EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
During the last 30 years the average fuel price tends to be lower in the winter months.
We anticipate that this trend will continue and that our purchase strategy will continue to generate savings.
However, it still needs to be understood that there are some risk in this because fuel prices and foreign exchange rates can fluctuate from year to year.
With the change in fuel prices announced in late January, the benefits of last year’s savings are being passed on to Nunavummiut in 2017.
As part of the price change, PPD realigned pricing with the costs of delivery to each region and adopted uniform pricing across all consumer classes. This provides an equitable pricing for each region and for all consumer groups in the territory.
With this reduction, Nunavut’s retail fuel prices are competitive with most major Canadian cities for premium fuels.
Minister’s Statement 259 – 4(3): Suicide Prevention Initiatives (Mike)
Good afternoon to the residents of my community and Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, my department is fully committed to preventing and reducing suicide by undertaking initiatives to address child sexual abuse and supporting families through the Inunnguiniq parenting program.
My department has been compiling best practices in addressing child sexual abuse and is working to strengthen our efforts to respond appropriately by ensuring our frontline workers have the training and tools required.
(interpretation ends) My department is fully committed to supporting parents and strengthening families and has provided funding this year to support four community deliveries of the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre Inunnguiniq parenting facilitator training program.
Since November 2016 two sessions have taken place in Iqaluit and one in Arviat.
We have had participants from Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Cape Dorset, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Rankin Inlet, and Whale Cove. The next session is scheduled to take place in Cambridge Bay this month.
(interpretation) This parenting program has three goals:
to revitalize the wisdom and practices of Inunnguiniq in our lives;
to support healing for participants and their families; and
to strengthen the roles of extended family and community in child rearing.
The department has also printed Inunnguiniq booklets to include in the Department of Health baby boxes, providing a valuable reference for parents upon the birth of a child.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, by addressing the risk factors for suicide and continuing to encourage and support our parents, we are building a strong future for our children and families. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 260 – 4(3): Prospectors Program (Ell-Kanayuk)
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government is committed to supporting the development of a sustainable mining industry in Nunavut by providing financial and technical assistance to prospectors, and by encouraging their work and building the information base regarding mineral occurrences.
Basic prospecting activities are an important part of the mineral delivery process, and this kind of prospecting makes good use of land skills that many Nunavummiut already possess.
Under the Nunavut Prospectors Program, qualified Nunavut-based prospectors can receive a contribution of up to $8,000 per year to cover basic expenses while exploring for new mineral occurrences in Nunavut.
In 2016-17 the program awarded a total of $87,640 to 15 applicants representing all three Nunavut regions.
Each year since 1999 the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Division has delivered the Introduction to Prospecting course in select communities.
This course complements the Nunavut Prospectors Program and helps foster a greater understanding at the community level of geology, prospecting, and mineral development.
Mr. Speaker, in 2016 the course was delivered in Kimmirut, Clyde River, Pond Inlet, Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord, Arviat, and Taloyoak, with 84 Nunavummiut successfully completing the training.
Minister’s Statement 261 – 4(3): Sanatuliqsarvik Nunavut Trades Training Centre Success Story (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Residents of my community and my colleagues, have a good day.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in the House today to inform my fellow members of the progress and accomplishments coming out of Sanatuliqsarvik, the Nunavut Trades Training Centre located in Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, since beginning delivery of trades programming at Sanatuliqsarvik in 2010, a number of students have taken programming that has led them to apprenticeship opportunities. Some of these students are now completing their apprenticeship contracts.
From those that have attended all or part of their training at Sanatuliqsarvik, over 30 apprentices have now achieved journeyman certification.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to those apprentices that received journeyperson status, today I would like to recognize those individuals that have either received or are eligible to receive inter-provincial certification in their respective trades stemming from training at taken at Sanatuliqsarvik.
Mr. Speaker, they are:
Brandon Oolooyuk of Rankin Inlet for successfully completing his technical training and achieving a pass mark on his inter-provincial exam in the electrician trade.
Lundy Manik of Arviat for successfully completing his technical training and passing his inter-provincial examination in the plumber/gasfitter trade.
Ted Lachance of Rankin Inlet for successfully completing his apprenticeship and achieving his inter-provincial certification in the carpenter program.
Aaron Pilakapsi of Rankin Inlet for successfully completing his apprenticeship and achieving his inter-provincial certification in the oil burner mechanic trade.
Additionally a former electrician instructor at Sanatuliqsarvik also achieved his inter-provincial certification while employed with the college.
Mr. Speaker, trades training at Sanatuliqsarvik represents all regions of Nunavut for those wishing to pursue apprenticeship opportunities.
The credit of this success belongs to the interest and efforts of the students and the dedication of their instructors.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in acknowledging the solid efforts of our students and staff at Sanatuliqsarvik.
