EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Training programs like those undertaken by the Kitikmeot Employment and Training Partnership, need to be implemented in the Kivalliq as soon as possible.
Partnership programs need to be forged with the mining industry for on the job training where salary costs can be shared.
The Government of Nunavut must do all it can to help Nunavummiut to obtain the training and experience necessary to participate in and take full advantage of the opportunities coming out of this recent surge in exploration.
I might add that the Kivalliq Partners in Development has in its hands over 4 million dollars that they seem to lapse every year.
Community based training is the answer.
Train people in the community and at the same time build infrastructure and maybe some day Mr. Speaker, they will see the gold.
Member's Statement 217 – 1(5): Suicide Rate High in Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I will watch the time allowed for my statement.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an issue I raised on earlier occasions.
This is an item that all members are concerned about, suicide prevention and suicide.
I think in 1980 we began to see more suicides in our community and presently I think all the members here today and the visitors, there are so many more that have passed due to suicide.
In the 1980’s, I believe that a lot of people committed suicide that would probably have been my age today.
When I speak about this it really hurts me because I have lost three family members to suicide and I know that we all go through hard times and because I have gone through it I like to promote suicide prevention.
Mr. Speaker, it doesn't matter when your friend or family member passed on, even after many years you hurt and it is something that we often think about and ask ourselves why the individual or the person committed suicide.
Do we realize that when our parents disciplined us as children that when they talked to us that...
…Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
We are all aware that as children, even when we were young adults, when our parents disciplined us or yelled at us or hurt us emotionally, there are a lot of things that we will not forget.
There is a lot of pain that we carry from when we were young and if we were mistreated as young people, there are some things that we won't forget.
As long as you don't talk to that person who hurt you, and as long as you don't take it out and discuss it with that individual you will always carry that pain with you.
Parents, when they are bringing up their children, I think sometimes parents don't realize that they hurt their children.
Sometimes when we yell at our children we tend to forget that we yelled at them and don't think about it again but the child won't forget.
So it is just very hurtful emotionally when you are young.
I make this statement because this is the way it is when you are young, if somebody mistreated you it stays with you.
For example, the people that went to Chesterfield Inlet to attend the residential school are still hurting.
We just need to recognize this.
Member's Statement 218 – 1(5): Search & Rescue Committee Volunteers
Mr. Speaker, all of us know the search and rescue members in our communities.
I wanted to speak briefly about some recent experiences with the local search and rescue committee.
Over the past three weeks, as the members know, there have been two search and rescues.
Approximately two and a half weeks ago two young cousins were lost in one of the worst May storms ever in this community and unfortunately, there was a tragic ending to that particular search and rescue.
It has to be noted I think that there were six search and rescue members out that afternoon in very severe weather conditions.
In fact the blizzard was still going on, as they recognized the significance of trying to find the individuals in a timely fashion.
This past weekend as members know, there was another search and that was successful in that they found the individual and brought him back to the community.
Mr. Speaker, many times search and rescue members are called out on very short notice, sometimes in the middle of the night to travel in very adverse weather conditions at times.
As I indicated, although a majority of the time there is a happy outcome, in some instances there are tragic results that they have to deal with.
I think they all should be commended for their service and their dedication in providing this valuable service to the community.
It is a comfort to many of us that travel out on the land knowing that if things were to go wrong that the capable and dedicated search and rescue volunteers would be there to come looking for you.
So Mr. Speaker, I would like all members to join me in recognizing and thanking all the search and rescue volunteers across Nunavut for their commitment and their tireless efforts to protect our citizens.
Member's Statement 219 – 1(5): Tursarvik School Breakfast Program Funding
I am glad to be back in the House, I was in my community and was not able to come back on Tuesday.
I am glad to be sitting here with the members again.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about how happy I am that students at Tursarvik School in Repulse Bay have the opportunity to get a healthy start to each and every school day.
Teacher Carmy McLean of Repulse Bay submitted a proposal for a breakfast program to Brighter Futures and I am happy to say that it was accepted.
This program will create employment for one person that will prepare breakfasts that include a variety of hot and cold cereals, fruit, juice, toast or fruit bars. This program will run from Monday to Friday and will serve an average of 50 – 80 students every morning.
Mr. Speaker, this program will ensure that students start off with a healthy breakfast that will help them learn better.
Ms. McLean is a teacher and Vice-Principal at Tursarvik School.
Member's Statement 220 – 1(5): Cambridge Bay Session
Mr. Speaker, this historic sitting here in Cambridge Bay has contained many firsts.
Tonight the Assembly will sit from 10 until 2 to celebrate the rising of our spring sun.
Mr. Speaker, this is also unique and it is something that is Nunavut specific.
The opportunity to come and sit in Cambridge Bay has had its critics.
Mr. Speaker, most of this criticism is around the costs.
