EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
195 – 3(3): Recognition of Athletes and Officials from Cambridge Bay at Arctic Winter Games (Peterson) 2003
196 – 3(3): Nanulik Participants at the Arctic Winter Games (Ningeongan) 2004
197 – 3(3): Alternative Energy Sources (Curley) 2004
198 – 3(3): Population Increase of Repulse Bay (Ningark) 2005
199 – 3(3): Kitikmeot Cup - Kugluktuk Hockey Tournament (Taptuna) 2006
200 – 3(3): Appreciation for All the Help Given to Victims of House Fire (Aariak) 2006
201 – 3(3): Meeting of the High Arctic Council (Elliott) 2007
202 – 3(3): Appreciation to Pages from Pond Inlet - Suzanne Killiktee and Kimberly Angnatsiak (Enook) 2008
203 – 3(3): Appreciation to Medical Staff (Ugyuk) 2008
298 – 3(3): Cancellation of New High School for Repulse Bay (Ningark) 2009
299 – 3(3): Bill C-10 Goes Against Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Oshutapik) 2011
300 – 3(3): Alternative Energy Source Policy (Curley) 2012
301 – 3(3): Need for a New High School in Coral Harbour (Ningeongan) 2014
302 – 3(3): Local Housing Associations and the Nunavut Housing Corporation (Ningark) 2015
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2012-2013 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee 2017
>>House commenced at 9:00
Before we proceed, I would like to ask Mr. Curley if he could lead us off with a prayer, please.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Curley. (interpretation ends) Ullaakkut, everybody.
I seek unanimous consent to move directly into Committee of the Whole.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to proceed directly to Item 19 on the order paper, Committee of the Whole.
Are there are any nays?
We will continue on in the orders of the day.
Do you have a Member’s Statement?
Member’s Statement 194 – 3(3): Appreciation to New Members of our Community (Tapardjuk)
I rise this morning to speak about some of our concerns and issues that are confusing us.
Whenever an Inuk or non-Inuk has a concern or problem, everybody looks for a scapegoat or somebody to blame.
As Inuit, sometimes we blame our government, either that or our corporations, our education system, our health system, and particularly our churches and/or religion.
We tend to look for an easy scapegoat.
In particular, we look at teachers, nurses, bureaucrats, business owners, churchgoers, Roman Catholics, and reverends and priests, but the one thing we tend to overlook, Mr. Speaker, is that these are our fellow human beings.
They have their own relatives. They have children.
They’re working in their lives to live the healthiest they can. I think some of us notice that right next to our house is a neighbour, a fellow human.
When you see somebody dedicated to ensuring they live a good life, you can notice.
I believe one of the problems we have, Mr. Speaker, is the foundation of belief is so different sometimes that we automatically dislike others.
At this time, in our community, we’re trying retain the Inuit culture. Those who have arrived in our communities have grown up with different cultures and sometimes there’s a cultural clash because they have a western philosophy as opposed to that of the Inuit.
Again, to reiterate, we start running into issues when we don’t have a common culture or philosophical foundation.
One of the biggest problems we have is there tends to be a chasm of misunderstanding when we don’t understand each other’s culture or lifestyle.
I believe one of the things that can help to close this gap is to try to understand each other’s culture and I will make that a priority.
We should let it be known by those who serve us that they have to ensure they know that this territory’s foundation is the Inuit culture in its nature.
The attempts at assimilation of the Inuit into western society are already over.
That area is over, so now they have to come and try and assist Inuit because they are living in our territory.
As well, on the other hand, Inuit also have to realize that we have the capacity and capability to learn and grow, but we also need assistance to reach the next milestone.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I rise today.
The people who arrive into the territory undergo a very hard time, especially those in Igloolik and Hall Beach.
I thank you for having come to our community to assist us and those are the nurses, the RCMP, teachers, as well as religious leaders.
The majority of people come to provide assistance to the community, but there are still some who cling to the old ways.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents, I would like to rise today to express my gratitude to everyone who has worked really hard, especially the nurses, because many of them have given their lives to serve the north.
