EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, closely associated with this strategy is the Nunavut Association of Municipalities Insurance Exchange or also known as NAMIX. NAMIX is a municipally driven self insurance program providing liability coverage for the communities.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, NAMIX is sponsoring a loss control workshop this week in Rankin Inlet.
Representatives from all communities have been invited to attend and improve their skills related to developing and implementing community based fire prevention and loss control programs.
Mr. Speaker, we are also cooperating with the Department of Education and community Fire Departments to sponsor a territory wide fire prevention colouring poster design and essay contests in schools.
The theme for the contest is “When Fire Strikes, Get Out and Stay Out”.
This touches on a few simple but life saving lessons.
Install smoke detectors and test them regularly, and develop and practice home fire drills.
Mr. Speaker, I expect the new Nunavut Fire Prevention Strategy will serve as an effective means of addressing and enhancing current community fire response capabilities.
It is a key element in our efforts to protect lives and reduce property loss due to fire.
Minister’s Statement 202 – 1(6): Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday October 22, I appeared before the senate standing committee on Fisheries and Oceans along with Ben Kovic from the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board.
Our purpose was to discuss the strategic development of our fishing industry particularly as it relates to issues of quota allocations and benefits to northern fishers.
During the session I took the opportunity to highlight some of the key challenges we are facing in our attempts to develop a viable and sustainable fishing industry in Nunavut, particularly in relation to the unequal sharing arrangements that exist in our adjacent waters for turbot and shrimp fishery.
I also highlighted other key issues such as marine infrastructure, science, training and emerging fisheries development.
Mr. Speaker, the members of the Fisheries senate committee were very supportive of our cause and they have committed to work with us to help address the key challenges that we face.
They will be releasing a report in the near future on the results of their study and I look forward to providing each of you with a copy when I receive it.
Minister’s Statement 203 – 1(6): Labour Standards Act
Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Minister for the Department of Justice regarding the labour standards program, which is administered through the Department of Justice.
It has come to my attention that some Nunavummiut may not be aware of the rights of workers and the responsibilities of employers who are governed by the Labour Standards Act.
(interpretation ends) The Labour Standards Act regulations set up the minimum conditions of employment in Nunavut.
Employees or employers cannot offer and employees cannot accept benefits or conditions that are less than what is allowed in the Act.
Employers can of course provide benefits and conditions that are better than those described in the Act.
The Act covers several areas including hours of work, minimum wage, vacation, pregnancy and parental leave.
I would like to make it clear that employers must follow the rules when it comes to setting out how many hours their employees work and how much they get paid.
Employers also must uphold the provisions of this Act when an employee requests vacation or leave.
(interpretation) Both employers and employees have obligations and rights arising out of this legislation and it is important that all be aware of these.
As part of this, there is a Labour Standards Officer who is responsible for conducting inspections to ensure businesses are in compliance with the Act.
There is also a Nunavut Labour Standards Board that consists of five members including a chairperson who is appointed by the commissioner to hold office for a specific term.
The board is an independent body established to hear appeals and decisions of the Labour Standards office.
Minister’s Statement 204 – 1(6): More Full Time Nurses in Nunavut Communities
Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to announce that over the past several months the Department of Health and Social Services has been able to recruit thirty three indeterminate nurses in communities all over Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I want to give a short break down of some of these positions.
We have recently hired eight indeterminate full time Community Health Nurses.
Two supervisors of community health programs, one Clinical Nurse Instructor, five General Duty Nurses, three Public Health Nurses, two Home Care Coordinating Nurses, eight Home Care Nurses, three Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Mr. Speaker, we have filled another Tuberculosis Specialist position.
In light, Mr. Speaker, of the national shortage of nurses, this indeed is a success story.
The addition of these full time nurses Mr. Speaker, helps to provide a secure and continuity of nursing services at the community level and assists the Department of Health and Social Services in bringing care closer to home to Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, we are working hard to fill all nursing positions in all Nunavut communities.
I am proud to say that part of the solution to our nursing shortage is being answered right here in Nunavut.
The recent awarding of the Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship was an idea that was brought forward and raised and advocated on behalf and for the Premier.
The Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship to five nursing students is a solid step towards building a home grown health professional workforce and improving community health and Mr. Speaker, sustainability.
The scholarship is administered to beneficiary nursing students who have the best overall academic performance among all beneficiary students in each of the four years of the nursing program and Mr. Speaker that includes theory, courses, and clinical work and practicum sessions.
Minister’s Statement 205 – 1(6): Second Liquor Distribution Centre
I’m pleased to announce that a second liquor distribution center is being created in Nunavut and will be located in Rankin Inlet.
