EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
First of all I want to thank the person who nominated me, Mr. Alakannuark and the colleagues who also ran for office and I hope that you will run again in the future.
You will recognize all your challenges and your abilities.
I want to thank all the members who elected me to this position, I enjoyed working with you as a member of your standing committees, and I am pleased working with you.
I will do my best with my position as a minister.
Member’s Statement 017 - 1(4): Preserving Inuinnaqtun
I am here today because I want to talk about the various languages in Nunavut.
We have different dialects and because I do not want our dialects lost and because we wanted the younger generation to learn Inuktitut throughout Nunavut when we were elected as MLAs.
As the Member of Kugluktuk, I have a special interest in the future of Inuinnaqtun in our Territory.
Inuinnaqtun as you know in our community of Kugluktuk was disappearing, our language and our writing system, and today we use it, whenever we are home we speak Inuinnaqtun.
Today I would like to talk about it in this House and I use Inuinnaqtun at every opportunity so that the people listening to us in my community can hear that the language has taken its rightful place in our Assembly.
The people in our community should be using Inuinnaqtun and they should know in the Kitikmeot region that the Nunavut Government in their work place is going to start using Inuinnaqtun.
I would like you to know that in the Kivalliq and in the Baffin, they never forgot their language and it is a strong language, and also in our Kitikmeot we would like our Inuinnaqtun to be strong because it will make us proud that we are using our language.
I do not want you people to forget that and for our kids, because the children are our future and our elders.
Some kids should learn the language.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
In addition, parents should help every evening for their education because they cannot learn only in school.
They should be promoting the language at home.
The young people should be listening to that.
Also, we should promote the language because it was almost gone, as was the writing system.
Now it has been promoted. (interpretation ends)
Promotions depends on successful partnerships between the Government, the Language Commissioner, local organizations and individuals.
Resources need to be made available in our schools so that our children will start to learn at an early age.
Mr. Speaker, the first annual report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut will be tabled during the current session.
I look forward to working with the Commissioner towards the goal of putting our commitments into practice.
Member’s Statement 018 - 1(4): Congratulations to Olayuk Akesuk
I gratefully rise today to congratulate my friend and colleague Olayuk Akesuk for his new position on the Executive Council.
Here on the calender according to our schedule, I know that we will no longer be working closely with him as we have in the standing committee but I wish to continue working with him and we will all feel his absence from our standing committees.
I want to thank and congratulate him for all his assistance.
Member’s Statement 019 - 1(4): Appreciation for Former NIC Commissioners
First, I would like to congratulate Mr. Akesuk.
I want to say that it gives me a great deal of pleasure to stand here as Nunavummiuttaq.
It is now into a year and a half since Nunavut was created.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the fathers and mothers of Nunavut.
I am speaking of the former Commissioners for the Nunavut Implementation Commission who recommended to the Government of Canada, the Government of Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated our decentralized model of government.
They established the fact that we leave no one out in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I can remember not too long ago when NIC Commissioners came to Gjoa Haven in December 1994 and asked the people of my community what type of government they wanted to see in Nunavut.
I can remember very well when an elder stood up and said while making the Government of Nunavut do not forget Inuit traditional ways.
Today I am glad to see that we have a department whose sole responsibility is to assist the elders and youth of Nunavut with Inuit culture and language.
It is also because of the recommendations that NIC made that we have a government that is closer to the people of Nunavut.
Having said that, I encourage you to work towards becoming more open and accountable to all Nunavummiut.
They are expecting you to do this.
Mr. Speaker, let me for the record, thank John Amagoalik.
I want to recognize all those who have been there, who have really worked hard.
I want to thank for the record, John Amagoalik the former Chief Commissioner.
Also Joe Ohokannoak, Carl O’Gorman, Guy Alikut, Peter Irniq, David Anaraluk, Meeka Kilabuk, George Qulaut, Ken Harper, Mary Simon, and Bill Lyall.
I thank these former Commissioners of the Nunavut Implementation Commission for their hard work and tireless determination in recommending the model of our Government of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, lastly I would like to take this opportunity to thank the former Interim Commissioner, Mr. Jack Anawak for implementing the work of NIC, on behalf of all people of Nunavut.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members.
Member’s Statement 020 - 1(4): Passing of Lucassie Nutaraluk
Mr. Speaker, almost 5 years ago I was a member of the Iqaluit for Capital campaign.
As a member of that team, I had an opportunity to travel to other Nunavut communities to explain our platform, Iqaluit for all of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker I believe the option to place official names with signage on our community streets, recognizing our community and other communities in Nunavut for the Capital, is a good idea.
Mr. Speaker, that idea should be maintained by our new town council.
Also Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier in this House, the Nunavut Capital Commission can play a role in this.
