EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, the only way to ensure the website is accurate is to provide an opportunity for feedback. People can send their thoughts, corrections, and even ideas by email to info@gov.nu.ca or by phone at 1-877-212-6438.
Mr. Speaker, this website is a significant improvement over our old site and provides information and contact details for our government, fulfilling a need identified by Nunavummiut.
This website is just one of the ways our government is improving its communications.
Minister’s Statement 226 – 3(2): Department of Human Resources – New Organizational Structure (Shewchuk)
I would like to say “hello” to all of my constituents in Arviat and all of the wonderful people across the territory of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to update my colleagues on a significant initiative being undertaken by the Department of Human Resources to support its mandate of leading the development of Nunavut’s public service through excellence in human resources management.
Mr. Speaker, during my department’s recent appearance before the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts to review the 2010 Auditor General’s report on human resources capacity, some discussions focused on the restructuring of the Department of Human Resources to support the actions being carried out to address the recommendations of the Auditor General.
Mr. Speaker, as members may recall, last fiscal year, a functional review of the Department of Human Resources was undertaken.
This included an assessment of capacity to provide high-quality client service and effective programs to support recruitment, development, and retention in the public service. Based on the functional review and the recommendations of the Auditor General, the Department of Human Resources now has a new organizational structure.
Mr. Speaker, the reorganization is being accommodated within existing budget parameters and does not result in either an increase or decrease in positions.
We are focusing on what matters the most to our workforce and to Nunavummiut – efficient recruitment and staffing, effective career planning and staff development, employee satisfaction and retention, and, most importantly, emphasis on supporting Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Our new structure will also result in improved client service, greater collaboration between functional areas, and increased opportunities for beneficiaries to progress in their human resource careers.
Mr. Speaker, we are now moving forward with our implementation of the new organizational structure. In the short term, we will be recruiting key positions at the executive, senior management, and manager levels – positions that will enable us to complete the Tamapta strategic priority of delivering a government-wide human resource strategy.
Learning plans will also be developed to support those staff who have changes in job responsibilities as a result of the reorganization.
Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, we will be revitalizing our Inuit employment efforts by establishing an Inuit Employment Steering Committee.
I look forward to keeping members informed of our progress.
Minister’s Statement 227 – 3(2): CGS Technical-Professional Studies Scholarship (Kusugak)
Good afternoon, everyone who is listening out there.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to announce the results of the Community and Government Services scholarships that have just been awarded based on 39 applications. These scholarships total $71,000 and will be shared by 25 students.
Mr. Speaker, I would especially like to highlight that, out of the 25 students, 17 are Nunavut Land Claims Agreement beneficiaries.
The Technical-Professional Studies Scholarship is for full-time students who are taking any of the following programs: engineering, informatics, community planning, business studies, firefighting training and prevention, or land administration at the technical, college, or university level.
The application for scholarship has three categories:
The first category is for full-time students who are Nunavut Land Claims beneficiaries
The second category is for full-time students who are Nunavut Land Claims beneficiaries not residing in Nunavut due to short- or long-term relocation of their family outside the territory, and
The third category is for non-beneficiaries who maintain residency within Nunavut.
Scholarship awards are accelerated for students in their first to fourth year of continuous schooling broken down as follows:
First year, $2,500
Second year, $3,000
Third year, $4,000
Fourth year, $5,000.
A committee of five staff from CGS oversees the applications and the awarding of the scholarships.
The department budget is a maximum of $80,000 each year.
When the amount of awards does not exceed the maximum, the department advertises again the following January to maximize the potential for students.
Mr. Speaker, these awards assist the students by helping to relieve a little of the financial stress they encounter. We also anticipate that most will come back to Nunavut for employment and help us fill the professional ranks of the civil service with qualified staff. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 228 – 3(2): Progress in Career Development Services (Tootoo)
I would like to take this opportunity to update my colleagues on some exciting progress in the field of career development.
As you know, as part of its broad mandate to help the people of Nunavut, the Department of Education is tasked with career training and development.
Career development services are offered throughout Nunavut for individuals to access a wide variety of career training opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, recently, the Department of Education has entered a phase of great collaboration with our partners to enhance career development opportunities for Nunavummiut.
We have been working in partnership with the Department of Human Resources and Nunavut Arctic College to create a career development practitioner program being delivered by Nunavut Arctic College.
This college program is aimed towards providing career development officers, or CDOs, with recognized professional development and will enhance program service delivery to clients.
Some of our CDOs are halfway through the program and discussions are underway to provide the opportunity for other stakeholders to enrol staff into this program as well.
