EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I wanted to ask regarding his statement yesterday that the first thing that he had mentioned was that the Inuinnaqtun language should be improved within the Government.
Those teachers that are teaching in Inuinnaqtun, regardless if we have a few teachers in our communities, I would like to see increase in Inuinnaqtun school teachers in our community.
I know that today, our young people are learning the language regardless if they are attempting to speak it, and I am glad to see that they are making an attempt to speak their Inuinnaqtun language and want to encourage all of the Inuit people to help improve our language for our young generation and I would encourage our teachers and our community members to speak their language as well as our writing system.
I know that our Elders are making a big effort to help in schools and in our community even if it is in recreation areas, there are Inuit making an effort to improve our Inuinnaqtun language before we forget our own language.
Some people went to Arviat to make suggestions on curriculum.
This fall and this winter and I would like to see the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth that improve these attempts to have these curriculum and Inuktitut language teachers.
But in Kugluktuk, I want to encourage the Elders to teach the young school children to speak their language in the schools and in the community.
Member’s Statement 507 – 1(6): April 15 Dog Team Race
I rise today to talk about dog-team races; that is why I am wearing this traditional attire.
Mr. Speaker, back in April 1999, when we were preparing for the creation of Nunavut in the high arctic, they were starting to set up dog-team races because they also wanted to celebrate the creation of Nunavut.
They have dog-team races from Igloolik and from Hall Beach, Pond Inlet, Clyde River and Arctic Bay and they have a working group and they do their own fundraising and we have to be proud of those people.
This year, the dog team races are starting on April 15th, they will be leaving e from Igloolik to Arctic Bay and there are quite a number of participants and also they would arrive to Arctic Bay around April 21, 22, 23, around that area.
I invite the Members and all of the Officials to attend Arctic Bay while the dog-team racers are coming in and they will be holding square dances and they will be wearing traditional clothes and they will be celebrating dog-team races and there will be awards being given out to the winners.
So, I was invited to my community through, they will be going from Iqaluit to Arctic Bay by snowmobile in the upcoming month.
Also I would like to wish the participants and all the people good luck and also we invite each and everyone of you.
Member’s Statement 508 – 1(6): Toonik Tyme Festivities
Mr. Speaker, I if you can tell, and all Members can tell that spring is in the air.
The daylight is starting to get a little longer now.
Only today is the temperature is not going along with the time of the year.
Spring is here and one thing that comes along with spring every year, here at Iqaluit, is Toonik Tyme.
I know that those spring activities and games that go on, not only here in Iqaluit, but throughout communities in Nunavut to say farewell to the long cold dark Winter.
This year, Mr. Speaker, Toonik Tyme is going to be again having its Golf Tournament.
I am sure that Mr. Picco, will again, this year will let Mr. Premier beat him again, as he does every year in the Golf Tournament.
As a good Minister he makes sure that he lets the Premier know that that is why he lets him win, but it think that there is more to it than that.
I think Mr. Picco is just not as good a golfer as Mr. Premier.
Also another thing this year that I am sure the fearless Minister of the Health and Social Services will be participating in this year is the Fear Factor Night that is going to be going on during Toonik Tyme.
I am sure that that is going to be a lot of fun.
I would like to wish all the organizers and the City the best of luck.
Hopefully, the weather cooperates and thank them and all the volunteers in organizing that here for making this Toonik Tyme here in Iqaluit a success.
Member’s Statement 509 – 1(6): Acknowledge the Sanikiluaq Youth on Shooting Competition
I rise this morning to acknowledge a couple of young people from Sanikiluaq.
They went to Yellowknife for a shooting competition recently, and a couple of individuals from Sanikiluaq were in the newspaper.
First prize went to a person from Sanikiluaq; second prize also went to a person from Sanikiluaq.
As I was saying earlier on, because we used to be taught on gun safety, one of the individuals was taught by his father on rifle safely.
I am proud of Moses Ipaq and the other is Sarah Kullualuk, she is 13 years old, she is the one that came in second.
