EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I rise today to address an issue that is raising concerns across the Arctic, which is the elimination of certain sports from the 2016 Arctic Winter Games.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that much planning goes into organizing a large-scale event such as the Arctic Winter Games with over a thousand athletes, coaches, and staff participating, and all the volunteers who dedicate their time and effort. I appreciate that many decisions need to be made well in advance.
The Arctic Winter Games International Committee, just like the International Olympics Committee, must come together several years beforehand to decide how each Games will be hosted.
On September 14 of this year, the Arctic Winter Games International Committee announced the 15 sports that would be included in the 2016 Winter Games to be held in Nuuk, Greenland.
Mr. Speaker, I find it very ironic that five of the sports not to feature in Greenland’s 2016 Arctic Winter Games are traditional winter sports that can only take place on ice or snow, features which are only too common in the Arctic.
These sports are curling, figure-skating, speed-skating, midget hockey, and dog-mushing. Nunavut athletes have excelled in many of these sports in the past.
Mr. Speaker, many northern athletes, their coaches, parents, and sporting associations are raising concerns about how the decision not to include these sports in the Arctic Winter Games will impact the development of those sports and the future of the athletes involved in them.
Mr. Speaker, athletes from small and remote communities, such as my community of Sanikiluaq, are no strangers to the challenges and difficulties in attending any kind of athletic competition outside of the community, be it regional, territorial, national, or international.
The decision taken by the Arctic Winter Games International Committee is another blow to the hopes and dreams of our aspiring young athletes.
Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that the decision to eliminate certain sports from the 2016 Arctic Winter Games will be reconsidered.
At the appropriate time, I will ask questions on this issue.
Member’s Statement 298 – 3(3): 2012 Arviat High School Graduates (Shewchuk)
I rise today to again acknowledge another proud graduating class of the 2012 graduation ceremonies that took place in August at the John Arnalukjuaq High School in Arviat.
The 25 successful graduates are: Gideon Aliktuluk; Emily Angnilirq; Kimberly Arualak; Seepa Owlijoot; Derek Gibbons; Kaylene Gibbons; Rebecca Gibbons; Lazarus Ilunngiak; Rhonda Erkuk; Celina Issarkiak; Miranda Isumatarjuak; Catriona Kablutsiak; Okalik Karetak; Katie Keenak; Roxanne Koonark; Jackie Koomuk; James Koomak; Andrew Kuksuk; Joannie Uksaksiak; Maurice Uksaksiak; Darla Pulapski; Adam Pingusat; Brian Shawbrook; Christopher Shamee; and Brian Sulujuaq.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate all of the graduates, parents, and family members of this class, as well as the hard work and dedication of the teachers who helped them to reach their goals.
I also encourage each and every one of them to continue their education in the field that they choose to pursue.
Member’s Statement 299 – 3(3): Community Action towards Food Security (Elliott)
I rise today to pay tribute to the efforts being made by my constituents in Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay to address the issue of food security in the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, when communities come together, action results.
In Grise Fiord, residents have taken advantage of the Government of Nunavut’s Country Food Distribution Program to invest in a newly refurbished community freezer.
Residents of the community have been working together to coordinate sealift ordering and to ensure that the community freezer is well-used.
In Resolute Bay, the Co-op has been working hard to provide board training to members and to strengthen the local store’s ordering processes to address issues that have arisen in the past with respect to shortages.
In Arctic Bay, the community rejoiced this summer when our community’s hunters successfully harvested a bowhead whale.
The sharing of the harvest was a cause for celebration for families, elders, and youth. I also pay tribute the excellent work undertaken by the Saqpik Bowhead Committee, under the supervision of Arctic Bay’s Hunters and Trappers Organization, to fundraise towards the hunt.
Mr. Speaker, I firmly believe that while governments at all levels must exercise their responsibilities and invest resources strategically, these efforts can only be successful if they are accompanied by community action and coordination.
