EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
014 – 2(4): Member’s Correspondence to NorthwesTel on Issues of Concern (Arvaluk) 74
015 – 2(4): Concerns Regarding NorthwesTel (Aglukkaq) 75
016 – 2(4): Distemper Vaccinations for Community Dogs (Barnabas) 76
017 – 2(4): International Women’s Day (Brown) 77
018 – 2(4): Yellowknife Weather Station (Peterson) 77
019 – 2(4): Aqsarniit Achieves Earth School Status (Tootoo) 78
020 – 2(4): International Women’s Day (Arreak) 80
021 – 2(4): International Women’s Day (Curley) 80
015 – 2(4): Status of Proposal to List Polar Bears as a Threatened Species (Curley) 82
016 – 2(4): Involving Standing Committees in Supplementary Appropriations/Payroll Tax (Tootoo) 83
017 – 2(4): Need for New Arena in Pond Inlet (Arvaluk) 85
018 – 2(4): Distemper Vaccinations for Community Dogs (Barnabas) 88
019 – 2(4): Benefits to Nunavut Communities from International Polar Year Activities (Arreak) 90
020 – 2(4): Status of Nunavut and Manitoba Road Project (Alagalak) 92
021 – 2(4): Status of Women Meeting Report January 2006 (Peterson) 94
022 – 2(4): Strengthening Financial Management (Tootoo) 97
013 – 2(4): Article 26 Inuit Impact Benefit Agreements – Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (Okalik) 99
014 – 2(4): Wise Woman of the Year 2007 – Meeka Alivaktuk Biography (Aglukkaq) 100
015 – 2(4): Letter to NorthwesTel Regarding Nunavut Representation on the Board of Directors and Call Display Services in Gjoa Haven (Aglukkaq) 100
016 – 2(4): Presentation to the United States Fish & Wildlife Service Public Hearing on the Proposal to List Polar Bears as Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act (Netser) 100
017 – 2(4): Public Accounts Non-Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) and Consolidated Financial Statements March 21, 2005 (2 documents) (Simailak) 100
018 – 2(4): Tagged Seal – Scientific Pictures from Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Curley) 101
019 – 2(4): Letter to NorthwesTel Regarding Nunavut Representation on the Board of Directors and Providing Payment Agents in the Smaller Communities (Arvaluk) 101
020 – 2(4): Cancelling the Flight Information Centre in Yellowknife - Letter to NAV Canada (Peterson) 101
002 – 2(4): Adjournment for the Day (Tootoo) 101
Good afternoon, Mr. Premier, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and the public.
Minister of Health and Social Services and the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, Ms. Aglukkaq.
Minister’s Statement 004 – 2(4): International Women’s Day and Wise Woman Awards (Aglukkaq)
Just before I start with my Minister’s Statement, I want to thank the Premier, yourself, and all of the members for celebrating International Women’s Day with us over lunch today.
International Women’s Day this year is on Thursday, March 8.
As the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, I would encourage Nunavummiut to join with people around the world to reflect on the progress we have made and the challenges we still face to ensure women have opportunities equal to those of men in our society.
On this day we can celebrate ordinary women as makers of history. This year the theme in Canada is Ending Violence Against Women: Action for Real Results.
In Nunavut, it is a goal the Members of the Legislative Assembly have promised to meet so that women and girls are able to participate fully in society.
Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council has been helping women in communities plan events to mark International Women’s Day.
In Iqaluit, there will be a coffee house at Inuksuk High School at seven o’clock this evening.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
Qulliit has also, with funding from the Department of Health, launched the first-ever Wise Woman Award for Nunavut. This award recognizes the individual women who have, through voluntary service, improved the situation of women in their communities.
This could be through counselling, advocacy, care giving, education, or organizing.
This morning it was my pleasure to recognize Meeka Alivaktuk, who is seating behind me, from Pangnirtung, as the Wise Woman for 2007.
All nominees will receive a certificate to acknowledge their contributions to the women of Nunavut.