The first prize went to a Sanikiluaq individual and the second prize went to a person from Sanikiluaq.
So therefore, I would like to acknowledge the two individuals for winning the shooting competition in Yellowknife.
Looking at the picture from the newspaper, it is not a picture of Moses; it is a picture of someone else.
With the name, it is not the picture of that individual.
Even though in spite of that, I would like to congratulate those two individuals.
Member’s Statement 510 – 1(6): Artificial Ice for Arenas
I rise today to make a Members’ Statement on behalf of my constituency.
Yesterday, I apologize, I have a cold. Yesterday, when we were dealing with the Main Estimates for the Community Government and Transportation, we talked about the artificial ice in the arena and because there are some that cannot stay frozen long enough.
Mr. Speaker, quite a while back when we were first elected, we each stood up and did our community consultation tours to get the public’s input.
At that time when we did the consultation tour, the public out there in the communities were probably considering having artificial ice, but we were told at that time that the arena in Igloolik was run down and they were deteriorating and I am sure that the community hall in Igloolik was quite run down as well.
Before we start installing artificial ice in all of the communities, we should make sure that we get proper facilities before we put the artificial ice on it.
Member’s Statement 511 – 1(6): NHL Hockey Games
Mr. McLean: Mr. Speaker, I stand today with a very heavy heart in what I heard yesterday and it is too bad, but I am going to be joined with other Members in this House.
Last night, the New York Rangers got eliminated from the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
But the Montreal Canadians got eliminated also.
So, it is too bad, but I am going to have to be watching TV with my good friend Enoki for the rest of the hockey season and cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Member’s Statement 512 – 1(6): Acknowledging Long Term Awards
Mr. Speaker, it is rare today to find the individuals who have worked and dedicated themselves to one company, organization or job for a long period of time.
In the recent past, many people did just that.
Worked at the same place and then retire.
Today, it is a very changing workplace.
Studies show that most adults will change positions or employers at least a half-dozen times in their adult lifetime.
It is then very unique, Mr. Speaker, when you have employees that spent 20, 25, 30 and even 35 years for the same employer.
Tonight, Mr. Speaker, the Government will recognize and celebrate this achievement.
I, Mr. Speaker, want to take this opportunity to recognize two of my constituents who will be recognized for 30 and 35 years respectively.
Ms. Maggie Gordon is well known in Iqaluit.
Maggie is employed with the Department of Education at Joamie School.
She makes excellent bannock and I am fortunate to have been given a pair of her toasty warm hunting mitts.
Maggie will be celebrating 35 years at the public service.
Mr. John Quirke grew up in Iqaluit and has held several senior positions within the Government and just this morning, myself and Minister Ng were talking about the professionalism and the dedication and hard work shown by Mr. Quirke in many of these different positions with the Government and Northwest Territories.
As the first Clerk of Nunavut, Mr. Quirke has shown dedication, yes, Mr. Speaker, and innovation.
He is hard working and Mr. Speaker, as you know, a consummate professional.
Mr. Speaker, join with me in congratulating John Quirke and Ms. Maggie Gordon and all the dedicated employees working on behalf and for the people of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 513 – 1(6): Pollution in Wildlife
Mr. Speaker, the Inuit of Nunavut have depended upon the wildlife of Nunavut, and they continue to depend on wildlife for sustenance.
Inuit have never hunted animals to the point of extinction.
We were educated not to kill any wildlife, unless you need the meat.
You need the skin for clothing, and you are going to use the animal.
Mr. Speaker, today I believe that wildlife, plants, soil, the sky above, and the ocean of Nunavut is polluted from the global emissions.
We depend on wildlife for food.
Let us help to preserve them.
Mr. Speaker, are the wildlife of Nunavut free of the affliction of chemicals?
Return to Oral Question 478 – 1(6): Polar Bear Survey Project
I would like to provide a response to a question posed to me in the legislature on Monday, March 24 by the member for Uqqummiut.
