EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The role of mothers in Nunavut is to support their relatives and as families undergo stress, the mother is always the bedrock or foundation upon which the family stands upon.
I thank my wife with all my heart.
I also wish to thank my grandchildren and all my relatives.
At this time, I don’t have a whole lot to say other than my gratitude to my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I will be here for four years, God willing, and I wish to reiterate that legislation is not always a barrier.
Sometimes you have to adhere to the law, although it can result in a long process such as what happened in our riding.
That was an unfortunate situation, but we have to follow the law if we are to provide good governance to our people.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I wish to thank you and all of my colleagues here in this House.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningark.
Welcome to the House. (interpretation ends) Members’ Statements.
Member for South Baffin, Mr. Schell.
Member’s Statement 027 – 3(1): Inuksuit from Cape Dorset (Schell)
First of all, I would like to congratulate John Ningark for being the newest 19th member here and hopefully your battle won’t be as hard this time around as it was to get here.
Secondly, Mr. Speaker, I brought these Inuksuit here today as a symbol of friendship and direction for the new legislature.
These are Inuksuit that were made in Cape Dorset by Inuit carvers and they are also the official symbol of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
Also, I would like to thank the Premier and all the ministers for choosing Cape Dorset as their Cabinet retreat.
I hope you guys enjoyed it and had a good time and won’t forget Cape Dorset, I won’t forget you guys.
Third of all, I would like to say that it’s nice to see everybody here, all 19 members, and hopefully it will be a good session.
Member’s Statement 028 – 3(1): Establishment of the High Arctic Council (Elliott)
I would also like to thank John Ningark.
He makes it look very easy, we have been around since October and I know I’m nervous, and he’s just standing there and he talks so very eloquently to us, so I’ll try and catch up with him.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the House about the successful and historic meeting that the High Arctic Council held here in Iqaluit on February 26. This meeting brought together the mayors and SAOs of the three communities which I represent, being Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord, and Resolute Bay.
As the members are aware, the issue of transportation in the High Arctic is a major concern for my constituents.
The meeting of the High Arctic Council in Iqaluit provided an excellent opportunity to speak directly with representatives from our major airlines and other stakeholders.
I am pleased to take this opportunity to formally thank Minister of Economic Development and Transportation Peter Taptuna for being able to attend this meeting.
His willingness to listen to our concerns and ideas has been very much appreciated.
I would also like to thank Senator Willie Adams for his participation and support, as well as the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce in assisting in organizing the event.
Mr. Speaker, it is this type of collegial, cooperative and collaborative teamwork that will help our communities to achieve progress and reach solutions.
Mr. Speaker, a number of excellent initiatives and ideas were discussed at this meeting.
Firstly, the meeting provided the occasion for the formal establishment of the High Arctic Council.
I look forward to keeping this House informed on an ongoing basis of the council’s activities and initiatives.
The status of the Government of Nunavut’s development of a new Transportation Strategy for the territory was reviewed by participants.
I look forward to this important document being tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
I also look forward to supporting the GN’s efforts to obtain much needed federal investments in airport infrastructure improvements in our territory.
Representatives from First Air, Kenn Borek Air and Unaalik Air briefed participants on their plans to develop scheduling solutions that will better serve and connect our communities.
Mr. Speaker, we were also pleased that Senator Adams indicated that he will continue to raise issues of concern in his role as one of Nunavut’s two federal Parliamentarians.
Mr. Speaker, as I noted in my Member’s Statement of January 26, recent federal announcements and initiatives concerning the High Arctic are of tremendous importance to my constituents.
I see a need for federal, territorial, and local leaders to work closely together on such issues as infrastructure development and use.
Speaker (interpretation): My apologies, Mr. Elliott, your time is up.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you.
I would like request unanimous consent to continue with my Member’s Statement.
The member is asking for unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Please proceed to conclude your statement, Mr. Elliott.
I also urge appropriate parties to work together to address the need for access to affordable airline services.
I continue to believe that the legacy of the High Arctic relocations means that the federal government has a responsibility in this matter.
The establishment of the High Arctic Council will help us to move forward together on these issues and I ask all members to join me in paying tribute to the determination of my communities to achieve progress.
I would like to remind all members to slow down when they’re speaking so that the interpreters can keep up.
Member for Nanulik, Johnny Ningeongan.
Member’s Statement 029 – 3(1): The Chesterfield Inlet Development Corporation: A Nunavut Success Story (Ningeongan)
First of all, I would like to thank my constituents in Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet for welcoming me into the community when I came home from my travel.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Chesterfield Inlet Development Corporation for being one of Nunavut’s success stories.
