EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Those who teach in Nunavut work in a unique cultural and social environment and have a particular responsibility to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in the classes that they are teaching.
The challenges faced, both socially and culturally, are enormous but so are the rewards as we see our children and youth grow and blossom into adulthood, join the workforce and live productive lives.
I encourage District Education Authorities, parents and community members to find ways to show their appreciation to all those who teach on this day and throughout the year.
Mr. Speaker, we have a poster produced for this day to be used in schools.
Minister's Statement 153 - 1(5): Additional New Public Housing Construction 2002-2003
I am pleased to inform Members of the Legislative Assembly that an additional 26 new social housing units are planned for construction this coming summer.
The construction of these additional units is made possible through the recently signed Affordable Housing Agreement between the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Government of Nunavut.
I would like to commend Minister Thompson for the excellent work that she did with Minister Gagliano, the former Minister of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and his senior officials.
Mr. Speaker, these 26 units are in addition to the 52 units previously approved for construction by the Legislative Assembly in our own Capital Estimates approval this past fall.
In total, the Nunavut Housing Corporation will be constructing 78 urgently needed public housing units in 2002/2003.
The allocation of this new capacity follows the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s methodology of addressing the most needy of our communities, while providing some new housing and hope for all Nunavummiut.
We are very pleased that with this contribution, every community in Nunavut will benefit from new public housing construction.
Mr. Speaker, the Task Force on Housing noted in its fifteenth recommendation that the Nunavut Housing Corporation could not address the housing shortage in Nunavut alone.
By partnering with other sectors like the Government of Canada, the Nunavut Housing Corporation is maximizing its limited resources to build capacity.
Mr. Speaker, this success story flows from the good work that the Nunavut Housing Corporation has accomplished with its federal partner, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
We hope that in the future, this spirit of co-operation and partnership will bring benefit to Nunavummiut.
Minister's Statement 154 - 1(5): Team Canada Trade Mission a Success for Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak of another Team Canada today, the Trade Mission that I returned from on Friday.
As members are no doubt aware, I joined the Prime Minister and the other Premiers on a trade mission to Moscow, Russia and Berlin and Munich in Germany.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that this trade mission involved Nunavut's largest representation and was the most successful mission to date.
I am encouraged by the contracts and agreements that were reached during the 10 days.
(interpretation ends) Nunavut businesses, organizations and individuals joined me as part of the Nunavut delegation and their attendance resulted in the signing of two agreements in Berlin and another two agreements in Munich.
These agreements focussed on marketing Nunavut as a tourist destination and marketing our needs in Germany.
(interpretation) Although we didn't sign an agreement in Moscow, I had the pleasure of opening an exhibition showing Inuit art between the Russian community and Canada.
I was very pleased to acknowledge the artistic work of the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nattilik.
Also in Moscow, we identified a number of potential markets that we will research in the coming months.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank those who were in the Nunavut delegation and the trade mission and I commend them on their successes.
I also want to thank all those involved in the government who organized the territorial program in Germany where we showcased Nunavut's culture, foods and fashions to the German audience.
This event drew a number of German interests in working with Nunavummiut to identify the potential relationships.
(interpretation ends) We will continue to build on the Team Canada 2002 trade mission and I look forward to more Nunavut businesses and organizations joining me in future trade missions.
Minister's Statement 155 - 1(5): Team Canada Brings Home the Gold Medal
Mr. Speaker, we are aware that this past week was a memorable one across Canada.
Not only for hockey fans but also for all Canadians.
There were record numbers who watched Team Canada Women's Hockey team under adverse conditions beat out team USA 3-2 in the gold medal final.
Our women's team played with sportsmanship and determination and are role models for all Canadians.
(interpretation ends) Canadians across this nation were glued to their televisions sets yesterday cheering Team Canada in the men's hockey final.
Emotions ran high as we watched our team nudge closer and closer to gold medal followed by a determined US team.
It was the 50th Anniversary, the Golden Anniversary, of our last gold medal in hockey and we all hoped Team Canada would bring home the gold again after such a long absence.
And we were not disappointed. We could not have asked for a more exciting game of hockey and the performance that our players gave.
I believe that I can speak for all Nunavummiut in saying that we were all very proud to see our flag and hear our national anthem playing.
It was a thrill knowing that we were one of millions of other Canadians across our country celebrating this wonderful achievement of our athletes.
Member’s Statement 425 – 1(5): Atanarjuaq – Five Genie Awards
I’m smiling because I’m the first one called to speak.
I send my greetings to the people of Igloolik who are watching TV, and also I would like to welcome our Premier back to Nunavut after a long absence.
I could not agree more with the statement that our Premier just made and we are extremely proud of our fellow Canadians.
This last year there have been a lot of achievements in Nunavut, and today I want to talk about one that shows the Inuit culture and lifestyles.