But Mr. Speaker, the intangible costs of meeting in Cambridge Bay, of members and ministers and our own Iqaluit based staff to be able to travel to see other parts of Nunavut and to meet, to interact with the youth, the elders and Mr. Speaker, the leaders is priceless.
To be able to represent the Assembly of Nunavut and demonstrate Mr. Speaker, that almost one third of the geographic size of our country of Canada is not centred on one physical place but it could be in the Keewatin, the Baffin, or indeed Mr. Speaker, here in Cambridge Bay.
That's priceless.
Like many of the staff and members here who have been away from home since the first week of May and won't be home for at least another week, it can be difficult to be away from your family, children and spouses at a time like this.
Mr. Speaker, I too had reservations about the logistic and financial costs of this sitting.
But the hospitality and the warmth of the people of Cambridge Bay and the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, the opportunity to live in another place in Nunavut and see a different perspective of our territory is worth the time and effort to be here.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize this person, perhaps you will see this individual every day now that she has arrived, I want to recognize our Sergeant-At-Arms, Martina Anavilok.
Thank you for arriving safely.
Today she has the opportunity to be with her older sister.
I want to recognize Mary Ilisuak.
As adults we learn every day and I want to recognize Beatrice Bernhart.
I want the young people to see her accomplishments and it is good to see her success.
I also want to recognize Ruth Wilcox, Beatrice's younger sister.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Ng.
If members will indulge me again. I have some constituents that I would like to recognize.
Mrs. Kuptana, originally from Umingmaktok. Jimmy and Ruby Haniliak are with us here again.
Ruth Niptanatiak Wilcox and her sister Beatrice Bernhart who Mr. Havioyak has recognized already.
James Eetoolook the first Vice-President of NTI.
Charlie Evalik the President of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
Clare Basler, Mary Avalak who was our Sergeant-At-Arms last week.
Joanne Apsimik, her daughter and Atima Hadlari.
George Ilisiwitch with the Department of Education here in Cambridge Bay as well.
I would like to recognize, although he doesn't claim to be a constituent, Charlie Lyall.
Charlie as many people know is always talking about not liking coming to Cambridge Bay but he seems to spend an awful lot of time here.
I would like to say for some of us who were on the flight coming back from BHP on Monday, as you know there was a bit of inclement weather and we had kind of a tough landing.
It was hard to see but it is the first time ever I have seen Charlie Lyall clap on getting to Cambridge Bay.
I thought Charlie Lyall was always here, so I would like to recognize him.
I would also like to recognize some people from Taloyoak as the member for Nattilik.
From the school in Taloyoak I would like to introduce the pages from my constituency.
They are Chuck Bissell Lyall, Meagan Bissell Lyall, Jacob Jayko, Sheila Tulurialiq and Aaron Qayutinuaq.
They are from Taloyoak, welcome to the House.
Welcome and I'd also like to recognize from Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven, who is my CA from Taloyoak and is also here, May Porter, welcome.
I'm not sure if I represent this individual who is from Rankin, I'd like to recognize Jackie Nakoolak and John Hicks from my constituency.
Good afternoon, I'd like to recognize the Nunavut Development Corporation members, who have been working very hard in their position to promote marketing of arts and crafts from Nunavut.
Behind me, Jackie Nakoolak is the chairperson and the president is John Hicks.
Jackie King, Wilf Wilcox, Kolola Pitseolak, Peter Keenainak, Jacopie Maniapik, these are individuals who are working hard in Nunavut to develop business.
Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Kilabuk.
For me it's ladies first.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank an individual who has been very friendly and a friendly host indeed, she's fed us well at their cabin during our day trip. I'd like to thank her and her family for the hospitality and the snowmobiles and food we had.
I want to recognize, as I said ladies first, Ruth Wilcox.
Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank and recognize Mr. John Hicks.
Also the other half of Madam Ruth Wilcox, Wilf Wilcox.
And a constituent of mine Jacopie Maniapik.
And also the rest of the board from NDC.
I too would like to welcome some people today to the gallery.
First of all I'd like to welcome Peter Keenainak who has been with QC for a long time, and involved in the fisheries. A couple of years ago, I drew his name on a ticket and Peter won a new truck, I'd like to congratulate him now because I didn't congratulate him then because I wanted the truck.
Also with us today in the gallery is a guy who has been in the north a long time, I don't know how many years this man's been in the north, he was with us for a long time, he moved to PEI and he's moved back recently. He's with the Labour Standards Board.
I think it was about twelve years ago I had an opportunity to work the picket line with this gentleman with the late Roger Cousins and Mr. Cousins taught many of us here in this room and is well known. I remember that really well.
Mr. Richard Gillis with the Labour Standards Board.
