EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Many of the people who went to the school in Chesterfield Inlet are leaders and others are very capable workers.
For example, NTI’s President and my friend Paul Quassa, attended the Chesterfield Inlet school along with Jose Kusugak, President of ITC and Commissioner for Nunavut, Peter Irniq.
But today many of the former students are going through a hard time because they were sexually abused during the time in Chesterfield Inlet.
We were too young to know it was wrong to do that, that this should not have been happening.
Despite this, many are doing well today, thanks to the good support of their families and friends.
Having said that, there are many others that still critically need to be given more help and support.
You would think that something that has taken place a long time ago would be forgotten or healed on its own by now, but no, it does not work that way.
It still has an impact on our lives.
I feel that there are still past students of the residential school that require more help and support because some are still living through hardship, although they have good jobs.
When they have good jobs, people tend to think there are no concerns and they are healthy.
It is not like that, because mentally they are hurting. Therefore, I feel they should be given more support.
Regarding the community of Chesterfield Inlet, at that time even though we weren’t staying in local residents’ houses, they were very supportive to us.
I would like to acknowledge the community for the support they have given us.
Also the member for Nanulik mentioned earlier the St. Therese’s hospital which was in the place where we went to school. I would also like to acknowledge the support that they gave us.
Member's Statement 106 - 1(5): People Project by Anne Hanson
Mr. Speaker, I want to take the opportunity this morning to inform the House about an exciting project being put together by well-known Iqaluit resident and a constituent of mine, Anne Hanson.
The People Project is a cultural project and an Imax format film to be driven primarily by Inuit to bring our home to the world.
It is a vision to portray the people here at the top of the world, the environment we live in and the wildlife we depend on.
There are three main elements to the content of this exciting project Mr. Speaker, the Inuit culture, the human history in the Arctic and the Arctic environment featuring wildlife indigenous to the region.
Also Mr. Speaker, other components of this project include the production of a DVD CD-ROM about Inuit and the Arctic region for educational purposes, the production, Mr. Speaker, of a television documentary about the IMAX project itself and Mr. Speaker, the creation of a comprehensive website.
Inuit will have a major role in this project as partners, patrons, advisors, scriptwriters and as a vital part of the production crew.
Mr. Speaker, in addition, Inuit will provide expertise and advice about the animals, the land and the sea.
Specialists in the IMAX format have been identified to implement this project in partnership with Inuit.
Mr. Speaker, we are talking about several million dollars here in the production of the project itself.
Mr. Speaker, this project, The People, is more than a film production. An initial benefit of direct employment for Inuit during the development of the project at this stage is hoped for and an indirect employment effect once the film has been released.
Which means Mr. Speaker, enhanced tourism and culture-related industries and also Mr. Speaker, local businesses will be given priority for contracts and contacts in the north.
Mr. Speaker, I think it's important to note that Anne Hanson has said the following and I quote Mr. Speaker, " I want to show the world that our home is not hostile, desolate or isolated.
I want to show the world how we live in the Arctic, our culture, our language, the arts, how we survived and continue.
How we use and view the animals, the land and our sea.
We can do all these things by using IMAX, their technology and expertise".
Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you join me to wish Anne and her partners the very best in regards to this exciting, unique proposal for the first time ever here in Nunavut, the IMAX format.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Picco. Members' Statements.
Member's Statement 107 - 1(5): House Recess
I'm going to try my best to speak, despite my bad voice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Even though we may not always agree with each other we have progressed well. So I would like to thank each and every one of you, especially our staff.
Mr. Speaker, we're going to take a short recess.
I am very happy and I'm sure that the rest of the members are happy too. Although we have a challenging task ahead of us, as Members of the Legislative Assembly we have to give our family our priority.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish the people who are leaving today a safe trip and we'll see you again when we come back.
Member's Statement 108 - 1(5): Isuma Productions Project
I will be speaking about a positive event. I want to recognize an Inuit owned film Production Company in Igloolik called Isuma Productions.
Isuma Productions have been working for two years filming a production, at a cost of about 2 or 3 million dollars.
This production is completed and that film will be distributed to the theatres. We expect perhaps this spring, summer or fall that this film will be aired.
This film will be travelling to various communities.
I would like to acknowledge the producer Zach Kunuk. He started working with IBC and later founded Isuma Productions and they now have the facilities to produce full length feature movies.
I still have yet to see this major production but it is called Aatanaarjuat.
I am sure that we will all be seeing the film soon.
Members' Statement's. Members' Statements.
Member for Iqaluit Centre. Mr. Tootoo.
Member's Statement 109 - 1(5): Trade Show Auction
Mr. Speaker, given it's Friday and our last day before we have a break, I’ll try and end on a humorous note.
I'd like to point out that all members last week participated when we had the Nunavut Trade show.