Mr. Speaker, as members know, our small, non-decentralized communities are faced with the challenge of creating employment and economic opportunities for our residents.
The mandate of the Chesterfield Inlet Development Corporation is to promote economic development in the community and to develop training and employment opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the people who have put so much work into creating this development corporation.
It is owned by the residents of Chesterfield Inlet and accountable to the residents of Chesterfield Inlet.
I would like to pay tribute to the members of its board of directors: Marc Ippiak, President; George Tanuyak, Vice-President; Arthur Kattegatsiak, Director; Roy Mullins, Director; and Patrick Putulik, Director.
Mr. Speaker, the corporation and its subsidiaries are involved in a number of initiatives, including the operation of the Naja Isabelle Home.
It is also involved in joint ventures that do major construction contracting work.
Mr. Speaker, the Chesterfield Inlet Development Corporation was awarded the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year Award in 2006.
This award was well-deserved and reflects the corporation’s commitment to employment and training for Inuit and local residents.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage our government to pursue policies that support local initiatives and seek to build a strong economic future for Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Ningeongan. (interpretation ends) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 030 – 3(1): Narwhal Cull in Pond Inlet This Winter (Arvaluk)
I rise today to speak to a situation that occurred in our community this winter, more specifically with respect to the harvesting of entrapped narwhal which was in the national news in November.
First of all, I wish to welcome Mr. Ningark to the legislature as we were previously colleagues in the NWT legislature in Yellowknife.
Mr. Ningark is a very talented and capable politician, so please extend your congratulations to him.
With respect to the issue I wanted to raise, specifically with regard to the narwhal that were culled due to their entrapment in the sea ice in our community, the total number of narwhal trapped by the thickening ice was over 600.
Throughout this entire process, the matter was expertly handled by the board of the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Association. They initiated the discussions with the appropriate federal and territorial departments, and came to an agreement with the Nunavut Department of Environment, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the membership of the HTO on the leftover carcasses.
The agreement was that the remaining carcasses would be sunk into the sea and this particular spot is extremely deep. They completed this laborious exercise and on top of that, the HTO also set aside 25 narwhal carcasses as a memorial to be placed on Inuit owned lands across from the community of Pond Inlet.
These bones will serve as a reminder of the unfortunate situation that transpired outside of our community.
Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to Nunavummiut as most of the people I have met expressed their thanks to the Inuit of Pond Inlet for their generosity and because they were able to have some of the prized delicacy from the residents of Pond Inlet.
On behalf of my constituents of Pond Inlet, I wish to thank each and every community in Nunavut for their gratitude, and people were only too happy to share in the wealth.
Lastly, I wish to express my immense pride in the abilities of the HTO board for their hard work, which started immediately upon the spotting of the Savvassat up to today. They have ensured that this entire process was handled carefully and efficiently. When they started to butcher the Mattaaq for distribution, they had upwards of 86 Inuit working for them during the two weeks that they undertook the cull.
This was all to ensure that there was no wastage of edible parts, to ensure that there was nothing left behind, and to ensure that Inuit conducted themselves professionally.
The last of the work has been completed to date and all of the remaining carcasses have been sunk. As well, 25 skeletons have been placed on Inuit owned lands. All of the carcasses were checked prior to being sunk to ensure that there was no wastage.
Finally, I would like to notify all of the participants of the upcoming Nunavut Quest from Arctic Bay to Pond Inlet that they will be warmly welcomed and offered Mattaaq and their dogs will also have leftover meat to eat.
Deputy Premier, Hon. Peter Taptuna.
Return to Oral Question 005 – 3(1): Emergency Contingency Plan for the High Arctic (Taptuna)
On January 26, 2009, the Hon. Member for Quttiktuq expressed his concern that the single airline with service into Grise Fiord could potentially stop service to that community altogether.
The member asked if the Government of Nunavut has an emergency plan in place to deal with this situation, whether it arose in Grise Fiord or any other community in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I can advise all the members that their communities will continue to receive air services. The Government of Nunavut and the federal government both have contracts in place which obligate the carriers to maintain a certain level of service, and we will ensure that the obligations under these contracts are met.
These contracts are for delivery of mail, delivery of food mail, and medical travel on a scheduled airline form the basis of the air carrier’s viability.
Any withdrawal of service we have seen has been by a company that does not have any of these contracts in place, where the carrier’s revenues are dependent on discretionary travel by people and businesses.
Mr. Speaker, other than the medical travel contract, these arrangements are between federal agencies and the air carriers.
My officials have been in contact with Canada Post, who administers the federal contracts, and they have assured us that they would spare no expense getting other arrangements in place immediately in the unlikely event that a carrier defaults on one of these contracts for essential services.