I think this particular achievement shows the international community what it was like in old days in the Inuit culture through this film called Atanarjuat.
Even though the rest of Canada has been making movies for many decades they have never been able to get as many awards in as short a time as did the makers of Atanarjuat.
One thing that is particularly noteworthy is that this film was made by Inuit and this was the first time that Inuit have produced such a film.
I don’t know how many awards they have been given, but there are many.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Thank you members.
The film company, Isuma Productions has received a number of awards for their achievement and just last month they went to the Genie Awards and received five awards.
I believe everybody was glued to their TV while these awards were being given out.
Currently they are working on putting together another film.
I wanted to mention all the names of all the actors and all the players in this film but I’ll leave it at that as I’ll have other opportunities to congratulate them again.
Member’s Statement 426 – 1(5): Clarification of CBC News Item on Shelters
This past week I spoke more than once about women having to go out of the communities to go to shelters.
This morning I heard on the radio news that gave the impression that I didn’t want women to leave their communities to go to shelters outside of their community.
But what I was really trying to say was that there should be a holistic approach taken so that both the men and the women get counselling.
I wasn’t opposed to women being sent out to shelters.
There is a need for this service and I never spoke against it.
I did note though that there may be those that abuse the system.
What I am getting at is the need for the government to also look at other services such as marriage counselling and other alternatives.
Member’s Statement 427 – 1(5): Recognition of Late Lena Naki Ekho & Condolences to Family
I rise today Mr. Speaker, to talk about a person who welcomed everyone who landed in Iqaluit.
Her name was Lena Naki Ekho and we remember her today.
She was buried today.
I first went to Iqaluit in 1970/71 and I can recall Naki and her husband welcoming us.
She knew we were craving country food and we would go to her house to have some.
Iqaluit was totally different than what it is today.
It was a small community and the hospitality of the residents was enormous.
The people of Iqaluit who have been here for a long time have welcomed people from out of town with open arms.
There is lots of that we are seeing today, and I am sure that many throughout Nunavut can remember Naki.
Ever since I was a child I remember the times we would go to her house for traditional feasts, foods that we grew up on and foods that helped us to survive.
Today I would like to take this time to thank her family, her children, her grandchildren and I look forward to them keeping up the tradition.
I hope her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren keep up the traditions that she kept alive all those years.
She also had close relatives in Clyde River and Qikiqtarjuaq, which are in my riding.
She fed and welcomed us all.
Member's Statement 428 - 1(5): Mingeriak Pee of Cape Dorset
Every New Year we celebrate the birth of the first baby that is born.
The first baby this year that was born was from Cape Dorset.
The mother was Mingeriak Pee and the child's name is Alisa Pee.
She was born on January 2 at 1:30 in the morning.
She was 7 pounds and 4 ounces and I congratulate Mingeriak Pee who is the mother and welcome baby Alisa.
Member’s Statement 429 – 1(5): Effects of Domestic Violence
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak of domestic violence and spousal assaults.
Mr. Speaker, this issue has never been an easy one for us to talk about.
For a long time it has been hidden in a cloak of secrecy and shame.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad that we as the Members of the Legislative Assembly have started to talk about this issue and to think about ways to reduce it in our homes and in our communities.
(interpretation ends) To the Baffin communities the social worker in the community is the specialist.
I have seen first hand the effect domestic violence has upon families in Nunavut and Baffin.
I have seen some horrible things.
Women have been thrown naked out in icy cold January nights and the man did this by his own hands after murdering his wife, leaving behind three children too young to comprehend the terrible tragedy.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, domestic violence is not limited to one group or community.
It is a problem throughout the country.
Mr. Speaker, I want to say that so long as there is violence in the home we must support the operation of shelters where victims can seek safety and a measure of comfort.
(interpretation ends) We often look exclusively to government to solve all our problems.
In these cases, change and solutions will only be achieved if the efforts come from the community and us.
We need to support the victims of violence but we cannot abandon the abused in the same way as the woman I have seen out in the cold.
When they seek help, we must answer.
Mr. Speaker I would like to finish my statement.
Ms. Williams (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
We must try to build healthy communities where substance abuse and desperation do not drive so many to acts of violence on their own family members.
(interpretation ends) I support the involvement of elders and caregivers in the counselling and healing process.
They can play a positive and vital role in helping abusers with the underlying causes of their actions and problems.
Mr. Speaker, real progress depends on addressing the needs of both parties.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join with me today in saying no to violence of any kind in any place in any home.
Member’s Statement 430 – 1(5): Internet Website: Iqaluit Centre
Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to rise today to announce the new communications tool that I’ll be using to listen to the news and concerns of my constituents in Iqaluit Centre.
