EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, 16 students ranging from age 22 to 74 are enrolled in the program. The focus is on learning orally, which, as you know, Mr. Speaker, is the fundamentals of the Inuit language.
The program is also using a new teaching strategy which includes spoken language models that are rooted in action and demonstration.
Mr. Speaker, graduates of the program will help foster Inuinnaqtun in the Kitikmeot and provide contributions to renew the language. This program is one of the examples of the learning and sharing successes here in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the program has generated a lot of interest and optimism for the future of Inuinnaqtun. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the tireless efforts of all involved with this worthwhile effort and wish them continued success. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
If there are no more, the individual I wished happy birthday to is Aittainnaq Nelly Kilabuk.
Members’ Statements. Before we proceed, I would like you to be aware that the Member for Arviat, Mr. Alagalak, will not be with us today because he is not well.
Member’s Statement 339 – 2(4): Up Here – The Magazine of Canada’s Enterprising North (Peterson)
As you and members are aware, I formerly worked for the Kitikmeot Corporation, whose mandate includes fostering economic growth for the benefit of our region. Over the years, we traveled to national and international events, conferences and embassies to promote the message that Nunavut is “Open for Business.”
Mr. Speaker, promoting Nunavut and the North is something we must all do. We can’t wait for business or tourists to come to us, we have to reach out to them and tell them what the North has to offer.
Mr. Speaker, I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I read the complimentary February premiere issue of “Up Here Business – The Magazine of Canada’s Enterprising North.”
Mr. Speaker, the feature article was entitled The Three Arctic Tigers, and focused on Canada’s three northern territories. Our own Premier Okalik was front-and-centre on the magazine cover with his colleagues from the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
They were marching down a “yellow brick” road. I have a copy of it here. You can see a nice caricature of the Premier on the “yellow brick” road looking for the “Emerald City,” I think.
Mr. Speaker, I found the magazine to be extremely well-laid out, containing well-written articles that were relevant and interesting.
The first annual “state of the economies” review was succinct and informative.
Mr. Speaker, within a few minutes a reader would quickly learn what makes the economies of the North click and recognize what investments from Ottawa need to be provided. A complimentary copy of the magazine should be sent to every Ottawa politician.
Mr. Speaker, of particular interest to me were the articles about Tahera Diamond Corporation’s financial woes; the Auditor General’s report about the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation; and the overly complicated NWT regulatory system.
It was apparent to me that the magazine will publish business articles about the North’s negatives alongside the many positives.
Mr. Speaker, one of the very positive articles was a story about Mr. Sean Ivens, President and CEO of Medic North in Yellowknife.
I met Mr. Ivens last year and was very impressed by his vision for his business. In the article he mentions that he has some “potential solutions to health-care staffing throughout the North.”
I hope that someone from HSS contacts him soon.
Mr. Speaker, I request unanimous consent to finish my statement. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I would like the House to join me in congratulating the publisher, editor and staff of Up Here Business for their foresight and initiative in creating this important business magazine. I believe that the North will be well-served by Up Here Business as they get the message out via articles and photographs that the North is “Open for Business.”
Mr. Speaker, I would also like the House to join me in thanking the advertisers for supporting the premiere issue.
Member’s Statement 340 – 2(4): Support for Sarah Ali (Tootoo)
I wish today to talk about something that my colleague from Iqaluit East mentioned a couple of days ago when he spoke about the wonderful success of the Iqaluit Speed Skaters. One of those speed skaters, a constituent of mine, Sarah Ali, has created a video about her love for the sport of speed skating. Currently her video is one of the top four finalists in the National ING Speed Skating Challenge to be chosen as Canada’s Best Speed Skating Story.
Mr. Speaker, later today I will be tabling a letter from Sarah that describes what this challenge means to her and how you, and all other Nunavummiut, can support her by voting for her video.
Mr. Speaker, the importance of sport in the lives of Nunavummiut, both young and old, cannot be underestimated.
Participation in activities such as speed skating, figure skating, hockey, curling, soccer, swimming - name any sport you like - is not just about making healthy lifestyle choices but can be the key to open up doors to many varied opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, when youth like Sarah take on a challenge such as the ING Speed Skating Challenge, she makes all of Nunavut proud. If her video is chosen as the winner, it will be shown at the ING Oval Finale in Calgary this spring.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to log on to the speed skating website and vote for Sarah’s video, and wish her the best of luck.
Member’s Statement 341 – 2(4): Caribou within Municipality of Baker Lake (Simailak)
Before I begin speaking, I would like to acknowledge my mother, father, my aunt Lucy, and my in-law.
I say hello to you and I love you all.