One of the events that they had at the Trade show was the gala and auction Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, all the proceeds from the auction and the gala are to go towards the purchase of pediatric beds for the hospital and I think it was a very worthwhile cause Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker as one of the members for Iqaluit, I think all three of us, we tried to do our share in contributing and adding to and being able to provide those pediatric beds for the hospital.
Mr. Speaker, I don't know if you are aware, as my colleague from Iqaluit West indicated earlier this week, that the three of us Iqaluit MLAs got auctioned off.
Mr. Speaker, I heard on the radio the average amount that we went for Mr. Speaker, was 850 dollars.
I just want to let the members know that was the average amount, and I know we all try to be average or above average.
We all strive to achieve that Mr. Speaker.
The Premier Mr. Speaker, went for I'm glad to say above the average amount.
He went for 900 dollars, Mr. Speaker.
And, myself I was just happy to be an average kind of a person; I went for 850 dollars, Mr. Speaker.  >>Applause
Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Iqaluit East brought down the average Mr. Speaker.
He went for below the average amount of 800 dollars.
Mr. Speaker, although the member was attributing that to his portfolio of Health & Social Services, I don't know if all of my colleagues would agree with that being the cause of the problem.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that the total amount raised was in the neighbourhood of 21 thousand dollars.
We don't know the extent of the expenses coming out but I know the target they were trying to raise was 15 thousand dollars, and I am sure if they do for some reason come short in trying to achieve that, the Minister for Health & Social Services will do what he can to pick up the slack.
Back to the Orders of the Day. Item 3.
Member for Pangnirtung. Mr. Kilabuk.
Member's Statement 110 - 1(5): Constituency Visit
Since today is Friday, I just have two notes, which said that it looks like Mr. Tootoo and I had haircuts at the same time but mine is shorter than his.
What I would like to say is that I’ll be going up to Pangnirtung on Sunday during our break and I would like you to know that it’s really me on TV, it’s just that that my hair is a lot shorter than everybody else.
I’ll be in Pangnirtung from March 11 to the 14th, and for the members who are travelling today I hope you have a good trip and hopefully some of you will come back with better voices.
I would also like to say that Mr. Arvaluk, Mr. McLean and our Sergeant-At-Arms have very little hair, so I had to get mine cut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Members’ Statements. Member for Baker Lake.
My cousin, Mr. McLean.
Member's Statement 111 - 1(5): Hoarses and No Cowboys
Mr. McLean: Thank you, cousin.
I was going to have a quiet day today but the member from Pangnirtung says his haircut was the shortest and I know a couple of members over here, myself and Mr. Arvaluk included that have shorter haircuts.
It’s not because we want them but because of old age. But on that note I’d like to wish everybody safe travel home, I’m getting a bit homesick.
But in the last couple of weeks we’ve heard a lot of talk about “hoarses”.
Like my colleague from Clyde River has a hoarse and my colleague Mr. Alakannuark has a hoarse too.
We’ve got all these hoarses and no cowboys.
Have a good break.
Thank you. Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. McLean. Members’ Statements.
Going to the Orders of the Day.
Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions. Returns to Oral Questions.
Going to the Orders of the Day. Item 5.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Premier.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to recognize NTI President Paul Quassa, who is kind enough to visit us again. Welcome to the gallery.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, welcome to the Gallery.
When Paul Quassa and his group went up to Gjoa Haven, my grandson thought Paul Quassa was me, so he was saying “grandfather, grandfather, come over here” to him.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize somebody from my community who is here for schooling. I have been asking a lot of questions on SFA for students.
I would like to recognize Sheepa Pudluq, from Clyde River, she is one of the students at Arctic College.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Welcome to the Gallery.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Pangnirtung, Mr. Kilabuk.
This person has already been recognized but I would like to recognize Mr. Paul Quassa who has given a lot of support to the Department of Education and also his EA who used to work for CBC North and who knows a lot about the media, Paul Irngaut.
Mr. Speaker there are two people from Pangnirtung who are visiting us here.
One is Mosesee Kilabuk, and also Ragilee Isimailie, welcome.
Member for Iqaluit East. Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this chance to tell a little story about the two Pauls in the gallery that have already been introduced.
Back in the late 80's I had an opportunity to be on a plane, at that time we had a flight that used to go to Iqaluit, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Pelly Bay, Spence Bay, Gjoa Haven and then finally Cambridge Bay and then Yellowknife.
It was quite a long flight.
Mr. Quassa was in the middle of negotiations for the land claim and he was quite involved.
Every time when Paul and I used to get off the plane we'd always have a smoke. Every time when Paul would get off the plane someone would run up to Paul and say when are we going to get a cheque from the land claim.
Paul would try to explain the land claim is more than getting a cheque at the end of the day.
When we got back on the plane, I remember saying, gee as a politician there must be tremendous pressure on.
I don't know if Paul remembers that trip or not.
