EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Resource packages have been sent to participating communities and schools to assist them in organizing activities during the Nunavut Physical Activity Week.
The slogan in English is Move to the Beat, Hear the Rhythm; it translates into that.
Traditional Inuit lived a more physically active lifestyle, and the things we did were connected to our daily living.
Times have changed and we need to get more active again.
Therefore I encourage all Nunavummiut to take this opportunity to engage in regular physical activity.
It is not only good for personal health, but it can also be fun.
Active living will build a stronger and healthier Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 080 – 2(1): Umingmak Frolics – Annual Festival in Cambridge Bay (Peterson)
I rise today to tell the House about the Umingmak Frolics, underway in Cambridge Bay this week.
“The winters are long and cold in Nunavut; it is a tribute to Nunavummiut that we still have a sense of humour after seven or eight months of winter. Especially today: Iqaluit’s snowing.
I said that it was an opportunity for people to get out, visit all their friends, and express things that they never thought they would.
The annual spring festival brings people of all ages together.
We welcome our friends and visitors from communities to share our fun.
Last year the Cambridge Bay fire department introduced a petting zoo.. They brought animals to our community that you can only see down south.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to read a brief report that my consistuency assistant, Eva Tolken, sent to me.
The report sums up Umingmak Frolics and what it means across Nunavut, being the people at this time of year.
This is the report.
Today, I took the 14 elders to the petting zoo at the Luke Nuvagait Community Hall.
The elders got to see the different kinds of animals there.
The animals there, they never seemed to recognize some, but others like goats, cows, and guinea pigs, and other kinds that are never seen were like, ‘why, how, and what’ to them.
Some animals were annoying because they kept nibbling on their furs and parkas, as they like their furs or something.
I got to feel the animals and pet them.
The ducks were a popular one because the elders want to take them home for fresh soup.
It means that they don’t go out hunting anymore as they use to.
We laughed a lot and the elders enjoyed their stay for a few hours.
What with the animals, the people mind taking them in for your day.
We thank the couple who took the large pictures and asked for prints so they have them for the elders’ centre. Those people cannot get out much of their homes.
This was a highlight for them.
I hope to be able to take them out as often in the communities like I did when I was elders’ coordinator for the hamlet for two years.
They were happy to be out again and meet with each other in public places.
I look forward to working with the homecare people and be out with the elders and youth now that we are finally here.
Thank you for this opportunity as we only make us appreciate it greatly.
Koanna, to the youth program.”
So, Mr. Speaker, that’s what Frolics are all about this time of the year.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Members' statements.
Member’s Statement 081 – 2(1): Health Issues in the Communities (Evyagotailak)
Mr. Evyagotailak: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a health issue that has touched many of our families, our friends, our neighbours, and our communities.
Cancer is a frightening disease. Finding out that that you have cancer is one of the most difficult things that a human being can face.
Waiting through the process of diagnosis and treatment adds to the pain and suffering.
Not knowing what will happen next with the development of the disease and how it will affect us and our loved ones is hard on everyone.
I recognize that our resources are limited, and in the last few days we have heard in detail about how the resources of the Department of Health and Social Services are stretched to the limit to provide healthcare services to Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to urge the Minister of Health and Social Services to give special consideration to speeding up the process to meet the health needs of patients with cancer.
The time it takes for an individual diagnosed with cancer to be seen by a specialist, and then having to wait until there is a date for treatment such as surgery, and then again waiting for follow up should be as short as possible.
As waiting times get longer, patients and family worry more and more about the risk of the disease spreading.
The fact that many of the medical procedures relating to the treatment of cancer are only available outside of Nunavut means that what might be considered a normal waiting period can be extended by unforseen circumstances such as weather or delayed travel arrangements.
I ask for unanimous consent to deal with my statement.
Mr. Evyagotailak: Mr. Speaker, it is important that our health service providers make every effort to address the needs of cancer patients as quickly as possible from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up.
At the same time, each and every one of us can help with early detection by doing health checks on ourselves.
Public health information is available at all of our health centres and we should take advantage of it.
I urge my fellow Nunavummiut to make positive and healthy lifestyle choices.
It is important for all of us to take care of ourselves and our families and to address our health concerns as soon as they appear.
And I offer my hopes and prayers to those who are suffering with illness, for them to be strong and regain their health.
Speaker (interpretation): Members' statements.
Member’s Statement 082 – 2(1): Celebrate People Found (Netser)
I would like to congratulate the people of Chesterfield Inlet.
On May 18, Mr. and Mrs. Tappak with their three children and Marion Tapaki left Rankin Inlet to go to Chesterfield Inlet.
They had a snowmobile breakdown and never made it to Chesterfield Inlet. They got caught in a blizzard.