Mr. Speaker, many people from outside of Nunavut that visit here often remark on the way in which Inuit have blended the best of traditional and new technologies.
This is true in the field of communications as elsewhere.
Thanks Mr. Speaker to the good people of Iqaluit’s leading Internet Service providers, my new website is up and running on Nunanet.com.
Constituents in Iqaluit Centre can visit my website and I invite members if they want to send comments they can do that too because you don’t have to be just constituents Mr. Speaker.
Members are more than welcome to do that.
They can visit my website at www.nunanet.com./~hunter.
Mr. Speaker tilde is a little squiggly line on your computer.
Mr. Speaker, over the coming weeks I hope to be increasing the amount of content on the site and I plan to make it both informative and useful for Iqaluitmiut.
The site gives constituents several ways in which to reach me and I encourage people to send me their views and concerns on issues based in our community and Nunavut as a whole as well as their comments or concerns and issues that we are currently dealing with here in the House.
Mr. Speaker this is the new method, the new way.
I still plan on continuing the old fashioned way of talking to my constituents and hearing first hand from them what their views and concerns are.
Member's Statement 431 - 1(5): Kugluktuk Pilot Project - New Crisis Line Counsellor
I want to welcome the Premier back to Nunavut.
I want to…(interpretation ends)…make a statement reflecting the hope and positive energy shown by the community of Kugluktuk.
Kugluktuk has been through some difficult times and last year when the local crisis line closed down the future looked bleak.
It makes me very happy to be able to tell you today that instead of accepting this loss, community groups followed the lead of the local new committee and pulled together to face the New Year with a new and improved plan of action.
Mr. Speaker, a three month pilot project funded by the Health Canada is currently employing four youth from the community to be trained as peer counsellors.
These young and creative adults will work out the community’s newly opened youth drop-in centre.
They will run the crisis line helping their peers and doing that they will learn valuable skills that will prepare them for a future career in Nunavut.
These youth will be able to, I’m sorry, I’ll start over again.
These youth will not be the only ones in the community learning and using their new skills.
This week 30 community members will take part in a workshop learning how to recognize youth who are at high risk.
Mr. Speaker, a proposal has been submitted to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation to continue this good work for the next three years.
If accepted Mr. Speaker, it will give members of the Kugluktuk community regular opportunities to receive ongoing training in crisis intervention and youth work.
I would like to offer my support to the community of Kugluktuk for success in their proposal and my congratulations for what they have achieved so far.
Member's Statement 432 - 1(5): Traditional Knowledge in Treating Violence
I just would like to make a brief Member's Statement.
I will talk about traditional knowledge.
No matter who you are, as long as you’re a human being, you have the same caring and emotions.
At times we go through hard times in our lives.
We go through hardships emotionally and in our hearts.
How can we help these individuals who are going through hard times emotionally and physically?
Also today, we have to view and look at zero tolerance of violence and for that reason a man and his wife have to be treated equally and given equal assistance when they need it.
Even though we may have marital problems with our spouses, we have to remember that it is part of life.
I am making my statement because we need to help those people.
I will conclude my statement with that.
Member's Statements. Mr. Arvaluk.
Member's Statement 433 - 1(5): Snowmobile Engine Problems Due to Bad Fuel
We have been hearing a lot about problems with skidoos.
They have mechanical problems even with brand new equipment.
For example, this past Saturday, when a bunch of us went to the floe edge three skidoos broke down, just on the way.
Also this morning I heard that five more skidoos had problems with their engines, they had to put them into the garages in town here.
The problem appears to be the gas for the skidoos.
The hunters that go out on the land, they get stuck out there and it becomes unpredictable with a new skidoo engine like that.
There have been problems with the starters and carburetors.
This summer the hunters will boating again and will have to use this same fuel.
People will face emergencies and this is worrisome, especially when it is storming or when the waters are rough.
I would like to seek consent to finish my statement..
Speaker: I believe the member is requesting unanimous consent to conclude his statement.
Please proceed Mr. Arvaluk.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you my colleagues and thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We don’t know if it is the gasoline that is breaking all the engines in the snowmobiles.
The hunters usually check their engines to make sure they are operating properly even if they are outboard motors.
At this time we cannot figure out what the problem is.
The hunters are saying it is bad gasoline.
They are saying they are putting too much oil in the engines and pressure pumps especially in cold weather.
For that reason, we want to find out more about it to protect the hunters.
I will be directing a question about this to the Minister responsible for Petroleum Products at the appropriate time.
Are there any further Members' Statements?
Member's Statement 434 - 1(5): Volunteer Income Tax Preparation in Nunavut
Mr. Speaker, once again, all too soon, for many of us tax return time is upon us.
After several years of lobbying the Canada Custom and Revenue Agency has set up an office in Iqaluit to serve Nunavut with Inuktitut speaking staff.