I would also like to welcome to the gallery, Mr. Speaker, another person who has been around the north a long time, professor, educator, and innovator, a person well known for his skills, Mr. Ian Rose, Professor Ian Rose of the Department of Education.
I would like to welcome two other people.
One is the chair of the local health committee here, as Mr. Kilabuk said, she’s a great cook but she’s also a great conversationalist and she seems to know how to get me, put me in positions where I can’t say very much, which makes her unique Mr. Speaker, is Ruth Wilcox.
And Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss without mentioning a good friend of mine, I’ve known him for a long time, he’s hard to miss, he’s also very tall and is a gracious host, a compassionate man who represented this community for a long time as mayor, he’s well known throughout Nunavut, Mr. Wilf Wilcox.
Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Arvaluk.
I noticed a few people before but actually have not been sure how I would introduce them.
However I’d like to recognize former neighbours in Coral Harbour, Jackie Nakoolak, now living in Rankin Inlet, who took me out on my first polar bear hunting trip in the foreign country where I came to from Pond Inlet originally, I came to Coral Harbour, my first year, he took me out on a caribou hunting trip.
I decided since it was flat country, I thought, what I could do is travel straight back to Coral Harbour and I tried that and I saw muddy areas and the rocks, lots of rocks, stand up straight and then they freeze in the fall.
By the time I got to Coral Harbour, I had not much kamotik left but I got home.
Everything wore out in one night.
I also would like to recognize my cousin, Jackie King who makes beautiful embroidery, her own designed parkas and wind pants and everything else. If you need something beautiful, just give her a call and she makes beautiful things and she will really be helpful in that.
I also would like to recognize Ian Rose, …Rosie…
…and right behind you, those who taught me how to be a Minister of Education and I would like to thank them for their great introduction to the bureaucracy and everything else.
Speaker: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Ms. Thompson.
I would just like to recognize one individual, his wife isn’t here, Charlie Evalik. His wife brought us a bunch of dried fish for the MLAs to eat in my apartment and cooked caribou for us to eat. We really appreciated that and the people have been so good to us here in Cambridge Bay, we’ve got good water delivery, the garbage is being picked up, the roads are fine and I think the capital should probably be moved here because I like living here.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Since we've been in Cambridge Bay people have been very hospitable and we have learned a lot from this community.
Learning new things, every day.
So I'd like to recognize one individual Phoebe Hainnu, from Iqaluit who is here with us.
I also would like to recognize one of my constituents, and a good neighbour of mine, Jackie King.
Moving on to Item 6. Oral Questions.
Question 245 - 1(5): Public Service Act Review
I think there was a conspiracy there.
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Human Resources.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my member’s statement, I talked about a piece of legislation that we inherited from the GNWT that being the Public Service Act. As the minister is aware, as all members are aware, all our legislation was just transferred over without looking at whether or not any changes were necessary to make them better suit the needs of Nunavummiut and the priorities set out in the Bathurst Mandate.
I'd like to ask the Minister of Human Resources when he envisions including the Public Services Act to be reviewed and assessed.
Mr. Speaker, even as we speak there has been some consideration of clauses in the Public Service Act.
Right now, we haven't formalized any legislative proposal that's going to be coming forward yet but there are different options that are being investigated.
Mr. Speaker, in light of the recent events that have gone on with the Nunavut Employees’ Union, would the minister be willing to consider amending the Public Service Act to reinstate arbitration into the collective bargaining process to ensure that the negotiation process can be brought to an equitable conclusion.
Mr. Speaker, taking a look at arbitration would obviously have been one of the options.
There are different forms of arbitration, one has to recognize as well, if you are looking at arbitration or binding arbitration, or depending on what would be considered.
But obviously the Nunavut Employees’ Union, as the bargaining agent for their employees, we would want to get input from them to see what their position would be as well.
We wouldn't arbitrarily put these into place without some kind of indication of their position on that matter.
Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to hear the minister say that, I wouldn't want them to as he indicated, I'm sure they wouldn’t want to just to have done it arbitrarily, without any input from them.
What I'd like to ask the minister is if he'd be willing to consult with the Nunavut Employees’ Union, to look at a mutually agreeable way of including arbitration into the collective bargaining process.
Mr. Speaker, we're always willing to consider and consult with our partners to see what their desired method would be. Taking into account, of course, what the government would want as far as what our position is.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister is aware and I indicated in my member’s statement, the Government of Nunavut is the largest employer in Nunavut and many of these employees are forced to subsist from pay cheque to pay cheque.
Many of these people voiced their concerns and fears of how an extended strike can impact the ability to support themselves and their families.
Given this, does the minister feel and think that it would not be in everyone's best interest to amend the Public Service Act to include arbitration in the collective bargaining process.
Let’s not forget Mr. Speaker, the membership of the Northern Employees’ Union has voted to accept the government's offer.
It's the leadership of the Northern Employees’ Union that chose to implement a strike.