The question was regarding the support my department may provide to a possible study of polar bear breeding behavior in Clyde Rive
(interpretation ends) To date, although we have received, we were copied on a letter of support from Nammautaq Hunters and Trappers Association to Solomonie Natanine.
We have not received any requests from the HTOs or Mr. Natanine on this topic or any other information about the proposed topic.
We have no details on how the study would be conducted or what assistance the department could provide.
My Staff will be following up on this matter to see if we could assist in developing a proposal for a study.
Mr. Speaker, it give me great pleasure this morning to recognize twenty-four young people in the Gallery.
They are the Grade 3 Class from Nakasuk School.
Who knows, maybe down the road, someone will be sitting in our chairs doing what we are doing, hopefully.
Mr. Speaker, I will start off by recognizing the Grade 3 Teacher, Ms. Barb Young, who is sitting at the end over there.
There is also something that can never happen in the schools, field trips, and stuff like that, that cannot happen without parent volunteers.
I would like to recognize Geraldine Penney, sitting on the end there, who is also a constituent of mine, and Ms. Sue Cooper, also a constituent, and a Law Clerk., hiding on the end there, and also Byron Boyer, sitting in amongst the children.
I do not know how he lost out in the middle of all the kids; normally they are on the end.
I will just go through the first names of the children, Mr. Speaker, I do not want to take up all the time that we have.
We have Justine, sitting on the end down there, Malaya, Arthur, Fredrick, Benoit, Josie, Naomi, Laura, Lydia, Stephanie, Leona, Margraya, Jayko, Jessica, Katy, I think that we are over there somewhere underneath the Interpreters now, Mia, I'm sorry Mia, Chelsea, Brianna, Andrea, Alicia, Yaseen, there must be a spelling mistake here; Simon, and Joshua.
I’d like to welcome all of you to the gallery.
There is a name missing from the list then.
So I’d like to ask all members to join me in welcoming these young people and the teachers and the parent volunteers to the gallery.
Speaker: Welcome to the gallery, students, teachers and parents.
I would like to recognize a long time employee for the government, Sarah Nuniaq Flynn; she lives in Rankin Inlet right now.
She is behind me, I’ve gone to school with her in Churchill, Arvaluk, Jobie, those of us that have gone to residential school in Churchill as well as Nancy and Peter, I’d like you to join me in welcoming Sarah to the House.
Speaker: Welcome to the gallery Sarah.
She was recognized already but I’d like to recognize Sarah Flynn.
She is a constituent of mine.
Sarah’s husband, Darren Flynn is assisting the Hamlets and they’re very good people.
A lot of people are grateful for their assistance.
Welcome Sarah to the House and her late father and mother, they were also very good people when I lived in Repulse Bay.
This person has worked for the Housing Corporation for a long time.
He has also worked with the Housing Association; she was a staff member when we were on the task force.
Dennis had to move on, but I'm sure a lot of things would have been fixed if he had stayed on.
Mr. Speaker, I like to recognize someone in the gallery, her husband is in Newfoundland, in particular is well known, actually two months ago I was reading a magazine from Newfoundland and they had a picture of them and they were identified a well known sports person.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t think the wife of Mr. Terry Young gets much recognition as she deserves.
The family has been in the north for a long time as educators and they continue to do so with her husband being having been the principal of the school in Pangnirtung and yes, that’s right, Mr Akesuk indicated Cape Dorset and now in Iqaluit.
I would like to take this opportunity Mr. Speaker to welcome to the gallery a very important person and probably the most famous of the Youngs, Ms. Barb Young.
Question 509 – 1(6): Five Cent Rider Increase on April 1st
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, recently there has been reported that the Power Corporation is seeking 5-cent rider.
I would just like to ask the Minister, I wonder if they are saying that they want this increase to take effect on April 1st.
I would like to ask the Minister if, in fact, this increase is going to happen on April 1st and what effect it will have on people’s power bills?
Speaker: Minister responsible for the Power Corporation, Minister Picco.
