EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, my wife is Inuk and my child is a beneficiary. Like any family, we have had our challenges, difficulties and joys.
When I was elected to this Legislative Assembly, it felt a little bit like I was joining a much larger family.
However, I believe that we need to come together and firmly reject any notion that racism or intolerance is acceptable in this House or this territory.
Mr. Speaker, one definition of racism that I have seen describes it as a “belief or doctrine that inherent difference among different human races determining that their culture or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.”
Mr. Speaker, I am ashamed that I felt the need this week to look up such a distasteful and despicable word.
We have all been elected to this Legislative Assembly to be leaders and role models for such values as compassion, tolerance, respect and wisdom.
I do not believe that we have measured up well in this regard during the last few days.
Mr. Speaker, we have both Inuit and non-Inuit members in this House. As MLAs, we have a duty to represent all of our constituents, regardless of their race, gender or other characteristics.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that we need to come together and learn from our past mistakes and move forward to do the job that we were elected to do.
We have wasted enough of our time and our constituents’ time with petty posturing and personal agendas.
Mr. Speaker, the House will be reconvening on Monday. Let’s move forward together and get to work on making our home a better place for our children and grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, I will be frank: any one of us who has a different agenda should simply do the honourable thing - resign and let the rest of us do the job that our constituents sent us here to do.
Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Taptuna.
Member’s Statement 052 – 3(1): Gary Kennedy Awarded Outstanding Principal Award (Taptuna)
I rise today to congratulate one of my constituents, Gary Kennedy. Gary is a principal at the Kugluktuk High School and recently, he was announced as the recipient of a prestigious award, the Outstanding Principal Award.
Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour indeed because getting this award means that a distinguished group of Canadian educators and Canadian private sector leaders judge Mr. Kennedy as having outstanding characteristics.
Mr. Speaker, some of these characteristics include forming close partnerships between the high school, parents, and the community, initiating change, implementing innovation and techniques that result in improved student achievements.
Mr. Speaker, Canada’s principals help young people to prepare for the future. It is crucial that we recognize their efforts, like Mr. Kennedy, whose talents and accomplishments help to ensure that our young territory’s youth are ready to face the challenges of tomorrow and the years to come.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, strong leadership is what makes our schools successful.
And Mr. Kennedy, through this proven leadership, has made Kugluktuk High School a great place for learning for the students of Kugluktuk.
Member’s Statement 053 – 3(1): Building Strength through Consensus (Komoartok)
I would also like to thank my colleagues and the people of Pangnirtung.
I thank those who voted for me.
The announcements made by the Ministers of CGS and Finance are good news stories to Nunavummiut.
When the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation rose today, I expected a statement about a reduction in our energy costs and a corresponding decrease in our electrical bills, but hopefully we will see it some day.
(interpretation ends) Uqaqtii, I rise today to express my hope that this Legislative Assembly can work together for the betterment of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut operates by consensus. We do not have a party system where we have to follow what other people in that party have decided is the right way to go. We do not have to argue against a budget or a law because the policy of the party is against it.
Mr. Speaker, as Members of the Legislative Assembly, each of us is very fortunate in that we can consult with our constituents, the residents of our own communities, to get their advice and opinions as we make up our own minds on what to support or what to reject.
When we come together in this Assembly, we can, each of us, speak our minds on the issues of the day.
Mr. Speaker, by working together in consensus, we can be sure to consider as many possible options and opinions as possible. In this way, together we can come to the best solution.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues in this House to make the best decisions for Nunavut and Nunavummiut, (interpretation) as well as for each of (interpretation ends) our constituencies.
I strongly want to say that I support the government that we have picked and they have my full confidence.
Member’s Statement 054 – 3(1): Successful Southampton Island Caribou Harvest (Ningeongan)
I rise today to inform members of this year’s successful caribou harvest near Coral Harbour.
Over 840 caribou were harvested this year.
This activity generated short-term employment for a significant number of my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I want to share with you my feelings when I see young people taking part in this harvest. When I see a young person contributing to the community, it is a positive feeling. You can see the difference on a person’s face when he or she is working as opposed to when they are forced to apply for social assistance or income support.
Mr. Speaker, the harvest also brings benefits to our neighbours in Rankin Inlet as a significant portion of the harvest is processed at the Kivalliq Arctic Foods Meat Plant.
Mr. Speaker, I have been a strong advocate for many years on the issue of economic development for Coral Harbour and the Kivalliq as a whole. I believe that by working together, we can identify opportunities to move forward to greater self-sufficiency.
For example, the concept of a meat plant near Coral Harbour has been one of my long-standing goals and I look forward to pursuing it.
Mr. Speaker, we’ll never arrive at our destination if we’re pulling in different directions.