Yes, there are always rotten apples in every barrel, so we’ve obviously had problems.
I want non-Inuit to know that as Inuit, we are not against them; we want to work closely with them in government, even if we have cultural differences. We want to be understood where we’re at.
Member’s Statement 195 – 3(3): Recognition of Athletes and Officials from Cambridge Bay at Arctic Winter Games (Peterson)
I rise to recognize all the Cambridge Bay athletes and officials who are going to Whitehorse for the Arctic Winter Games between March 4 and March 10.
Our community is very proud of them and wish them well. I would like to recognize the individuals:
Audla Buchan, basketball;
Linda Howard, basketball;
Chanda Evalik, basketball;
Brittany Hogaluk, basketball;
Pearlie Mae Howard, soccer;
John Henry Etegik, speed skating;
Zachery Roberts, speed skating; and
Our own Attima Hadlari, our interpreter/translator. He is going as an official.
I wish them all well and have a good time. Whitehorse is a fantastic city. I have been there many times.
That’s my birthplace as well. So I’m sure the people will welcome them with great hospitality.
We wish them all good luck over there and also to Mr. Hadlari, who is back in the booth there.
Member’s Statement 196 – 3(3): Nanulik Participants at the Arctic Winter Games (Ningeongan)
I wish to acknowledge the athletes from Nanulik who will represent Nunavut at the Arctic Winter Games.
We’re proud of their accomplishments. They are as follows:
From Coral Harbour:
Chantel Emiktowt, female basketball;
Vivian Paniyuk, 15 and under female soccer;
Naomi Emiktowt, 17 and under;
Maggie Nakoolak, 17 and under;
Jay Pudlat, male soccer;
Wesley Siutinuar, my Irngutaq;
Austin Bruce, hockey;
Bradley Kaludjak;
Becky Ottokie;
Sandy Saviakjuk Jr.;
William Nakoolak Jr. for wrestling.
From Chesterfield Inlet:
Elizabeth Kukkiak and James Tautu for Inuit games;
Brandon Ipkarnerk for basketball;
Greg Tanuyak Jr. for hockey; and  K.J. Putulik.
I also wish the very best to my Irngutaq Alayna Ningeongan from Rankin Inlet who is going to the Arctic Winter Games, as mentioned by the member from Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove.
I wish all the athletes the very best and enjoy your participation at the Arctic Winter Games. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We wish them all good luck.
Member’s Statement 197 – 3(3): Alternative Energy Sources (Curley)
I rise this morning to recognize the many Nunavutmiut who work really hard, particularly the hunters who are out on the land providing sustenance for their families.
I think we have to acknowledge them.
We also have to remember that the mothers who are staying at home to look after their children work really hard and I’m sure some of them wonder what they will feed their children today.
You feel very sympathetic towards them.
With harvesters who have to go hunting, a lot of the materials and their supplies cost a lot of money, specifically fuel.
Sometimes the prospect of catching wildlife is very uncertain from day to day.
Mr. Speaker, be that as it may, Nunavutmiut have long been taught to never give up, that a day will pass where the hunting will be better.
I would like to express my gratitude to the fact that this is a principle and value that people hold dear no matter how hard life becomes.
Furthermore, in this day and age, we seem to have that problem where business owners are facing challenges of survival.
Money is required to run a business. That being the case, the current practice is inadequate for business owners.
We were recently informed that electricity rates will be increased in the next two years.
That is government policy.
Mr. Speaker, we also have to be aware of our future. Over the next two years, the price of oil is expected to nearly double from today’s prices.
Throughout the world, the usage of oil is not shrinking but increasing in response to growing demand.
Its impact will be felt in Nunavut and cause hardships to some degree.
I think we need to understand why.
We hear about the usage of oil, that the world consumes 89 million barrels of oil per day.
In three years, that will rise to 105 million barrels per day.
The price is expected to rise to this level.
That is a frightening scenario and we need to figure out what we will do and try to find cheaper sources.
