EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The purpose of managing leave and attendance is not to target the legitimate use of allowed leave or to discipline individuals with poor attendance. The purpose is to ensure that all leaves are used as they are intended and that attendance management focuses on changing poor attendance to good and good attendance to excellent.
To this end, Human Resources has recently staffed a professional level position in employee relations, our new leave and attendance consultant who will focus on this important program.
This position supports our senior and line management in understanding this complex issue, providing information, education, and assistance as tools that will help improve not only services to Nunavummiut, but provide a more rewarding and fulfilling work environment for all GN employees as well.
Minister’s Statement 021 – 3(3): Fur Sales and Fur Handling Workshops (Shewchuk)
I would like to share some positive news with respect to fur harvesting and sales in Nunavut.
I am pleased to report that at the first Fur Harvesters Auction of 2011 which took place in early January in North Bay, Ontario, demand and prices were high for all of Nunavut’s long fur species.
Nunavut furs and sealskins grossed $386,561 at this auction, with polar bears and arctic fox selling particularly well.
Since the international market crash for sealskins resulting from the European Union seal product ban, demand and prices for sealskins has remained low.
However, 1,431 sealskins were sold at this auction, which indicates some level of interest in Nunavut sealskins.
As you know, my department continues to fight the EU seal ban and, through its sealskin purchase program, continues to protect Nunavut harvesters from shouldering the economic burden this ban has caused.
The Department of Environment is committed to supporting Nunavutmiut in ensuring that fur harvesting remains a sustainable and reliable source of income, especially where other economic opportunities are limited.
To this end, in partnership with Fur Harvesters Auction and with funding provided by CanNor, we have recently piloted a series of fur handling workshops in the communities of Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, and Arviat.
These workshops provided training to approximately 70 harvesters in the preparation of wolf and wolverine pelts for sale to the taxidermy market.
The goal of these workshops has been to help harvesters better understand how to prepare hides with the goal of maximizing market value for their furs.
Feedback on this program has been extremely positive, and we look forward to offering three more workshops in the Kitikmeot region in March.
I look forward to keeping my colleagues informed of the positive steps we are taking to support fur harvesters in Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 028 – 3(3): Happy Birthday to Wife Lucie (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, the Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation because I believe that at times, we don’t express enough of our pride towards our wives.
My wife arrived on Friday and was supposed to leave yesterday, but since I didn’t want her to leave, she agreed to extend her stay for another day.
However, our grandchildren are really missing her, so she has to depart.
Mr. Speaker, I usually don’t have an opportunity to express my pride publicly. Nonetheless, it was my wife’s birthday on Saturday while she was here and on February 17 while we were visiting Hall Beach, we had our 41st anniversary.
Mr. Speaker, I want to state that as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, only when you are provided support by your spouse and children can one represent your constituents properly.
I can say, Mr. Speaker, that if my wife, Lucie, didn’t support me, I wouldn’t be here today.
Shortly after her birthday, we found we have 32 grandchildren and one great-grandchild named Ukaliannuk.
I want to share my celebration with my colleagues.
I’m sure that if my colleagues were not provided support, perhaps like me, you would have a stressful time.
With the support of our spouses, we need to take time to express our appreciation of our loved ones, even at the Legislative Assembly.
I wish to thank you for mentioning our relatives who are our biggest supporters.
Member’s Statement 029 – 3(3): Nutrition North Canada (Elliott)
In view of the fact that March has been designated as National Nutrition Month, I am pleased to rise today to again speak about the Nutrition North Canada Program.
Mr. Speaker, during last week’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly I tabled a copy of the recently released Report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development on the Nutrition North Canada Program. As I noted when I tabled this document, it contains a number of recommendations that I hope the federal government will review with an open mind.
I think that it’s extremely important to recognize that suggestions for how to strengthen an important program such as this should not be interpreted as an attack.
I would also note with appreciation the Prime Minister’s recent comments on the program, which suggested that Ottawa is open to suggestions for how to improve it.
I applaud this approach.
Mr. Speaker, I have also noted that ITK President Mary Simon has commented positively on the report and encouraged the federal government to address Inuit-specific concerns.
Mr. Speaker, two of the recommendations that the House of Commons Standing Committee presented are especially worthy of consideration.
The first of these encourages the department and the external advisory board to “be flexible in the delivery of the Nutrition North Canada program, including the determination of community and food eligibility lists, to allow for special circumstances.”
As I have been noting in my recent statements and letters, the circumstances facing the three communities of the High Arctic that I represent are clearly unique in many important respects.
The second recommendation in the report that I want to focus on today concerns country food. Many of my colleagues have been speaking during this sitting of the Legislative Assembly about issues concerning country food and I offer them my full support.