But I think it was the first time that I realized the type of pressure that was on Mr. Quassa and the other people that were involved in the negotiations of the land claim at that time.
So, I’d like to take the opportunity to welcome Paul and his sidekick Paul No.2. Paul. Mr. Irngaut who is well known for his work on Igalaaq.
I guess my favourite Paul story was when he was doing his Santa Claus thing on Igalaaq, which has been replayed many times, repeated. With his Santa Claus losing his reindeer and everything.
I remember seeing him filming that up by our house in tundra valley a few years ago. I didn't know who was really doing the acting, Paul or his cameraman.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to welcome them to the gallery.
Welcome again to the gallery.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Arvaluk.
I would also like to recognize Paul Quassa because I don't believe the members give him enough credit although we try.
A long time ago we used to live in an outpost camp with Paul Quassa's parents and my parents, and his older brother Pierre was a very good friend of mine.
There was one time we were in a tent and we decided to have some caribou ribs, without our parents’ knowledge. We did it secretly.
It was a whole caribou and we were too young to break off the ribs so ate the meat right off the carcass.
We ate a whole rack of ribs.
When Paul Quassa found out what we have done, he went over to his mother who was outside and ratted on us.
I don't believe he remembers that because he was very young at that time.
When he went to tell his mother of course the parents came in right away and they were going to scold us but when they saw the rack of ribs with all of the holes in between they just started laughing and they said it looked like the carcass had been eaten by shrimp, full of holes.
I would like to recognize Paul. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, today I'd like to rise and recognize someone that I don't always get an opportunity, like we did in Rankin Inlet, to recognize relatives.
I have no problem recognizing relatives in Rankin Inlet there were lots of different people in the gallery that I'm related to.
I don't always get that opportunity here Mr. Speaker, and also I remember earlier this session a couple of my colleagues were going to attempt to speak in English more, I'd like to recognize my Angutiqatik, Mr. Paul Quassa.
Going to the Orders of the Day. Item 6.
Item 6. Oral Questions
Question 105 - 1(5): Liquor Board Consultations
I will direct my question to the Minister of Finance and Administration and also to the Minister Responsible for the Liquor Board.
When is the Liquor Licensing Board going to be having a meeting to discuss the liquor issues and which communities are they going to.
Minister for Finance and Administration. Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, right now my officials are discussing with the Nunavut Liquor Board trying to finalize their travel times.
Right now the problem has been that some of the Liquor Board members have commitments in March.
We had wanted to get it started in March, this month as soon as possible, but it looks like it may in the latter part of March or in April at the latest and that's the timing of the consultations that are planned.
Some of the communities are anxiously waiting to have a meeting with the liquor licensing board so that we can make amendments to the Liquor Act.
The people of Broughton Island are waiting anxiously to see what kind of amendments will be made.
Are you going to keep deferring this tour to the communities.
I can appreciate that a lot of communities and individuals want to provide input to the Liquor Board so that it can make the appropriate recommendations.
We are going to try to allow as much access as possible from all communities and individuals in the process to make sure that there's ample opportunities for those that want to provide some recommendations to do that.
To the Orders of the Day. Oral Questions.
Question 106 - 1(5): Certification for Airport Employees
I think that member across from me is getting kind of lonely so I would direct my question to the Minister of Community Government and Transportation.
The airports have Inuit employees in most of the communities and they are not certified.
I had heard that the employees that are not certified would be laid off.
I don't know whether that is true or not so that is my question to the minister.
Minister of Transportation.
I am not lonely or stressed out.
No, I haven't heard anything. But since Nunavut was created we are looking more at the employees’ experience as opposed to formal education.
If the Government of Nunavut has any control over it, we are not going to be laying off anybody because they are not certified.
The one problem that we might have is that we have to follow federal rules, regulations and codes.
What I can also add is that our present airport employees are capable, they have taken courses, they may not necessarily be certified but they do have training and experience.
I understand his explanation.
I spoke to someone, I won't mention the name.
A Transportation supervisor told the four people who are not certified that since they are not certified to do their jobs they will be laid off by March 31.
I want to ask if this is indeed true, Mr. Speaker.
If so, is it because of what is required by federal rules.
What I said earlier, when we were preparing for Nunavut, before April 1, 1999, we were told that there were a lot of people that were capable of doing their jobs but they were not certified.
I know that is true and I will try to look into this particular issue that he mentioned. If it is accurate, I will find out why.
I know the people in the smaller communities work very hard and had to learn their jobs through experience.
I will get back to the MLA, not just for his riding, but for all of Nunavut.
The question is taken as notice and he will get back to you when they receive the answer.
Question 107 - 1(5): St. Theresa’s Hospital
I said earlier that I would be questioning the Minister of Health. I said in my statement that I was going to ask him some questions about the home for the disabled in Chesterfield Inlet.