We need to brainstorm on that, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 198 – 3(3): Population Increase of Repulse Bay (Ningark)
I rise today because here in Canada, our territory of Nunavut, and in the community of Repulse Bay, I want to share a piece of news that is joyful and I want to share this with our government, our Premier, and my elected colleagues.
With respect to the survey in 2006-2011, I recognize that the community of Repulse Bay is the fastest growing community within Nunavut.
Perhaps in this period from 2006 to 2011, Repulse Bay had a population of 748 in 2006 and five years later, in 2011, it had reached 945 residents.
Again, in most surveys, they’re usually a few years behind.
So perhaps I could state that that is a population growth of 26.3 percent over a period of five years.
Again, in this five-year period from 2006 to 2011, they grew by 197 people.
So I share that piece of news with the citizens of Repulse Bay, the Government of Nunavut, and the federal government because this assists us.
The one problem we have is that Repulse Bay was supposed to get a new high school, but it was delayed and then taken off the capital projects list. Perhaps the Canadian government and the Nunavut government have not recognized the growth and need for larger infrastructure in the community.
If you look at just the bare statistics, it’s the fastest growing community. At the appropriate time, I will ask why they bothered to remove the high school.
Member’s Statement 199 – 3(3): Kitikmeot Cup - Kugluktuk Hockey Tournament (Taptuna)
I rise today to congratulate community members in Kugluktuk, in my constituency, for organizing the hockey tournament, the Kitikmeot Cup, which is happening today and for the next three days. The participants are coming from Kugaaruk, Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay, and a couple of teams from Kugluktuk.
I’ve got to apologize to the Kugluktuk team; I can’t be there to score hat tricks for them.
But in any case, Mr. Speaker, with the facilities that we have throughout our small communities, we appreciate the fact that the facilities are there for sporting events such as this. There’s nothing like bringing up the well-being and self-esteem for our youth when it comes to sports.
I wish all the participants well. Again, I want to thank the organizers and coaches who put these events together.
It’s too bad. I would like to see you score a hat trick.
Member’s Statement 200 – 3(3): Appreciation for All the Help Given to Victims of House Fire (Aariak)
I say “good morning” to my constituents, the residents of Iqaluit and indeed, all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, during this week here in our capital of Iqaluit, we experienced some tragic events after a building caught fire, which resulted in quite a number of people becoming homeless.
It also showcased the ability and caring of many people as a result during this weekend.
I want to express my sincerest gratitude to the multitude of people who provided assistance to the people who have now become homeless.
First of all, I thank the councillors and Mayor Madeleine Redfern especially, as well as the firefighters who undertook the battle and spent all night and day to fight the fire. Further, I wish to acknowledge NAC staff who went above and beyond the call of duty to handle the misplaced students who lost all their belongings and homes.
Further, I want to thank the RCMP that continues to provide assistance, including the social service workers and staff from the health and social services department. They spent extra hours working with those affected. This includes numerous government civil servants, among the NHC staff members.
In particular, I want to express my thanks to the residents of Iqaluit who took it upon themselves to provide assistance as volunteers, simply out of compassion towards the victims of the fire.
I sincerely thank each and every resident who provided assistance during this time.
Let us not forget people from other communities and jurisdictions, such as the people of Greenland, who offered their assistance and gathered donations. This includes members of various communities across Nunavut and even our southern fellow citizens who expressed their desire to provide assistance wherever they could.
Many people cooperated to assist these victims and they are far too numerous to mention.
On behalf of Iqalummiut, I thank all the people who showed their community spirit, compassion, and sympathy towards these victims.
Additionally, the majority of the now homeless students were accommodated with new units up to the current day.
I’m hopeful that they will be able to put this behind them and concentrate on their studies.
Furthermore, I would be remiss without mentioning those who tragically lost relatives. We send our thoughts and prayers to them during their time of grief.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone involved in supporting the students and everyone else.