So it has to be clear on the circumstances on how far the strike could have gone if it had carried on.
So I think in all fairness, one really has to reflect, it's really a matter for the union themselves to take upon themselves to figure out the direction that they want to head.
If the membership wants to get away from the conflicting methods that they have chosen, some of their leaders have chosen to take, in this past strike experience, really that comes down to what the membership wants and for them to decide.
Question 246 - 1(5): Housing Units Planned for 2002
Mr. Speaker, under members’ statements I said earlier that I was going to ask a question, in representing my constituency and on behalf of Nunavummiut.
In the summer of 2001, as we are all aware, the government announced to Nunavut that they would be building 47 units in Nunavut.
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Housing. In the summer of 2001, I was wondering if the Nunavut Housing Corporation has any plans within that department for the year 2002 to build a number of units and how many.
The units that will be built I know are not going to cover the housing shortage because of our limited resources.
For the communities that we're not building units in, we have provided funding to retrofit the old units. We approved our main estimates as our members know, we have to approve them once a year, for the next year, main estimates.
We will be building next year, I don't know how many units we will be constructing because our budget estimates have not been approved for next year.
Once we approve next year’s budget it'll be easier to tell you how many units we will be building but I can't tell you how many units we will be building next year today.
Mr. Puqiqnak (interpretation): I understand the response by the minister and thank you, we are aware that as a government we have limited resources, Mr. Speaker.
Lack of funding is a barrier but looking back to 1994-95 in that area, when it was GNWT, the federal government stopped funding for housing.
At the Kitikmeot Regional Council at the time, I remember Tom Butters was the Minister for Housing at that time.
I’m sorry Mr. Speaker, I’m trying to make my preamble very clear, I know that my questions is getting long so I apologize Mr. Speaker.
In the GNWT days the federal government stopped providing funding for housing and they built privately built units along with the assistance of the government and they had contractors building the units.
I know that your department has limited funding but can the minister tell me, as the Minister responsible for Housing, if you can come up with that kind of a program where the private companies, private businesses can built units.
We had asked private businesses in Nunavut if they have units that are not being used and we were going to lease their units for five years.
That has been completed and we’re now leasing these units, there were 33 units within Nunavut and this would cost about 5 million dollars for the leases.
Mr. Speaker, one of the reasons, after the construction of the units, if there is a unit available for lease, it costs a lot of money to pay for the maintenance and operations of the unit.
We have over 3 thousand units that we are using and they cost a lot of money.
There are tenants who pay 32 dollars for their rent from social services and it’s not enough to cover the maintenance of the unit.
For that reason, to make new units available, we would have to find new money.
Mr. Speaker, I could start considering that suggestion but only if we get new money and that’s when we can do other leases of units from private companies.
Mr. Speaker, yes we have already leased units from private companies because of the housing shortage.
As the Nunavut Government we could be assisted by these private businesses if the government can agree to that kind of lease.
I would like to ask the minister although we do have limited funding and the year 2002, or prior to 2002 within this fiscal year, did you look for additional funding from the Federal Government and what was the response because we are experiencing a housing shortage crisis.
Can the minister tell us what has been done to apply for funding from the Federal Government.
Yes, I have been working with the Federal Government and to date the Federal Government understands there's a housing crisis in Nunavut. It's evident that the Federal Government understands that.
We have talked to MP Nancy Lindell, it's evident that she's been trying to make her colleagues aware of the housing shortage.
I've already discussed this with the Federal Government but the Federal Government does not provide funding for social housing.
They provide us with O&M dollars and that's the only funding we receive from the Federal Government but they do not provide any funding for the construction of units.
My officials and staff have been working with Federal Government officials and staff and just recently the President of Housing Corporation Pam Hine has met with the Standing Committee of the Federal Government for housing.
She's now got a seat there to represent Nunavut. The Federal Government is quite aware and understands the housing shortage, and understands that we need additional funding.
I also spoke with Paul Quassa, and he said that we can discuss this matter with his staff and I've asked him to go down to Ottawa with me, in September.
So these are in the works.
I understand but we have to represent Nunavut to alleviate the housing shortage. Communities want to look for ways helping to deal with this housing shortage.
The Member for Uqsuqtuq and Taloyoak works very hard on these issues and he made a point of having meetings with me to discuss these issues. The leaders of Uqsuqtuq went to Iqaluit to meet with me and I responded exactly the same, I told them that we would need new money in order to build more houses.
The ideas are very innovative but if we were to lease out these units, we would have to find additional funds or new monies, so that’s the problem, the shortage of resources.
Question 247 - 1(5): Inuit Traditional Sewing
My question is, Inuit women are very excellent seamstresses, and they create their own unique designs.
We also see the pages and the people out here wearing pieces of clothing that were sewn by Inuit women.