EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
John was a member of the City of Iqaluit Recreation Committee, a founder of Iqaluit Speed Skating Club and president from 1993 to 2003, vice-president of NWT Amateur Speed Skating Association from 1996 through ’99, the last eastern arctic resident to be a member of the Board of Directors for Sport North, a participant in the formation of what is today Sport Nunavut from 1998 through 2000, a member of the Board of Directors for Sport Nunavut for the short term that it was an elective volunteer board, president of Speed Skating Nunavut since 1999, the longest-serving branch president in speed skating in all of Canada, level 3 NCCP coaching certification, level 2 officiator and learning facilitator, a member of the REACH Fundraising Committee, coach or mission staff for Arctic Winter Games in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and the Canada Winter Games in 2003, 2007, and 2011, Speed Skating Canada Coaching Excellence Award, volunteer at national level curling events in Iqaluit, a founding member and secretary treasure for many years for the Nunavut Help Line... .
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous constent to conclude my statement.
The Member for Iqaluit-Tasiluk is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays?
I didn’t hear any nays. Mr. Hickes, please proceed.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, my colleagues and Mr. Speaker.
As I was saying, he was a secretary treasurer for the Nunavut Help Line for many years and the Nunavut AIDS Information Line, a line coordinator, office manager of the Nunavut AIDS Information Line and the Nunavut Help Line for eight years.
I recently attended the AGM for Iqaluit Speedskating and John Maurice has decided to take a step back in his responsibilities and no longer sits as president of the Iqaluit Speed Skating Association.
I would like to thank him for his tireless efforts to promote the sport across Nunavut and across Canada, and I would like to take this time to thank Mandy Hicky for taking on the task of “filling his skates.”
I would like to please recognize all the accomplishments of Mr. John Maurice.
Member’s Statement 332 – 4(2): Safe and Happy Spring to Nunavummiut (Mapsalak)
I rise today and it is now time to talk about springtime, especially in the month of June. Many people go out camping in the month of June to enjoy the weather and the scenary and to go harvesting all kinds of wildlife.
I’m sure Nunavummiut are now going camping, so I encourage everyone to have a safe trip. I’m sure invidiuals will be doing the things that they enjoy doing in the springtime.
I will be enjoying my springtime activities and I enjoy going out hunting when the session is not on.
That’s our way of life. Many of us have lived that way and I’m sure that we all used to travel with our parents during the springtime.
I encourage everyone going out camping to be careful and have a safe trip during the spring camping days.
I also would like to tell my consistuents to have a wonderful day and have a good spring, people of Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour, and all of the people of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 333 – 4(2): Congratulations to Nadia Sammurtok (Sammurtok, T)
I rise today to offer my warmest congratulations to an individual of whom my colleague from Rankin Inlet South and I are extremely proud. The individual that I would like to talk about was supposed to be here, but she is not here.
Thank you. I’ll just continue.
(interpretation ends) I just want to congratulate my daughter Nadia Sammurtok. She will be graduating from the Nunavut Teacher Education Program with her Bachelor of Education Degree this week.
Mr. Speaker, I want to add my voice to the many others who have talked about the importance of this program to our territory’s future and I’m talking about the NTEP program.
(interpretation) I am very proud of my daughter. (interpretation ends) She will be selected to serve at the valedictorian for her graduation ceremony, and this honour follows many years of hard work. I remember that after she initially got her diploma in a hairdressing trades program, Nadia decided to pursue a career in education.
I remember that she was teased by her sisters for having become a “professional student,” but that’s over now.
She’s graduating and I want to tell her that I am very happy that she will be graduating from that particular program. She has been offered and has accepted a teaching position here at Nakasuk School in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, teaching young people is one of the most rewarding experiences available.
Mr. Speaker, (interpretation) I would ask all members to join me (interpretation ends) to congratulate Nadia and every other NTEP graduate whose success will help make a better, brighter future for Nunavummiut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 334 – 4(2): Congratulations to Young Athletes (Joanasie)
Good day, Nunavummiut and welcome to the visitors in the House.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and recognize the youth that have been playing, including the young people from Pond Inlet.
I would like to congratulate them and thank you to the students of Pond Inlet. Jutai Pudluq is from Kimmirut and he was also part of the team that won a gold medal.
As you all know, it is very important to play sports when you’re a young person because it is good for everyone and it’s healthy for everyone to take part in sports.
It is fun and you make lots of friends.
I am very proud of this certain individual who comes from a small community and he also played along with the youth of Pond Inlet. I would like to congratulate them all and I am very proud of them.
Member’s Statement 335 – 4(2): Happy Anniversary to Wife Since 1962 (Shooyook)
I would also like to congratulate the youth athletes that were here to play sports. I am very proud of them and I would like them to try harder next time.