Member’s Statement 201 – 3(3): Meeting of the High Arctic Council (Elliott)
Good morning, members. As all members are aware, I left the House early yesterday to meet with the mayors of the High Arctic as the High Arctic Council.
It was an interesting meeting and it was nice to actually meet with my mayors. It’s so hard to get everyone together in a room.
One of the main issues that the High Arctic Council has worked on over the past three years is the high cost of transportation within our three communities.
Again, this all began in 2008 with the commitment from the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, and I think I would like to convey my thanks to Mr. Taptuna and his department for his continued efforts.
The meeting last night began at 6:00. Again, the dedication and commitment by my mayors, after meeting, as I did my Members’ Statement on Monday, coming down to have Baffin mayors’ meetings and spending the days in meetings, much like we do, to then commit to come last night at six o’clock to get them in a room to talk about similar issues, to me, that speaks to the dedication that I have with the mayors that I actually have in the communities of Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay.
So I’m really pleased with the amount of dedication and the time and effort that the mayors of my three communities put in to taking that extra time to, I guess they could have been packing and getting ready to go home today, actually spend time with me to share their concerns and issues face to face.
At the same time, there was the dedication of the staff of Mr. Taptuna. Pat Arnakak was there, Art Stewart was there, John Hawkins, and Methusalah Kunuk was there as well.
Again, meeting after hours and meeting late into the evening just to continue to work with the mayors to come up with possible solutions to bring down the high costs that we do face in the High Arctic is a testament to the dedication of his department.
So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank his department for that.
Member’s Statement 202 – 3(3): Appreciation to Pages from Pond Inlet - Suzanne Killiktee and Kimberly Angnatsiak (Enook)
Good morning to the residents of Pond Inlet, especially my godmother.
I rise today to recognize and to share in the triumphant return of two individuals, as today is Friday, and the two pages we have shared this week, Kimberly Angnatsiak and Suzanne Killiktee, are serving as pages for the last time today. I want to express my thanks and I want to share my gratitude.
I believe my colleagues noted that we were served specifically by these pages.
There are additional people who have served as pages, those from Iqaluit, so I am very thankful to them.
I want to express my pride and urge them to complete their education to ensure they live their lives properly. We will see you in Pond Inlet.
Member’s Statement 203 – 3(3): Appreciation to Medical Staff (Ugyuk)
As you are all aware, sometimes I have difficulty speaking and I apologize for that.
We are still experiencing issues.
I’ll start with a good morning to the residents of Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.
Yesterday, as you noted, I voted on behalf of the constituents and I thank the residents of Taloyoak.
I still haven’t heard any complaints from a resident of Taloyoak, so I would like to express my thanks.
Again, the children see and experience a whole lot. Whenever there’s flu, the nurses have to look after all the residents, so I thank them for the provision of services.
The residents of Gjoa Haven didn’t complain, but rather, they held a community fundraising event. They were able to pay for the parents’ travel to Edmonton. So I’m very proud of the residents for that endeavour.
The people of Gjoa Haven gathered with community spirit to assist the mother and father of this child who had to go to Edmonton.
They did try to go through the proper channels of the health system because when Inuit aren’t approved for particular services, they look to meet that challenge on their own.
So I’m grateful for that.
I want to thank all the nurses, but we have to remember that health professionals aren’t gods.
We also have to ensure we listen to our body and to see a doctor when we feel ill or sick.
We shouldn’t wait until the last minute because trying to suffer in stoicism can lead to problems.
Moving on in the orders of the day. Item 4.
Question 298 – 3(3): Cancellation of New High School for Repulse Bay (Ningark)
Good morning to you, Mr. Speaker.
As I stated in my Member’s Statement, Mr. Speaker, the federal government depends on the census to allocate funding every four years. Statistics Canada conducts a census and that data is available.
Based on the latest statistics, the community of Repulse Bay is the fastest growing community and this statistic can assist our government in obtaining more funding as the government depends on the census.
Further, this spring, as my colleague representing Hudson Bay knows, Mr. Speaker, representatives of the Repulse Bay DEA went to Sanikiluaq to tour the new high school that was constructed for the community.