While I recognize that each of us has the responsibility of advocating for the needs of our different constituencies, we must also seek common ground between us.
For my part, I look forward to working with all Members of this Legislative Assembly regardless of where they sit.
For example, my colleague from Tununiq used to work closely with me when he was active with the Coral Harbour HTO. My colleague from Cambridge Bay and I have a lot of experience together from our time with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities.
Mr. Speaker, we may now have new positions but we share a common goal – a stronger, more united Nunavut. It is in this spirit that I will approach my work in this House.
Member’s Statement 055 – 3(1): Reflections on Returning to Public Office (Ningark)
I fought for six months to be here, it’s so good to see you.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reflect on my first week back in public office.
Mr. Speaker, this week has felt like returning home.
As you know, there are a number of Members of our Legislative Assembly who share the experience of having also served in the territorial legislature prior to division. It is good to be working with them again and it is good to be working with new members as well. I want to again thank my colleagues for the welcome and courtesy that they have extended to me.
Mr. Speaker, our unique approach to government is based on achieving consensus and making decisions in the best interest of our constituents. Our non-partisan structure helps to ensure that the government is held to account for its decisions.
During my time in public office, I have had the opportunity to observe many other forms and styles of government.
I believe that our consensus approach is well-suited to our unique circumstances.
Mr. Speaker, over the past several years, I have had the honour of serving on a number of boards that are appointed by the government.
This recent experience has helped me to strengthen my awareness of the challenges faced by communities across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, no system is perfect. Neither am I. I’ve been around long enough to learn that lesson very well.
Please proceed, Mr. Ningark.
Mr. Ningark: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
However, in our case, the system can be as strong as we want it to be. If we work together to achieve common priorities, we will demonstrate to our constituents that their trust in us has been well-placed.
Member’s Statement 056 – 3(1): Learning to Lead Together (Elliott)
I can relate to Mr. Pauloosie’s comments. Representing two communities is difficult and adding a third, it presents many challenges.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to do one of the most pleasant tasks that, as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I can do, which is to recognize some of the wonderful achievements of my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I was elected to represent my constituents, who make up a part of the territory of Nunavut.
Their accomplishments not only make their own communities proud, but make Nunavut proud as a whole.
As their representative, I am honoured to be able to acknowledge them and to recognize them in this place. Being a Member of this Legislative Assembly is not my personal accomplishment, it is a role that I have taken on, on behalf of my fellow Nunavummiut.
Together, we Members of the Legislative Assembly have all taken on a similar role and by working together we represent a truly unique population.
Mr. Speaker, of the 54 Nunavummiut that took part in the Canadian Rangers training program that was recently held here in Iqaluit, residents from both Resolute Bay and Arctic Bay graduated.
They were Matthew Akikuluk, Solomon Oyukuluk, Mavis Barnabas, Mike Qaunaq, Matthew Taqtu, Darren Enoogoo, James Hunter, and Samson Ejanguq as their Ranger Sergeant.
The Canadian Rangers program plays an important role in the federal government’s arctic sovereignty policy and I am sure my colleagues share my pride in their achievements.
Mr. Speaker, with the support of Sport Nunavut, we had youth hockey teams travel to Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit for the territorial championships. Our youth basketball team also travelled to Iqaluit this past weekend to participate in fun and friendly competition.
It is very encouraging to see so many teams participate in these sports and I would like to acknowledge the time and effort put in by their coaches, Nick Cameron, O.J. Tasse, and Matthew Akikuluk.
Mr. Speaker, the Northern Youth Abroad Program is an amazing program that allows our students to earn credits towards their grade 12 graduation certificate. It also allows them to travel across Canada as well as internationally.
We have two youths from Resolute Bay participating in the Canadian phase this year and one youth from Arctic Bay participating in the international phase.
Are there any nays? There are not.
I congratulate these youth, Valerie Amarualik, Uluriak Amarualik, and Don Oyukuluk, for their participation in this program.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the two students from Grise Fiord who just returned home from the Antarctic as part of the Students on Ice program. They are Terry Noah and Jason Qaapik.
Mr., Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these individuals on their achievements. And I ask that we congratulate each other on having the opportunity to represent all of the individuals in our constituencies who share their successes with us, whether it’s a squeaker, as in my riding, as the Hon. Member for Iqaluit West pointed out, or whether it’s a landslide, as he took.
Member’s Statement 057 – 3(1): Travel to Constituency (Kusugak)
Yesterday, I also suffered through the same defeat as I was watching the hockey game in my room that Mr. Okalik was watching. I think there will be an improvement in their performance before the end of spring; I would love to just give them wins.
I would like to inform the riding of Whale Cove that I have been in Iqaluit for quite a while to prepare for the sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
I wish to let them know beforehand that after this session and once we catch up with our work, I will be going to Whale Cove.