Our Iqaluit for Capital campaign consisted of many Iqaluit residents and businesses.
One of those residents was a well-respected elder Lucassie Nutaraluk.
Lucassie added tremendous insight and credibility to our team.
A couple of weeks ago I visited Lucassie in the hospital here in Iqaluit.
I briefly spoke to Lucassie and to his family and he gave me one of his usual friendly smiles.
Mr. Speaker, Lucassie was an excellent role model and respected elder, and friend.
Mr. Speaker, he will be sadly missed.
Member’s Statement 021 - 1(4): Congratulations to Baker Lake Graduates
First of all, I would like to congratulate Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, for his election to the Executive Council.
I don’t want to throw a downer on today’s activity, but Mr. Speaker, there is a serious trend developing where we are replacing Executive Council members far too frequently for my liking, and I hope it stops.
Also, I would like to apologize to four young people in Baker Lake for missing their graduation ceremony in June.
I would like to congratulate Abigail Noah, Daisy Fae Sivala, Sheldon Kashluk, Douglas Ivuluak on graduating from the Jonah Amitnaaq School this June.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to point out that Abigail Noah and Douglas Ivuluak are now trainees with the newly formed Nunavut Power Corporation in Baker Lake.
So Mr. Speaker, graduating from high school does matter.
Mr. Speaker, on that I would also like to commend their parents for the hard work and dedication they put in every day to see these future leaders graduate from high school.
Member’s Statement 022 - 1(4): Encouraging Youth to Graduate
I would like to congratulate my colleague the newly elected cabinet member and the two who were running.
I would like to say at this time that the young people today are numerous and I was happy to hear the member talk about them graduating from high school.
I hope this will be an encouragement to the other students to complete high school, because they definitely have to do that today because they are our future leaders, because we will not be sitting here all the time.
I nominated Peter Kattuk and I nominated Olayuk Akesuk.
I do not know what that indicates.
I am very happy for both of them.
So, if someone is serious to be elected just let me nominate them.
I would like to recognize Noah Panniuq who is sitting over there.
He was my favourite aunt’s son who was Mrs. Panniuq originally from Coral Harbour.
I used to baby-sit Noah Panniuq and it is his birthday today so I would also like to wish him a happy birthday.
Speaker: Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Kilabuk.
I am one of the people that hardly give recognition to the people in the gallery.
But today I would like to recognize a resident of Pangnirtung, Imona Qarpik.
Also, Jeannie Tigularak who is presently living in Pangnirtung and going to the Arthur Turner Training School.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Iqaqrialu.
I was going to recognize those same people so I just like to welcome them.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome officially to the gallery a husband and wife team that have been working with us over the last week and a half.
In the CBC booth, Jeannie Arreak Kullualik and in the sound booth over here our technical wiz, her better half Kevin.
Also Mr. Speaker, two young pages that were with us last week and again this week.
Mr. Kevin Dunphy. Kevin is attending school here in Iqaluit and his dad is in Fort Liard and he has been maintaining the masculine presence as it was in his home and I would like to thank him for that publicly.
Also Mr. Speaker, a well-known Iqaluit drummer Mr. Thor Simonson.
Thor is right here, Mr. Speaker, a great drummer and he is next to his buddy Rich.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to welcome to the gallery an old family friend and congratulate her on her training in Pangnirtung at the Arthur Turner Training School, Jeannie Tigularak.
Moving on to Item 6. Oral questions.
Question 012 - 1(4): Increase in Fuel Prices
I would like to ask the Minister of Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services about the increase in fuel prices starting November 1.
When was this purchased.
We purchased the oil in the springtime, early summer.
Speaker: Supplementary. Mr. Havioyak.
The reason why I asked that question is that I am sure we do have some supply that was bought a year before.
I am not sure how much for each community.
Do you consider how much left over you have from the previous year purchases in these prices.
How does that work.
Can you tell us what you do with last year's leftover and if that is included with this price.
We use the same oil because we do not have separate tank farms.
So, even if the last year’s supply is mixed in with this year’s supply we just go by the new price. Especially when the fuel prices go up.
The left over fuel from last year, so your surplus goes up from the year before.
Because the year before the prices were probably lower so what I can see, I could be wrong, I am just trying to get the right information so I can be on the right track here.
So if you have left over at last year's prices, is the purchase of that year applied to this year.
It seems to me there might be some surplus.
Is that how it works.
When we said that we would look at the prices for the fuel, we considered all the communities and we looked at the old supply and the new supply.
We have set aside 60 million dollars for this.
We have a stabilization fund and can go up by 5 million or down by 5 million.
So, we usually do not have a surplus for the fact that if you were to purchase fuel it is very expensive and the price that we pay is subsidized by the Government.