I would ask the Members of this House to join with me in commending the efforts of Qulliit, Meeka Alivaktuk, and all of the nominees for the good work that they have done to enhance the status of women.
March 8, International Women’s Day is truly a day worth celebrating here in Nunavut.
And, in closing, I would like to wish every woman in Nunavut a happy International Women’s Day.
Minister’s Statement 005 – 2(4): Lobby Effort Against USFWS Proposed Listing of Polar Bears (Netser)
It’s nice to be back into the best nation in the world.
On December 27, 2006 the United States’ Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it is proposing to list polar bears as threatened under its Endangered Species Act.
The primary reason for the proposal is to protect the future loss of habitat and anticipated impact on the population level.
(interpretation) The Americans had proposed to list the polar bears as a threatened species. It’s going to have an effect on the hunters and the economy should they become on the list, so we’re opposed to it.
(interpretation ends) In addition to making a formal submission against the proposed listing, Premier Okalik and I are actively lobbying Canadian officials and politicians. We are also engaging the US government directly to explain our situation.
I recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. to bring our message directly to their decision makers and later on today I will be tabling my presentation to the House.
Nunavut has a very effective polar bear management system and we are managing our polar bear population on a sustainable basis in a way that provides economic benefits to Nunavummiut.
This system is a proven success and we will fight personally.
Minister’s Statement 006 – 2(4): Canada Winter Games Update (Tapardjuk)
The 2007 Canada Winter Games and the Pan-North approach has provided Nunavut with the unique opportunity to showcase our talents, our culture, our craftsmanship, and most of all our hospitality to the rest of Canada.
Athletes that are representing Nunavut at the 2007 Canada Winter Games have trained and completed hard to be there with much assistance from the committed group of volunteer coaches, managers, and mission staff that have accompanied them on this journey.
They are over 140 athletes, volunteers, youth ambassadors, cultural performers, artists, coaches, managers, and mission staffs that are in Whitehorse representing Nunavut.
Eugene Dederick of Team Nunavut, competing in the over 100-kilogram Judo class, was the first medal winner in any of the four Canada Games competitions that Nunavut has participated in.
Join me in congratulating Eugene on his historic accomplishment. The remainder of these games will take place up to March 10; so let’s wish them the best of luck.
Minister’s Statement 007 – 2(4): Strengthening Financial Management – Consolidation of Positions (Simailak)
Hon. David Simailak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Budget 2007 outlines our government’s commitment to strengthen financial management.
Today, I would like to inform Members about our government’s plans to further enhance accountability to strengthen our financial systems and reporting structures.
In her last report to the assembly, the Auditor General made a strong case for centralizing accounting positions.
Our government has taken this advice seriously and now we are acting.
Effective April 1, finance positions from the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs will be consolidated to the Department of Finance. In addition, effective June 1, payment processing functions in the Department of Health and Social Services will be moved to the Department of Finance.
These measures will give us the beginnings of the critical mass required to achieve efficiencies across government. It will allow us to improve accountability and reporting.
Let me make it clear though, we will not see the results of this change today, but rather over time.
In moving forward on this next stage of strengthening financial management, we have taken into account the possible impact on our most important resource, and that is our staff.
This will be an opportunity for them to develop their skills and work together for a common cause. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 008 – 2 (4): CGS Trainee Update (Brown)
I went to school to learn English, so I want to do this in English.
I rise today to update the members of this House on my department’s progress on promoting Inuit training in order to achieve an Inuit employment level in the government that is representative of Nunavut.
Two years ago, Community and Government Services Qikiqtaaluk regional office implemented an internally funded training initiative aimed at filling two of their officer level positions, the Community Training and Development Officer position, and the Community Inspector position, with beneficiary candidates.
A training plan was tailored for each position and term employees were interviewed and hired into the target positions as mentors and trainers for beneficiary incumbents.
Interviews were then held and two beneficiary candidates were selected to fill the two trainee positions.
Over the following two year period the trainees underwent a full course load through the Municipal Training Organization, as well as vigorous on the job training.
