EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Gordon McPherson has over 35 years of experience delivering the Government of Nova Scotia’s social housing programs.
Mr. Ross Mrazek brings to the board a strong understanding of Nunavut’s infrastructure challenges.
Mr. Speaker, getting a board was a step in the right direction for the Nunavut Housing Corporation; however, this is only the beginning.
As I mentioned in the past, Mr. Speaker, the creation of the board of directors represents a fundamental change to the governance structure of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
In addition to strengthening its governance structure, a board of directors will ensure the Nunavut Housing Corporation can adequately concentrate on establishing the best way to access more badly needed investments to address Nunavut’s housing needs.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with the new housing corporation board as this government and the Nunavut Housing Corporation continue to tackle Nunavut’s staggering but conquerable housing challenges ahead.
I also want to indicate that it is the beginning of an arm’s-length corporation that is so badly needed.
Member’s Statement 139 – 3(3): Appreciation for Successful Rescue Mission in Igloolik (Tapardjuk)
Good morning to the people of Igloolik, Hall Beach, and my grandchildren Ivaluarjuk and Tulurialik, my uncle, my aunt, and Lucy.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about last Wednesday’s search and rescue for an individual stranded out in his boat in the middle of nowhere close to land.
There was a search for this individual, Celestino Uyarak, who is the assistant SAO and works extremely hard to help with the search and rescue party.
At around eleven o’clock, a helicopter was able to go and rescue the individual, but before that, a Hercules came in from CFB Trenton and dropped a boat.
The search and rescue party from Igloolik worked extremely hard, as well as the people stationed here in Iqaluit at EMO.
We would like to thank the individuals for their hard work.
As my colleague from CGS kept emphasizing, if people are going out on the land, they should bring SPOT devices.
The people who were stranded out in the water had a SPOT device and were able to be located.
They were brought home last night.
At this time, I would like to thank the people who thought of these individuals and kept them in their thoughts and prayers.
The individuals from the Government of Nunavut’s Emergency Measures Organization and Igloolik’s search and rescue party worked very hard as life is precious.
So I would like to thank everyone on behalf of my colleagues and to be grateful to the people who helped with the search and rescue.
Member’s Statement 140 – 3(3): Grief Counselling in Nunavut (Elliott)
I rise today to address an issue that I have realized rarely gets mentioned in this House: grief counselling.
Mr. Speaker, grief is an unavoidable part of human life. We all lose loved ones at some point, and we all experience and express grief in our own way, shaped by the culture in which we were raised.
Understandably, some people require assistance with the grieving process.
I recently read a thoughtful observation: “Grief counselling becomes necessary when a person is so disabled by their grief, overwhelmed by loss to the extent that their normal coping processes are disabled or shut down.
Grief counselling facilitates expression of emotion and thought about the loss, including sadness, anxiety, anger, loneliness, guilt, relief, isolation, confusion, or numbness.”
Mr. Speaker, there is an exceptionally high level of unresolved grief and trauma in Nunavut.
Part of this is due to the small size and isolation of our communities.
It is also due in part to close connections in and between our communities; everyone cares about everyone else and everyone feels the loss when a community member passes away.
There is also the impact of trauma.
The social disruption caused by Inuit being coerced into settled communities, deaths due to tuberculosis, the impact of the sudden transportation of family members to the south for TB treatment, some never to return, the residential school experience, high rates of suicide, homicide, and accidental death: the result can be complex trauma requiring professional intervention using a variety of skills and techniques; serious counselling for serious problems.
If the impacts are not dealt with, they can be passed on to the next generation, a process called intergenerational transmission of historical trauma.
Mr. Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to read a publication titled “Hope and Resilience,” the report of the first ever circumpolar seminar on best practice in suicide prevention in the Arctic.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, my colleagues.
It was hosted by the Greenlandic Government in November 2009 under the auspices of the Arctic Council.
The seminar recognized that unresolved grief plays a role in many deaths by suicide in Inuit communities.
The seminar also recognized that providing skilled grief counselling is a challenge right across the Arctic in all regions.
Mr. Speaker, when reading our action plan for the implementation of the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy, I was pleased to see action item 2.6, which is to “provide culturally and age appropriate grief counselling.”
The Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health and Social Services is identified as the lead on this action item, in partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Embrace Life Council, Inuit and community organizations.
The timeline for completion of this action item is April 2012, so it will be one of the first deliverables for the action plan.
Mr. Speaker, I want the Minister of Health and Social Services to know that he will have my support, and I’m sure the support of all members, as he demonstrates leadership on this difficult yet critical issue in the coming months.
Member’s Statement 141 – 3(3): Third Day of Search for Missing Hunters (Ugyuk)
I want to wish a good morning to the residents of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, in Gjoa Haven, the search and rescue team is conducting a search. I would like Nunavummiut to pray for a successful search.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my gratitude to the search and rescue committee members in the community for volunteering their time and their dedication to providing assistance in search and rescue missions.
