EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, as of this month, there are over 1,700 young people enrolled in high school programs throughout Nunavut.
We need to provide an economic future for them, and we need to do it in a way that benefits our communities and our residents.
Mr. Speaker, I was told earlier this summer that if you don't act decisively early on, tourism will happen "to you" and not "for you".
We have an opportunity during our first term of office to strategically invest in our future, and the Standing Committee is proud to have had the opportunity to push this issue forward, with the hope that it will receive the attention it deserves from our government.
That concludes my remarks, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to formally and publicly thank every resident that attended the Committee's public meetings, and to thank every stakeholder who took the time to write to us with their input.
At this time, I would like to move that the report of the Standing Committee be received and adopted by the House, and that it be entered into the record as read.
Speaker: Do members agree that the report of the standing committee be received and adopted by the House and that it be entered into the record as read.
On May 28, 2001, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut passed the following motion during the Cambridge Bay sitting:
"Whereas there is public interest and concern regarding the future of tourism in Nunavut;
And whereas it is desirable to hear the concerns and ideas of Nunavummiut involved with the industry;
Therefore I move ... that the Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development undertake community consultations during the spring and summer of 2001 on the future of tourism in Nunavut ... and that the Standing Committee report its findings to the House during the Fall Sitting of the Legislative Assembly."
This year has proven to be a watershed with respect to the issue of the future of tourism in Nunavut.
On March 2, 2001, the Minister of Sustainable Development announced in the Legislative Assembly that the Department has initiated work on bringing forward Nunavut's first tourism strategy since the creation of the new territory.
On May 29, 2001, the Conference Board of Canada's major report entitled: Nunavut Economic Outlook: An Examination of the Nunavut Economy was tabled in the House.
This comprehensive analysis identified mining, tourism and fisheries as being the sectors with the greatest growth potential in the territory. Tourism, in addition to its direct job and wealth creation potential, is also seen as having a potentially beneficial impact on the arts and crafts sector and, indeed, on the vitality of Inuit culture itself.
However, the path from potential to payoff will not be an easy one.
The report identifies a number of formidable -- but not necessarily insurmountable -- obstacles to progress in this area:  ... barriers to growth in the tourism industry touch on gaps related to
Nunavut’s four forms of capital: a lack of investment in infrastructure in parks and
other visitor facilities; relatively high transportation costs faced by visitors to the north;  the need to develop better marketing techniques aimed at attracting southern visitors to
the unique attractions of the Territory; the need for training in the hospitality industry;
and better networks that connect tourism agencies and which provide valuable  information to operators on trends and usage ... With that being said, the tourism industry is expected to take hold in Nunavut.
It is  expected that many of the necessary preconditions mentioned will be met and that
tourism will become Nunavut’s greatest export after raw minerals. More importantly,
this development will provide Nunavummiut with a much wider range of employment  opportunities and will alleviate the economic pressures associated with limited
diversification.
The Standing Committee recognizes that many of these observations are not new. There are numerous studies and reports that document in exhaustive and eloquent detail the challenges facing the development of a successful and sustainable tourism industry within Nunavut and northern Canada as a whole.
However, the issues of timing and will are critical. Although Nunavut has only been in existence as a territory for just over thirty months, it is evident that a measure of success for the Government's first term of office will be the extent to which real progress is made in achieving greater economic self-sufficiency.
A strong tourism sector is a vital component of this effort.
Strengthening this sector requires that a clear and consistent commitment be made by the Government and key stakeholders to building capacity and making essential investments.
It requires a level of understanding and support from the public and communities.
Part of the mandate of the Legislative Assembly's Standing Committee on Community Empowerment and Sustainable Development is to scrutinize the activities and expenditures of several Government of Nunavut departments, boards and agencies, and to hold them accountable for their performance.
Members of the Standing Committee resolved to generate energy, movement and public attention on the "tourism file" by undertaking a series of public meetings and consultations from August to October of this year.