Mr. Speaker, the government does not have an emergency plan; however, I hope the information provided fully addresses the member from Quttiktuq’s concerns, and that he and the other members are assured that essential transportation services will remain in all communities.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Taptuna.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation) If there are no more, Item 5.
I would like to recognize my wife, Celine, and my grandson, my Tiguaq from my eldest son, Devon Pauloosie, at the back there.
There are no more. (interpretation ends) Item 6.
Question 011 – 3(1): Government of Nunavut’s Response to EU Sealing Ban (Okalik)
I wish to extend a warm welcome to my colleagues and Mr. Ningark.
My question is directed to the Premier, whom I wish to welcome to her role.
My question is with respect to the seal fur industry. In particular, this issue is dear to the hearts of Nunavummiut and they are very concerned about the antics of the European Union, who are trying to ban sealskin sales in their economic zone.
They announced their intentions to implement the ban of trading sealskins on March 2, but our government was ominously silent on this issue and what their position was with respect to this proposed ban.
It was not until March 10 that our government provided their response, which was, to me, inadequate as it only stated their disagreement with this decision.
Why did it take over a week to provide a response paper to the issue which is of utmost importance to our people? Why did Nunavummiut have to wait a whole week to hear from their government? All Inuit residents oppose this ban, so why did it take a week to produce a single page?
Why did we have to wait so long for a response on such an important matter?
I’m glad that he raised the question with respect to this issue. The sealskin issue is a very important matter. Indeed, it is one of the most important issues facing Nunavummiut and the Inuit homelands.
This is due to the fact that seals provide sustenance, warm clothing, and it allowed Inuit to survive, and that’s how important this issue is to Inuit.
Furthermore, as a Premier, along with the Executive Council members, I know that this matter is our most trying issue. That page was sent out prior to it being publicized, and I commit to further positions on this matter in the future as I consider this a very important issue for Nunavummiut and I will continue to do so.
Yes, we are on the same page in that regard as it is extremely important to Nunavummiut.
I believe that she didn’t reply to my original question. My question again is: why did Nunavummiut have to wait over a week to hear the response from our government to these animal rights activists?
We all know that this ban will take effect on April 1 of this year, which is less than a month away already.
What will our government do to try and stop this ban that will adversely affect us?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Eva Aariak.
As per my previous statement, this is an extremely important issue for Inuit and all Nunavummiut as sealskin is still an important material.
We work with the various departments, namely the Department of the Environment, and through this collaboration, we were able to provide a response and this is what we produced.
As I stated earlier, I will continue to work on this file and provide more responses as needed down the road. This is what I’m saying.
Although the Premier is talking about this issue, she seems to be ducking the question that I’m raising. When a question is not answered directly, it casts doubt on the veracity of the importance placed on the issue.
If it was indeed a very important matter for our government, our Premier ought to answer the question immediately as to why our government didn’t prepare a position on the issue and raise their strenuous objections and their plan of action to try and stop the ban prior to the vote on the matter in April.
How will our government try to stop this ban?
Will you be requesting assistance from the federal government? What will our government do?
Examples include action items by our government to try to influence the vote prior to April.
We’re experiencing technical difficulties with our audio.
Premier Eva Aariak.
We have been working very closely with the Minister of Environment, who may be better able to provide more details and a better response.
We have both responded to this question and it’s quite obvious that this is a very important matter for Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, my question to you is if you would allow the Minister of Environment to respond to the member’s question should he wish to do so.
Mr. Shewchuk, the Premier asked if you would like to provide a response.
Yes, I would like to advise the member from Iqaluit West that we have been heavily involved in dealing with the sealing issue in Nunavut and in Canada.
We have been part of a delegation of Canada to attend two meetings in Europe - one in Brussels and one in Prague - that my deputy minister attended, in cohesion with Canada, to explain and educate the European Union on how important the sealing industry is in Canada.
So we have played a very heavy part and we will continue to do that.
We will wait until this decision comes out from the European nations to see what happens finally but after that, we will take further action, in conjunction with Canada, to proceed with this matter.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Shewchuk. (interpretation) Your final supplementary, Mr. Okalik.
It seems that our government is unwilling to provide a response to my question and I’m running out of time in trying to get a proper response, so let me try again.
Why did it take our government over a week to provide a response to this proposed ban?
We have known about this matter and yet, that day is fast approaching. April 1 is just a couple of weeks away and the best our government can do is send staff to Europe to defend our interests?
We have elected representatives who are appointed to represent us on issues such as this and to defend our interests.