Sometimes it can be very difficult to find individuals on the land and it is not always successful.
It is now the third day since the search was commenced and this is due to the bad weather we are experiencing in our community.
That is why I would like our fellow Nunavummiut to pray for the searchers.
I am also grateful that the search conducted in Igloolik was successful and they found the individual they were looking for.
As well, in Taloyoak, the search and rescue society is always looking for additional funds for gasoline, grub, and equipment.
They are always fundraising for future searches, and I am grateful that they are very dedicated as they commence searches whenever needed.
Member’s Statement 142 – 3(3): Restructuring Support for Sports in Nunavut (Ningeongan)
I rise today to encourage our government to rethink how sports programs are supported and funded across our territory.
Mr. Speaker, there can be no doubt that participation in sports is very beneficial to the physical and mental development of our youth. There can be no doubt that healthy lifestyle choices, positive self-esteem, learning teamwork and cooperation are all potential outcomes of taking part in sporting activities.
These benefits help set a positive course for the future. Mr. Speaker, given the benefits of sports programs to our youth and the future of our society, I strongly encourage the government to be more creative in providing more opportunities for our young athletes to continue participating and building on their successes.
Mr. Speaker, I will use an example that recently happened where a soccer team was very successful in a tournament which recently occurred here in Iqaluit.
Even though a team, whose members have all worked hard together to succeed in beating every other team from across Nunavut, wins the gold medal, that team will not go on to the next level.
Instead, athletes who have excelled individually but who may have never played together will be selected to form a team to represent Nunavut.
I would note that similar policies apply to other sports.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that in the past, both approaches have been used to select teams to represent Nunavut at events such as the Arctic Winter Games.
Neither approach is perfect. It is my view that we need to encourage both individual excellence and the success and hard work of a team as a whole. Mr. Speaker, I would like to suggest that our government considers options to recognize both team success and individual success.
For example, I would like to suggest that winning teams be allowed to continue their momentum and represent Nunavut but also that individual athletic excellence be recognized with the creation of something like an all-star Nunavut team.
Mr. Ningeongan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Members.
I recognize that funds are limited and ways are already set.
However, if we wish to encourage participation in sports and support our future, we should be willing to make investments and risk change.
Member’s Statement 143 – 3(3): A Successful Trade Show in Whale Cove (Kusugak)
Good morning to the people of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.
My condolences go to the people of Rankin Inlet who are going through hard times.
Mr. Speaker, in the House, we usually talk and hear often about how smaller communities should benefit from economic development.
Communities, whether they’re small or large, go through hardships.
I represent one of the smallest communities and the other one being one of the largest communities in Nunavut.
This summer, I was very proud when the community of Whale Cove didn’t just sit back when it came to planning for the future.
The hamlet council, through their SAO and their economic development officer, put together an “Economic Development Day” and looked at how they can improve economic development opportunities in their community.
A large number of businesspeople came into town to take a look at what potential opportunities exist in the community.
I would like to thank the people who participated that day, the economic development office, which was a tremendous help and support, the federal economic development department, Canadian North didn’t have a representative there and was greatly missed, but representatives from First Air, Calm Air, and Kivalliq Air were present.
It was a big booster and the people were able to see what kind of career opportunities there are in the airline industry.
The Nunavut Development Corporation was also at that fair, as well as Nunavut Arctic College representatives, whom we were very pleased to see.
The community hall is not small but it was packed with a lot of people who came to see the events.
We also saw some arts and crafts that were made by the local people.
I thank everyone who participated at the events and I hope to see them again next year, perhaps in greater numbers.
Member’s Statement 144 – 3(3): Acknowledging a Loss in Rankin Inlet (Curley)
I would like to extend my greetings to the people of Rankin Inlet.
We think of you and we feel for you because we had just lost a loved one in Rankin Inlet. I would just like to send my condolences, but I’m not going to mention any names.
I would like to send my sympathy to them as they mourn their loss.
Return to Oral Question 176 – 3(3): Graduating Students and Academic Qualifications (Aariak)
This is a return to an oral question about graduating students and academic qualifications.
How many schools have guidance counsellors?
The reason why I’m asking this question is that in the smaller communities, there are fewer guidance counsellors and the students have fewer options.
That’s why I’m asking this question. How many guidance counsellors are there in Nunavut schools?
Teacher numbers are assigned to each DEA by formula, which considers the number of students in their schools.
The allocation of teaching assignments within the school is done by the principal.
Therefore, it is a school decision, in consultation with the district education authority, whether to have a guidance counsellor position.
Most schools do not have specific guidance counsellors because the preference is to use their teachers in classrooms to provide as many course options as possible.