I will be going to visit Mr. Paul Okalik’s Avvak, George Okalik, for a meal and that will be a happy visit.
While I’m here, please feel free to call Manu at any time, Mr. Speaker.
She knows where I can be reached, so let her know if you would like to direct your concerns or questions to me personally.
If there are people in Rankin Inlet South who would like to get a hold of me, Johnny One has a number where I can be reached.
Let’s have a wonderful day.
Member’s Statement 058 – 3(1): Apology on Behalf of Iqalummiut and Nunavummiut (Tootoo)
I rise today as the Member for Iqaluit Centre, as a representative for Iqalummiut, to do something that unfortunately I think I need to do on behalf of Iqalummiut and that is to first off apologize to Nunavummiut.
I apologize in particular to the residents of Quttiktuq and the residents of Arviat for comments that were made here in these Chambers this past week.
I want to assure them that the views expressed here in the House are not the views of all Iqalummiut and I apologize to them for that on behalf of Iqalummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I know that we all are here and we’re all honoured and have the privilege of serving the people that put their trust in us to represent them.
I respect the choice that every single riding and every single community has made in who they have selected to represent them.
I also respect, Mr. Speaker, the choice that all Members of this House have made in their selection of who they have entrusted to sit as Members of the Executive Council.
Today is March 20 and I would like to recognize my wife, who is sitting in the Gallery here, Joanne Taptuna.
She has kept me in tune with reality so that I take the garbage out and do the dishes, so I really appreciate her company here.
I am honoured to rise today to recognize two of my constituents, Valerie Taqtu and Irene Willie. Irene Willie is actually my Constituency Assistant. She is down here on maternity leave, adding another member to her family.
I’m honoured to have them both here. I’m giving her some time off; I won’t make her work when she’s actually down here. It’s nice that she came.
I would like to recognize an individual who is not in the Gallery. However, Mr. Speaker, he is in the Legislative Assembly Precinct.
That individual is probably enjoying the proceedings as we’re speaking and it’s also his birthday today, so I would like to ask all members to join me in wishing an individual that loves being in our Precinct, Mr. Alex Baldwin, a happy birthday.
Today, I would like to recognize a person who was a fellow resident in Rankin Inlet and who will be returning soon, Ms. Debbie Baker.
She is in the Gallery and I would like to acknowledge and welcome her here, Mr. Speaker.
If there are no more, (interpretation ends) Item 6. (interpretation) Oral Questions.
If there are none... Mr. Arvaluk.
Question 044 – 3(1): Small Craft Harbours for Nunavut Communities (Arvaluk)
I almost missed it.
I want to raise a few questions I alluded to in my Member’s Statement.
Just prior to the election, small craft harbours were identified for several communities.
I am very happy for Pangnirtung as they will be getting their breakwater, but there are still six communities on that list that haven’t been allocated any funding to construct these breakwaters.
I would like to ask the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation: when you were notified that Pangnirtung was the only one to receive funding, did you ask the federal government about the status of the other breakwaters that are critically needed?
Thank you for that question, hon. member.
The small craft harbours and breakwater marine facilities, of course, are critical to Nunavut’s developing commercial fisheries, tourism operations, local boaters and hunters, and annual sealift resupplies.
The federal government’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans are responsible for the small craft harbours. And of course, at this time, we are lobbying the federal government’s DFO to include small craft harbours that we have identified in the Baffin, Pangnirtung, Qikiqtarjuaq, Clyde River, and Pond Inlet; and for the Kivalliq region, Repulse Bay and Chesterfield Inlet; in the Kitikmeot, Kugaaruk.
Pond Inlet residents have continually asked for this facility because we’ve had people die due to not having a breakwater and pretty well every year, boats are lost.
When the minister arrives to our community tomorrow during the daytime, he will see that our ice is very rugged.
During the fall, the winds are very strong when the ice is forming.
He will see that for himself.
This is my reasoning: just using Pangnirtung as an example, there are 20 people working throughout the year and they couldn’t work for the government at the health centre or any other job but they work there.
This can also be the case for Pond Inlet.
For that reason, I’m reiterating my question to the minister: has he received any correspondence from the federal government confirming that these breakwater projects will be built in these other communities?
As I mentioned to the Hon. Member for Tununiq that we’re continuing to lobby the federal government for funding which they’re responsible for, we’re going to continue to do that. Through our lobbying efforts, we’re including other communities on the list for the hiring of federal people.
In your riding, I’m not too positive on that, but I can assure the member that I can get him that information as soon as possible.
Even though we have a lot of arguments to back up the need for small craft harbours in Nunavut, we see that there are plenty of resources in Newfoundland and Labrador, in Alaska, even in Greenland.