This will be an opportunity for the Nunavut Liquor Commission to capture the revenues that are currently flowing to other provincial and territorial governments and agencies that are not coming back to Nunavut.
The distribution centre will also allow us to develop better statistics on the amount of liquor being sold in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, by creating a second liquor distribution centre, we do not expect that the sale of alcohol in Nunavut will increase as those sales are already taking place.
It will allow for the liquor commission to better account and track the liquor being sold in Nunavut. Mr. Speaker, two new positions will be created in Rankin Inlet to operate the distribution centre.
Currently, this plans to be fully operational by the summer of 2004.
If not, we’ll move onto Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 656 – 1(6): Promoting Inuinnaqtun Language
I would like to say hello to my constituents from Kugluktuk, and my two grandchildren and my family.
I rise today to say thanks to all the Members that we have new people who will be doing Innuinaqtut speaking programs in Kugluktuk.
I have been promoting languages in Innuinaqtut in our communities in the Kitikmeot region.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognise these people who will be promoting the languages in Innuinaqtut and those translators programs and that.
Also, the people who are promoting the Innuinaqtut language in Nunavut Arctic College, that there will be training programs.
I would like the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to support these programs in Nunavut Arctic College.
I want the House to know that these programs are running in our community.
Also, these Members, they want support from the Government of Nunavut and also the school teachers who are promoting languages and also interpreters who are working in our community.
They want to support their communities in promoting their Innuinaqtut language.
Also, the elders who want to support these programs, I want you to realize people, I want the government to recognise you who are trying to support the Innuinaqtut languages in schools.
These are the people, Alice Anablak, Millie Quliqtana, Ida Ayalik McWilliams, Rosemarie Mijuk, Greg Okak, James Paneoyak, Carl Aitna, Frank Analuk and Henry Ohokonoak.
Also the employee here, Emily Angulalik is one of them.
These are the new people who are starting to support the language and I want you to support the people who are trying to promote the Innuinaqtut language in the Kitikmeot Region.
These people are going to support the Inuinnaqtun programs.
(interpretation ends) I want the Members to join me wishing the committee every success.
Member’s Statement 657 – 1(6): A Need for Infrastructure in Gjoa Haven
I didn’t think you would reach me right away.
Mr. Speaker, as elected representatives of our constituencies we are told to convey their needs.
Mr. Speaker, there is rapid population growth in some of the communities that have been decentralized.
Mr. Speaker, one of the main problems we have is that the infrastructure cannot keep up with the growth and so on.
Mr. Speaker, I want to talk about the need for infrastructure in Gjoa Haven.
Gjoa Haven is in need of office buildings.
The hamlet has become quite innovative by adopting many existing buildings.
For example, Mr. Speaker the Aboriginal Head Start program is being held in one of the elementary classrooms because there is no other place to hold it.
Mr. Speaker, the local daycare operates as a daycare during the day and classroom for literacy program in the evening.
Mr. Speaker, the elders have a small facility they use but it requires renovations.
This facility that is used by the elders and doubles as the Heritage Museum and Visitors Center.
This facility is full of large cases that take up much of the space.
Mr. Speaker, the worse problem is that… Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to complete my statement.
My colleagues, some of them are very disruptive.
Mr. Speaker, the largest part of the problem is that the hamlet has been using their own staff housing as temporary classrooms that are used for five to ten week programs.
This becomes a problem when the positions are filled, and housing is needed for the new staff.
Mr. Speaker, there are a lot more buildings needed in Gjoa Haven such as home care facilities, women’s shelters which has been requested on more than one occasion, a swimming pool which we have been our requesting for quite a while.
We also need bigger community hall.
At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking questions.
Member’s Statement 658 – 1(6): Problem with Power Bills
I rise today to show you this booklet. Mr. Speaker, the communities in Nunavut are thousands of miles apart and far from the capital city.
One issue that I would like to bring up is that in some of the communities we’ve had some problems with the Power Corporation where they send out the bills and they arrive at the community too late and because of the late payment for the power the Nunavut Power Corporation cuts off their electricity.
The Power Corporation, I think, could fix this problem because as I said earlier, the people of Nunavut pay a lot for their monthly expenses.
The working class at the end of the day, after paying all of their bills are left with pocket change that will not see them through two weeks.
Here, we have this beautiful booklet with people of Nunavummiut on the cover, but the Power Corporation and their Headquarters are not operating properly because we have had too many people who are getting their power cut off for late payment.
There is a lot of room for improvement in that office and I do not think that enough information is going out there to the general population.
At the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister some questions on this issue.
Member’s Statement 659 – 1(6): Supporting Local Businesses – Rankin Inlet Health Facility
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the Rankin Inlet Health Center contract award and the impact of this project on the community of Rankin Inlet.