At this time, we have 5.5 guidance counsellors.
Additionally, across Nunavut, teachers provide guidance counselling to students, including through the career program planning process and Aulajaaqtut courses.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Aariak.
Return to Oral Question 179 – 3(3): Active Cases of TB in Nunavut (Curley)
The question was asked to me by one of our members at the House here.
The question was: “Can the minister provide an update on how many cases of active TB we currently have in Nunavut and which communities are the most affected?”
The response, Mr. Speaker, is: I wish to inform the House that as of October 25, 2011, there were 62 cases of tuberculosis diagnosed in Nunavut since January 1, 2011 and that 98 percent of cases diagnosed this year have been in the Baffin region. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Return to Oral Question 181 – 3(3): Update on Funding Community Freezer Initiative (Taptuna)
The question was asked by the Member of Quttiktuq, No. 181 – 3(3), on October 21.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to add more detail to my initial response to the questions directed to me in the House last Friday by the hon. member from Quttiktuq.
These questions concern the Country Food Distribution Program, which includes support for community organizations that wish to improve their community freezer facility or to build a new community freezer.
I was asked how many communities have accessed the funds to date and “the dollar values as to how much has been provided to communities at this point...”
Mr. Speaker, to date, no communities have accessed funds from this program and as a result, no funds from the $1,145,000 program have been spent at this time.
It is important to recognize, Mr. Speaker, that the spending of the funds for this program that were voted by the House last spring will be undertaken not by the government but by community organizations.
It will take these organizations some time to learn what they can do with the funds, to assess their needs, and to prepare proposals.
If a community freezer is proposed, the proposal must identify who will own and operate the facility and how the ongoing operating and maintenance costs will be paid for.
Mr. Speaker, to support community organizations in the development of their plans, departmental staff in each region have held meetings with economic development officers, hunters and trappers organizations, regional wildlife organizations, and in many cases, with hamlet councils.
When a community expresses interest in using the program, our staff meets face to face with the proponent and provides direct assistance in the preparation of the proposal.
At the same time, as I said in my initial response to the member from Quttiktuq, we are working with Natural Resources Canada to identify the most efficient freezer technologies available so that the cost of building and operating community freezers will be reduced significantly.
Interest in the new program has been strong. In this region, expressions of interest have been received from community organizations in Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Pond Inlet, Pangnirtung, Iqaluit, and Cape Dorset.
In the Kivalliq region, we have heard from community organizations in Repulse Bay, Rankin Inlet, Coral Harbour, and Whale Cove.
In the Kitikmeot region, we have heard from Kugluktuk, Kugaaruk, and Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, I agree with the member that this is a much needed program, but it may take some time for community organizations to recognize the opportunity that the Country Food Distribution Program provides.
Mr. Speaker, in the meantime, we will continue to promote the program to community organizations and to work with organizations that initiate a proposal.
I am very honoured to rise today and recognize some of my constituents from Arviat who work with the Department of Education and they are elders Rhoda Karetak and Louis Angalik, Becky Mike, Elissa Curley, Ida Suluk, Mary Thompson, and Pat Netser.
Thank you very much for being here.
I, too, want to recognize some people, but before that, I wanted to rise and inform my colleagues that I have quite a few relatives present here, including our eldest sister, my sister’s son and my nephew, including my niece. (interpretation ends) So I feel safe this morning.
(interpretation) I welcome one of my constituents, Johnny Itinnuar, to the Gallery.
He is a member of the disabilities council. He is very dedicated to that cause. So that is my constituent, Johnny Itinnuar.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to recognize people sitting behind me who are part of winners of the anti-smoking campaign for the artwork depicting the dangers of smoking in our schools.
The winning drawings have been chosen that will be distributed to all schools in Nunavut.
These anti-smoking drawings will be displayed in the foyer for our viewing.
Here are the artists who submitted their winning artwork: Tuukaasi Nuqingaq, stand up, please; Emilia Nevin; and the final person is Levi Enuaraq-Strauss.
Oh, he’s not present?
I am not sure if this is the correct name, so can I ask you to please stand.
These are the students who won the art competition in the anti-smoking campaign. I want my colleagues to express their appreciation and to acknowledge them. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
I am very pleased that the Gallery is full.
I welcome each and every one of you.
First of all, I would like to acknowledge the representatives of the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities who are holding their annual general meeting in Iqaluit.
I’ll mention their names.
The first one is Willie Nakoolak, Chair, from Coral Harbour; Johnny Ittinuar, Vice-chair, who works with the disabled people in Rankin Inlet; Maliktoo Lyta, Secretary, who is not here; Jackie Ameralik, Secretary, from Gjoa Haven; Liza Ningiuk from Grise Fiord; Joyce Ayaruak from Rankin Inlet; Alethea Baril, whom I don’t think is here right now, from Apex; Alan Weeks from Iqaluit, whom I don’t think is here yet; Lori Idlout is not present in the House yet; and last but not least, Nikki Eegeesiak, Executive Director.