I am pleased to announce that both trainees, Allashuwa Ottokie and Nathaniel Joanasie have successfully completed all of their training requirements as outlined in their training plans.
And, I am also pleased to announce that these two trainees will be appointed to their officer level positions as of April 1, 2007.
This is one clear example of how my department is promoting the Inuit employment goals of this government as set out in Pinasuaqtavut.
I must say that you have learned to speak that language very well.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation) Item 3. Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 011 – 2(4): International Women’s Day (Mapsalak)
I would also like to recognize this day, International Women’s Day.
(interpretation ends) I rise today to acknowledge the contributions made by all of the women of Nunavut.
Today is International Women’s Day, and International Women’s Day is celebrated in many different ways around the world.
Mr. Speaker, the women have always had important roles in our culture.
They kept their family warm with their hand sewn clothing that involved innovative patterns such as Amautiit, Kamiik, and mittens.
They helped the men to prepare them to go hunting. When they return with their catch, they were tasked in preparing the meat and the skins for tanning and later use.
They were the main parent who raised the children and tended to all their needs.
In fact, it’s fair to say that our society depends on women for its very survival.
Women today are moving into positions of political and social power on an equal footing with men.
I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing the women in Nunavut a very happy International Women’s Day and to encourage all of our daughters to reach their dreams.
Member’s Statement 012 – 2(4): Canada Winter Games Culture Performance Group (Alagalak)
I was very pleased with the Canada Winter Games and this is the reason why I’m rising today.
We have one individual from Arviat who is participating in the Canada Winter Games.
I would like to recognize Jeff Landau-Scott, who is the escort of the performers: Karen Panigoniak, Doris Mamgark, Angela Mukyunik Dorothy Anoee, Elizabeth Mukyunik, Sheena Aulajut, and Katharine Suluraayuk.
These are the individuals who are doing the cultural performances and they are very popular with the audience.
They are very good role models for the young people of Nunavut.
I am very pleased with the Arviat performance groups and I’m very proud.
Member’s Statement 013 – 2(4): Qulliq Energy Corporation Scholarship Recipient (Evyagotailak)
I want to congratulate all women in Nunavut, and I want to recognize my wife and mother-in-law for making my atigi.
I would like to congratulate Kenny Algona from Kugluktuk.
Kenny is the recipient of the 2007 Qulliq Energy Corporation awards and scholarship. (interpretation ends) Kenny is a second year student studying General Arts in the Grand Prairie Regional College.
Kenny was one of the 14 Nunavut students who applied for the scholarship and I’m positive that this was not an easy decision to make for the selections committee.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating Kenny on being awarded this scholarship and to encourage our youth in Nunavut to continue and further their education.
Member’s Statement 014 – 2(4): Member’s Correspondence to NorthwesTel on Issues of Concern (Arvaluk)
I rise today to update the House on my efforts to address some issues of concern related to the operations of NorthwesTel in Pond Inlet or in all communities.
As you will be aware, there are only seven communities in Nunavut in which payment agents are present to help customers in paying their bills.
My constituency of Pond Inlet is frustrated with NorthwesTel’s recent decision to end the practice of having a payment agent in the community.
As members know, NorthwesTel’s residential bill outlines six payment options for customers. Six out of seven options require customers to have a credit card or bank account.
In a recent letter to the chairman of NorthwesTel’s Board of Directors, I clearly explained that there are no banks in most of Nunavut’s communities and I pointed out to him that in a majority of the communities there are no banks and I pointed out that a significant number of the company’s customers in Nunavut are unilingual speaking elders who do not have a bank account, cheques, or credit cards.
The only practical option for these customers is to use the services of authorized local payment. (interpretation ends) I took the opportunity to formally request that NorthwesTel reconsider its policies and practices in this area, especially with respect to payment agent services in our smaller communities.
I showed the chairman that providing this service in Pond Inlet, and other communities would earn NorthwesTel a significant degree of appreciation from its customers.
Your time is up. Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): I would like consent to complete my statement.