It was a good question, I am glad to see that a lot of the Members have good questions just like Mr. McLean.
Mr. Speaker, I think that there were some questions on this yesterday and I just want to clarify very quickly.
There are two processes for increasing your power bill in Nunavut.
One of the general rate applications, the GRA, when the GRA is asked for by the Power Corporation, a full regulatory review has to be put in place to see, indeed, if the utility needs that rate increase.
In this case, Mr. Speaker, what has been asked for by the Power Corporation is an addition to a Fuel Subsidy Rider or FSR.
Mr. Speaker, this is to put in place and was in place in that past.
It had gone through the approval process through the public utility’s board and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
It was taken off, as Members remember last year.
And the idea of the Fuel Subsidy Rider, which is what is being asked for, is to compensate for the increase in fuel prices and the revenue flow or the revenue stream that the Power Corporation is experiencing right now.
Mr. Speaker, we know that for example, the rates, the general rates in Nunavut have not increased since 1998, that is five years where we have not had a rate increase.
The rider is to cover off the extra cost of fuel.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister if he still indicates that there has not been a general rate increase for five years, but this Fuel Rider increase, I believe was something that was put in place last year, is this is going to effect this 5-cent per kilowatt hour increase?
Is that going to be an increase on people’s power bills?
If they are not, whether it is a general rate increase or Fuel Subsidy Rider, whatever, is it going to be an increase on people’s power bills?
Mr. Speaker, the Fuel Subsidy Rider is in place, as I said earlier, through a regulatory regime.
The process, Mr. Speaker, is that the Power Corporation makes an application.
In this case, in Nunavut, Mr. Speaker, we have what is called the Utility Rate Review Council, URRC, it is chaired by Mr. Ray Murser and they will review the substantiation being brought forward by the Power Corporation to see if the rider should be put in place.
Mr. Speaker, the rider that is being asked for would then be reviewed by this council and Mr. Speaker, if the rider was put in place, it would be a temporary measure to bring the fuel stabilization funds in line and that I believe to be zero.
So, it would be a temporary measure, it may be in place for six months, eight months and so on.
The end result would be an increase on the power bills of the amounts the rider that would be applied.
So, people in Nunavut will see an increase in their power bill even though it is not a general rate increase and you can call it what you want, the bills still going up.
I would like to ask the Minister if it has been reported that they want to increase to go into effect as of April 1st, which is next week.
Is that still the intention of the Minister that this increase go ahead, effective April 1st?
Mr. Speaker, the application has been made to the URRC.
Mr. Speaker, I cannot say it will go ahead on April 1st, because I have not received the notification from the Power Corporation.
I am not the Minister responsible to the URRC, which is a different Minister.
That way the same Minister cannot make the application and approve the application.
That is why we set up the Utility Rates Review Council.
When the application process goes forward, as I said earlier, the URRC reviews it and say yes or no to the increase.
It may be five cents, or seven cents, whatever that amount is on the rider itself.
When that acknowledgement, refusal, or acceptance is made, then we would put the rate in place.
I cannot say right now, Mr. Speaker, if it will be in place next week, April 1st, because I have not received notification of that from the URRC.
That is the process that is followed.
Mr. Speaker, again with the cost of living in Nunavut going up for our residents, and I would imagine that an increase like this will affect homeowners, it will affect everyone, not only individuals, but municipalities as well.
Can the Minister indicate what type of effect this will have on someone’s fuel bill if they have looked at it to see what on average kind of cost increase is it going to have for families across Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, the rider, the fuel stabilization rider is a normal process that is done through Utility Companies across the country.
The provision was there in the Act.
It was there before division.
The rate increased depending on what the fuel subsidy rider would be, that was put in place.
Again it is not something that goes on your bill forever, it is a temporary move.
At the same time, we realized that since 1998, there have been no general re-application. Power bill have not increased, or rates have not increased for the last five years.
For the impact of the amount of the rider, depends on the usage of the consumer, whether it be a Hamlet, or an individual.