I have heard that the family has been found and I would like to celebrate with them.
Member’s Statement 083 – 2(1): Thank Winnie Attungala (Kilabuk)
Hon. Peter Kilabuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I would like to say hello to my family in Pangnirtung.
As today is Friday, Mr. Speaker, it’s going to be a hard day, but I would like to start off on a lighter note.
This morning…. What we are wearing today, I’m going to turn around and model it.
I’m wearing this coat to say thank you to Winnie Attungala, who is the mother of David Simailak.
Even though she is far away from Iqaluit, she made me this parka that fits me perfectly. I find it very hard to….
My fashion…. Even though we have outlets in the south….
I would like to say thank you to Winnie Attagolak from Baker Lake who made my parka, and I would like to see her when I go over there.
Member’s Statement 084 – 2(1): Enjoy the Long Weekend (Tootoo)
Today is Friday and we have a long weekend ahead of us. I know that some members are traveling to their homes to visit their families, be with their families for the long weekend, and their relatives and constituents. Also, we know that on this weekend it’s getting close to the last time that a lot of people will be able to go out on the land and enjoy the final bit of snow that is out there.
I just wanted hope that people that go out fishing have a great….
And that people that go out on the land are careful. Don’t go out alone, and everyone have a safe and happy weekend, and be very careful and enjoy it. It could be the last one this year.
Member’s Statement 085 – 2(1): Portrait Studio (Picco)
In keeping with tradition on Fridays, I want to bring to this House an issue of serious consequence.
Earlier in the week, Mr. Speaker…. The decorum of a minister’s office has to include documentation of personal information: background, education, and physical documentation in the form of an official photograph.
Early in the morning earlier last week, a temporary portrait studio was set up in this building.
The studio contained all of the instruments, the equipment, the light, and the paraphernalia found at such a location.
Adjoining the studio, a changeroom was provided.
However, Mr. Speaker, the changeroom was also a washroom which was in continuous use by other occupants of this building.
While occupying one of the stalls, I quickly realized along with one of the other members that the changeroom was in active use by other individuals not of the same gender.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to the other users of the changeroom exercising their rights in the washroom at the same time that I was present — I mean changeroom.
Speaker (interpretation): As our usual practice, we start on a lighter note on Friday mornings.
Member’s Statement 086 – 2(1): Provide Power Bills in Inuktitut (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Nunavut.
I was just recently informed that since the creation of the Nunavut government, when we became Nunavut and the Nunavut Power Corporation was established, bills, I believe, are sent to all the Nunavut communities.
I think we have to be well aware that for the people who read both English and Inuktitut, they know if there is a similarity between the two.
One evening, an elder called me up and asked me why the bills are not in Inuktitut.
Is it possible for this government to make sure that the information is sent out bilingually and is something that you can understand? If it is going to be translated then make sure that it is translated properly.
This is the reason why I am standing in the House today, and I will be asking questions to the appropriate minister at the appropriate time.
Return to Oral Question 035 – 2(1): Access House Sold to the RCMP and Replacement (Kilabuk)
I had to ask what procedure to use since I have not done this for a long time. This is a return to oral questions asked by David Alagalak on May 17, 2004, and it is in regards to the sale of an Arviat office unit to the RCMP in 2002.
In response to the question: the unit in question was returned to the corporation by the homeowner.
The unit was an asset of the corporation and was not part of the public health portfolio.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation tried for over a year to find another homeowner to buy the unit but no one was interested.
The RCMP approached the Nunavut Housing Corporation to buy the unit in order to provide accommodation for an increase in it’s members in Arviat.
Return to Oral Question 037 – 2(1): House Leases to Kevin O’Brien (Kilabuk)
Return to Oral Question 044 – 2(1): Tendering House Leases (Kilabuk)
This is in response to a question that was posed by Mr. Curley, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Rankin Inlet North, and also by Mr. Netser, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Nanulik, on Monday May 17, 2004.
It is in regards to a house lease for our former Speaker.
In response to the members from Nanulik and from Rankin Inlet North’s questions regarding the process to acquire the leased properties in Arviat: I would like to report to the House that a request for information was issued by the Housing Corporation.
It closed on May 2, 2002.
This request for information was for interested parties with rental accommodations available for lease to the Nunavut government.
There was only one respondent from Arviat, Mr. Kevin O’Brien.
The respondent was then requested to submit a proposal with details on the proposed properties for consideration.
Return to Oral Question 040 – 2(1): Vacant Staff Housing Units (Kilabuk)
My last one.
This is in response to a question that was posed by Mr. Tootoo, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Iqaluit Centre on May 17, 2004. It’s regarding vacant housing units.