The Career Development Services Framework project is also moving forward.
A draft framework has been developed by a working group with members from the Department of Education, Nunavut Arctic College, and the Department of Human Resources.
An implementation plan will be developed this winter.
The intent of this strategy is to outline the responsibilities and initiatives that each group embraces towards providing appropriate career development services to all Nunavummiut.
And finally, Mr. Speaker, the department is working towards a strong strategic plan for labour market funding in Nunavut.
As part of the Nunavut Integrated Labour Market Planning Committee, we are working with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and aboriginal skills and employment training agreement holders to develop partnerships among the various adult training funding organizations.
We are confident that this will lead to greater career development services in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, career development is a key component in our goal to build a strong and self-reliant territory. These advancements are encouraging and will surely translate into helpful results for Nunavummiut in their search for career development.
Minister’s Statement 229 – 3(2): Replacement of Driver’s Licences and General Identification Cards (Taptuna)
Good afternoon, Kuglukturmiut and Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I have been told that some businesses outside of Nunavut are not accepting our old laminated version of the driver’s licence and general identification card for use for identification.
This is a concern because some Nunavummiut may not be able to use their identification for purposes, such as renting vehicles or getting on airplanes.
We want everyone to consider the option of replacing their identification to the new award-winning driver’s licence and general identification card.
Mr. Speaker, rest assured, the old version of the cards will continue to be accepted in Nunavut and can be used until the individual’s renewal date.
Nunavummiut can replace their driver’s licence or general identification card before their renewal date by contacting the Motor Vehicles Division or motor vehicles issuing agent in their community and paying a fee.
Mr. Speaker, the new cards are state of the art and have international acceptance. After replacing your card, you should have no worries when using it for renting vehicles or using it for getting on aircraft.
Member’s Statement 345 – 3(2): Ensuring the Delivery of Government Services (Schell)
I rise today to give credit where credit is due.
Mr. Speaker, during this session, I have risen to address the problems experienced in my constituency regarding the issuing of driver’s licences.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to Minister Taptuna, who immediately responded to the concerns I raised by committing to send one of his officials to my constituency and deal with the outstanding applications, some of whom have been waiting for months.
Mr. Speaker, as promised, this individual travelled to the community and provided the necessary support and assistance in getting this much needed service back up on its feet. My constituents will be happy that they do not have to wait too much longer for their driver’s licences.
Mr. Speaker, it is reassuring to note that the government can respond when called upon.
Mr. Speaker, I would again like to thank Minister Taptuna for addressing the issues I raised in such a timely manner.
>>Applause  Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Schell.
Member’s Statement 346 – 3(2): Effective Representation for the High Arctic (Elliott)
I rise today to talk about effective representation for the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, last week, I had the honour of moving the motion to establish the Electoral Boundaries Commission.
I have every confidence that the commission will undertake its work in a very thorough manner.
Mr. Speaker, I know that my constituents are looking forward to raising their voices during the commission’s visits to their communities.
Mr. Speaker, I fully anticipate that residents in Grise Fiord and Resolute Bay will express the communities’ long-standing desire to form their own constituency.
Mr. Speaker, my constituents do recognize that the principle of representation by population governs the distribution of seats in a legislature and they do recognize that the populations of the High Arctic communities are relatively small.  However, Mr. Speaker, they are also aware of the precedent that has been set with respect to the constituency of Hudson Bay.
As members are aware, the unique circumstances of that constituency have justifiably warranted that it be accorded a distinct status.
Mr. Speaker, it is my belief that the circumstances facing the High Arctic communities are also unique; a fact that has been well recognized by governments at all levels.
Mr. Speaker, the geographic isolation of the High Arctic communities is well known.
Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Akulliq has spoken about the challenges that he faces in representing a constituency that includes two communities from different regions.
As the only MLA representing a constituency that includes three communities, I know exactly how my colleague feels, although I’m sorry to say that I’m not in a position to help him out with his travel budget.
Mr. Speaker, the challenge of determining constituency boundaries that are fair and equitable is not easy in a huge jurisdiction such as ours. As I noted earlier, the individuals whom this Assembly recommended for appointment to the commission have praiseworthy records of public service and I am confident that their deliberations will be undertaken with care.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 347 – 3(2): Soccer Tournament in Kugluktuk (Taptuna)
A soccer tournament was held in Kugluktuk this past weekend and the soccer tournament took place using Nunavut’s only indoor turf soccer field. A number of Nunavut teams participated from Baker Lake, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Kugluktuk, Kugaaruk, Cambridge Bay, and including a couple of teams from Fort Simpson.