Let me start by emphasizing my total support of local businesses like most Members in this House.
Mr. Speaker, some Members of this Assembly have continually asked the Government to support local businesses.
It has been one of the strongest messages to the Government since 1999.
The message has been loud and clear.
Mr. Speaker, Rankin Inlet is a growing community and a growing community needs opportunities.
Members may have recently read the news that our business community is shrinking again with the loss of lots from long-established companies.
Let us face it, Mr. Speaker, if we do not support our local businesses, they will disappear along with the jobs they create.
Southern based companies do not face the same challenges of a local business.
We must support local businesses.
Mr. Speaker, all of the local businesses in the communities need help.
It has become increasingly difficult to try and bid against large corporations without taking on partners.
However, for this project in Rankin Inlet, the local company is responsible for large parts of the recruiting, training and construction opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, a massive contract can have a major impact on the local economy.
It has become evident to my constituents that in some cases, it is impossible for a local contractor to bid against some of the larger companies from outside the community, especially when the project is on a large scale.
Mr. Speaker, the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet has expressed support for this decision as it is the community’s expectation that they would receive the maximum benefit from an investment of this size.
In addition, a larger portion of the money that will be spent will remain within Rankin Inlet and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude my statement.
Please proceed. Minister Thompson.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: Mr. Speaker, as a Member of this Assembly, I’m very pleased that the Rankin Inlet Health facility is becoming a reality.
I have always been a strong supporter of local businesses and I will always continue to be a strong supporter of local businesses when ever and where ever I can.
I would also like to thank our Premier, our Members, some Members in this Legislative Assembly who have supported local businesses.
Some don’t, but many of us do in this Legislative Assembly.
We support local businesses.
Member’s Statement 660 – 1(6): Repulse Bay in Need of Community Hall
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank all the Members and send my regards to my wife, my children, my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren.
I don’t know how many grandchildren I have, but I send them my regards.
I also thank my children and my wife for waiting patiently, even though my wife has been ill for some time now.
I would like to talk about some of the Nunavut communities where some are more developed than others.
Since that is the case, there are communities that do not have adequate community halls or gymnasiums which is a problem for the youth in those communities.
The gyms are very good for not only the youth, but also for all community members because it gets them into a social environment.
Also for exercise and so on, it mentally conditions them for the better.
For those have-not communities, it is up to us as the Government to give them more support.
Using for example, Repulse Bay, where, when the community hall went up in flames, the hamlet council worked extremely hard to get an alternative facility that could be used by the young people.
I would like to state my support in getting those smaller communities adequate facilities, community halls and gymnasiums.
It’s up to us as a Government to help those have-not communities.
I’m also pleased that Kugaaruk has been getting a lot of support from this house, including the Minister.
Repulse Bay is one of those have-not communities and I see them as the orphans of Nunavut, where they’re not getting any of the basic needs that they require.
Member’s Statement 661 – 1(6): Knocking on People’s Doors
The bouquet of flowers is in the way of the Speaker.
I would like to make a brief Members’ Statement.
As Inuit, we go and visit other people in the community, whether they are friends or whether they are our family members, we do not bother to knock, and looking at the other way, the Qallunaaq always have to knock on the door.
We thought that this was the case all the time.
Although some of them are not like that.
What I am trying to say is that the RCMP in the communities, enter a home without knocking, maybe because they know that it is the Inuit way.
Although some are not like that, some of them either knock, or some of them do not even bother to.
Sometimes they make a mistake and go into a different house.
As Inuit we just enter our family’s home, our friends, but it should be noted that if you are working and you want to enter a home, you have to be polite, and knock on the door before you ask to come in.
Speaker: Members’ Statements. Ms. Williams
Member’s Statement 662 – 1(6): Crime Prevention – A Need for Probation Officers
I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to thank the Member who provided an answer to the letter I wrote a letter in June.
What I want to talk about today is in regards to crime prevention, and community probation officers in the communities, something that Mr. Puqiqnak had mentioned yesterday.
Ever since I was elected I have been pushing to have Community Probation Officers.
I have been working on this for 14 years before I became a Member.
It is a very challenging job.
You have to look after people who have just come in from a Correctional Facility, and this has to be looked at by the Department of Justice and for them to make sure that there are enough probation officers in the communities, instead of saying that we do not have enough money to hire those individuals.
The probation officers help individuals who come out of jail to become a member of the community and it also helps in terms of crime prevention for those people coming out from the jails; it can also make the person who is incarcerated come out a little bit earlier.
For the smaller communities in Nunavut there are no probation officers and it should be the job of the Department of Justice to make sure that those positions are put in the smaller communities.