I have shared three success stories today, and I look forward to sharing many more with my colleagues in the months ahead.
Member’s Statement 300 – 3(3): Medical Client Complaint Process (Ningark)
I send my greetings to the residents of Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk.
I believe it was yesterday when Hon. Peterson made a Minister’s Statement. I agree with the Minister of Health and Social Services and also would like to thank him for his Minister’s Statement, especially for the patients from the smaller communities who have to be sent out of the territory.
It seems like the problem is always arising with the patients travelling out of Nunavut.
Some of the patients sometimes don’t have any place to turn to when they have a concern, even though there seems to be a program within the government where patients can provide their complaints. (interpretation ends) Health and Social Services is revisiting our current patient/client complaints process and I would like to be the first one to acknowledge that from this side of the table.
I think it’s a long time coming; it’s welcome.
(interpretation) Additionally, in the communities to this day, people continue to complain about the lack of hospitality they experience. Although we wish to provide some assistance, we run into policy issues and rules.
I ask my colleagues to continue our push and to support our minister so that the minister can ensure that this is undertaken, so that patients who go south for medical treatment and who harbour concerns when they aren’t made to feel welcome can relax.
Further, for those of us who have to go for medical treatment, we also have to abide by the rules and listen to the management.
However, some people are truthful when they state that they weren’t made to feel welcome, so we have to believe their statements and try to provide assistance.
Also, some foods are foreign to Inuit and some people complain about the different foods they have to eat while they are staying at boarding homes.
I certainly hope that this initiative will be completed by the minister.
If the minister doesn’t complete this initiative, we, as regular members, will have to urge its completion.
Member’s Statement 301 – 3(3): The Success of the Igloolik Co-op Store (Tapardjuk)
I would like to wish a good afternoon to my constituents of Igloolik and Hall Beach.
Mr. Speaker, the reason I rise today is to acknowledge and congratulate the Co-ops.
The Co-ops had a co-op week from October 14 to 20, 2012, I believe, in Nunavut and mayhap all of Canada. I will have to see if that was the case, but residents in Nunavut celebrated this week. Additionally, the year 2012 is also recognized by the United Nations as the International Year of Co-operatives.
Mr. Speaker, I was grateful to attend the Hall Beach Co-op AGM, where I was able to listen in.
Furthermore, I also was able to attend the Igloolik Co-op AGM in our community.
Mr. Speaker, the reason why I wish to acknowledge and congratulate the Co-ops, particularly in Igloolik, since that is a community I am intimately familiar with, is that in the beginning of the ‘60s, many Inuit comprised largely of hunters weren’t able to participate in any economic development opportunities and were largely passed over.
Moreover, an issue that is continuously raised is the cost of living, especially food costs and food security in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I can state unequivocally that this year in Igloolik, members received well over $400,000 in dividends that can alleviate food insecurity concerns.
It is quite obvious that Inuit are capable of helping their community on their own, even by just being a member of the local co-op. I wanted to acknowledge this fact.
Mr. Speaker, let me recite some names as April 2013 will be the 50th anniversary of the Igloolik Co-op and we are extremely proud of this accomplishment.
Also, Father Fumoleau, Mark Evaluardjuk, and Pacome Qulaut, although these last two individuals have passed on, worked passionately to develop a platform to assist their fellow Inuit that would provide assistance to their community by creating the Co-op.
Due to this reason, I urge my colleagues and this House to share our pride in our local co-ops and to wish the continued success of the Co-ops in our future.
Member’s Statement 302 – 3(3): Tribute to Mariano Aupilardjuk (Curley)
Good afternoon, people of Rankin Inlet and the listening public. I also want to welcome the person whom the minister responsible for Arctic College mentioned, who is from Rankin Inlet , as she is very skilful, Laura Merritt.
Mr. Speaker, the reason I rise today is to commemorate a person who just passed away recently in our community of Rankin Inlet.