Nothing is impossible. It is hard at first, but it is very important that you learn.
Please encourage the other young people to do the same.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate my wedding anniversary on May 30.
You all know that Donald Whitbread was the Anglican minister in Taloyoak.
We were in a camp and we went to Taloyoak. I was told that I was getting married at seven o’clock in the evening and it was five o’clock.
I was not well dressed. We were dressed in winter clothing.
When we went there, we didn’t even take our parkas off or anything like that and we didn’t have a ring.
A certain individual gave us a ring; Nanngaaq had a ring.
It was 1962. We have been married for that many years and it is 2015 today and we are still together.
I am very proud of that.
Member’s Statement 336 – 4(2): Netsilik Students Buy Livestock for Africans (Ugyuk)
I would like to congratulate and say I was born the same year that Mr. Shooyook was married.
I would like to welcome everyone visiting the House today.
Today, I would like to say “good afternoon” to everyone in Kugaaruk and Gjoa Haven. We are thinking about the people of Gjoa Haven as well.
Also, the young people in Taloyoak have collected money for Africa.
It bought a donkey and a goat and they are helping the people of Africa and the students there.
They collected $1,200 for Africa and they are sending it there.
Justin Aqqaq Ulluriaq, Jonathan Jayko Anaitok, Ian Qilluniq, Edmond Ugyuk Punnguq, their teacher, George Hill, whom they call Aiviq, Phoebe Neeveacheack, Shannon Alookee Kakiarniut, Wendy Alookee, Alukilaaq, Tommy Pauloosie Kakiarniut, Suzanne Qavavau Kalingujaq, Viola Neeveacheak, Laura Ululu, and Sandra Aqqaq Qilluniq are the individuals who have been fundraising for the people of Africa.
I am very proud of them and I would like to thank them for helping the people far away who do not have food, clothing, and water.
The students were concerned about the other children.
Before we move on, I would also like to recognize our colleague who celebrated his 53rd wedding anniversary. We are very proud of you and I am very happy that you are able to be here today.
The Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Mike.
Return to Oral Question 492 – 4(2): Inspection of Government Building in Resolute Bay (Mike)
I’m sorry. I got thirsty while I was listening.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in response to Member Shooyook’s oral question regarding inspection of government buildings.
Technical Services staff were in Resolute Bay the week of May 18, 2015.
They completed a preliminary walkthrough inspection of this facility. The facility is structurally sound and is showing some signs of settlement cracking which is cosmetic and not a danger.
The building was constructed in 1980 and has not had any major renovations since then.
Any renovations to this particular building will focus on the roofing upgrade, carpet replacement, interior repairs, including painting and some plumbing improvements.
This building is on the community’s utildor system and the water and sewage systems are working properly.
The exterior siding required some minor repair and complete painting (staining).
We will also be looking at the foundation piles which are constructed of wooden wedge style footings that are in good shape and just require some minor adjusting to ensure proper levelling of the building. The building was relevelled in 2013 which may have also caused some further cracking on the interior.
The heating system is regulary maintained under “as and when” contractors both annually and semi-annually.
In January 2015, a new exterior door was installed, including door jam and weather stripping on the front entrance, six new window shades, and some plumbing upgrades in the washrooms, as well as new countertops in the kitchen area.
That’s the response, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank you for allowing me to go first in recognizing individuals.
The individuals I want to recognize will be going to the airport very soon to return to their communities.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize certain individuals who are here visiting us and listening to our proceedings here.
I will be recognizing the women who received a silver medal from Team Whale Cove.
Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I would like to firstly acknowledge the coach, my daughter, Alana Kuksuk, and her daughter, my granddaughter, Shaelyn Kuksuk, played as well. Welcome.
The other players are Lyla Marie Hapanak, Caitlin Uqsagak, and lastly, Micah Sammurtok.
These are Team Whale Cove players who will be leaving today and I would like to celebrate with them. They felt welcome and they had a great time. I’m sure they thank the residents of Iqaluit.
There are many people that I didn’t recognize, but there were people from Arviat as well.
I want to recognize my wife, who is sitting behind me, also my two grandchildren, and one of the volleyball players who came in from Kugluktuk, Tundra Kuliktana.
I want to commend all the Iqalummiut and the schools for making these tournaments happen for our young people of Nunavut, and I congratulate all the participants that participated in this tournament.
We have the junior men’s volleyball team from Pond Inlet. They participated in the tournament and won first place.