I received a letter from the Mayor of Chesterfield Inlet, a copy of the minister's letter.
I received it even though I did not receive a copy directly from the minister.
In the end of the letter it says, we will want to find solutions in the coming weeks.
The letter is dated January 24.
I would like to ask the minister, when he is making a response to the Chesterfield Inlet issue, does he plan to meet with them.
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to clarify for the record one quick thing.
Yesterday at breakfast, I had an opportunity to speak to the lucky individual who purchased an hour of my time.
He felt that he had underpaid and I believe he has actually put in 1,180 dollars or so, and I am quite pleased with that amount.
There are two major issues and one of them is the economic impact in the community of Chesterfield Inlet if the home is closed. My understanding is there are several people from Chester who work at the facility.
I also understand that major purchases of over 200 thousand dollars are made in the community and in a small community like Chesterfield, which is a have-not community that has a major impact.
The second point, Mr. Speaker, probably the most important is the standard of care or the situation regarding the patients, to make sure that the patients are not impacted by the operation of the facility.
As I tried to explain earlier it was only about six weeks ago that we found out about this from the Hamlet of Chester. I met yesterday with the Assistant Deputy Minister of Operations, Dr. Best who has been in contact with Bishop Rouleau.
We’re trying to get an extension for the contract of six months to give us an opportunity to do a better evaluation of St. Therese’s home, the facility and to see where we go from there.
Speaker (interpretation): Supplementary. Mr. Arvaluk.
For some reason, I have the same answer as yesterday.
My question, Mr. Speaker was that in this letter it says “I hope to be able to give you a more definitive answer within the next few weeks.” That is what it says in the letter to Mayor Tanuyak from the minister.
My question was Mr. Speaker, will the minister be meeting with the people of Chesterfield and come up with a mutually acceptable solution to this uncertainty.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Health. Mr. Picco.
Like I said before we’re reviewing the situation in Chesterfield Inlet and if the Mayor would like me to go to Chesterfield Inlet and meet with him on this situation, with the member, I would be open to that opportunity.
Any further questions. Mr. Arvaluk.
I really appreciate that answer and you know, we will command the weather in Kivalliq to hold, until the minister arrives.
My next question to the minister is that seeing that it’s not only the economic impact that will happen in Chesterfield Inlet.
In my earlier statement I said that there must be consideration and compassion for the patients, I hope the minister appreciates that some of these patients have been there for years and years and they have developed relationships with these individual caretakers in Chesterfield, in fact psychologically replacing them as parents.
My question to the minister is, during the deliberations to determine an answer for Chesterfield Inlet, will these other factors, human factors play a major role in deciding to look after the patients and how they will be looked after.
Minister of Health. Mr. Picco.
The member is correct, one of the major aspects of this is the patient care and the well being of our patients. The majority of our patients that are staying in St. Therese’s home are severely handicapped.
I had an opportunity to go through the home with the member, I believe last February, on his invitation and it was an quite an eye opening experience to be able to see the dedication and the work of the employees and the bond that they have with the patients.
As I said earlier, as I said yesterday, Mr. Speaker, and I’ll say it again, those are the two issues that we’re looking at. The economic impact of the situation in Chesterfield but also the impact on the patients and the patients’ care and their well being comes first.
We want to make sure, Mr. Speaker, that we do right by the patients, at the same time we have been put into a position where we spend almost a million dollars a year to run that facility, I believe it is 989 thousand dollars.
There are also contributions put in there from the Catholic Church itself. The Catholic Church owns the facility.
We have just recently, as I said, in the last six weeks, found out that they would like to end the contract.
We are in negotiations to have that extended for at least six months to give us an opportunity to evaluate and make sure that we do what is right for the people of Chesterfield Inlet, but most important Mr. Speaker, as the member has said, for the patients in the facility.
The minister has stated the other day that the building is not up to code.
If the government takes it over then they will not be able to use this facility.
I am told by the Chesterfield mayor that in the mid-1980's, the GNWT Fire Marshall ordered renovation of the building to bring it up to code.
Can the minister tell me if this is now outdated.
Mr. Speaker, when this situation developed, one of the first things we wanted to do is to make sure of the solid ground that we are on as a government and what would happen if the Catholic Church gave up running it.
They own the facility, it is not our facility, we have a contribution agreement with the Catholic Diocese to run the facility.
It is my understanding from a preliminary evaluation done by Public Works & Services, is that there are quite a few code deficiencies if the government is to take over.
Because if I take over the facility as a government facility, then it has to come up to the current code.
Mr. Speaker, I am not in the building and construction trade, but I do understand that codes change on a regular basis, as you know, and in this case it could be in excess of a few hundred thousand dollars on the outside to be able to do the renovations and repairs that are necessary.
That is a consideration for this government, because we hadn't budgeted to take over this facility.