That’s from the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, in the under 18 girls category, Kugluktuk Grizzlies came in first place. In the under 18 boys category, Baker Lake came in first place.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize and congratulate the organizers, volunteers, parents, and coaches who put a lot of hours into tournaments such as this, and they do this for the betterment of our younger people who otherwise would be sitting there idle and not participating in any kind of recreational activity.
I specifically want to send a special thanks to the Kugluktuk co-coaches, Jeff Clark and Ian Wasson.
Member’s Statement 348 – 3(2): Southampton Island Caribou Harvest (Ningeongan)
I rise today to again address the issue of economic development opportunities in our smaller, non-decentralized communities.
Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that my colleague from Sanikiluaq raised last week in the House with respect to the potential for developing and expanding the seafood industry in his community.
Both of our communities share great potential in the area of commercial harvesting of the resources of the land and sea.
Mr. Speaker, as Members of the House are aware, I have been a long-standing supporter of the commercial caribou harvest on Southampton Island and I have been working for many years to support the establishment of a processing plant in the community of Coral Harbour.
Mr. Speaker, the commercial caribou harvest was suspended in 2010 because of concerns about the health and population of the herd.
I encourage the Department of Environment to work with the HTO and the community on this matter.
Mr. Speaker, I exchanged a number of letters last year with the Minister of Economic Development on the issue of establishing a new processing facility in Coral Harbour.
As the minister will also recall, I also tabled in the House a copy of a recent feasibility study on this project, which I anticipate he has reviewed with care.
Mr. Speaker, this government has stated that it wants to fight poverty. However, we all know that the government does not have the resources to provide a guaranteed annual income to every one of our residents and we all know that not everyone can win Lotto 6/49.
Mr. Speaker, we need to look to where our strengths are. In many of our smaller, non-decentralized communities, it is the natural resources sector that will provide opportunities for employment and business. I urge the minister to focus the efforts of his department and the Nunavut Development Corporation into addressing the economic development needs of smaller, non-decentralized communities.
Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that some day in the not too distant future, I will be in a position to make a statement in this House thanking the minister for helping to cut the ribbon in the opening of the Coral Harbour Meat Processing Plant.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister responsible for Economic Development and Transportation on this matter.
Member’s Statement 349 – 3(2): A Changing Environment (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In the smaller communities, you can’t even buy a 6/49 ticket, so I understand.
Mr. Speaker, I just flew back from Ottawa, as you know, yesterday, and I flew back so I can escape the snow from Ottawa. You’ve got to fly back north to Iqaluit to get some warmer weather these days. That’s my statement today.
It’s now November and we still don’t have snow in our beautiful community.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, there have been some drastic changes to our environment in the last few years.
This summer, I usually kill wasps as they don’t get along with me in southern Canada, but for the first time I actually killed one in my own steps.
So there are all kinds of strange activity taking place in our communities and I think we will have to come up with a word for wasp in Inuktitut. So that’s my challenge to our Inuktitut language bureau.
Another one that I just heard last week when we were having a nice dinner with our elders is that in my home community of Pangnirtung, they just realized that a lake had disappeared, so that was quite startling to hear.
I guess the permafrost underneath the lake melted and drained the lake.
So those things are taking place that are going to impact our communities quite a bit in the days to come. I’ll be asking the Minister of Environment at the appropriate time, hopefully if time permits, about what challenges and what activities Environment is taking on these matters. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 350 – 3(2): Appreciation to Annie Buchan (Ugyuk)
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Good day, people of Nattilik and Nunavummiut.
I rise today to acknowledge a person from Taloyoak.
The person’s name is Annie Buchan, who is from Taloyoak, and she is a community health representative who has worked for 29 years at the Department of Health.
She has just recently started working on the community health issues.
She has also been a regional member of Pauktuutit and she has been with the organization for a while.
Annie Buchan has been involved in various committees in our community, including the local justice committee, and she has been elected to the hamlet council and she is currently sitting on the council. She is also a member of Inniutiit Women’s Association administering the local women’s shelter and she has been a member of that group since its inception.
She also lived in Pond Inlet for two years, where she worked diligently in her position.
The reason why I would like to acknowledge Ms. Buchan is because she will be moving with her family to Cambridge Bay in the short term.
Her children are largely grown up and they live in that community, along with her grandchildren. Annie and her husband will be moving to Cambridge Bay and we will miss her in Taloyoak due to her largesse in assisting the residents of Taloyoak.