They won the gold medal and they were the following: Robert Aglak, Steven Innuarak, Barry Takawgak, Peter Inootik, Siglu Kublu, Jassie Simonie, and not in the House, but Jutai Pudluq, whom we want to adopt, if he would agree, participated with the Pond Inlet team, and their coach was Norman Inootik.
They just won the gold medal and out of these, there are three other participants that will participate in the 2016 Games. They are Steven Inootik, Jassie Simonie, and not in the House, but with the women’s team, Sarah Arreak.
They just won the gold medal from Pond Inlet.
Question 532 – 4(2): Status of Swan Lake Bridge Project (Akoak)
As the minister is aware, I have been raising the issue of the Swan Lake Bridge project for several years.
Last year, I was informed that the department would be working with the hamlet to identify the necessary resources to allow this much anticipated project to be completed.
Last week, I tabled a photograph in the Legislative Assembly of the components of the bridge, which has not yet been assembled.
I’m sorry. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Ell.
I was just fine with that.
We looked at the photograph of the bridge and there was some money available through the federal government to build bridges, but the funding expired before the bridge was completed.
We have been in discussions with our counterparts and other government departments because we want to complete the building of this bridge.
We have set up funding called CTIP and we got some requests from some of the hamlet councils.
To date, we have received requests for funding from 20 communities.
Very likely some time this week, we will know which funding requests are going to be approved.
I’m sure that this bridge will be included in those discussions.
Can the minister indicate what the approximate cost of completing this project will be?
The bridge for Gjoa Haven is about $408,000 and the community transportation initiative projects for this year, we need to, if approved, put the proposal in two years so that it can qualify under that funding.
In order for the funding to be qualified in that new initiative, the cabinet needs to discuss that to see if that funding would be made available.
With those discussions, I’m still working with some colleagues to see if that funding can be approved under that new policy.
Will the minister commit to tabling a final report on this project during the upcoming fall sitting of the Legislative Assembly?
These projects are usually reviewed by the staff.
I can’t tell you right now if this funding request is going to be approved or not.
Our staff is looking at this and I think it’s a bit too technical, so I’ll leave it at that.
Question 533 – 4(2): Cancer Screening and Early Detection (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, more and more often, we hear of individuals who are being diagnosed with cancer after a long period of illness or serious, inconclusive tests or what seems like inaction on the part of health professionals.
I am starting to understand the health professionals’ language.
In some cases, by the time a cancer is detected, it has already progressed very far.
Can the minister clearly describe what policies are currently in place, I would say in English, (interpretation ends) regular cancer screening in community health centres across Nunavut?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, there are a number of developments occurring in screening for different forms of cancer.
For cervical cancer, the guidelines are being reviewed and training sessions are being developed for each community health worker and which has taken place.
Screening for breast cancer, we are reviewing the policy currently. For colorectal cancer, a screening program is in development.
There is no known method for screening for lung cancer at this time. Even though it is a very common form of cancer in our territory, regrettably, there is no effective screening in place at the moment. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his response.
Mr. Speaker, it often falls to the individual to go to the health centre to ask to be checked for cancer.
Sometimes those requests fall on deaf ears and they are sent away again.
Can the minister clarify what is the policy for providing cancer screening and cancer detection tests for Nunavut residents when they request it? If the individual asks to have cancer screening, are there any policies or are you going to be setting up policies so that they can be screened?
Anyone who is concerned or would like to have a cancer screening or test, I urge them to do so.
The health professionals are kept updated on what screening methods are available and for what.
We are trying to make everything up to date in our Nunavut communities because cancer is serious and we have to do everything we can for our constituents.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) We do not often hear basic and straightforward information on the number and type of cancers that are diagnosed across Nunavut. However, we hear some very tragic and emotional stories of what individuals and their families have gone through after being tested for cancer, receiving treatment and suffering with the disease.
Will the minister commit to compiling the latest cancer statistics for Nunavut and tabling that information in the House?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Most certainly, I know that the most common form of cancer that we incur in Nunavut is lung cancer and that’s preventable and in some cases, smoking is probably the number one cause for lung cancer here in our territory.
The other form that is quite common is colorectal cancer and we are developing more effective methods of screening for this in our territory.
Those are the two main forms of cancer that we know at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 534 – 4(2): Assistance to Set Up Outpost Corrections (Mapsalak)
My question will be directed to the Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, I have brought this subject up a number of times about non-decentralized communities in Nunavut that just don’t have jobs available in them and it’s very difficult for people to establish businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I have raised this question a number of times in regard to healing centres or what’s called outposts camps in English. You said that there could be some initiatives possible in that regard.
I would now like to ask the minister: is this program still availble? If someone is interested in establishing an outpost camp, is this still available in your department?