Mr. Speaker, back then when we went out hunting for caribou in the Baker Lake area, in the wintertime, when it’s very cold out and you have to sleep out on the land at times while hunting when you’re very far, it was very difficult and at times dangerous when it’s too cold.
For many years now, the caribou have come very close to the community of Baker Lake.
I can say to you that last year and this year, we see caribou just beside our houses and also near where our dogs are tied.
They are very close to the community, right around the boundaries of Baker Lake.
They are very close now for the people that never hunted caribou before. We see caribou eating out on the land and just lazing around.
They’ve been very close to our community every day and they are drinking from the sewage lagoon and from the reservoir.
We are wondering if the caribou will be edible for the people of Baker Lake.
If they are drinking from the sewage lagoon, it could be dangerous and unhealthy for the caribou because they are too close to the community, and we have to take precautions.
We are hearing continually that the planes cannot land because the caribou are on the airstrip.
Trucks have to stop to allow the caribou to pass by.
There is a situation right now in our community.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is seeking consent to conclude his statement.
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members.
It is getting dangerous at the airstrip in the wintertime when the planes are trying to land, and I’m asking the Department of Environment and the Housing Corporation to look into the situation to see how we can better rectify the problems with the caribou nearby in Baker Lake.
Member’s Statement 342 – 2(4): Sovereignty in the High Arctic (Arvaluk)
Before I begin, I would like to say that I am wearing a jacket that was made by my sister Rhoda and my fiancé Lisa.
Thank you to both of you.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of sovereignty in the High Arctic.
As all Members of the House are aware, the history of the High Arctic is complex. In many ways, it is tragic.
Mr. Speaker, today Inuit are well aware of the experience of the High Arctic exiles in the 20th century. The legacy of relocation lingers with us today, especially in the communities that I and a number of my colleagues represent.
However, I do not believe that this part of Canadian history is generally well-known in the rest of the country.
Mr. Speaker, I suspect that if you were to ask 100 people in Toronto about the history of the High Arctic, you would be lucky if even one or two of them knew where to begin or to even find us on the map.
Mr. Speaker, the process of nation-building continues. This week’s federal budget reflects a growing awareness of the importance of the North for the future of our nation.
However, at a time when our national claim over such territory as the Northwest Passage is being questioned by other countries, much more must be done to strengthen the human dimension of sovereignty.
Mr. Speaker, satellite surveillance and unmanned aerial drones are not enough.
We also need federal infrastructure investments that will help to create the economic growth that will support the human presence in the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, the construction of modern small craft harbours and the expansion of community infrastructure will benefit not only Pond Inlet, but Canada as a whole.
Mr. Speaker, I am personally ready to meet with representatives of the federal government at any time and in any place to address the needs of Pond Inlet and the High Arctic.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Arvaluk, your time has run out.
My two minutes ran out as I was thanking my sister. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, our communities are ready to help meet the challenges of Arctic sovereignty in the 21st century, this means including the people of the High Arctic in building the infrastructure, self independence, and planning for their own future.
It is my hope that Ottawa will join us.
Member’s Statement 343 – 2(4): The Need for an Elders’ Facility in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak)
As you know, I am wearing all black because an elder passed away in Kugluktuk on Tuesday, and we think of the families in our prayers.
Mr. Speaker, once again I rise in this House to express the need for an elders’ care facility in the community of Kugluktuk.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I have been lobbying the government on this issue since I began my term in this Assembly. I have spoken on this issue in the House a number of times.
I have asked questions. I have submitted documents such as the proposal from the Kugluktuk Elders’ Committee.
Later today I shall be tabling a motion from the Kugluktuk Elders’ Committee on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I recently met with the Kugluktuk Elders’ Committee to discuss the ongoing need for a 24-hour care facility.
The committee discussed a number of needs for the facility.
For example, it should have between 10 and 20 beds. Country food should be available at all times.
Elders in the facility should have the opportunity to interact with the younger generations of the community as well as with other elders.
Mr. Speaker, having an elders’ facility within the community of Kugluktuk is important to our culture and to our wellbeing.
Mr. Speaker, our Elders’ Committee has twice made a motion on this issue.
Later today I will be tabling a copy of the most recent motion along with the signatures of the Kugluktuk elders who supported it.
I strongly urge the government to give full consideration to establishing a 24-hour elders’ care facility in the community of Kugluktuk.
Member’s Statement 344 – 2(4): Diversion of Rivers for Hydro-electric Purposes (Kattuk)
I rise today to talk about the environment around the Hudson Bay area.
We are concerned about the effects the damming has had on the rivers and we have made statements on more than one occasion about this issue and there was an agreement signed with the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq and the government.
