EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Also, this coming Sunday is Mother’s Day, I want to wish all mothers in Nunavut a happy Mother’s Day, and in particular, I want to recognize my mother, Naulaaq, my sister Celine, and my sister-in-laws Sylvia and Rita, and wish them a happy special day.
I also want to wish my friends Jacqueline Jeankut, Christine Lyall, Jackie Best and Sally Kusugak a happy Mother’s Day.
Also, I want to thank Sally and Lorne for their gift; I have not had a chance to call you since receiving the gift and hope to speak to you very soon.
And lastly, I want to wish my mother an early happy birthday.
Her birthday is on May 15.
If you are listening, mom, I wish you a very happy birthday.
Member’s Statement 331 – 2(2): Gratitude to First Air and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
I rise today to publicly thank First Air and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated for helping the people of Arctic Bay in their time of pain.
Mr. Speaker, a former resident of Arctic Bay recently died in Montreal under tragic and terrible circumstances, as I am sure you have also heard.
Thanks to Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s Bereavement Travel Program, help for the family has been made available to attend the funeral.
Thanks to First Air, the body of the deceased will be returned home to a final resting place.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the community pulled together to raise funds.
Mr. Speaker, I asked our government to help in paying for the costly return for the deceased body to Arctic Bay because the family didn’t simply have funds to pay for this.
Mr. Speaker, the government refused to help claiming that its hands were tied by existing policies.
Mr. Speaker, earlier in our Session, it was revealed that senior officials in the Department of Health and Social Services received over $83 thousand in performance bonuses in 2003-04.
I can’t understand how the department has no problem finding money for bonuses for bureaucrats and not a single penny to help in situations like this.
Mr. Speaker, the government’s reply to me did say that the department will continue to examine this issue until it has been considerably addressed.
I will hold the Minister to this commitment and accept action to take before this House sits again this fall.
Mr. Speaker, I have a suggestion for the department.
Section 3 of the (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Section 3 of the Government of Nunavut’s NNI Policy says the following, and I quote, “In exercising its wider responsibilities, the Cabinet may, on an exceptional basis, depart from the application of provisions of the Policy”.
I’ll repeat it, in exercising its wider responsibilities, the Cabinet may, on an exceptional basis, depart from the application of provisions of the Policy.
In other words, Mr. Speaker, the flexibility is available to depart from the policy if circumstances warrant.
Mr. Speaker, I would urge the Department of Health and Social Services to include a similar provision in its Client Travel Policy to address exceptional situations like the one faced by the people of Arctic Bay.
Member’s Statement 332 - 2(2): Energy Cost Initiative by the Hamlet of Kugluktuk
I apologize for my harsh voice, I have a sore throat.
First of all, I would like to say to my fellow colleagues as today is probably our last day in this session. I hope that everyone gets home well.
Mother’s day is approaching on Sunday.
My mother-in-law and my wife, I wish them all a very happy day.
Whenever I’m in Iqaluit, I have an adoptive mother whom I call mother.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage the Hamlet of Kugluktuk in its efforts to reduce the impacts of high oil prices, particularly on our costs of energy.
The hamlet has begun its sustainable energy initiative.
The initiative has four parts.
The first part is the community NGN Water Act Audit. Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Kugluktuk has applied for the federal and Canadian municipalities for funding under the Green Municipal Initiatives Fund.
This fund will provide 50 percent of the total cost of the project.
Mr. Speaker, the hamlet now requires funds from the Government of Nunavut to move forward with the project.
I believe that the hamlet should be rewarded for its proactive approach to what could be an energy crisis in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage cabinet to review the hamlet’s request for funding and to allow them to undertake this project which could become a model for municipalities across Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 333 - 2(2): New Offices for Hamlet of Repulse Bay
I rise today to speak of the Hamlet of Naujaat who were finally able to move to their new office after waiting for a long time. Now they have more office space.