Why is this government treating this issue as a trivial matter? It seems that our government is avoiding the issue.
What will be the actions it takes to defend its constituents? Why are you taking this so lightly? April 1 is approaching for this proposed ban and it seems like there’s no plan of action.
Our government seems to be playing games on a matter that affects the majority of Nunavummiut and this seems to not overly concern them as all they have done is send staff to defend our interests on a very important and serious matter. I find it unbelievable as it reveals a lack of credibility on our government’s part.
Premier of Nunavut, Eva Aariak.
We are not playing at all. This matter affects all Nunavummiut as our food, clothing, and livelihood will be affected. So when we talk about these issues, we are not treating it like a game.
My colleague, the Minister of Environment, stated quite succinctly that we are working on this issue, we are taking action, and we will continue to work on addressing this issue now and in the future.
Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Rumbolt.
Question 012 – 3(1): Harvesters’ Concerns in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt)
My question today is for the Minister responsible for the Environment.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Environment administers the government’s fur pricing program, which is very important to hunters in our communities.
The department describes the program as a “service the government provides to assist harvesters with selling their furs for competitive prices and provides quick upfront payments for their skins.”
The polar bear hunting season in Sanikiluaq recently ended and hunters in my community have encountered problems in selling their hides.
I have been informed by hunters that the ongoing lack of a conservation officer in the community has contributed to this situation.
Can the minister tell me today what actions his department will take to ensure that Sanikiluaq hunters can sell their harvest in the near future?
Minister of the Environment, Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
I would like to advise the hon. member that yes, a job offer has been made and a conservation officer will be in the community I believe on April 6.
Speaker: Thank you. (interpretation) Are you done?
(interpretation ends) Your first supplementary, Mr. Rumbolt.
Mr. Rumbolt: I thank the minister for his response and I’m very happy that somebody is going there soon.
April 6 is another three weeks away and there are many hunters who are ready to sell their hides now.
Is there anything that can be done so that people can sell their hides in the very near future?
Yes, I’ll take that request back to my department and there may be a possibility of sending somebody in relief there to deal with the situation.
Your second supplementary, Mr. Rumbolt.
Mr. Rumbolt: Again, I thank the minister for his response.
My final question will be: if we can’t get somebody to the community fairly quickly, can it be arranged that the local hunters and trappers organization can assist in purchasing the furs for the time being?
That could be an option. We would prefer that we send one of our staff in because it takes some time to train people to deal with the process of buying and receiving furs. It is an option but we will try and send somebody in there if we can.
Speaker: Thank you. (interpretation) Oral Questions.
Question 013 – 3(1): Electoral Boundaries Commission (Ningark)
Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
My question is directed to the Hon. Premier of this government.
My question is: would it be possible to revisit the Report of the Nunavut Electoral Boundaries Commission that was done in the previous government?
For one thing, the people of Akulliq may have some very fundamental issues to talk about in the report.
This is an issue that is dealt with by the Management and Services Board.
However, the question was directed to the Premier, so I will allow her to respond if she wishes to do so.
This matter is indeed an important issue clearly because the riding had to undergo an electoral winding process in the last election.
This government doesn’t deal with this matter and I return it to you.
I also wish to thank you for directing this question to me.
I will be putting forward a report regarding the question you have just raised and you will be able to receive that report in writing.
Question 014 – 3(1): Federal Initiatives in the High Arctic (Elliott)
I wholeheartedly believe in what our newest member, Mr. Ningark, was saying in terms of his Member’s Statement.
We are here to push for our communities and for our constituents and it’s for this reason I ask this question to our Premier.
On February 20 of this year, the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs announced that three Nunavut communities are on Ottawa’s short list for the location of Canada’s new High Arctic Research Station. One of these communities is Resolute Bay.
As the Premier is aware, Resolute Bay already hosts some significant infrastructure that, in my view, makes the community the ideal location for this new facility.
Can the Premier indicate to the House today whether the GN has made a formal recommendation to Ottawa concerning this issue?
I am grateful for his factual line of questioning and I commit to responding to the member as soon as I have the appropriate information.
Your question is taken as notice. (interpretation) Oral Questions.
Question 015 – 3(1): NWT Rates Compared to Nunavut Energy Rates (Schell)
My question is to the Hon. Hunter Tootoo for Qulliq Energy.
He keeps on saying that Qulliq Energy is running smoothly, which I hope it is, but my question is: why are our rates here so much higher than in the NWT?
Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Hon. Hunter Tootoo.
I thank the member for my first question. It will go down in my logbook as, “My good friend and colleague from South Baffin asked me my first question,” and I appreciate it.