She has also been an interpreter for patients who have appointments with doctors who have arrived at the health centre, especially for unilingual people.
She has been quite committed to completing her mandate.
Although the field of health is very challenging, she is dedicated to assisting her fellow Inuit and she has worked hard to help them.
I wish Annie and her husband the very best future in their move to Cambridge Bay. They will now be Killiniq residents once they move to the community. I want to wish Annie Buchan an enjoyable future and to have success in her new position.
You will be leaving a large void in our community due to your dedication.
Whoever replaces you in your position will have to fill your very large shoes.
At least that is how I interpret the English saying of filling the shoes of an important person, so I state that to you.
Member’s Statement 351 – 3(2): The Next President of NTI (Curley)
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) Good afternoon to the people of Rankin Inlet and to all my colleagues in the House.
Mr. Speaker, I want to make a short statement that all Nunavutmiut can listen to.
It’s something that they have to be aware of and not just hear about it.
We live in an era where things are becoming difficult. It’s becoming more challenging, especially for our leaders and for people on boards, even for the regional Inuit associations.
We just heard recently that our Inuit land claims body, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, had a meeting where the president was removed from office.
We know that NTI is our partner as the Nunavut government.
Prior to the Nunavut government being created, they created the Nunavut initiative and due to that, the Nunavut government was created in Article 4 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Due to that fact, NTI is our partner. We have to work with them and partner with them to ensure that we are all on the same page in Nunavut.
Nunavut Tunngavik is primarily mandated to look after the land claims, to look after the interests of the beneficiaries, and to try and develop Nunavut in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I want to state that I want the Inuit to elect a very strong leader and it would be nice to find out who the candidates are.
The candidates have to identify their platform as to why they want to be elected and what their priorities will be.
I think it is incumbent for the people to ask tough questions.
So, Mr. Speaker, I wanted to tell everyone who is interested in being a candidate, please work hard and try to stay away from all temptations to ensure that you debate and deliberate issues so that when the voters go to vote on December 13, everyone will vote for whoever candidate they feel is best able to lead them.
Member’s Statement 352 – 3(2): Congratulations to Baker Lake Soccer Team (Aupaluktuq)
I also say “good day” to the people of Baker Lake.
If my mother is listening, I wish you a good day and your grandchildren in Ottawa say “hello” and they love you.
We just lost another person in Baker Lake.
They are in my thoughts and will be in our prayers.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, there is an old proverb that stays with me. The old proverb is we must fear the strength of youth.
I encourage all young Nunavummiut to continue contributing to society, and I want to thank all youth and young adults for continuing to voice their concerns.
As I have said in the House several times, Baker Lake youth are aware of local, territorial, and federal initiatives.
I think as well in the spirit of youth, Baker Lake has had exceptional volunteers, parents contributing as well, and I think the results speak for themselves with the history of Baker Lake and their contributions to sports.
With that, I would like to thank their coaches and again, the many volunteers that have freely given their time. I think the results are evident for themselves.
Last year, we had Genevieve Killulark win the Laura Gauthier Memorial Award and this year, we also had Dianne Iyago from Baker Lake winning the same award. I think that demonstrates the contributions of our communities and volunteers and the appreciation that parents give to the community, and empowering the youth and giving the abilities to demonstrate that if you give them the right tools and resources, they will be able to spread their wings.
It’s very exceptional to see that the youth are demonstrating by validating and having valid outcomes, such as achieving awards.
I think all of Nunavut benefits with this and I think it’s a good example for all to see.
With that, I would like to congratulate the Baker Lake boys under 18 team. Job well done. Congratulations!
It gives me great pleasure to welcome to the Gallery today Mr. Bob Gabuna, a friend of mine.
He recently arrived in Nunavut from the Philippines to join his wife, Judy Gabuna, who works in the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has a large, growing Filipino community.
They work in our public service and private sector. I’m sure many of us have been invited to their Halloween parties, Christmas parties, and other parties, and they serve great food. I would like to welcome all of them to Nunavut and encourage them to continue to seek employment in our government and in our private sector.
Question 512 – 3(2): A Changing Environment (Okalik)
As I stated earlier today in my Member’s Statement, I spoke about our environment which is being impacted every day and we have started seeing different insects, such as wasps.
Usually they may see the species in the south and we do not even have an Inuktitut term for wasps.
With the changing climate and changing weather and new species, last week, an elder told me about a lake that used to exist but has drained out.
The permafrost apparently melted and the lake drained out of the original area.
I would like to direct the question to the Minister of Environment. What are you and your officials working to try and deal with these upcoming challenges related to the environment?