Mr. Speaker, we are concerned about the merging of two rivers in our area. It is going to have a drastic effect on the ocean.
Just recently, the water was spilling over onto the ice and flooding it.  The reason why they’re merging those two rivers is so they can supply power to the southern provinces.
With Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, we know that the sea ice doesn’t flood over until spring.
We are concerned about the merging of these two rivers because it has had a drastic effect on the sea ice. There is a big difference between ice and lake ice.
We’re concerned about the Quebec Government when they’re saying it has no effect at all on any other jurisdiction, including my area, but that is not the case.
Mr. Speaker, it’s up to the government to listen to us.
The sea provides food. We get food from the ocean bed and we also hunt marine mammals for our livelihood and for our food. As that is the case, the only place that the marine mammals can live is in the ocean.
Mr. Speaker, what I’m trying to say is that the Quebec Government is not listening to the concerns of the people from the Hudson Bay area. They have stated that they are going to look into the issue but nothing has been done to date by the Quebec Government.
Member’s Statement 345 – 2(4): Need for Docking Facilities at Grise Fiord & Resolute Bay (Barnabas)
I send my regards to my constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the docks that are required in our communities.
Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord need docking facilities.
When I go there in the fall, it’s usually when there are high winds.
The people of Grise Fiord don’t have a safe harbour where they can keep put in their boats.
Boats are extremely expensive as the cost of transportation is extremely expensive.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has a lot of rules and we’ll have to review this very carefully if we’re going to be building any docking facilities or safe harbours around those communities.  In the communities that I represent, if you look at the small craft harbour, my communities were totally excluded because they don’t have a fishing license.
Even though that’s the case, it is a definite need to build those docking facilities or safe harbours in Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord.
Mr. Speaker, whether a community is small or large, they have to be treated equally and be given the same advantages.
With the cost of living in our communities, the elders have a need to eat traditional foods, and since that’s the case, we need proper facilities and proper infrastructure for the items that they use for hunting.
If there is nothing else, Item 4.
Minister of Finance and CLEY, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Return to Oral Question 393 – 2(4): Pension Adjustment Announcement (Tapardjuk)
This question was asked by Mr. Hunter Tootoo, MLA for Iqaluit Centre. I have a Return to Oral Question 393 – 2(4) in regard to pension adjustments and I would like to have it entered into the record as read, Mr. Speaker.
The Government of Nunavut, through Bill 19, has made a number of amendments to mirror changes in the federal Income Tax Act in November 2007.
The Chairman of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Accountability stated in his opening comments to the Committee of the Whole on the review of Bill 19, “Mr. Chairman, during his appearance before the standing committee, members encouraged the minister and his officials to carefully monitor changes in the federal tax legislation that impact Nunavummiut, and to introduce appropriate legislation as required.”
Due to a change in responsibilities within the Department of Finance, some federal tax amendments that required changes to Nunavut’s Income Tax Act were not dealt with in a timely manner.
As noted by the previous Minister of Finance, the Government of Nunavut is continually monitoring changes to Nunavut’s Income Tax Act at the appropriate time.
I apologize; we will identify the minister’s response and have it entered in the Hansard.
I am extremely pleased, Mr. Speaker, that my wife arrived yesterday and will be here for a while. She will be here but we will be going back to Baker Lake tomorrow.
My wife Jean Simailak who is also the minister in our community, she is also a Member of the Health Committee in Baker Lake under the umbrella of the hamlet.
If there are no more, Item 6.
Question 428 – 2(4): Travel Arrangements for Minor Patients (Tootoo)
My question is for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, and I’m sure this is probably one that she could do in her sleep as questions about it have been raised time and time again, and it’s dealing with the arrangements being made for patients going out on medical travel.
Mr. Speaker, my question I would like to ask the minister is: if a minor patient going out with an adult escort was leaving Iqaluit to attend appointments in Ottawa, where would those arrangements be made for their travel and how would that all be processed?
When travel arrangements are being made for patients, first of all, the patient is referred by a doctor or nurse from Iqaluit to a specialist down in Ottawa, and then those arrangements are a made once the confirmation of appointment is made through the travel office.
The minister indicated the travel office; I’m just wondering if there’s one here at the hospital or at the office in Pangnirtung.
I’m just wondering if she could answer this as well: once their appointments are complete, what kinds of arrangements are made and who makes the arrangements for them to return back to Iqaluit?
I stated many times in the House here, when the referral is made out of the hospital here that the hospital travel office makes the travel arrangements down to Ottawa.
For anyone coming from the North Island to Iqaluit, that was handled through Pangnirtung, and when the appointments are completed in Ottawa, usually, if they’re not staying at the Larga, the confirmation arrangements are made through the travel office that organized it originally.