My heart continues to be heavy due to this loss and it is with respect to Mariano Aupilardjuk, who just passed away.
Mr. Aupilardjuk fought for Inuit rights wherever they were. He told stories of our history and made presentations to youth. He helped out in any way he could.
Due to this reason, I want to commemorate the passing of this individual whom the residents of Rankin Inlet took pride in and most Nunavutmiut knew.
Mr. Aupilardjuk was born in the summer of 1923, near the vicinity of the modern-day community of Kugaaruk. My colleague, John Ningark, knew him, as they were cousins.
He was a true leader and provided direction, especially when he spoke, which usually enthralled his audiences.
Although he rarely raised his voice, he would capture the audience and he was always humble whenever he made a presentation.
His whole life, Mr. Aupilardjuk made himself available to provide service to his fellow Inuit and in particular, how we could continue teaching the Inuit way of life, culture, and life skills. He provided assistance to youth and children, especially in teaching them land survival skills, even though we live in one of the harshest environments. He taught both women and men about the values Inuit held dear.
Mr. Aupilardjuk was a dedicated Christian and in his chosen religion, the Roman Catholic Church, he was a layperson and also part of the choir. He also sang traditional songs and told traditional legends.
Mr. Aupilardjuk left behind his children and descendants. He had four daughters and three sons, with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Kugaaruk, Repulse Bay, and Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, colleagues.
Mr. Aupilardjuk leaves a great void and is mourned by many people, as he was indispensable in his home community of Rankin Inlet, Repulse Bay, as well as Kugaaruk.
I can also state that this may apply to the whole of Nunavut.
Mr. Aupilardjuk was buried in Repulse Bay since he expressed his wish to be returned upon his death and also because his wife, who predeceased him by a year, was buried there.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Aupilardjuk once wrote a letter to me personally where he stated that Inuit can never live like the non-Inuit and we can’t live like southerners if we want to retain our lifestyle as Inuit.
I pass this message along to my colleagues, especially to the students who are here, whom we will welcome later on.
Mr. Aupilardjuk was a fervent supporter of Inuit rights and I wanted to reminisce about his life today.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Curley. Mr. Aupilardjuk will be missed and he did contribute lots to preserving the culture.
Another thing that some members may not know is Mr. Aupilardjuk will always be a part of us here in these Chambers, as he was one of the artists who were commissioned to design and build the mace. So a piece of him will always be here in these Chambers.
Yes! He hasn’t left yet. I really wish to recognize this individual, Mr. Speaker, as he is well known in Igloolik as well as in the business community of Nunavut.
I would like to recognize in this House a person whom I grew up with and whom I coined Qallunaakuluk, Ike Haulli. I would like him recognized.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the Gallery, Mr. Haulli.
I also wish to recognize an individual who really requires no introduction due to her longstanding work throughout the north. I wish to recognize Ms. Mary Simon, a past president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
She represented Inuit nationally in Canada.
At this time, she is serving as the chairperson of the National Committee on Inuit Education.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, Mary was born in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec, and has devoted her life to achieving social justice for Inuit nationally and internationally, with a particular focus on children and youth and the preservation of the Inuit language.
In the environmental, economic and political arenas, she has been a leading advocate for Inuit cooperation.
(interpretation) Currently, Mr. Speaker, Mary is visiting Iqaluit this week to meet with various organizations and bodies, including the Inuksuk High School, Nunavut Arctic College, as well as the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities. Furthermore, she will speak to Nunavut Tunngavik at their meeting.
We are extremely proud of Ms. Simon as northerners.
Additionally, the person sitting next to Mary is another person I wish to recognize, whom the members also know since he used to represent the Department of Education at my side during our Committee of the Whole. (interpretation ends) Peter Geikie had left us not too long ago and needs no introduction to this House as well because he used to represent the Department of Education during our Committee of the Whole, but Peter had left us to join the National Strategy on Inuit education.