Members, please note that the Member for Netsilik will not be here today and tomorrow.
Member’s Statement 486 – 4(3): Congratulations Joannie Pudluk on Becoming an Engineer (Okalik)
I am very proud today to rise as an Inuk who can stand in this House on a momentous occasion.
We all work hard exploring ways to improve our lives.
This person I wish to acknowledge today took studies at my alma mater, the University of Ottawa, and completed his studies. This program doesn’t even have an Inuktitut word yet.
He graduated as an (interpretation ends) engineer (interpretation) and completed his degree in 2007. He now lives in my constituency.
He is visiting today along with his wife, Colleen, who is here with him. He was born in Resolute Bay and grew up there.
This person is now recognized as an engineer, as he received his certification in November.
This was my first experience in meeting an Inuk engineer, so I am immensely proud to meet my first one.
He first started working for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, but he currently works out of the Department of Community and Government Services as the manager of capital projects.
I would like to welcome the son of Ludy Pudluk, Joannie Pudluk. He completed his studies and I am extremely proud of his success.
Member’s Statement 487 – 4(3): Hockey Night in Baker Lake (Mikkungwak)
On February 18 of every year for the past 17 years our country has celebrated Hockey Day in Canada.
This year on February 18 my community joined in those celebrations with its own Hockey Night in Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, Hockey Night in Baker Lake was a big hit in the community.
Our arena was jam-packed that night with excited spectators who came out to watch fellow community members showcase their hockey skills.
While showcasing their skills on the ice, the minor hockey team also raised funds that will help them to attend tournaments and purchase equipment.
Mr. Speaker, Hockey Night in Baker Lake was especially exciting for me as I was given the privilege of dropping the game’s ceremonial puck alongside my friend and colleague, His Worship David Aksawnee, the Mayor of Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, it was an exciting night for our hockey players and their devoted fans, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.
Member’s Statement 488 – 4(3): Happy Birthday to Children in Family (Akoak)
Good afternoon, colleagues, ministers, and to the community of Gjoa Haven (interpretation) and Inuit who are watching the proceedings.
(interpretation ends) I was hoping I would make this announcement at two o’clock because the kids are still having school in my community and this is an announcement for one of them.
As MLAs we represent the very young and the very old in all of Nunavut.
I rise today to announce a birthday to a couple of very young people and they’re part of my family.
The first one lives in the community of Iqaluit and is my niece’s daughter. It is her fourth birthday and every time she’s asked if she’s an Inuk or Qallunaaq, she will always say, “I’m an Inuk.”
Happy fourth birthday to Farrah.
Also my first grandson, who is probably still at school right now, has become a teenager today, 13 years old, and I would like to wish him a very happy 13th birthday.
My grandson whom I call “Sport” is named Christian Totalik.
Happy 13th birthday.
Member’s Statement 489 – 4(3): The Program and Service Review (Shooyook)
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good afternoon” to my colleagues.
Welcome along with our Premier and those watching the proceedings.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reference our original meeting in Kugluktuk where we developed the government mandate.
We developed the categories and, if members recall, there were nine recommendations members wanted to see, if memory serves.
This was for our four-year mandate where we identified the expectations of members as part of our plans.
Mr. Speaker, the need for planning is apparent as what we developed was missing implementation plans with timelines and deadlines.
Some of the issues were planned out for an entire year, yet none of them have been realized to date. When we prepared the document, we didn’t include implementation plans.
Mr. Speaker, in reviewing the departmental main estimates whenever a department requires a supplementary appropriation, we generally approve the requests as members.
Mr. Speaker, I have a concern with the length of time that has gone into planning. I would like to see it fast-tracked and be a priority.
Mr. Speaker, our successors who will be elected in the next election will prepare another mandate, but they will now require timelines for the next document.
Mr. Speaker, the next Legislative Assembly membership will need to focus on deadlines and to have timelines for implementation planning.
This is what we need today.
It seems I will run out time in making my statement.
Although I still have a bit of time, I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you and my colleagues for allowing me this opportunity. I thank you all.
Mr. Speaker, the previous Legislative Assembly prior to our own election was focused on limiting alcohol consumption and they developed a mandate towards that goal.
It has now reached eight years without any forward movement.
With that being the case, it is problematic and what members feel is lacking, such as these initiatives rarely going anywhere.
Mr. Speaker, we have to expand the parameters of the recommendations to try to fast-track these plans.
Mr. Speaker, today if we continue to practise the current system with no deadlines, we can now make plans for the long term. Let’s say a 10-year plan, a 20-year plan, and a 30-year plan all the way up to a 50-year plan. That is how far forward these plans could reach.
This will have to be remedied by the next group of legislators so that plans have deadlines to ensure they move forward.