In response to the member from Iqaluit centre’s question regarding vacant housing that was tabled last year: to the best of my knowledge, two of the units owned by Mr. O’Brien were included on that list.
For clarity, these two units have never been occupied.
Mr. Speaker, I apologize to the Member for Iqaluit Centre; I also asked if these units were inspected prior to entering a leasing agreement.
In response, yes, they were inspected, and I have the unit-condition ratings available for tabling at the appropriate time, as requested.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Returns to oral questions.
Pursuant to my earlier statement on the early childhood education program, it gives me great pleasure to welcome to the gallery two people from Kakivak.
First of all, I would like to welcome the wife and good friend of ours, Simanik Kilabuk’s wife, Hannah Kilabuk, a resident of Iqaluit, to the gallery.
Kakivak Association…. Hannah is in charge of Kakivak’s childcare program.
And next to Hannah is Mr. Johnny Manning, well known to most members of the House.
Johnny is the director of Kakivak, on the board of directors of Kakivak.
And sitting just over from Hannah is Mr. Simon Nataaq.
Simon is a long-term resident of Iqaluit, served on our council for many years, is well recognized as a great hunter, and is a good friend of mine.
I had an opportunity to have some jokes with Simon over the years.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the three of these people to the gallery this morning.
I would also like to recognize an individual from Sanikiluaq. Johnny Manning, who lived in Sanikiluaq for a while, contributed greatly to our community and supported me throughout the years. But of course, he has moved here for employment.
Question 079 – 2(1): Medivac RFP Award to Kivalliq Air (Curley)
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the Minister of Finance.
Yesterday, when the health deputy minister was at the witness table about the medivac contract that was awarded, I think it was in November of last year or in the year 2003…. He said that it was awarded to Kivalliq Air according to the wishes of the rest of the cabinet.
I would like to ask the Minister of Finance: did they scrutinize the RFP information and did they talk with the deputy minister to say that it would be awarded to Kivalliq Air?
In terms of a contract filed for the department of health, I do not have that information in front of me.
I believe that question would be more appropriate with the minister of health, responsible for medivac contracts.
At this time, I will take the question as notice and get back to the member.
The reason I am asking the Minister of Finance is as Chair of the Financial Management Board…
Speaker (interpretation): I am sorry, Mr. Curley, the Minister of Finance just stated that she will be taking that question as notice and will respond to you later.
My supplementary question to the Minister of Finance: the Financial Management Board is the responsibility of the Minister of Finance.
And contract regulations, and the Financial Administration Act; is it normal that the cabinet award contracts?
Speaker (interpretation): You asked for a point of order, Mr. Curley.
I thought that you were going to say point of order. The Minister of Finance stated that she will be taking the question as notice.
Can you state your point of order again, Mr. Curley.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I just wondered if there is political interference when you are awarding contracts.
Speaker (interpretation): What was your point of order?
Could you state your point of order earlier on?
Mr. Curley (interpretation): The point of order I had is that I had more than one question.
The first question was about the awarding of the contract. My microphone was shut off, but I just wondered whether they were using the Financial Adminitration Act when you were awarding contracts. So I feel that was my point of order.
Speaker (interpretation): The minister just stated that she is going to take the question as notice and provide you with information.
With that, you could have asked another question, or supplementary question.
Question 080 – 2(1): Update on Summer Student Program (Tootoo)
As promised earlier this week, I have a question for the Minister of Human Resources.
Before I ask my question to the minister, I just want to say that it is very shameful that some members would use any excuse to venture into a washroom that is supposed to be used by the opposite gender.
My question for the minister responsible for human resources is if he could indicate if any non-beneficiary students have been hired by the government under the summer student program, to date.
Speaker (interpretation): The minister responsible for human resources, Mr. Tapardjuk.
At this time in Iqaluit there have been 27 applicants. Eleven of them are beneficiaries, there are nine non-beneficiaries, and there are seven positions.
Speaker (interpretation): Supplementary question, Mr. Tootoo.
I just wanted to clarify, and you gave the information on applicants that have been out there.
I would like to ask the minister again: have any non-beneficiary students been hired?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I already stated that there have been nine non-beneficiary students that have applied for employment.
Speaker (interpretation): Supplementary. Mr. Tootoo.
There could be a lot of people that apply for employment.
And I guess, it seems shameful that I have to ask three times: have any been hired?
They said that nine have applied, that is what I heard, so I just asked the minister if he could clarify specifically and explicitly if any beneficiaries have been hired, or non-beneficiaries have been hired, and get that clarified.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): I just want to make it a little bit clearer to the member: 27 students are going to be hired for summer employment.
Eleven of them are beneficiaries and nine are non-beneficiaries.