Question 510 – 1(6): Inuit Stories and Legends
Mr. Speaker, I made a Members’ Statement earlier on this morning in regards to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and the values and the customs, and the traditions of the Inuit.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister Culture, Language, Elders and Youth about the stories and legends.
There are a lot of legends and stories.
Whether his department has collected any legends or stories that were told by the traditional Inuit?
Have they done any work on gathering of those legends?
I know that we have to protect our culture, and legends and stories are part of our culture.
In different communities they have various stories and legends and we would like to protect those stories and legends.
We also have some funding set aside for people who would like to apply to write the stories and legends and we have made gathered some legends as well in our Department.
We have them written down and we would also like to promote those legends and stories for the benefit of the young people.
We will be continuing to protect them and preserve them.
I thank that Minister for his response.
My mother was a person that used to tell a lot of stories before there was television and I’m sure a lot of the other members parents did the same thing.
We used to fall asleep while our parents told us stories.
I am talking about my mother but she is no longer alive.
She also passed the stories to me.
One of our members who is an elder here, I am sure has a lot of stories and legends that he knows.
I would like to ask the Minister again, we’ve been members of the legislature for about 4 years now, how many stories or legends has the Minister’s department collected so far.
The member is asking me how many stories and legends we have collected so far as a department.
I will report back to the House once I find out how many stories and legends have been collected so far in our department.
As I said, we would like to gather as much as we can and to try to preserve and collect the legends for the benefit of our youth.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth was given the mandate to preserve Inuit legends, languages and to assist with the youth and elders.
I would like to ask the Minister, for example, in Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven, in my constituencies, whether my constituents can have access to applications for funding to write legends and stories.
Is there already an application that they can access and from where?
Yes, the application forms are already there. You can call the 1-800 number to one of our divisions in the department.
To fill out the application, if you have any questions there is a 1-800 number that can be called as long as the applicant is going to be doing something traditional.
Question 511 – 1(6): Tax Credits for Corporations
We are getting to the end of a long question and we are getting forgetful.
I myself have to write my questions now because I do not remember them.
Mr. Speaker, several provinces and territories across Canada promote healthy economic growth of business operating in their jurisdictions through tax credits.
These tax regimes are designed to allow tax payers to qualify for tax credits by investing in their corporations that do carry out business in their jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Finance inform this House whether Nunavut has a similar tax credit in place?
Mr. Speaker, I think he is acknowledged that with the increasing age there is a loss of memory and maybe that did not come back into memory.
I think he raised an excellent question.
Yes, we do have what we refer to as a risk capital investment tax credit for qualified tax payers and eligible businesses and of course, the credit is designed to try to stimulate investment in businesses, while at the same time, creating tax credit for those investing in our businesses operating in Nunavut.
This is good news, but unfortunately, I do not think that credit is a common knowledge to many Nunavummiut.
Can the Minister tell me how an individual can qualify for the credit?
Mr. Speaker, every investor that is eligible that does invest in one of the eligible businesses that are registered receive a tax credit certificate that they can apply against their Nunavut income taxes on the annual return.
At the same time of course, as I indicated earlier, the eligible businesses will receive investment capitals to help them establish and help them expand.
Can the Minister tell me what types of businesses are eligible to be considered for this type of investment and who is eligible to receive the credits.
Mr. Speaker, for a company to be eligible to participate in this program, they have to be Canadian-owned, it has to have a permanent place of business in Nunavut and have 80% of their active also in the territory and it must also have less than five hundred employees, will be a small company and it cannot be, Mr. Speaker, it cannot be a publicly traded company.
And further to that, Mr. Speaker, an investor that is eligible to apply for the credit must also be a resident of Nunavut, or be a corporation with taxable income in Nunavut.
I do not think a lot of Nunavummiut are aware of this tax.
Is the Minister aware of how many Nunavummiut are taking advantage of this credit today?
Hon. Kelvin Ng: It is difficult to, excuse me, Mr. Speaker.