Mr. Speaker, again this year that office is offering its expertise to Nunavummiut in need of help in filing their income tax statement.
Their community volunteer income tax program will be conducting free clinics here in Iqaluit in March and April.
One of their agents will be in Nunavut for a period of time or portion of the tax season visiting a series of communities to offer help and direct help to low-income individuals in filing their income tax statement.
Mr. Speaker, they are presently working with Arctic College and the Hamlets’ Economic Development Officers to offer more services in Nunavut.
If members or your constituents need information about income tax related questions in English, Inuktitut or French please feel free to contract your agent here in Iqaluit Mr. Vinnie Karetak at Iqaluit House at 975-4706 or outside of Iqaluit toll free at 1-888, that’s 1-888-873-3372, a toll free call for help for income tax.
It’s about time Mr. Speaker, that this is available in English, Inuktitut and French.
I am very pleased when I see people from my constituency in the House.
Today I want to introduce a person who will be the Sergeant-At-Arms, Timothy Akerolik who is sitting over there. My father’s sister Julie Turaq Paniuq's son.
He has worked since 1957 around the Baffin communities on the DEW line.
Also in 1979, he started working at the Coral Harbour airport.
I would like to thank him for helping me on my campaign.
He gave me support because he knew me since I was a child.
He used to hold me as a child.
I know he truly loves me.
Speaker: Welcome to the Gallery Timothy.
I know it is very rare for me to recognize my constituents in the House.
I have pages here from Repulse Bay.
When I mention your name, please stand up.
Jessica Siutinuar, Johnathan Siusangnark, Bonnie Taparti, Darcy Katokra.
These pages are from Repulse Bay and I wanted to recognize them.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
I would like to recognize an individual since the February session.
I would like to recognize Timothy Akerolik.
When we were taking the airport maintenance training course in Coral Harbour he was working there at the time.
I want to take this opportunity to recognize him as a relative of my wife.
We will move on to Item 6.
Question 432 - 1(5): Tourism Budget and Programs Review
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker for making me go first.
Mr. Speaker, I will direct my question to the Minister responsible for Sustainable Development & Tourism.
In Nunavut compared to the Yukon and the Northwest Territories the funding that we receive for tourism is very small.
We have to improve the tourism attractions within Nunavut.
I was wondering if the minister is looking at tourism holistically for tourism training programs and in trying to get more funding for tourism promotion.
If the minister could respond, I would be very appreciative.
Yes, I would like to have properly developed tourism within Nunavut.
My predecessor worked very hard to promote tourism in Nunavut and I would like to continue to see that.
When my colleague, Jim Watson was here, I spoke to him about how we could promote tourism.
We will also look at the committee’s recommendations and suggestions as we progress in working towards promoting tourism.
This is a very good, viable thing and I will be working with the ministers from the other two territories every time I see them.
We will work very hard in promoting tourism because it is very important for the Nunavut residents as we can all benefit from it commercially.
The outfitters can also benefit from it.
You have said you will start looking at tourism compared to the Yukon and the Northwest Territories and will work with the ministers from those two territorial governments.
How long will it take for you to plan and complete this?
We don't know when this will be completed.
Even if I set a date here now, if we don't complete it by then it will seem as if I am lying.
But we will have to work closely together, all the elected officials, and work with the communities to develop tourism and the promotion of tourism.
I know that we have worked hard in promoting tourism, we will not stop working on it, and we will do a review on how we can promote it more and how we can enhance it further.
Once we get the information ready and available, I'll probably be able to give it to you and I will let you know when it will be completed.
Mr. Nutarak (interpretation): It is very difficult to know when anything will be completed.
But can you estimate if it will be 2002 or 2003.
We will be working on this indefinitely.
But for my department to work properly and to talk with our other counterparts it will be probably be two years or a little bit longer.
We cannot do it overnight, we can’t do it overnight, and we will be working towards promoting tourism businesses.
Question 433 – 1(5): Communities Assistance Update
Mr. Speaker, following up Mr. Nutarak's questions, I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Sustainable Development.
It has been a year now since he became Minister of Sustainable Development and he provided tourism strategies to try and provide more aid for the communities that are not decentralized.
Mr. Speaker, I want to know if there are any plans in place for the communities that are not decentralized for tourism strategies.
Minister responsible for the Department of Sustainable Development.
We have done some work for the community of Hall Beach and we have had some meetings with other communities on economic development.
We are getting some information and feedback about tourism and economic development in Hall Beach in regards to tourism and economic development and the other communities.
We will be working with the other communities as well in the next few years to make sure they also benefit from tourism in their communities.
Perhaps I was not informed about the consultation process that is happening with the community of Hall Beach.
Perhaps there was someone there recently but I have not heard anything about it.