I am very grateful to people who run outpost camps and healing camps because they do benefit inmates and we want to see more of those occuring, especially in my colleague’s constituency because there’s real good wildlife in his area and that would be very useful for those people who have to be incarcerated.
I thank the minister for that reponse. That’s good news and it would be great to see it.
Mr. Speaker, I know it’s obvious that people who want to initiate this have no idea how to start it.
Can the minister explain how these people wishing to start something like that can do it? Where can they turn to, to get help to start it?
We have staff in our office in the justice department that works on those for people who run outpost camps or who are interested in running outpost camps.
Mr. Speaker, will the minister be able to give me contact information as to where my constituents can apply for that, some phone numbers and address information, so that I can give it to my constituents?
Question 535 – 4(2): New Regulations under the Wildlife Act (Savikataaq)
Mr. Speaker, I noted with pleasure that the Wildlife Act regulations were released in the government’s May 29 issue of the Nunavut Gazette.
I also noted that these regulations are set to come into force on July 1 of this year and that they address a number of areas under the legislation, including licensing, tags, fees, and harvesting.
Can the minister indicate if these are all of the regulations that they had proposed to pass or will they be passing more regulations in the near future?
The new Wildlife Regulations that were created in Nunavut, we have decided that they will come into effect on July 1, 2015.
The concerns that were raised, especially by NWMB, have been mostly settled.
The new Wildlife Regulations will be used to deal with different things.
It will come into effect on July 1.
I did ask and what I read there and the minister heard it clearly, I think, but maybe there’s a problem with the interpretation. They’re coming into force July 1. I acknowledged that and he acknowledged that.
I’m just asking the minister if these are a complete set of regulations and there would be no other regulations passed in the near future or are there still some that they are working on.
Some of the regulations are still being worked on and they’re not completed yet, especially the ones that come out of NWMB.
They’re the only ones not quite completed yet. There aren’t that many. We want to make sure that the Wildlife Regulations are set up correctly.
On the same note, is the minister going to have his officials let the people of Nunavut know what the new regulations are, just for like a public campaign, so that all the people of Nunavut will be aware if any new regulations that weren’t around are around now, just so people are informed and don’t break the law accidentally?
What my colleague is asking in terms of notifying people and the other matters that will run under the regulations, it is all being worked on. Informing the people is one of our absolute priorities in terms of the new Wildlife Regulations.
The wildlife officers in the communities will need to be trained further and that has been one of our concerns, but we have been proceeding with it so that everyone is aware and we want to make sure that everyone in Nunavut is aware and outside Nunavut as well because some of the regulations have an effect outside of Nunavut and we have tried to do that properly.
The Hon. Member for Hudson Bay, Mr. Rumbolt.
Question 536 – 4(2): Storage and Disposal of Waste Oil (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, the issue of waste oil and storage has been raised in the House on previous occasions.
In my community, there are many visible steel drums filled with waste oil.
The government’s own guidelines for waste oil stipulates that steel drums should only be used to store the substance until treatment and disposal options are identified and that “storage is not acceptable for the long-term management” of this type of waste.
Can the minister explain how his department plans to dispose of the waste oil in Sanikiluaq, which is currently stored in steel drums near the community dump?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for asking that question.
I have to look into this matter. Sanikiluaq is not the only community in that situation.
I will have to get back to my colleague on his question.
The government’s guidelines concerning waste oil also indicate that all containers used to store the substance must be inspected for leaks and damage. The containers must also be clearly marked and should be protected from the sun, weather, and physical damage.
Can the minister indicate what oversight measures his department is using to ensure that all communities are storing waste oil in a safe and secure manner?
I’m grateful that he expressed his concern here.
After I check with CGS on the matter, I will be able to inform the House as to the situation.
Question 537 – 4(2): Update on Strategic Telecommunications Plan (Hickes)
My question today is also for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, numerous times since elected, I have brought up the topic of bandwith and technology infrastructure and the lack thereof across Nunavut and what is available at the very high cost and fairly low value.
Last year, I had asked the then minister of the department to update this House on the Strategic Telecommunications Plan to address emerging technologies. I was wondering if the minister would be able to update me on the progess of that plan at this time.
The Nunavut government is in support, especially the entities that are dealing with bandwidth in the north, of having better speed with our communications.
In regard to the member’s question, yes, we are aware as a government that we need to be fully prepared in regard to communications and IT because new information or new technology is coming out.
However, at this time, the government’s practice is that we need to properly prepare for this.
That’s what I can say at this time.
We have sent out RFPs to the public so that they can apply to deal with the communication system so that we can improve the system for the long term.
I realize the government doesn’t control pricing from entities such as NorthwesTel or Qiniq or other providers of Internet services specifically, but there are steps that the government can take to increase the infrastructure.