Nunavut's vulnerability to events originating from afar was brought into sharp focus mid-way through the Committee's consultation process.
The catastrophic events of September 11 have sent shockwaves throughout the Canadian economy.
The travel and tourism sectors have been dealt a punishing blow, and uncertainty is widespread throughout the industry.
Nunavut is not immune.
However, as a Baker Lake Elder reminded Members during the public meeting held in the community, the land is forever.
Nunavut's fundamental strengths in the tourism sphere are to be found in the preternatural beauty of our scenery; the challenge of our wildlife; the vision of our artists; and the uniqueness of our culture.
These will endure, but now is the moment to make clear that our commitment to harnessing these qualities is genuine.
The Consultation Process
In preparation for the Legislative Assembly's annual review of the Government of Nunavut's estimates and business plans, the Standing Committee wrote in January to a number of outfitters, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders to seek input on the operations of Nunavut Tourism.
In determining where to hold public meetings on the future of tourism in Nunavut, the Standing Committee resolved to achieve a regional balance, while ensuring that the views of residents of small and medium-sized communities had an opportunity to be heard.
Notices for the public meetings were placed in northern newspapers (attached in appendix), in addition to being broadcast on CBC radio.
The communities visited were:
Kitikmeot
Kivalliq
A number of the following questions were used to assist in focusing the discussion at public meetings:
Opportunities and Challenges
What do you see as the best three things your community has to offer to tourists?
What tourism opportunities are there in your area that are not being taken advantage of?
What is keeping you from taking advantage of those opportunities?
What specifically do you think Nunavut Tourism should do to help your business take advantage of existing opportunities?
What is the biggest challenge for tourism in your community?
What specific things are you doing to overcome these challenges?
How can Nunavut Tourism best support you in your efforts to overcome these challenges?
Do you think that training programs related to tourism would improve the services that you provide?
What types of training programs would be most valuable to your operations?
Who should be taking advantage of training programs?
Who should be responsible for delivering training programs?
What can Nunavut Tourism do to help you take advantage of training opportunities?
What kind of marketing or advertising do you presently do for your business?
How can Nunavut Tourism support those efforts?
How can Nunavut Tourism keep communication open between the Association, Government, communities and stakeholders?
Would you benefit from community visits by Nunavut Tourism?
What kind of information would you like to see in a newsletter from Nunavut Tourism?
Do you think that surveys would help the Association to understand the needs of your business?
Selected Examples of 2001 Media Coverage of Tourism in Nunavut and the North
The following examples provide a sense of how the issue of tourism has been portrayed in the northern media during the year to date.
Focus on Tourism - Iqaluit forms tourism association
Northern News Services - February 19, 2001
Russia cutting into High Arctic tourism
Nunatsiaq News - May 4, 2001
Lodge future hangs in balance - Gjoa Haven tourism lodge put on hold
Northern News Services - May 7, 2001
Nunavut Tourism, Parks Canada want closer ties - the number of visitors coming to Nunavut's parks is declining rapidly
Nunatsiaq News - May 18, 2001
Curing tourism's bad reputation - Grads hope for on-the-job training
Northern News Services - June 6, 2001
Cruise ship visits Rankin Inlet  CBC North - July 24, 2001
When cruise ships come calling - Rolling out the welcome skins for visitors
Northern News Services - August 1, 2001
Training for big game - Course graduates six level 1 guides in Baker Lake
Cash infusion boosts tourism - GNWT and feds kick in nearly $2 million
Northern News Services - August 3, 2001
National tourism commission says it's looking at ways to boost tourism in Nunavut
CBC North - August 13, 2001
Big bucks for North's tourism - Government spending is matched dollar for dollar by Canadian Tourism Commission
Northern News Services - August 15, 2001
A good man on rough water - Joavee Alivaktuk is one Nunavut's best-known guides: Tourism officials say the territory needs more people like him