The member is seeking consent to conclude his statement, are there any nays?
There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Arvaluk.
I also strongly urge NorthwesTel to take steps to ensure that Nunavut is adequately represented on its Board of Directors. At present, there are no Nunavut residents on the Board, which is an unacceptable situation.
At the appropriate time, I will formally table, for the public record, my correspondence. I will be following up on behalf of my constituents and for the correspondence to both NorthwesTel and CIBC.
Member’s Statement 015 – 2(4): Concerns Regarding NorthwesTel (Aglukkaq)
I rise today to draw the attention to a number of ongoing of concerns to my constituents with respect to the operations of NorthwesTel also.
As members will recall, I wrote in the House in November of 2005 to highlight the needs for NorthwesTel to provide a call display service in the community of Gjoa Haven.
I am confident that members will agree with me that it is important to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our society feel safe.
Our main concern that a significant number of my constituents have had to seek the assistance of the RCMP in dealing with threatening abuses of harassing phone calls from unknown individuals; the absence of a call display feature in the community makes it more difficult for this problem to be addressed.
I have personally experienced this problem, and have assured NorthwesTel, that the provision of a call display feature would be welcome in the community.
Unfortunately, CRTC did not approve NorthwesTel’s previous application to provide this service.
Earlier this year I wrote to the chairman at NorthwesTel Board of Directors on the issue and ensured him of my support for further efforts on the part of the company to address this need.
I continue to look forward to his reply to my letter.
I also took the opportunity to join with my colleague from Tununiq in calling on NorthwesTel to take steps to ensure that Nunavut is adequately represented on its Board of Directors. At present there are no Nunavut residents on the board, a situation which I am certain other members will agree with me is unacceptable given that our territory accounts roughly one third of the company’s customers.
At the appropriate time, I will be formally tabling for the public record a number of items related to these issues, and I will be following up on behalf of my constituents with further correspondence to both Northwestel and the CRTC.
Member’s Statement 016 – 2(4): Distemper Vaccinations for Community Dogs (Barnabas)
Good afternoon. Today I would like to raise an issue that continues to plague the dogs of Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) For a number of years, residents in my constituency have asked for assistance in ensuring that their dogs receive yearly vaccinations against deadly diseases, such as rabies and distemper. This issue has not been resolved in a very long time. At first, the responsibility for the Vaccination Program was under the Department of Renewable Resources.
Later it was transferred to Health and Social Services and then back to Sustainable Development. Most recently, in November 2005, the Minister of Health and Social Services indicated in this House that her department is responsible for the vaccination of dogs.
I am sure that the minister understands very well the serious consequences of dogs not being vaccinated against these diseases.
The dogs in her community of Gjoa Haven recently experienced a terrible distemper epidemic. This could have been prevented with a regularly administered Vaccination Program.
For centuries, dogs have played an important role in Inuit lifestyle and culture. As we know, that all changed when not too long ago, Inuit were settled into permanent communities. Dogs died.
Dogs were killed. Dogs lost their status. An important part of our culture was on the edge of extinction.
These days’ communities across Nunavut and the North are making huge efforts to bring back this important part of our culture.
Dog team races are being planned in Labrador, Nunavik, South Baffin, North Baffin, the Kivalliq, and in the west.
These events focus on revitalizing a traditional activity. It is important that we are able to ensure that this tradition stays alive and healthy for generations to come.
Speaker (interpretation): I understand your question, Mr. Barnabas.
Mr. Barnabas, please proceed.
Mr. Barnabas (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and also my colleagues.
(interpretation ends) We now live in modern times.
In the spirit of Qanuqtuurniq, the role of dogs in Nunavut has evolved and adapted. Dog teams now play an important role in our hunting and tourism economies. For some community residents, these seasonal employment opportunities allow families to earn money and be self-reliant, while still preserving their tradition and culture.
It would be a shame, a real shame, if the lack of a small amount of prevention were to destroy what has been so carefully saved from extinction.
