting for something to happen there.
He’s made me a promise that I won’t forget.
I would like to recognize those individuals.
Also, as the Minister of Education pointed out, I would like to recognize them as an apprentice and trades board and wish them all the luck in developing the programs for apprentices throughout the territory.
If there’s anything we can do to help them out, we’ll get Mr. Minister to do things, that we’re there for them.
Question 256 – 2(2): Non-Provision of Medical Travel Escorts
What is her department doing to address the complaints raised by communities about the situation where medical escorts were not provided?
The medical travel policy was approved in 2002, and right now it is under review.
Once I have more information, I can let the House know what the outcome is of that review.
What improvements can we expect to see in the coming year with respect to the department’s client travel policy.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  Speaker (interpretation): Ms. Brown.
I predict and am optimistic that there will be improvements coming in the future years, down the road, simply because we have to look forward to the opening of those two facilities that are being built in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet, which will decrease the volume of patients flowing down South.
That means that we’ll be utilizing them more, and the review is being done so that we could have more improvements to that travel policy.
Speaker (interpretation): You second supplementary, Mr. Evyagotailak.
What recommendations have been made to improve medical travel, and when will they be implemented?
I cannot speak to those recommendations at this time, because they have not come back to me yet.
Once they have come back, there is a process to follow. They have to through cabinet before they are reviewed.
Speaker (interpretation): Final supplementary, Mr. Evyagotailak.
When will the department’s medical travel coordination centre be up and running and where will it be located?
The member raised a very good point and I thank him for that.
That should be up and running in the future, but I can’t say how long.
The process can be so lengthy at times, and I hope to report back when it’s up and running.
Question 257 – 2(2): Attendance at 2005 Mining Symposium
I would like to direct my question to the minister responsible for economic development, regarding the mining symposium in Rankin Inlet.
It’s clear that at that meeting there will be people who will be working, doing business and other things.
I wonder if the minister had any plans to attend the symposium.
Minister responsible for economic development, Mr. Simailak.
As economic development staff from Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, we are organizing and participating in the preparation of the symposium.
This is being planned at this time.
It’s a pleasure to hear that this will benefit us in the future.
It’s clear that in the past, when there have been symposiums there are different businesses who wish to attend, but can’t afford the airfare or the accommodations. So, I wonder if you have considered providing assistance to those private businesses in order for them to have a voice at the symposium and to see how they can benefit from the mining industry at that symposium in Rankin Inlet.
The private businesses in Kivalliq or in Nunavut can ask the Kivalliq partners, and if they can’t assist them, then as a department we probably can assist them if we have enough funding during the mining symposium.
I personally know that businesses in the Kivalliq can greatly benefit from this symposium in Rankin Inlet.
If they aren’t able, we are more than willing to help.
Can the minister tell me that the offices in Iqaluit can provide me with the addresses, e-mails, and phone numbers, because our contact person in Rankin Inlet is no longer there for people who might be interested in it.
I am asking for contact numbers and names.
Yes, I can give him that information.
Question 258 – 2(2): Cost Share Profits from Homeowner S.T.O. NHC
My question is directed to the Minister Responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
In his response to Mr. Peterson’s question, he stated that if a homeowner sells his house, (interpretation ends) the profit sharing does not allow the client to earn the windfall to keep the entire mortgage subsidy that has been provided by the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
(interpretation) My question is: (interpretation ends) what percentage does the Nunavut Housing Corporation get for the cost share of profits?
We have to look at the payments they have made towards their homes.
So, the cost share due to the housing corporation would be calculated and deducted from the sale price.
Your first supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you. He didn’t specify as to what percentage is paid by the homeowner to the housing corporation.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): In my response, I stated that it’s based on the income of the homeowner and those incomes vary individually.
Question 259 – 2(2): Selection of Independent Body
My question is for the younger looking, more stylish minister of energy, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, close to ten months ago, on May 26, 2004, a minister’s statement was made in the House on the issue of Nunavut Power Corporation.
At that time, one of the things that was being worked on was collections.
The statement said, and I will quote: “The Nunavut Power Corporation will enhance its efforts in collections.
Independence will ensure that this process will be fair, confidential, and will provide timely responses to customer concerns, and the decisions of this body will be final and binding.”
My question for the minister is, who has he selected to be on that independent body?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of energy, Mr. Picco.
As pointed out in the Auditor General’s recommendations,in her report, the power corporation has to be a little bit more aggressive on the collection side of the equation when it comes to the finances of the corporation.
I don’t have the information with me, Mr. Speaker, I think it was, actually, on that board and if the board has been constituted.
It sounds like the minister is being kept in the dark.
I’m wondering if the minister can, when he is finding out that information on who is on that board and how many times they’ve met and the decisions that they come up with, whether it be for or against the customer or the corporation, without getting into any confidentiality issues around clients, particular issues… . Could he provide that information?
The minister’s statement from last year indicated that there was a body being formed within the corporation.
At that time and since then, there has been an audit committee formed within the corporation, from the board of directors, which also reviews issues around the billings, especially accounts receivable.