This is probably our last day and a lot of us are leaving tomorrow. I would like to thank all my colleagues for assisting me. I would personally like to thank our interpreters because they’re very capable and they’re very hard working during our sittings.
I would also like to thank the Minister responsible for Hamlets that he will be able to come to the official opening of the hamlet office.
Now they have a proper boardroom and offices, so I am urging all the Ministers to have a retreat over there in our community.
I thank all my colleagues and I wish everybody a safe trip home.
Member’s Statement 334 – 2(2): Drug and Alcohol Abuse in the Communities
I rise today to once again address the issue of drug and alcohol abuse in our communities.
In recent days, Members of this House became personally aware of yet another tragedy.
Once again, drugs were a contributing factor.
I would like to take a moment to read from a letter I recently received from a major air carrier that operates in the Kivalliq.
I had raised a concern with them about the illegal transport of alcohol into dry communities.
This is what I was told, and I quote: “We are aware that illegal alcohol and drugs in our communities are having a devastating effect.
We are very troubled by this growing trend and the lack of tools with which to intervene.
Anything you and your colleagues can do to give the police and carriers more tools to combat the problem will be wholeheartedly supported and implemented by our company.”
I will continue to call on this government to take the issue seriously.
Instead of supporting measures that weaken communities and families, I want to see the Government of Nunavut stand up against federal plans to move towards drug decriminalization.
I want to see the government make every effort to restrict access to alcohol, rather than focusing on how much money it can make out of the sale of booze.
I want to see judges hand out tough sentences to the drug dealers and the bootleggers.
At the moment, going to jail for a few months is simply a cost of doing business for the peddlers of poison who infest our communities like a disease.
We read in the Bible that when a scorner is punished, the simple become wise.
How many more people have to die before politicians here and in Ottawa take real action?
When will our representatives in Ottawa start acting in the interests of Nunavut?
I see this government as being very soft on the issue of drugs.
We need to be strong, and we need to speak up.
Member’s Statement 335 – 2(2): Importance of Early Childhood Programs
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe travel home, as today in all likelihood will be our last sitting day until the fall.
I rise today to once again address the importance of our Early Childhood Programs.
Child care programs should be strong and supportive environments for our children to begin their development and learning.
Creating those environments does not just mean evaluating, licensing, and monitoring facilities.
It does not just mean setting up programs for learning and development that are culturally relevant.
It also means giving our Early Childhood Educators and assistants the support that they need to work in this very important field.
Across Canada, recognition is growing that our Early Childhood Workers are not always being paid at the level they deserve.
Benefits are few and, as a result, turnover is often high.
Being compensated fairly is not an unreasonable demand, many, including me, say it is a right.
Workers in the child care field are caring for our most valuable resources, our children.
It is time that we made some significant investments in the child care workforce in recognition of their responsibilities and the role that they play in the creation of our future society.
We have had some discussions in this House on the National Child Care Program funding and what the real needs are in Nunavut.
I commend the efforts of our Minister of Education to seek realistic funding allocations that are based on our needs instead of a formula that we know doesn’t work for Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the government to give full consideration to the wage, training and support needs of our Early Childhood workforce.
By improving the conditions and opportunities for our child care educators, assistants and directors, our children will also be the ones to benefit.
At the appropriate time, I’ll be tabling a package of information that I received on this issue for Members to have a look and hopefully, the Minister as well.
Member’s Statement 336 – 2(2): Happy Mother’s Day for Nunavut Mothers
I rise today because, of course, Mother’s Day is coming on Sunday. I would like to wish all mothers in Nunavut a happy day. I would also like to remember all the children who are named after my mother.
I would like to wish everybody a good trip tomorrow.
One of the Members, Peter Kattuk has left already but I’ve called him to wish him well.
When someone says have a good trip, I usually do.
I would also like to say an early happy birthday to my husband, whose birthday is on May 11.
If I remember, I’ll wish you a happy birthday again on May 11.
I’ll speak in English (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, as the Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, I have received a number of letters from students attending Mani Ulujuk School.