This obviously led to expectations that they would now have a new school in the immediate short term.
At that time, I believed and so did the residents of Repulse Bay that when the government tasked them to tour the school by paying for the travel, the representatives could see the facility.
However, we were informed retroactively that the high school would not be constructed in the near term, even though Repulse Bay is growing rather fast and is the fastest growing community in Nunavut.
I would like to direct this question to the Minister of Education. Do you recognize the census results that are undertaken every four years for Canada’s population surveys? Will you be following the data?
Yes, we know that and we acknowledge and understand the statistics and the growing population of the students.
They have already identified and recognized that they need a school.
There has to be a study done because of the population growth.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My first supplementary question, (interpretation) I want to thank the Minister of Education for recognizing the data from Statistics Canada.
Now that we know she has recognized that growth in Repulse Bay, as she stated, people do know the growth and population and you see the corresponding increase in the number of students.
Here we keep stating that education is a priority. So why did the government remove the high school from the capital projects list?
The Department of Education started the plans on this and did a study along with the Department of Community and Government Services.
They went to Repulse Bay in the fall of 2010 to do this study in regard to constructing a school.
First of all, department officials went down to Repulse Bay on September 20, 2010 and the officials went over there again in February 2011.
When they started visiting the community, they found out that rather than getting an addition to the school, they need to build a new high school.
In order to have the construction occur earlier and in order to save costs, we asked if they wanted to have the same designed school that Sanikiluaq has and they went to view the new school that was constructed in Sanikiluaq.
We regret that we had to cut costs on our expenditures. All the departments had to cut costs.
The school plan was taken off the Department of Education’s 2012-13 capital plan, but the Department of Education would like to put that plan back for the 2013-14 capital plan.
The Department of Education is now working with the Department of Community and Government Services because everyone is aware that they are running out of space in that school.
So therefore, they temporarily added two more classrooms. They will get two temporary classrooms for 2012-13 while they’re constructing the new high school.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Madam Minister.
I thank her for that very clear and concise response.
She stated that they’re working together or cooperating with the DEA in Repulse Bay, but personally, I tend to go through the hamlet.
Perhaps the proper term is (interpretation ends) prime public body. (interpretation) As I stated yesterday, I had a teleconference with the mayor and SAO.
They were disappointed because they were led to believe that it was being built this coming year and now it has been deferred to 2013-14.
The Premier is well aware that the population is growing.
The population growth in Repulse Bay will end up assisting Government of Nunavut revenues.
So I would like to see this project returned and it seems obvious that from 2011 to 2015, Repulse Bay may continue to be the fastest growing community in Canada, at least in Statistics Canada’s eyes.
Madam Minister of Education, Minister Aariak.
We do recognize the census statistics and we, too, were rather disappointed that the Department of Education chose to take this project off during our budget cuts and we ended up deferring the project.
That was unfortunate, but we have shifted the planning and design phase for 2012-13 because we are quite aware of the need of Repulse Bay to receive a new school.
Mr. Ningark: Final supplementary, Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) yes, I thank the minister. Sometimes my hearing is a bit hard, perhaps because I’m aging, Mr. Speaker.
Did she refer to the date 2012?
With respect to the planning, I stated that the plan or, excuse me, what I was trying to say was because it was removed, which I have already spoken to, it has now been reallocated to the 2013-14 capital estimates.
This fall in the year 2012, there will be two portable schools that will be installed in Repulse Bay to alleviate the overcrowding issue they face in the school at this time.
While they’re undertaking the planning and design for the new school, that will proceed, but I was referring to two portable schools that will be installed this fall in 2012.
I think we all know and believe that Repulse Bay does require a new high school and the new high school will be constructed in 2013-14.
Question 299 – 3(3): Bill C-10 Goes Against Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Oshutapik)
I have a question concerning a House of Commons initiative, Bill C-10.
I would like to ask the Minister of Justice what preparation the department is undertaking for this legislation.