The report recommends that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, in conjunction with the external advisory board, “review the country food component of the program to consider options to expand and support the sharing networks and harvesters making up traditional, non-commercial Aboriginal food systems.”
I agree that the Nutrition North Canada Program cannot be limited to only foods that are processed in specific plants; it must support the transportation of country foods between our communities in every way, and I would note that there is clearly room for increased cooperation… .
Speaker (interpretation): Member, your time is up. If you want to extend your statement, you have to ask for unanimous consent.
I would like to request unanimous consent to continue with my Member’s Statement.
I was hoping to slip it in there like you have allowed other people to do it.
Mr. Speaker, I want to note for the record that I do not support the separate recommendation of the separatist Bloc Quebecois party to possibly, and I quote, “introduce the Nutrition North Canada Program as a pilot project in Nunavut, specifically in a few communities.”
Mr. Speaker, this attitude suggests to me that we are viewed as communities and peoples to be experimented on, and that’s not acceptable.
Mr. Speaker, we will be hearing from witnesses on this new program at a later date, and I look forward to continuing to make recommendations and suggestions in a constructive manner.
Member’s Statement 030 – 3(3): Avataq First Air Cup (Kusugak)
Let’s have a good day.
I rise today to remark on the hockey tournament that occurred in Rankin Inlet with teams from all over competing for the Avataq First Air Cup.
Unfortunately I was unable to attend because I had to be in Iqaluit, so I would like to apologize.
Quite a few communities came for the tournament, with teams from Arviat, Repulse Bay, Whale Cove, Baker Lake, Iqaluit, Coral Harbour, and there were also four teams from Rankin Inlet.
There were ten teams all together and it was a very good tournament.
Organizing a hockey tournament is complex; it requires the contribution of many volunteers, planners, and so on.
First of all, I would like to thank the volunteers.
Without your tireless efforts, we wouldn’t be able to make this tournament a success.
I would like to thank all of the players who travelled. Everyone was welcomed and I am proud of our community’s hospitality.
There was also a draw and Jonathan Ekwalak from Whale Cove won a Ford Ranger.
I envy his luck.
The standings were as follows, from the fourth place team to the first place team: the fourth place was the team from Arviat; the third place team was from Repulse Bay; the second place was the winners of last year’s cup, Huka Inuks from Rankin Inlet; and the winning team was the Rankin Inlet team called the Rankin Inlet Miners.
We would like to thank all of the teams that attended this tournament and we hope to see you next year. I am happy that everyone had a good tournament.
We congratulate them for having a good hockey tournament.
Member’s Statement 031 – 3(3): Looking Out for Our Elders (Ugyuk)
I rise today to speak about the elderly women in Nunavut, who are fortunately not too many. However, some elders are abused by their relatives.
Mr. Speaker, I heard recently that in Ontario, there was 68-year-old elder who was found unconscious in a shed and apparently her son and his wife starved the old lady and confined her into that shed that was uninhabitable and cold, so she suffered from frostbite and cold.
She was abused in that sense.
Mr. Speaker, I am always thankful that luckily we have not experienced that in Nunavut, to have such a shocking case of abuse.
However, abuse does occur in our communities.
Prior to abuse occurring, I would like to ensure that we support the elders of Nunavut, especially elderly widows.
Mr. Speaker, some of our elders are scolded, caused mental anguish, and bothered for money by their relatives who make them worry about these matters.
Occasionally they are beaten, but we should never cause any additional worry to our beloved elders.
Mr. Speaker, I know that among some of our constituents, elders are worried and they are being caused concern by their own relatives.
Some relatives are very abusive towards their elders and their families.
I know some elders don’t know who or where to turn to, and then they feel useless and worthless, and they don’t like to report that abuse.
Who can they turn to? Who can they talk to?
Are there any nays? There no nays.
As I was just stating, who can elders turn to when they are abused?
On more than one occasion, I have found out that some of the elders pay the bills of their kids although they may not have their own personal bills.
Who can they turn to? Who can they ask to represent them?
I believe that the government and hamlets can do more to prevent elderly abuse, perhaps in partnership and cooperation, to ensure that we beat elderly abuse, to ensure that does not occur.
I believe that we have to respect our elders and we have to ask for their wisdom.
Perhaps the probation officers and the social workers, including the justice committees, the housing association, and others, can gather and try to address elderly abuse instances in their communities.
How can they better protect our elders?
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy that the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth has a telephone number that elders and youth can call, but this toll-free number is only accessible in the mornings and I find that intolerable.
Mr. Speaker, I personally think that government should be more creative in trying to address elders’ needs and to protect our elders and elderly women in our territory’s communities.
Member’s Statement 032 – 3(3): Addressing Health Concerns (Ningark)
I rise today to ask our government to re-evaluate how the health concerns of Nunavummiut are received, addressed, and responded to.