I want to thank the students for writing to me, and I want to acknowledge their teacher for encouraging the students to learn how decisions are made through municipal and territorial governments.
I want the students to know that I am in the process of responding to their letters and in doing so, I hope to provide them with further information on who makes decisions on the questions they asked.
I encourage the students to learn as much as they can about which government bodies have the ability to make decisions on questions that affect their lives.
Once students are clear about who has the decision making responsibility, it might also encourage participation in municipal and government elections when they are old enough to vote.
Knowing who will represent you and your views is important when it comes time to voting.
I want to say thank you for your letters, Kailan Kusugak, Mary-Lee Anawak, Kaluk Tatty, Ashlee Satiana, Candice Kusugak, Nicole Nukinaijuk, Codie Tulugak, Ikpiksaut Friesen, Jarvis Tautungi.
I give you my thanks.
Member’s Statement 337 – 2(2): Cambridge Bay’s Annual Omingmak Frolics
Mr. Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House about Cambridge Bay’s annual spring celebration that is taking place later this month on May 20-23.
The Omingmak Frolics started over 30 years ago to get people out to celebrate the end of a long winter and beginning of summer.
Mr. Speaker, quite often it was the first time many of us had seen each other in many months.
Annual spring festivals across Nunavut bring community residents and visitors alike together for a lot of fun and friendship.
Visitors to Cambridge Bay are always impressed by the friendliness and welcoming attitude of our residents after enduring long, cold and dark months of winter.
Mr. Speaker, our Frolics holds many events, including snowmobile races, talent shows, dances, concerts, King and Queen competitions, a petting zoo, and the Fright Factor.
All events are always well attended because they are entertaining.
Mr. Speaker, one of the things Nunavummiut do well is volunteer our services to help our communities.
Every year in my community we have people who volunteer to organize the Omingmak Frolics.
Mr. Speaker, volunteers across Nunavut who organize our annual festivals and other events should be commended for the time they dedicate to helping making others happy.
Mr. Speaker, the Omingmak Frolics kicks off every year with a parade around town lead by the 3001 Nanook Cadets.
Earlier this year, Mr. Speaker, the future of the cadets was in doubt.
I am happy to report, Mr. Speaker, that volunteers came forward to keep our distinguished cadet group alive.  Mr. Speaker, the people of Cambridge Bay are always honoured when we watch our cadets marching proudly at the lead of the Omingmak Frolics parade.
On behalf of my constituents I wish all Members safe journeys back to your ridings and to all Nunavummiut, a great summer with family and friends.
On closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind all Nunavummiut to remember our veterans and soldiers on May 8, Veteran Europe Day, at the end of WWII 60 years ago.
Mr. Speaker, our veterans and soldiers sacrificed a lot for democracy, our great country, Canada, and our great territory of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 338 – 2(2): Need for a Wharf in Arviat
First of all, I would like to say that there’s going to be a scalpin derby tomorrow and anybody who would like to make a contribution to buy grubs and other essentials are more than welcome to make a contribution.
We are going to be doing a fundraiser to feed the needy and for those individuals who would like to make a donation, I have an address and I could also take your donations to bring them to Arviat.
We have been waiting eight or nine years for a design of a wharf.
If you have ever been to Arviat, there’s absolutely no safe harbour outside of Arviat, and if there’s a little bit of wind, you usually can’t land your boat in front of the community.
The Transportation Minister knows of our predicament, but what we would to do is get some funding so that we can get a dock or a safe harbour in our community.
We have been waiting eight or nine years for the design of a dock or a safe harbour.
It’s hanging in the harbour, but the problem is that it has never been completed, so that design is totally useless.
Member’s Statement 339 – 2(2): Happy Mother’s Day
Mr. Speaker, this Sunday will be universally celebrated as Mother’s Day.
Mr. Speaker, when I was first elected, Oopah and I were blessed with the birth of our youngest child, Pakah.