So please help me welcome Mary and Peter.
Welcome to the Gallery. I’m sure Peter is happy to be sitting on that side of the rails and not on this side.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As an MLA, I wanted to recognize these individuals whom I also invited to visit the Gallery as the MLA for Rankin Inlet North.
They have accepted this invitation and many of them are here in the Gallery behind us, numbering ten first year Inuit studies students.
They are accompanied by the second year Inuit studies students.
I felt that today was an appropriate day to invite them, especially in light of the recognition I wanted to place on the late Mr. Aupilardjuk.
I will recite the names of the five second year students currently here.
My wife, Sally, and I have a daughter who is a first year student, Lorna Tatty.
I would like to ask that they withhold on standing up when I mention their names since I will ask them all to stand upon recognition.
The first year students are:
Neevee Padluq, Iqaluit;
Elisapee Attagootak, Grise Fiord;
Mary Pijamini, Iqaluit; and  Sandra Naqitarvik, Iqaluit.
The second year students are:
Tina Muckpaloo, Arctic Bay;
Lena Dialla, Pangnirtung;
Susie Eetuk, Coral Harbour;
Nala Temela, Kimmirut; and
Kathy Idlout, Resolute Bay.
The second year students, along with their Inuktitut translator, are taking courses now and they are our future translators:
Janet Merkosak, Pond Inlet;
Mina Battye, Pangnirtung;
Sarah Papatsie, Iqaluit; and
Caroline Novalinga, Sanikiluaq.
I would like my colleagues to welcome them all as they are practising their proficiency in the Inuktitut language and whom we know are working diligently. Welcome, one and all.
Welcome to the Gallery. Item 5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I would also like to recognize the individuals who have been recognized by some members already who are here for the Inuit studies. I wish them bright future endeavours, especially these people who are from my community. Please welcome Lena Dialla and Mina Battye.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Ningark.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): I would also like to recognize Mary Simon.
Mr. Speaker, quite a while ago, before we got our Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, I worked with her with regard to Rio de Janeiro, but I would like to say that we could not stop global warming here in the north. I would like to thank her and recognize her in the House.
Welcome again to the Gallery.
Question 413 – 3(3): Fuel Resupply for Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk (Ningark)
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
As the minister will recall, I asked him questions during our sitting of May 30, 2012 concerning fuel supplies in the communities of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay. At that time, the minister informed me and I thank the minister for informing me that Repulse Bay was at risk of experiencing fuel shortages prior to the arrival of the annual resupply.
It is my understanding that an airlift of gasoline to the community was recently undertaken, possibly in September.
Can the minister update me today on this situation?
I thank the member for the question, Mr. Ningark.
The fuel resupply ship has arrived in Repulse Bay and they have filled up the tanks at this time. They will not be suffering any fuel shortages at this time.
Mr. Speaker, through your good office, I would like to ask the minister: what was the reason for the shortage of gasoline in the community? Was it due to the increased boating or increased snowmobile usage that resulted in this shortage? What was the real reason for this gasoline shortage?
Does the department know what the cause of this problem was?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s a good question.
Just this spring, reaching all the way to summer, there was a lot of ice in the communities and the resupply ship was delayed due to the ice around several communities. The other reason for that is that the fuel tanks in the community did not get filled to the brim.
So those are the two reasons why they had a shortage of gasoline in that community.
According to recent statistics, the population of Repulse Bay has grown from approximately 612 residents in 2001 to 945 residents in 2011.
How is the department working to ensure that bulk fuel storage facilities in our communities is keeping pace with population growth?
As we begin to grow and to have more knowledge in the community, residents are buying more skidoos and more outboard motors. It is evident that the tank farms are beginning to have shortage of gasoline.
I know some of the communities will have to get more tank farms.
It’s a lot better to have more tank farms in the communities as the communities’ populations grow.