Member’s Statement 490 – 4(3): Iqaluit’s Sheila Lumsden (Ell-Kanayuk)
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon to Iqaluit and Nunavummiut.
I am pleased to inform the Members of this House and Nunavummiut about an exciting opportunity that one of my constituents is participating in.
Iqaluit’s Sheila Lumsden is one of 24 chef finalists on CTV’s Master Chef Canada program that airs tonight.
She is the first indigenous woman to be featured.
That video she submitted ended up being picked and she headed to Montreal later that summer for an audition.
I remember Sheila telling me that she auditioned for Master Chef Canada back in July 2016.
I told her how exciting that was.
She chose arctic char ceviche, a Latin American dish prepared with raw fish, cooked with strong acids of a special small lime along with an avocado salad.
Her fusion Inuit-inspired food landed her in Toronto in September to film.
Sheila is an Inuvialuk who has chosen Iqaluit her home.
I wish Sheila the best of luck in the show and I look forward to watching it hopefully tonight at 9:00 p.m. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 491 – 4(3): Inuktitut Books on Display (Quassa)
As Inuit, we do want reading materials in our Inuktitut writing system and Inuktitut reading materials are now being produced.
This pleases me very much and I wish to make my statement in regard to that fact.
On our way into the Chambers we saw Inuktitut reading materials.
There are a lot of Inuktitut reading materials in the foyer and I’m very proud of these published books because we are always requesting Inuktitut reading material and we want to see our language being used in a robust manner.
I want to invite my colleagues during our break to please make sure to have a look at these published books.
Please grab some books so that they can be given to your children and grandchildren after you read it, I might add, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize an individual in the gallery.
I will first recognize my relative and niece. Although she was already recognized, I welcome Margaret Nakashuk.
Also, I am very proud of two of my constituents that I would like to recognize and welcome.
As I stated earlier, Joannie Pudluk completed his education in engineering and his wife, Colleen Healey, works in the health promotion industry.
Welcome to both of them.
As I mentioned in my Minister’s Statement, I would like to welcome the Sivuliqtiksat interns and their trainers to the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, please stand up when I say your name.
David Pitseolak, Maintenance Coordinator Intern from the Department Community and Government Services;
Margaret Nakashuk, Regional Manager, Children and Family Services Intern from the Department of Family Services;
Steven Curley, Budget Planner Analyst from the Department of Culture and Heritage;
Sammy Angnauak, Kitikmeot Regional Coordinator, Parks Planning with trainer Linda Vaillancourt from the Department of Environment;
Neevee Natsiapik, Rental Officer Intern with trainer Ron Froese from the Department of Justice;
Ovilok Olsen-Hakongak, Manager of Human Resources Intern and trainer Patricia Lear from the Department of Health;
David Korgak, Child and Youth Advocacy Specialist Intern;
Sivuliqtiksat Coordinator overseeing the program is Sylvia Netser from the Department of EIA; and
Last but not least, the intern from Nunavut Arctic Collage who has joined the orientation program from Sivuliqtiksat interns, Albert Netser, Director, Trade and Technology Program, with trainer Sandy Napier.
Welcome to the gallery. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to welcome the Sivuliqtiksat interns.
From my constituency, I already mentioned Shelia Lumsden.
I welcome her and her partner, Johnny Flaherty. They are my constituents.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and to the people of Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet.
I wish to recognize a couple of fellow Rankin Inlet residents who are visiting in the gallery.
The first one is being trained as an intern and since the intern will assume the position of their trainer, I wish to recognize Sandy Napier and Albert Netser.
I also wish to recognize this person who was already recognized, but I am quite proud of her work and wish to warmly welcome my constituent, Neevee Natsiapik, who was here earlier. I am very happy that she is involved in the Sivuliqtiksat training program. I am proud of her dedication.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, am very happy to have an opportunity to recognize a participant in the Sivuliqtiksat Internship Program. A fellow resident and friend, David Pitseolak, welcome to the House.
Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although these people have been recognized, I would like to again welcome Sylvia Netser to the Legislative Assembly.
I can speak from experience. I was a former participant of the Sivuliqtiksat program and I’m very jealous by the nice sweaters and jackets that the interns and their mentors get now.
I really appreciate the work that you’re doing. It’s a very important role in making sure the needs of the interns and the trainers are being met.
I would also like to recognize again a former constituent, Albert Netser, who we have lost to the community of Rankin Inlet; our loss, their gain.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize from my Cambridge Bay riding today in the gallery Ovi Olsen-Hakongak and Patricia Lear.
As you can appreciate, Mr. Speaker, it’s not very often that we get to welcome to the gallery constituents from the Kitikmeot, so it’s very good to have that opportunity when it occurs.