Nunatsiaq News - August 17, 2001
Trash prompts tourism boycott - Iqaluit an eyesore, visitors say
Growing pains - Tourism in Nunavut just tip of iceberg so far
Northern News Services - August 20, 2001
Take out the lodge's trash, please - KIA won't take over land until DIAND gets rid of mess
Northern News Services - August 27, 2001
Kivalliq told tourism is key - More money needs to be spent if tourism is to grow in Nunavut, says federal Industry Minister Brian Tobin
Guiding the way to a new industry - Big game could mean big bucks for Kivalliq communities
Northern News Services - September 3, 2001
Operators say Nunavut Tourism needs cash
CBC North - October 2, 2001
Parks ponder polar bear safety
CBC North - October 9, 2001
Cruise ships to get parks reminder
CBC North - October 10, 2001
'Counter tourism' - Operators work to portray North as safe
Northern News Services - October 17, 2001
Natural resource - Tourism workshop stirs business ideas
Northern News Services - October 22, 2001
A wait-and-see approach - Travel and tourism holds steady despite setbacks
Northern News Services - October 24, 2001
Holiday in Baker - local group takes control of lodge
Northern News Services - November 21, 2001
Comments from Kugluktuk - August 21, 2001
The Kugluktuk public meeting was held on the morning of August 21, 2001, in the Hamlet Council Chamber.
Approximately twelve people were in attendance.
Members of the Standing Committee were impressed with the formal presentation made by the Hamlet's Manager of Community Development (attached in appendix), and compliment the community for the level of energy and thought that is being put towards community development.
Specific concerns and comments that were raised during the course of the meeting included:
Over 30 youth enter the labour market each year - where will the jobs be?
Reluctance to fund development projects until Inuit Impact Benefit Agreements are signed.
Mining is seen as the primary area of potential for the community, but not everyone wants to leave their families to work in a mine.
Operators have difficulty attracting workers for sport hunting camps.
Few individual operators in Kugluktuk; very site-specific.
Little data available to track arts and crafts sales.
Kugluktuk has a polar bear quota, but no hunts have been held yet.
GN policies related to social assistance and rent scales for public housing act as disincentives to work.
There are transferable skills between the mining and tourism sectors (e.g. camp cooks).
Sea kayaking identified as a major area of potential.
Arts and crafts not being well-marketed; "carvers just go door-to-door to government workers."
Need for development of dog teams in the community to support development of polar bear hunts.
Need for entrepreneurship in community; need for improved literacy and numeracy skills among the residents.
Concerns related to Tree River Lodge lease - community's understanding is that the present lease expires within the next three years.
Will the Lodge be purchased?
Concerns that the Travel and Tourism Act and regulations need to be reviewed and updated to take into account the new realities of Nunavut and the provisions of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
In 2001, hamlet used CIP funding towards a local heritage centre.
Concern about "Regional" vs. "Local" visitors' centres.
Concerns that smaller communities have inadequate representation on Nunavut Tourism Board.
Concern about level of support from Nunavut Tourism; one example given was the cost of "North of 60" certificates for tourists.
Community would like to be able to send a representative to take part in workshops on how to deal with cruise ships.
Concerns about support available to small, individual outfitters.
Comments from Cambridge Bay - August 21, 2001
The Cambridge Bay public meeting was held on the afternoon of August 21, 2001, in the Hamlet Council Chamber.
Approximately half a dozen people were in attendance, including members of the media.
A road to Mount Pelly was identified by one presenter as a community priority, given the mountain's prominence as a visitor attraction.
Better training for staff in the hospitality industry identified as a need.
The community's working relationship with Nunavut Tourism was characterized as being positive - past collaboration has included design of maps and brochures, co-ordinating cruise ship visits and other activities.
One speaker identified a need for better communication with cruise ships prior to their arrival.
Muskox-viewing was identified as one of the community's main attractions, reinforcing the need for a focus on eco-tourism.