At that time of the election, Pakah was two months old, Dora was five, and Wally was just turning seven.
With the creation of Nunavut just around the corner, the government in deficit reduction mode, layoffs, rollbacks of wages, and the elimination of VTAs and some of the longest sessional time on record spent in Yellowknife, it was a very stressful time.
Mr. Speaker, Oopah was both a mother and a father at that time, and today, Mr. Speaker, Wally will be turning 17 in a few months and baby Pakah is now nine.
Mr. Speaker, the spouse of an elected official is really a partner in the job, too.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish Oopah a very special Mother’s Day on Sunday, and to my Sakiq in Clyde River, Ningiuraapik Arnakkaq, a very special Mother’s Day to her, too.
Also, Mr. Speaker, and to all mothers in Nunavut, I would like to say thank you for your love, kindness and support and especially to Oopah. I love you.
Member’s Statement 340 - 2(2): Gratitude to Students
I rise today to say farewell to all my colleagues, have an excellent spring and summer and take it easy and go out on the land and enjoy yourselves.
I envy the people that are out there already enjoying the spring and the Pakallak Frolics in Rankin Inlet.
I rise today to make short statement and to also to say thank you the students who wrote letters to us.
Some of the students are making a lot of effort to make sure that the government hears about the need to have facilities and because they don’t have anything to do, they usually turn to alcohol and drugs because of boredom.
A lot of their friends are turning to those things.
I would like to say thank you to the people who wrote to us.
We more than welcome letters.
We have Megan Siksik, Edith Aingili, Nance Qavvituq, Victor Intinuar, Terry Green, Laurie Tagoona, Jerome Misigalak, Arthur Beerchild, Keven McClenty, Karen Tutannuaq, Chad Graham, Jerry Saumik and the other students.
I would like to say thank you very much to those students and I will make sure that your voice is heard on the youth facilities, suicide.
They need volunteers to help them and they especially need activities in the summer time to keep them out of predicaments.
We have to look after our children.
Member’s Statement 341 – 2(2): Recognition of Unsung Volunteers
We become envious for those individuals who have mothers and we take other mothers as our mothers.
I wish all the mothers of Nunavut a great day on Mother’s Day.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about what we have heard many times in Nunavut, no matter where we go and that’s what people advise us and they remind us for the individuals who are aged 35-55, they are never recognized for their huge support.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to acknowledge these individuals and thank them for reminding us to acknowledge them.
We’ll have an adjournment this spring and summer and I encourage these individuals to identify to us what they have done and what kinds of support services they have provided.
They provide their time in doing volunteer work to assist other people.
There are many people who are volunteers in Nunavut and there are many unemployed people in Nunavut.
I too would like to acknowledge them and thank them for all their hard work.
Even though you are not being acknowledged, I just want you to know that we are acknowledging you for all the support you have given to Nunavummiut.
Once we are in the hallowed halls of the Legislative Assembly, our voices are transferred directly by electronic communication to that wonderful place called the Hansard office where some very dedicated people transcribe our words. Mr. Speaker, I know when certain people in the House get up to speak, a smile will come on the Hansard translator/interpreters’ faces, usually that happens when I speak.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome to the Gallery two of these wonderful people who work for Innirvik at the Hansard Office.
First of all, Mr. Speaker, I will ask them to stand up; first of all, Mr. Speaker, a transcriber, Ms. Lucie Idlout.
And also next to Lucie is Kaittaasi Peter. Kaittaasi is a transcriber as well as the Inuktitut editor.
And next to Kaittaasi is a well known law student and soon to be, I think a lawyer, and also an excellent seamstress, Ms. Aaju Peter.
I would like to recognize someone who is not here in the House, but is behind a window; they are not often recognized, our interpreters from the Kitikmeot.
Gwen Angulalik from Cambridge Bay, Atima Hadlari from Cambridge Bay, James Panioyak from Cambridge Bay, and also a fellow resident from Kugluktuk, although she’s living somewhere else, Edna Elias-Ishivalak.