If you’re staying at Ottawa Larga, then, through the referral office there, the confirmations are made from the boarding home with the airlines.
How do they confirm if once the appointments are finished? What kinds of mechanisms are in place to ensure that the appointments are done and return travel arrangements are made?
If you’re staying at the boarding home in Ottawa, OSNI out of Ottawa, which is the organization that deals with all the appointments with the doctors and so on, are advised that the patient completed has their appointment and that there’s no further appointment, and OSNI deals directly with the physicians and so on to organize that.
So once that confirmation is made, OSNI notifies the boarding home that deals with the airlines.
In the case of an employee, for instance, if they’re travelling and they receive a notice from the doctor that their appointments are completed, then they notify the travel office here, and then that arrangement is made out of here to come back as well.
I again thank the minister for that response.
In the case, as she had indicated, if someone is not staying at the boarding home and she indicated that the onus is on them to contact to get travel arrangements to return home, are all of the patients and escorts that are leaving, that are not staying in the boarding homes, provided with information that it is up to them, that they are required to contact the office, I guess it would be here in Iqaluit, to arrange the return travel?
Every referral, every travel is never the same as the last one. For instance, if you’re staying at a hotel, you’re an employee, and your appointment is tomorrow, you go to your appointment and there are no further appointments booked, you go on the next flight and we base the travel based on that.
If you’re travelling and you’re in Ottawa, and you have an appointment, then you have to be admitted to the hospital, then once that process is complete, that they get a notification of discharge that is sent to the hospital here, and that’s when the travel is made.
But, it is up to the individual that’s there to do notify the travel office.
For instance, the government employees stay in hotels when they travel for medical, versus the people that are not part of the Government of Nunavut’s employees are staying at the boarding home.
So through that arrangement, notification is made with the travel office here to organize that.
Question 429 – 2(4): NAC’s Provision of Support Services to Single Parents (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Arctic College has campuses across Nunavut and many out of town single parents who are enrolled in programs at the college are bringing their children with them during the school year. This actually requires child care provider services for their children while they attend classes.
Mr. Speaker, my question for the minister: can the minister tell the House how Nunavut Arctic College student services assists single parents to find and arrange suitable, qualified and licensed child care providers for their children when they attend school?
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unlike the student body that we see in many universities and colleges down south, the majority of our students, when they attend Nunavut Arctic College, usually have children and dependents.
Two years ago, Mr. Speaker, the government announced, through the Department of Education, that when we build any new school, and indeed, if we do any new Nunavut Arctic College accommodations or residence, we would put an actual daycare in that building. That’s happening right now, for example, in Rankin Inlet.
When a student is enrolled in a college and comes from out of town, for example, they’re going to Rankin Inlet, or for example in this case, Iqaluit, there is a daycare on site. First and foremost, we allocate spaces for students of the college. Student services at the college campus itself also help facilitate child care or daycare needs.
Mr. Speaker, there is considerable stress on students who attend Nunavut Arctic College programs, more so on single parents who have the competing pressures of caring for their children when they come to, let’s say, Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister tell the House what counselling services the Nunavut Arctic College provides to single parents to help them succeed in class while they have the competing pressures of caring for their children?
At the major campuses of the college, where we have students that would come from outside of that given community, we have on staff counsellors who are able to support, and indeed, assist our students.
Mr. Speaker, raising children is challenging, particularly when they’re sick or when the parent doesn’t have a reliable child care provider. Students’ attendance in class will be affected while they care for their children if the children are sick or if their child care provider is unreliable.
My question for the minister: can the minister tell the House if Nunavut Arctic College accounts for sick children and child care provider issues when determining whether to send a disciplinary or a suspension letter to students?
I know that the member has been doing a very good job as an advocate for students that come out of the Kitikmeot, and in particular from Cambridge Bay. I had an opportunity to work with him on several occasions, and indeed, I think we helped personally out of our office one of the students help find child and daycare.
Each case, Mr. Speaker, is judged on its own merits and that process is in place on disciplinary letters or what have you.
So that process is in place, it’s actually quite clear, there are different steps in that process.
And, yes, he has been of great assistance to me with some of the students who I represent when they attend school outside of Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Arctic College has an appeal committee that hears appeals from students who have been dismissed from a Nunavut Arctic College program.
I’m not 100 percent sure that they hear all of the evidence when they’re considering an appeal.
My question for the minister: can the minister explain to the House how the appeal committee ensures that all mitigating factors in a student’s dismissal are carefully considered when they’re deciding to uphold or overrule a dismissal from the Nunavut Arctic College?
When we look at issues around the dismissal of a student, that’s usually the final result of a whole process that occurs.