Comments from Gjoa Haven - August 22, 2001
The Gjoa Haven public meeting was held on the morning of August 22, 2001, in the Hamlet Council Chamber.
Approximately ten people were in attendance, including the Mayor and Hamlet staff.
The issue of high unemployment among the community's artists was raised.
The need to encourage tourists to purchase local arts and crafts was identified as a priority concern.
The upcoming 2003 Amundsen anniversary was spoken to by several people.
One idea that was raised was for a full-time contract position to plan and co-ordinate celebratory events.
The community's Northwest Passage Historical Society has been active, and wants to organize a recreation of the voyage.
The concept of creating a trail so that tourists could "walk the same path as Franklin" was mentioned as one of the community's ideas.
The licence fee for outfitters was raised as a barrier to people getting into the tourism sector.
The relatively short length of community visits by officials from the Department of Sustainable Development and Nunavut Tourism was described as a frustration for the community.
It was felt that officials should spend longer periods of time in the community, and do more with respect to such initiatives as follow-up correspondence from visits.
The cost of airfare from southern Canada to Gjoa Haven was cited as being "prohibitive."
The distance that sport hunters from the south have to travel from the community during winter to hunt muskox was cited as a frustration for the community.
Support for establishing a local tourism committee was expressed by residents during the meeting.
Among other benefits, it was felt that this would improve communication with government departments and Nunavut Tourism.
One speaker expressed the view that although the community was aware that potential funding for projects "was available from government", the government needs to provide clearer information on "how much is available."
The repatriation of artefacts from the Northwest Territories, especially those related to the Franklin Expedition, was expressed as a community goal.
One speaker expressed a concern that any repatriated artefacts would all "end up in Iqaluit."
One resident spoke of his experience in trying to start an outfitting business.
Among the concerns expressed was that although many residents have the "will" to start a business, they lack the necessary skills to operate one on a sustained business.
The cost of advertising was cited as a major barrier.
A perception that funds received from social assistance cannot be used towards start-up costs for a small business was also seen as a barrier.
Comments from Chesterfield Inlet - August 22, 2001
The Chesterfield Inlet public meeting was held on the afternoon of August 22, 2001, in the Hamlet Council Chamber.
Approximately a dozen people were in attendance.
Members were delighted that students enrolled in a Level 2 Big Game Guide Training Course being delivered in the community were able to take the time to attend the meeting.
The links between the Kivalliq and northern Manitoba were cited as an area of opportunity.
It was suggested that more promotion of Kivalliq destinations in "gateways" such as Churchill should be undertaken.
One speaker suggested that a tourism office be established in the Hamlet Office.
One speaker commented that, although there are many ideas in the community for developing tourism, they are "pieces of a puzzle that aren't quite fitting together."
A lack of "co-ordination and vision" at the community level was cited as a barrier.
A speaker commented that tourism doesn't necessarily "destroy the culture," the community should "export their culture."
A speaker commented that, "It's a misconception that government creates tourism ... government can help with promotion."
A "shotgun approach" to advertising and promotion may not work.
One speaker commented that, "We're often told we're not educated and can't do the financial stuff."
The need for a local tourism committee was cited by several people.
The desire to see Nunavut Tourism staff in the community more often was expressed.
A student in the guide training class commented that the training "opened my eyes to a new world." The student also spoke of the need to help the community become better aware of its tourism potential with respect to such areas as whale-watching.
One speaker suggested that it would take at least five years of work before the community's potential could be realized.
The idea of promoting historic buildings such as the St. Theresa facility as attractions was mentioned.
One speaker spoke of the need to renovate and clean up buildings in the community before being able to promote the community.
Comments from Baker Lake - August 23, 2001
The Baker Lake public meeting was held on the morning of August 23, 2001, in the Hamlet Council Chamber.
One experienced outfitter commented that, "What we take for granted [hunting, wildlife] is what tourists want."
The issue of lack of airstrips in the area was raised by several speakers.