So just a small amount is paid for by the community.
If the communities were to see the actual costs, they would be amazed because it is a lot of money.
I hope this clarifies his question.
When we review the fuel prices, we try to consider and keep in mind all the communities in Nunavut.
I would like to get an answer please to the question that I am asking.
Sometimes the price just seems to keep increasing.
How in the future, our young people are going to have more problems with this. How can this be addressed so that the price does not continue to go up and the government works towards a solution, because we may not be able to go out anymore because it will be too expensive.
(interpretation ends) Is there something in place or can you put a plan in place that maybe assists people.
I am not sure maybe more money put into the subsidy program, the petroleum program.
Maybe increase that. I am not sure, is there something planned that you are working on now.
I understand his concern and maybe the member understood when I answered that homeowners will have a difficult time in paying for the fuel prices and we will be looking at that and reviewing how else we can assist them.
We are now working with NTI in regards to how we can find a solution to this.
During my Minister’s Statement, I said that.
Question 013 - 1(4): Proposals for Funding at Sustainable Development
Through the news release, we learned that his department would be reviewing the applications or proposals.
When will his department accept the applications and proposals.
Yes, when we made the news release we also put in the ad in News North and Nunatsiaq News for proposals that the closing date is November 17.
To date we have received two applications in my department requesting funding reviews.
After the closing date, we will be looking at all the applications that have been submitted to my department.
The review will be implemented after the closing date of November 17.
How long will his department take to undertake the review.
As I indicated, after the closing date of November 17, from that date on we will be reviewing all the proposals that have been submitted.
The usual process that we have is six weeks to undergo the review.
After that, we can release the information pertaining to it.
If the department reviews all the proposals, will the Coral Harbour re-supply application be reviewed, and if the proposal is accepted, will the Coral Harbour residents expect to get materials on the next sealift.
To date we have not reviewed any proposals as of yet, as I indicated.
The closing date for reviews would be November 17.
After that date, my department will review all the proposals and applications and the people that have filled out their applications will be contacted to see if their proposals have been accepted or not.
In Coral Harbour the residents if their proposal is accepted by our department, then they could expect to receive some news.
I can say today that if we need funding for the next sealift for the material for construction I can talk to the member about that.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I think we all know that we have to prepare in advance for sealift.
The people of Coral Harbour have been preparing to make a proposal for a processing plant in Coral Harbour.
They have a quota of six thousand caribou to be slaughtered.
I think this department is aware that we have had to make long term planning for this and if the minister can indicate that the material for construction of the meat processing plant could be ordered, or if they are not prepared to give any funding at this time.
Can the minister indicate to me whether he would be willing to review this.
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and I thank my colleague for his question.
I would like to indicate to the member, as well as the other members, how we review the proposals that have been submitted to our department.
Some communities do say that they should be a priority for our department to be reviewed.
If they have indicated that they should be a priority then we will look into it more.
Regarding the sealift, if their proposal is accepted then my department will prepare all the processes that we have to undergo and if we have to catch next year’s sealift for construction then we will put the project forward.
I would like to indicate to the member that I know his community of Coral Harbour has worked hard to put their proposal forward and we support the initiative that they have put forward.
Like I said earlier, we have to prepare and review all the proposals first before we can be able to say, yes we can get the construction material for the next sealift.
Question 014 - 1(4): Closure of Community Radio Station
I wish to ask a question regarding the community radio station closure, I think it was last year.
The local radio is the main source of getting all the information in and out of the community and when the government has come into the community, local radio is the only way of communicating to the public that there will be a public meeting and what not.
This has been a real help to the community, my community in particular.
So my question to the minister is, will each community station be in operation and are they being maintained as they should be.
I appreciate the question that the member is raising.
I know that the communities are using the local community radios.
The member is asking are we maintaining all local radios in the communities.
As of today, we have not heard any community indicating that their local radio is not in operation.
I am glad that the minister agrees with my question as local radios are very much utilized by the public.
He indicated, as of today he has not heard any community complaining about their local radio.
It was more of a comment.
Do you want to address a question to the minister.
I am sure he understood my question in Inuktitut.
However, I will repeat my question to you Mr. Speaker.
If there were a local radio not in operation in a community would he have the maintenance people come to the community to fix the local radio.
Speaker: I now have the question.
My department is responsible for maintaining all local radios.
It is our mandate to maintain all radios and I will indicate that the community can ask for up to 6 thousand dollars in a grant to fix their local radios.
I am not trying to talk about the grant of 6 thousand dollars.
What my question was, if there was a local radio that has broken down could his department replace it with a new one.
In response to his question.
I indicated that we could give up to a 6 thousand dollar grant to a local community if they have to have their local radio maintained.