I would also like to recognize a fellow resident and my constituent, Margaret Nakashuk, who is a Sivuliqtiksat intern.
I think some of the Sivuliqtiksat interns are already leaders.
Margaret works for the Department of Family Services, and as minister I welcome her to the gallery.
Question 639 – 4(3): Support for Safe Shelters (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, as the minister may be aware, the building in Baker Lake which was being used as a safe shelter for victims of domestic violence has been shut down.
Can the minister provide an update on what steps his department takes to ensure that all communities across Nunavut have a safe place for victims of domestic violence to go for their safety and comfort?
Minister of Family Services, (interpretation ends) the Hon. Minister Johnny Mike.
Yes, the shelters in Nunavut fall under the Department of Family Services.
The shelter he referenced in his question has been closed.
As for a review of the shelters, at this time the legislation we use is currently under review.
I am unsure how even open daycares and their uses will meet the demands today.
We will be reviewing the needs of Nunavut related to daycares and spaces, and gaps identified will determine our direction. That is what is occurring today.
I appreciate that some communities have societies which operate safe shelters with funding from the government.
I also recognize that victims of domestic violence are occasionally flown out of a community to a safe shelter elsewhere.
However, we all know how important it is to be near our friends and family when life gets difficult and we need to work through it.
Can the minister describe how his department provides support to communities to ensure that victims of domestic violence have a safe place to go within their own community?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Family Services, Hon. Mr. Mike.
Yes, we are open to supporting them as the Department of Family Services, particularly on the shelter needs and standards that require being met.
Currently the shelters that accommodate women in particular here in Iqaluit as well as in Rankin Inlet are the ones we try to use.
I do understand my colleague’s concern and the fact that the community prefers to establish a local shelter.
Yes, how a shelter can be established has been the subject of much focus related to the legislation and communities wishing to establish shelters.
We support any local initiative when one comes to light.
For that reason, when the review is finalized, I will be able to table a copy in this House with information as to how much planning has gone into this subject of shelters outside of the current established communities with shelters.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, the community of Baker Lake currently does not have a safe shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Will the minister commit to working with his colleague, the Minister of Community and Government Services, to renovate the building which was being used previously or identify another building within the community that could be used as a safe shelter?
Indeed, people who need shelters and even prior to being sheltered, they experience fearful situations through violence.
The rates are very high here in Nunavut and to use this example, it is 11 times the national average.
This does require a review along with the departments we collaborate with, including the Department of Health and CGS related to buildings. I can commit to looking into this issue on establishing shelters in the communities.
Further, with that being the situation, shelters provide an invaluable service and we fully believe that. When a community requests a shelter, the request is assessed, including their wish to create a society. We usually support communities that wish to pursue that.
I will expect Baker Lake will submit a proposal. Yes, I can review the issue surrounding shelters in the communities.
Question 640 – 4(3): Resolutions from the 2016 Annual General Meeting of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (Akoak)
During our recent fall sitting I had the honour of tabling copies of the resolutions that were adopted at the Kitikmeot Inuit Association’s 2016 Annual General Meeting.
A number of these resolutions were directed to the Government of Nunavut.
Can the Premier indicate when he will be tabling the government’s formal responses to the resolutions?
Mr. Speaker, once I have the letter processed through the channels there for tabling, I’ll certainly do that.
We have about eight resolutions that need to be responded to.
Can the Premier indicate whether the government’s responses have been sent?
It doesn’t indicate they have not been sent yet to the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
If they’re not sent, then I will check into that and get back to the member about that.
Maybe you have an answer for this one.
One of the resolutions that were passed at the Kitikmeot Inuit Association’s 2016 Annual General Meeting concerned the Grays Bay Port and Road Project.
This project was also referenced in the Minister of Finance’s recent Budget Address.
Can the Premier indicate if he raised this issue with the Prime Minister during his recent visit to Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, yes, I did and also last summer on July 9 we signed an MOU with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association on that specific project. Yes, I did raise that with the Prime Minister during his visit to Iqaluit.
Question 641 – 4(3): Issues with Medical Travel in Winnipeg (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, on February 27 in Committee of the Whole I asked the minister about medical travel patients and the fact that they get sent to hotels when the boarding home is full.
The minister’s response was that they could go and have dinner any time at the boarding home and that they could be picked up for that purpose by the staff at the boarding home.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that it doesn’t work that way in Winnipeg.
What I’m talking about are the people who don’t have jobs that have to stay at a hotel.
They bring whatever little money that they might have, and then if they aren’t picked up, they can’t afford the taxi fare to go have lunch or dinner.
That being the case, can the minister do something to make the situation better?
With the response that I received, he stated that they could be picked up to go and have dinner.
That is not the case in Winnipeg.
Can the minister please look into this again, especially for those people who don’t have enough money to pay for their own food?