I would also like to recognize Jacob Jaypoody from Clyde River and Sata Kidlapik from Repulse Bay.
Please welcome these people to the Gallery.
Speaker: Thank you, Madam Premier. Welcome to the Gallery.
I take pride in introducing my lovely wife and better half, Elizabeth Ningeongan. (interpretation) Please welcome her to the Gallery.
Although this individual from Coral Harbour was mentioned, I would like to recognize Willie Nakoolak, who is always helping me.
He is the chairman of the coalition.
Please welcome him also.
I would like to welcome each and every one of the people here. There are quite a few people in the Gallery right now that I would like to recognize.
Starting from the youngest, Apeah Arreak-Kullualik, welcome.
I also would like to welcome Liza Ningiuk from the High Arctic.
Behind me, when it was the Northwest Territories, she used be an MLA, Rebecca Mike.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Oshutapik. Welcome to the Gallery.
He has already been recognized, but I would like to recognize him again. He is from Gjoa Haven, Jackie Ameralik. I would like to welcome him to the Gallery.
He is here attending the meeting for the DEAs. He was also in Resolute Bay at the time of the plane crash, so I would like to thank him for that.
First of all, I want to recognize my mother-in-law, although she was already recognized. (interpretation ends) I feel much safer than Tagak.
It partially explains why he was especially nice to me this morning.
(interpretation) I also want to acknowledge Meagan Zawadski from Rankin Inlet. Welcome to the Gallery.
Johnny Ittinuar, he was already recognized previously, but I would like to welcome him.
I also recognize John Hamak.
I am very happy that you were able to make it here. Furthermore, another Rankin Inlet resident is Joyce Ayaruak. She is also a non-stop worker.
I would like to welcome her especially to the Gallery.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to the residents of Pond Inlet as well as my fellow residents of Nunavut.
I also want to recognize a fellow resident of our community.
This person has been a dedicated worker and has worked for a very long time. So I would like to recognize April Kyak from my community.
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad that I am also able to recognize a fellow resident of Clyde River. He has been a member of the local DEA for a long time.
He was previously recognized, Jacob Jaypoody, but he apparently left.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Good morning and thank you.
There are quite a few Iqaluit residents that I would like to recognize from my constituency and they are Janet Brewster, Paul Irngaut, Ineak Korgak, and Darlene Nuqingak.
I would also like to recognize these individuals although they’re not residents, Annie Ningiuk and Rhoda Karetak, whom I have known for many years.
Mr. Elliott: I better be quick.
I would like to recognize Liza Ningiuk.
It’s always nice to see members from my constituency, either in Iqaluit on the streets or in the House.
Although she has already been recognized, I would like to take the opportunity again to recognize a friend of mine in the House, Janet Brewster.
She’s got strong ties to the Kitikmeot region, Cambridge Bay, Taloyoak, and I also understand that she’s doing a lot of great work for my colleague, the Minister of Health, as manager of health protection for Nunavut.
So I would like to welcome her to the Gallery.
Question 206 – 3(3): Spill Reporting in Nunavut (Aupaluktuq)
Good morning to everybody in Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my questions to the Hon. Minister of Environment, Minister Dan Shewchuk.
The Government of Nunavut works with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada to maintain a 24-hour spill report line.
This line is to be used when hazardous materials, such as oil, gasoline, or chemicals, are spilled.
Last year, CBC News reported that a diesel fuel spill occurred near Agnico-Eagle’s Meadowbank mine near my community of Baker Lake following an incident where a fuel truck rolled over.
Can the minister advise me if his department was made aware of this incident and can he indicate how many other spills have been reported over the past year in or around the community of Baker Lake?
Speaker: Thank you, Aupaluktuq.
Yes, I am aware of the spill that you are referring to and we were notified. The proper authorities were notified, the spill line was called, and action was immediately taken.
That spill, the jurisdiction near the mine and on the mine road, is the jurisdiction of INAC and the federal government, and inspectors did attend along with our conservation officer.
As far as the number of spills in the Baker Lake area in the past year or so, I do know and I have information on five spills that occurred in the last while.
I appreciate the response by the minister.
It’s nice to have people be informed about environmental concerns and to have people who are taking action.
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that when a spill occurs, responsibility for ensuring that clean-up and remediation takes place depends on the location of the spill.
In cases where a spill occurs on Crown land, that would be the federal government through the Department of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs.
Mr. Speaker, I want to ask: can the minister clarify how his department works with other levels of government to ensure that the GN is made aware of the status of any spill that occurs in Nunavut and any subsequent clean-up activities?