If it needs a replacement, my department is looking into this.
That is all I can say at this time.
I appreciate the minister’s response.
He indicated that he would be looking into this matter.
How soon can the minister get back to me after he has made a review.
I would like to get the minister to respond to this question.
To date I’m not looking into one particular community, but we are trying to make an overall review as to how best we can maintain local radios.
Question 015 - 1(4): Fuel Price Increases
My question is directed to the minister responsible for the Petroleum Products Division.
She gave me information regarding the fuel price increases.
I would like to pose this question to the minister.
Last year we had a supply of bulk fuel, however this is not sufficient to supply fuel to two hundred homes.
However, my community has also been effected by the fuel price increases and I feel that this is unfair to my community, which has not been supplied fuel for this year.
Can the minister review this and get back to me on it.
We set the fuel price increases looking at Nunavut’s entire fuel tank supplies.
If we have to deal with every individual community to price the fuel, looking at one community, then all the other communities would be deeply effected by fuel price increases.
That is why we have the stabilization program in our department so no one community will be effected as heavily.
Although they have not been supplied fuel for a year, the government has put our subsidization program in place so that the communities will be treated equally.
All the communities will be effected by the increases in oil products; I am not just speaking about Clyde River.
We were given exactly the same response.
Before the oil prices went up, they communities were re-supplied, why are we going to be effected by these fuel price increases, before we even receive the fuel supplies.
I am not sure I understand your question.
Is he asking a question.
Would you like to clarify your question.
I am sorry if I was not clear.
We have not received our re-supply so I want this to be reviewed.
When all the other communities received their fuel supply, I want to know why when Clyde River was not given a re-supply of fuel, why are we going to have our fuel prices increased as well.
When Clyde River was the only one that did not get a fuel re-supply.
If you were to look at the actual price or fuel rates in Clyde River, your eyes would almost pop out of your head.
You would be overwhelmed by the prices that you would see in front of your eyes.
This fuel price increase was calculated for all of Nunavut.
We as people of Nunavut receive a lot of subsidy for fuel.
If you were to look at the fuel rates these days you would be overwhelmed.
Nunavut receives many subsidies.
So, it does not accurately state the actual price of fuel in Nunavut.
When you look at the subsidy the price is less.
Once the fuel rates increase it affects all of Nunavut.
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Minister.
Does that mean when a community does not get a refuel supply those communities will also be affected by increased rates like every other community.
Is that what the minister is saying.
All communities are affected when the fuel rates are increased.
No bigger community is looked at.
When fuel rates increase, it is felt all over the world.
The residents of Nunavut are subsidized and we do not see the actual rates.
Question 016 - 1(4): New Staff Housing Policy
Mr. Speaker, my question today is to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, last February, last spring actually it is going on almost two years now, I have been asking questions in relation to the staff housing policy.
I understand that there is a new staff housing policy.
I would like to ask the minister responsible when that policy was approved by Cabinet.
My mind was still on the fuel rates.
I thank Mr. Tootoo for his question there.
Yes, the policy was worked on and it was approved.
Sorry, I cannot specify the exact date that it was approved.
The date of approval was December 31.
The policy in regards to staff housing was recommended to be reviewed.
I cannot find it right now but I can get it right away.
I know it is here somewhere.
This will be taken as notice and if you really want the exact date and the hour of the approval, I can find it and pass it to you.
Speaker: Ms. Thompson that question was taken as notice.
I believe you took that as notice.
As a result, no further supplementaries.
Question 017 - 1(4): Repulse Bay Community Freezer
I want to ask the minister if he received a letter from Repulse Bay concerning the community freezer. Have you made a response to this letter regarding the community freezer.
Myself, I have not seen the letter requesting a community freezer but I want to inform the member that the community freezers are no longer the responsibility of Sustainable Development.
They are now under the Hamlet Council programs.
As our member stated today the community freezer are still under the Hamlet Council budget.
Speaker: Supplementary. Mr. Alakannuark.
I want to ask now, can the community submit requests for funding.
I want to ask if proposals for community freezers can be sent to his department.
Speaker. Mr. Kilabuk.
The letter he is referring to, if it was directed to us I am sure I will talk to my colleague once I have received that letter to see where that proposal is.
Maybe the proposal was so good that it did not come through us but I will check into it.
Question 018 - 1(4): Fuel Price Increases
Mr. Speaker, I will try to keep my preamble short.
My question today will be to the Minister responsible for Petroleum Products.
Uqaqti, I am frankly disgusted with the fuel price increases that are being proposed to our communities in Nunavut.
Have we forgotten that over the last nine months with the last increase and this proposed increase we are up to 30 %, close to 30 %.
I could be mistaken by 2% or 3%.