At the appropriate time I will be asking the Minister in this regard.
Member’s Statement 663 – 1(6): Book by Reverend Mike Gardner
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, a long time Iqaluit and Nunavut resident, the Reverend Mike Gardner, has recently completed a self-help book entitled “Getting Ready to go to the Hospital”.
Reverend Gardner, who is retired, has served for many years as a Pastor to the hospitals, boarding homes and patients.
His book is in English and Inuktitut and covers a range of frequently asked questions by patients and escorts.
He also deals, Mr. Speaker, with issues of boarding homes.
Mr. Speaker, this book also contains medical terminology and questions that a doctor or a nurse may ask by pointing to the Inuktitut question and response.
So, in the book, Reverend Gardner has taken frequently asked questions. Are you hungry?
And it is in Inuktitut and if there is no one available like an interpreter or a translator, then the patient can actually point it out in syllabics and the English translation is there and the patient would be able to communicate.
So, Mr. Speaker, this has been done for the first time and, Mr. Speaker, I think it is also important to point out that Mr. Gardner did this on his own.
He did not get funding from the Health Department, he did not get anything from the Government of Nunavut, and he did it on his own.
So, I think we should be congratulating Mr. Gardner for seeing the need out there, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Reverend Mike Gardner has put much time and effort into this book and it is available by contacting the Anglican Diocese and Office in Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you and this House join with me in thanking the Reverend Mike Gardner for his continuing good work on behalf and for all Nunavummiut.
I want to point out, Mr. Speaker, that Reverend Gardner wrote the book in English, then he translated it himself and the book has not been widely available and indeed, Mr. Speaker, a lot of people do not know it is available.
He also has some hymns and prayers for people who are going to the hospital.
So, I know I think it would be a great comfort to many residents who are travelling.
So, I would like to take this opportunity again, Mr. Speaker, to thank Mr. Gardner for doing something, again, above and beyond the call of duty.
Member’s Statement 664 – 1(6): Belcher Island and Sanikiluaqmiut
I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to talk about when we first became elected to the Legislature, and I have talked about this numerous times, about James Bay.
The people of Sanikiluaq have not used that part of the shores in Hudson Bay near the Belcher Islands that much, but they would like to be able to use that for their hunting area and I would like to congratulate the people from Inuilirmiut that they are in support of the people of Sanikiluaq.
The Belcher Islands would like to be protected by the people of Sanikiluaq, even though we do not use them that often, some parts of it.
But, Mr. Speaker, what I am trying to say is that the Belcher Islands will have to be protected and we would like to always use it for the rest of our lives.
Member’s Statement 665 – 1(6): Gratitude and Regards to Pangniqturmmiut
Members of the Legislature know what I am going to talk about, Mr. Speaker.
Sometimes people request something wherever they may live, especially when something happens and I would like to say, at this time, Mr. Speaker, sometimes they wait a long time even though they want something when something serious has happened.
I was recently in Pangnirtung for three days and I saw for myself, the Inuit patiently waiting while there was something else going on.
I would like to remember Abraham and Meeka Arnakak and the family.
They will be burying a family member today.
They have helped a lot of people when the same thing happened, when something happens in the community, when there is a death in the family and I would like to recognise them.
Mr. Speaker, I would not like to forget the people who are in the hospital from Pangnirtung.
They were recently sent down south for medical treatment and I would like to think about the families of those individuals and I send my regards to them.
Member’s Statement 666 – 1(6): Community Access Roads
At the end of October, at the time that I used to go on the dog-team and riding skidoos, I am now living in a house.
I finally put my boat out this morning into the water.
I would like to talk about something in regards to transportation.
The government made an agreement with the Federal Government to fund $500 thousand to do a study on the Manitoba/Kivalliq highway.
I know that this would be of great benefit to the people of Nunavut if there was to be a highway built.
I know that this is going to progress by itself, hopefully soon, but some communities were given funding in regards to transportation infrastructure.
Say, for instance, if they want to make an access road in their community to go out to the hunting grounds and fishing places and to get some fresh water, it’s a great benefit to the people in the communities when they receive funding for access roads.
I think there is an access road in Whale Cove that’s about 30 miles and I just wanted to let the Department of Transportation know that there are many benefit to communities when there is an access road being built.
It’s a comfort for the people of the communities when they can use it for hunting and other recreational purposes.
I just want to make sure that this funding is continued by the Department of Transportation.
Member’s Statement 667 – 1(6): Decentralization for Communities
It’s pretty grim today Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the need for stability in our work force.
Mr. Speaker, we often hear the concern expressed about capacity short-falls in our departments.