Just this past summer, I feel that all the communities will have adequate flow. If there is going to be more ice packing up in the bay, we have to make sure that those tank farms are filled right up in the community.
Question 414 – 3(3): Response to Committee Motion 8 – 3(3) (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, on March 1, 2012, during our Committee of the Whole debate on the 2012-13 Main Estimates for the Department of Health and Social Services, the committee voted in favour of Motion 8 – 3(3), which recommended that the Department of Health and Social Services undertake a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of its patient/client complaints procedure.
Further, Mr. Speaker, the minister was to report on the findings of this review no later than the first day of the fall 2012 sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday was the first day of the fall 2012 sitting of the Legislative Assembly. While I recognize that the minister made a statement regarding “Patient Relations,” he did not provide an update on the status of the review of his department’s patient/client complaints procedure.
This patient/client problem is always heard of here in the House. Will the minister respect this House and provide the update to follow the motion that was made at that time?
Mr. Speaker, I can’t think of any topic that has been more hotly debated in this House since April 1, 1999 than the patient/client travel policy. When I was an MLA, I used to ask the same questions. There’s no easy solution to this.
You’re going to have people who are happy; you’re going to have people who are unhappy. I get calls from people or emails thanking us for the service and I also get calls from people or emails where people are dissatisfied with the service. I have instructed my officials and they’re working very diligently to review the process.
There’s no magic pill where I’m going to reverse everything, all the problems, with the policies overnight. I have told the House that we’re working on it, trying to have better relations, and put a process in place.
I’m sure it’s not going to solve all the complaints because you can’t keep everybody happy. I do want to assure the House that I take it seriously because I get constituents and people from across Nunavut who do contact me. I don’t feel it is necessary that people should go all the way to the ministers’ level.
Issues should be able to be resolved at the hospital level or the health centre level and get that communication going there.
I also believe that people should get feedback or follow-up to their concerns and that’s a sense I have gotten over the years as mayor, MLA, and now as minister.
A lot of people don’t feel that their concerns are being taken seriously and there’s no follow-up. I think when there is follow-up, a lot of people will indicate that they are satisfied and just want someone to hear their concerns and explain the process to them.
That’s what we’re endeavouring to do and have a better client/patient relationship.
I assure Nunavummiut that the health department does take their concerns very seriously and we’re going to fix the system, if not 100 percent, at least to a level where it’s reasonable and to expect your complaint or your issue will be dealt with in a reasonable amount of time.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Your first supplementary, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Yes, what the minister said is true. Some of us are not thankful enough sometimes, especially when you have sick relatives. We sometimes thank the system for having health care provided to us.
Mr. Speaker, in his statement yesterday, the minister indicated that his department is “revising the current patient/client complaints process.”
Can the minister clarify what progress has been made on this revision to date?
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the minister. As a Member of the Legislative Assembly, you hear from the public about complaints. For that reason, I would like to find out what progress has been made to date, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank Mr. Tapardjuk for his support and for his encouragement to improve the process.
Mr. Speaker, there are a couple of things we are doing.
We are reviewing the client travel policy and the client escort policy.
There are issues with that. Just this whole issue of looking at the different types of complaints across Nunavut, the complaints that we receive in Nunavut, the complaints that we receive from down south when people are down south… . There are complaints about the airlines.
There are complaints about the health centres. We will see what type of complaints they are, but I’m sure when the analysis is complete, we do come forward with a revised program, complaints process, or patient... . I wouldn’t even call it… .
I’ll figure out a new name for it, perhaps the patient relations policy.
Our department is working very hard to try to resolve this once and for all, but as I said earlier, I don’t think we can keep everybody happy.
There are always going to be misunderstandings, but we do definitely want to assure Nunavummiut that the health department does take their concerns seriously and we will do everything we can to resolve the issues to their satisfaction and alleviate any concerns or misunderstandings that develop out there.
We are in the patient care business and we want to have good relationships with patients and with our communities.
The mayors always bring up the issues as well.