I believe that you need to put the federal government to shame by asking them, “How come north of 60 doesn’t have anything?”
Iqaluit is becoming quite large but they don’t even have a port.
There are a lot of qualified people in Qikiqtarjuaq, Clyde River, Pond Inlet, and also in the Kivalliq who don’t work for the government. They would become employees of the government if funding was identified for infrastructure such as small craft harbours.
The federal government won’t be missing any of that money and it would provide a form of income for the communities.
I would like to ask: have you compiled any arguments to present our case to the federal government as you stated that you’re continuing to lobby them?
I can assure the Member for Tununiq that we will look into that. Exactly what positions that he is referring to, I’m not sure, but we will have a look at the positions.
I’m not sure exactly what the member means by people working for the federal government or not.
Can he please clarify that question?
Can you clarify your question, Mr. Arvaluk.
I think it’s very obvious how much we spend on income support annually by this government, it is a horrendous amount.
I think that a few years ago, it was already up $22 million.
It’s already been shown by the people of Pangnirtung that people who would not be normally working for the GN, health centre, RCMP, or the Department of Education work. Twenty people work on a full-time basis in fisheries.
Just imagine how much you would create if most of the Nunavut communities that I mentioned would have these facilities, docking facilities and meat plants.
I am asking the minister if they have compiled at least the rationale or reasons why docking facilities throughout Nunavut is critical, is very much needed, not just for safety but for economic development too. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The hon. member is absolutely right about the number of people on income support.
Pangnirtung is a good example of the harbour that they’re getting. They’re designing and planning it and that’s why the federal government is funding that mid-inshore port and with that completed in the next couple of years, possibly three years, it should put all the people in Pangnirtung to work in just fisheries alone at the fishery plant.
So it is a good, positive initiative.
At this time, we’re looking at getting more docks so that it would cut down on income support.
We know that people out there, Nunavummiut, want to work within their communities and we’re doing everything we can to ensure that the federal government knows about all of the issues that we face up here in Nunavut.
I appreciate that answer and I would encourage the ministers to start reviewing at least a feasibility study where offshore fisheries can be utilized. And I know from the studies that Pond Inlet and especially Milne Inlet have very high potential for turbot fishing throughout the winter.
The Kivalliq, with the arctic char, etcetera, and lake trout, we haven’t really marketed it.
As the Nunavut government, we have not been exploring what is economically viable for those will not be working for the government or (interpretation) what they call in English, (interpretation ends) other qualified positions.
We have not really explored that.
Will the minister undertake to determine what jobs are good for hunters and how they can be pursued?
That is a very good question from the Hon. Member of Tununiq.
At the ED&T department, we tend to look too much at non-decentralized communities.
And of course, we have to pay attention to all the communities of Nunavut; anything that we can come up with in employing hunters, trappers, and possibly getting into commercial fisheries and other renewable resources and economic employment.
The amount of money that ED&T gets for looking at potential breakwaters and small craft harbours is a very small amount. Throughout our sessions and things, we’re hoping to get that amount increased so we can actually do better designing and planning for some of these smaller communities and for all communities in Nunavut.
And I hope that kind of satisfies your questioning there.
Question 045 – 3(1): Changing Rates (Komoartok)
My question is for the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation.
It is obvious and apparent this year that the price for fuel products will be decreasing. Our power generators use fuel, so our electrical bills are quite high and we have no choice but to pay for the additional fuel costs for running the generators. I’m wondering, since the price of fuel is decreasing, when we can expect to see a corresponding reduction in our power bills.
My question to the minister is: will the government be reviewing this matter to look at reducing the electrical bills any time soon?
I believe you are asking the (interpretation ends) Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Hon. Hunter Tootoo.
Maybe I could just get a clarification from the member if it’s directed to the Minister responsible for the Energy Corporation or the Minister responsible for Energy and the URRC.
Can you clarify who you’re directing your question to, Mr. Komoartok.
My question directed to the Minister responsible for the Power Corporation is: will there be a reduction in the cost of energy and if so, when could Nunavummiut expect that to happen?
Speaker (interpretation): Please wait a moment.
Thank you, Mr. Komoartok.
Let’s give this one a try, (interpretation ends) Minister of Energy, Hon. Lorne Kusugak.
I am not responsible for setting power rates.
Maybe the Minister responsible for the URRC can provide a response.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Kusugak.
I’ll give it another shot. (interpretation ends) Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Hon. Hunter Tootoo.
I thank the member for raising that issue.
I know, as the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, the corporation doesn’t set the rates.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation goes to the Utility Rate Review Council for approval of what the rates will be.
A General Rate Application has not been done for a considerable amount of time.