I am thankful that they can be here translating to our language to our residents in here.
Although these individuals are not here, since Sunday is going to be Mother’s Day, I would like to acknowledge, first of all, my wife, my mother-in-law, and my adoptive and biological mother in Igloolik.
I wish all of the mothers of Nunavut to have a great day on Mother’s Day.
Although I acknowledged these individuals, I do would like to thank these individuals for coming here, they are attending school. I called the school to get names for the pages and they were able to come here. I would like to thank the parents for supporting their children to come here to be pages at the Legislative Assembly.
I would like to thank Robert Ikkidluak from Kimmirut, Mary Ikkidluak from Kimmirut, behind me from Cape Dorset, Pauloosie Uquutaq, and also over in that area, Lisa Jaw.
I would like to thank them for coming here and paging for us.
The individual we have never acknowledged who has worked here all of the time and never shown up, George Metuq who works at the control centre. I would like to acknowledge him.
Also, my wife, I wish her a happy Mother’s Day and I thank her for providing us with wonderful children and grandchildren.
Question 420 – 2(2): Number of Confidential Workplace Harassment Cases
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My first question today is for the Minister responsible for Human Resources.
Last week, I asked the Minister some questions, I think it was last Friday, in regards to workplace harassment policy and if any concerns were brought forward to the Employee Relations Division, in relation to confidential requests made to them to look into certain issue.
In an email response that I got from the Minister today, it indicates that there are currently 99 active files dealing with employee/employer related issues going on.
Can he indicate, or does he have an idea of how many, if any of those files that were reported confidentially to the Employee Relations Division by an employee working in the government?
Speaker (interpretation): The Minister responsible for Human Resources. Minister Tapardjuk.
I just have the figures for the individuals who encounter problems and the individuals who made the complaints, but I don’t have any reports.
Whether they made a confidential report, I don’t have that information in front me.
I am just letting the Member know that I don’t have the information at hand, but I will provide the information later on.
Following along my question to the Minister of Finance earlier this week, I would like to ask Minister while he is looking that up could he also provide information as to how many of those files are activated by confidential complaints, or leads, to the Employee Relations Divisions by Government of Nunavut employees?
If any of those have been reported have they all been investigated?
Also what, if any, disciplinary action was taken as a result of those investigations?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): In regards to his question, I don’t have the detailed information in regards to the question he just posed.
I will have the information on a later date, once I get them.
Question 421 – 2(2): Update on Matching Funds for Energy in Kugluktuk
I know for sure that the Hamlet has requested for funds if they would like assistance from the Minister of the Power Corporation.
Can the Minister please inform us as to what has been done regarding this request?
Speaker (interpretation): The Minister responsible for Energy. Minister Picco.
I didn’t quite get the question.
I wonder if the Member would please repeat it.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Evyagotailak, please clarify your question.
My question is to the Minister of Energy.
It is my understanding that the Hamlet of Kugluktuk has requested the Minister’s assistance to secure matching funding from the sustainable energy initiatives.
Can the Minister tell me what decision has been reached with respect to the request?
The matching funds and the sustainable initiative is a federal program, and Mr. Speaker, the federal program itself is in some question right now with regards to the situation that we find ourselves with in Ottawa.
On Tuesday next week, Mr. Speaker, I will be in Ottawa meeting with the Federal Minister responsible and this is one of the issues that we will be raising with them at that time.
I would hope to be able to get back to the Community of Kugluktuk shortly after that meeting with a response.
Speaker (interpretation): First Supplementary. Mr. Evyagotailak.
Is the Minister working with his colleagues at the Community and Government Services and Environment to secure funding to assist the hamlet in this project?
Over the last couple of weeks, we have moved I think very aggressively as a territory on a lot of different issues with regards to energy.
One of those was tabled here in the House, which was the Energy Management Guide, which is being put in place by the department under Minister Kilabuk that the Member has just talked about, and that’s a cooperative venture through all departments in government.