I urge the Minister of Health and Social Services to make good on her commitment on November 22, 2005, to ensure that sled dog owners across Nunavut will receive distemper and rabies vaccinations for their dogs before it is too late.
Member’s Statement 017 – 2(4): International Women’s Day (Brown)
I rise today to acknowledge the International Women’s Day, all the women of Nunavut, and all the women in the Chamber because it’s very important and it’s an International Women’s Day and I would like to acknowledge the Nunavut Status of Women’s Council.
Also, I am so proud of Meeka Alivaktuk for her recognition and you are a very good role-model and I am sure that young women will follow you, and I want all my seven daughters to have a good day and my niece, Amanda Ford.
Have a good day, it’s also your day too and also would like to acknowledge Ruth Ulujuk; it’s her birthday today, happy birthday.
All of us have mothers and I am sure if it weren’t for our mothers we wouldn’t be here and we have grandmothers and some of us have granddaughters and us women have older and younger sisters, nieces, and cousins.
I would like to thank my colleague, Leona Aglukkaq, for being open with me.
So if that’s okay, we send electronic flowers to all the women through the computer.
Member’s Statement 018 – 2(4): Yellowknife Weather Station (Peterson)
I rise today to inform the House on an issue that gravely concerns aviators and the flying public in the Kitikmeot.
As it’s commonly known in the north, flying for medical, business, and personal reasons is the only method of transportation that is available to Nunavummiut if they wish to travel to southern Canada or between communities in the north.
Mr. Speaker, flying in the north is fraught with danger due to extreme conditions in which we fly.
As such, it is vitally important that our pilots have the most current and accurate weather information made available to them in a timely manner.
Mr. Speaker, certain aviators have alerted me to the fact that NavCanada has made a unilateral decision, in Ottawa, that compromises our safety.
This organization has closed the Yellowknife Weather Station, a decision which now forces aviators in the Kitikmeot and elsewhere to call North Bay, Ontario, to receive weather for our part of the country.
Mr. Speaker, North Bay is 3000 km from Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, this may work fine elsewhere in Canada, but in the north it endangers the lives of our pilots, and our flying public. The weather in the north can change in a moment’s notice, and a viable weather system should take this fact into account.
It is also important to be mindful that the Yellowknife Airport is one of the busiest in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I’m particularly concerned about delays that calling North Bay would impose on our medical evacuation.
In the Kitikmeot, a difference of only a few minutes in arriving at Yellowknife and getting into the hospital can mean the difference between life and death.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation to write to the President of NavCanada and urge them to reconsider unilateral decision to close the Yellowknife Weather Station.
Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, I urge the minister to stress to them the importance of following suit on their promise to open flight information center in Yellowknife.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will ask the minister questions on this issue, and I will be tabling for the public record my own correspondence to NavCanada.
Member’s Statement 019 – 2(4): Aqsarniit Achieves Earth School Status (Tootoo)
I rise today to salute the teacher and students at Iqaluit’s Aqsarniit School on the recent achievement of Earth School Status.
Mr. Speaker, I was privileged to have been able to attend the Aqsarniit’s Earth School Celebration on February 23 which was hosted by the Environment Club leaders, Josephina Rooter and Jeanie Dawson.
I was pleased to have been able to also bring greetings on behalf of my other two colleagues from Iqaluit who were unable to attend.
I know that they are also very proud of the school’s accomplishments and it was amazing to see the pride in the school from the students that participated in these projects, too. It was really nice to see.
Mr. Speaker, the students and teachers of Aqsarniit show us that dedication and hard work allows people of all ages to make a real contribution to our planet’s future.
Students in grades six and seven recently hit the mark of successfully undertaking 1,000 environmentally-friendly projects.
These include a diverse range of activities such as recycling, composting, taking part in day camps with Inuit elders, lobbying City Council, and many, many, many more, I think 996 more if you want to be exact.
Mr. Speaker, the world’s awareness of global warming and its impacts on the Arctic is growing by the day.
I think that the old saying, ‘Think globally, act locally,’ really applies here.