They’re employed at the present time. We also have seven left that are being screened.
We have to realize that some schools are still in. It is from April to September that we have to….
We realize that there has to be 85 percent Inuit employment in the Government of Nunavut.
It has been brought to my attention by a number of residents here in Iqaluit, and the minister had indicated, that there are some non-beneficiaries that have been hired.
I’d like to ask him: is there a reason why some non-beneficiary students are being hired and others are being told that they have to wait?
I know that some people have been waiting for a month and are still being told that they have to wait.
So, I wonder if he can clarify for the House and for the public how they determine which non-beneficiary students get, and which ones have to wait.
We all know that during the March break we took a cabinet retreat and we made a decision to set some money aside to hire students for summer employment.
When we looked at what we started in the year 2000, it has been progressing successfully.
We have not really fine-tuned it at this time, but this year we stated that what we have to thinks about is we have hire beneficiaries first and then people that are non-beneficiary students here in Nunavut will be given the second.
Different departments have different plans, but under human resources we have a policy in place that states that if you are going to hire a student for summer employment….
We have a policy in place, and that is what we are following. We have to fine tune it; we have not completed it yet.
I’m sorry if they were put on the waiting list.
I apologize. We will fine tune it for this coming summer to hire students in the departments of the Government Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Oral questions, Mr. Barnabas.
Question 081 – 2(1): Status of DIAND’s Environmental Directives to the Communities (Barnabas)
(Interpretation ends.) During this week I tabled a letter that the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs sent to the hamlet regarding the Arctic Bay sewage lagoon.
The final progress of this letter stated that failure to comply with the inspectors’ direction would result in a fine of $100,000 and-or imprisonment calling for a term of one year.
My question for the minister is: to the minister’s knowledge, how many other hamlets are facing similar situations and have received similar letters from the federal government?
Hon. Peter Kilabuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To my knowledge, at the immediate time there are two municipalities that have received similar orders, or rather possible fines, as per the federal regulatory system.
But at the same time, there are other communities that have some serious concerns and are being reviewed in consultation with these municipalities about similar situations.
Thus far only two municipalities, that I am aware of, have received similar letters.
Speaker (interpretation): Supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.
Not only municipalities or hamlets have received this kind of correspondence; I’m sure there are other various companies, who are private companies…. How many of those have received from the federal government?
I apologize if private companies or businesses have received that kind of correspondence.
Those are the only two, that I mentioned, that I have knowledge of.
Are the hamlets having financial situations? Because even though they have received this correspondence from the federal government, what is the Nunavut Government going to do about that?
Speaker (interpretation): Hon. Peter Kilabuk.
The municipalities that have received correspondence are not in a deficit situation.
Oral questions, Mr. Alagalak.
Question 082 – 2(1): Request For Information – Clarification (Alagalak)
I would like to ask this question again and comment on the response of the minister of housing.
I want to ask, on his reference to the RFI…. He said it was for information only; it was not a request for tender.
I remember correctly that there were fewer than two respondents, but it states here there were no other respondents.
This is the first time that I have seen this.
They told the government….
There were other respondents and the government has not heard of any of the other respondents.
If there are going to be requests for information…. That is what we were waiting for at that time, and that is what I have heard from the community.
When I was a leader at that time, no information was given to us for RFI. We only heard that there had been responses through RFI.
I know that perhaps the information…. Where would the information be? I would like to find out where that information is.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of housing.
I just want to further clarify that yes, there was more than one RFI within the same community.
In my statement, there was an RFI — request for information — and the first time we sent that request for information there was only one response. There was another request for information later on issued by the Housing Corporation. They were requesting how many available units there would be in the community, and there were 11 respondents at that time responding to the request for information.
But there were no people that actually answered or stated that these units were available.
There was information available out there as to how many vacant units there are, and according to my knowledge nothing has gone ahead with this.
Yes, I would now like to say that I think from now on we have to be extra careful.
We have to be careful with the wording.
Like these are not tenders, these are requests for information.
Because of the lack of communication, we experienced problems; I will give you information when you want more information and if I want to bid, I will put in a bid.
Speaker (interpretation): That was a comment.
Mr. Kilabuk, would you like to respond?
Although it is not a response, I agree with my colleague that there is a difference between a request for proposal, and a request for tender, and a request for information.
Yes, we have to clarify the difference between those.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to elaborate in my second response that this is what it stated. It was just a request for information to find out what kind of vacant units there were available.
It was not a request for tender.
Speaker (interpretation): Are you finished? Thank you. Oral questions.
Question 083 – 2(1): Delivery of Business Credit Corporation Programs (Peterson)
Mr. Peterson: “Koana, Uqaqti.”
My question is for the minister responsible for the Business Credit Corporation.