One outfitter commented that the major barrier is funding for developing adequate facilities.
He commented, "Tourists expect a castle in the middle of nowhere."
Several comments were made regarding the past reluctance of governments at the headquarters level to "accept the community's ideas."
Tourism development was described as being a "slow process" by one speaker.
One resident described past experiences of being "discouraged" by government from starting an independent business because both the speaker and her spouse were already employed.
The need for Nunavut Tourism staff to spend more time in smaller communities was cited by several speakers.
One speaker commented, "People don't go to see government buildings in Iqaluit ... tourism will happen in the smaller communities."
One outfitter commented that Nunavut Tourism is perceived to represent the regional centres, rather than the region a whole.
Nunavut Tourism perceived to have inadequate contact with bodies such as the regional Chamber of Commerce.
The issue of high licensing fees for guides was raised as a concern.
The need for a tourism co-ordinator in the community was identified.
The cost of advertising was cited as the "hardest part of the business" by one operator.
Concern expressed that the community's airstrip needs to be expanded.
Concern expressed that tourists often bypass the community itself while en route to the lodge, less opportunity to sell arts and crafts.
The connection between increased economic opportunity and greater self-reliance on the part of individuals in the community was raised.
Tourism and mining described as the "backbone" of the community's economy.
One outfitter commented, "Even before you start your boat's motor, you have to worry about everything from liability insurance to workers' compensation."
Comments from Rankin Inlet - August 23, 2001
The Rankin Inlet public meeting was held on the afternoon of August 23, 2001, in the Hamlet Council Chamber.
One speaker commented that, "We have been studied to death.".
The argument was raised that not all communities in Nunavut are tourism destinations, and that a long-term strategy for tourism could focus on one or two smaller communities in each region.
The need for a fixed-wing aircraft based in Rankin to access remote sites was identified.
The need for better statistical data on tourism in Nunavut (e.g. average amount spent by tourists; length of stay, etc.) was raised.
One speaker commented that, "Tourism is a lifestyle, not a big business."
One speaker commented that, "Fifteen years ago, we were talking about our potential ... now, we're still talking the same way.
It's disheartening."
The short length of the tourism season was cited as a problem for workers who do not work long enough to qualify for E.I. or training funded through the E.I. system.
HRDC needs to have a more Nunavut-sensitive position.
One speaker commented, "We're competing against bigger destinations with one-tenth the transportation costs."
Excessively restrictive transport regulations for boats were cited as being a problem with respect to hauling fuel to Wager Bay lodge facility.
Operators have to fly in fuel at exorbitant cost.
Lodges in the region are under financial pressure.
Lodge operators have had mixed success in negotiating "tourism prices" with airlines.
One speaker commented on the need for, "Rifle point marketing, not shotgun marketing."
The cleanliness of the community was cited as a problem.
Nunavut Tourism should provide more support for operators to attend trade shows.
Assistance for unilingual Inuktitut-speakers needed.
Marble Island cited as having eco-tourism potential.
One speaker suggested that the only way to get local benefits from cruise ship visits is to impose fees and/or taxes.
IIBA process is proceeding too slowly.
GN should do more to lobby for easing of restrictions on the importation of products under the United States' Marine Mammal Protection Act.
There is continuous confusion regarding roles and responsibilities among tourism stakeholders.
Communities need to clarify the role of their Economic Development Officers.
New money for marketing Nunavut is needed.
Opportunities exist in the Kivalliq for "cross-training" between mining and tourism sectors.
Difficulties in getting operators' licenses from DSD.
Visitors' Centre in the community is a "waste of money."
One speaker commented that, "Poor people are screaming for employment ... there's a danger of a two-level society."
GN needs to push harder with the federal government to get an economic development agreement.
Comments from Hall Beach - August 28, 2001
The Hall Beach public meeting was held on the afternoon of August 28, 2001, in the Hamlet Council Chamber.
Approximately fifteen people were in attendance.