Mr. Speaker, in the past, we had the regional health boards.
A representative from every single community was appointed to these boards.
These individuals would hear the issues, complaints, and concerns of their fellow community residents and bring them forward to be addressed by the health care system.
In those days, the board members even had the power to set direction and policy based on what the people told them.
Mr. Speaker, I understand that the dissolution of the regional health boards was an attempt to make our health system more efficient.
In principle, given our limited resources, this may have been a good idea at the time.
In practice, however, and over the past decade, it has simply resulted in an expansion of the bureaucracy.
To be frank, management personnel are not necessarily in touch with what the people in the communities are feeling and needing.
Mr. Speaker, who can residents turn to now when they have questions, concerns, and sometimes fears about their health, their treatment, and their future?
Since I became an MLA in the Third Assembly, I have learned that many people feel that I am their only option.
Mr. Speaker, I ran for office because I am committed to representing the people of my constituency.
I want the best for them.
But I often feel powerless to assist them in this area.
I would like to ask for unanimous consent to complete my Member’s Statement.
The member is asking for unanimous consent to complete his statement.
I want the best for them. But I often feel powerless to assist them in this area.
It is frustrating for them and me that I cannot provide the answers they seek.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the Department of Health and Social Services has established a formal complaints process by which people can submit their concerns about such matters as the services that they have received from medical professionals.
However, I am not sure that this process is meeting their needs.
A few days ago, the Hon. Minister for Health and Social Services mentioned the concept of a health ombudsman. To my mind, an ombudsman is someone that people can go and talk to and have their issues addressed.
Perhaps this is an avenue that could be explored further.
Mr. Speaker, there are also health committees of council that have a role to play in the health and wellness of their community.
Perhaps some consideration could be given to modifying their role within our health system.
Mr. Speaker, it pains me greatly that I cannot always provide adequate support or answers to my constituents’ health concerns.
I ask the government to consider some alternative options to addressing this need.
Member’s Statement 033 – 3(3): Iqaluit Hockey Tournament (Aariak)
I would like to continue along the vein of my colleague’s statements from Amittuq regarding his gratitude and my fellow minister from Rankin Inlet South in reference to the hockey tournament.
This weekend seemed very short; there were hockey tournaments all over Nunavut, including a junior tournament here in Iqaluit.
It must be hockey times in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a representative for Iqaluit East to celebrate the success of the hockey tournaments, the coordinators, the coaches, the many volunteers, especially the parents who were involved in this minor hockey tournament here in Iqaluit.
Further, there were three-on-three tournaments; there were the novice, atom, and peewee divisions. Ted Hickey coordinated the whole tournament. It was also very good to witness that hockey association also filled in a female hockey team.
Pat Gardener was also looking after the four-on-four tournament with the bantam and midgets. That also occurred over the weekend.
Again, we keep stating, Mr. Speaker, that exercise is a very good benefit and now, in this House, we can cite very good examples of how exercise contributes to Nunavummiut by referencing the participation of these young hockey players.
(interpretation ends) All of the young hockey players who took part in the hockey tournament this past weekend are great role models in showing their love of sport and their sportsmanship.
Congratulations to who organized the events and to all who took part.
Mr. Speaker, let this be a reminder to all of us to stay healthy and active. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) It was an all-round good weekend. Montreal won every game they played, so it was perfect.
Member for Baffin South.
Member’s Statement 034 – 3(3): Capital Planning Priorities (Schell)
I rise today to address the issue of capital planning in Nunavut.
As members will recall, I made a statement in this House on June 9 of last year concerning the importance of ensuring that our smaller communities are not left behind when it comes to addressing their infrastructure needs.
Mr. Speaker, as members are aware, the community of Kimmirut has been waiting for a very long time for a new airport.
Its current location and runway severely limits the types of aircraft that can serve the community.
As anyone who has ever flown into Kimmirut can attest, the landing is one of the most, how shall I put it, exciting experiences an air traveller can have.
Mr. Speaker, I have raised this issue on a number of occasions in this House on behalf of the community.
When I asked this question last June, the reply that I received was that the government is “not in a position to undertake a feasibility study on relocating the Kimmirut Airport” at this time.
Mr. Speaker, I have noted that the government’s new business plan indicates that, and I quote, “The Department of Community & Government Services is improving the community consultation process, which will focus on improving community participation, fairness, transparency and accountability in the capital planning process.”
Mr. Speaker, I applaud this commitment and I look forward to seeing more details on how it will actually be accomplished.
I was especially pleased to see that the government recognizes that fairness is an important value to include in our capital planning process and I look forward to seeing it reflected in next year’s capital budget.
Going back to our orders of the day. Item 4.
Return to Oral Question 009 – 3(3): Transformers on Apex Road (Kusugak)
This is in response to Question 9 – 3(3) asked by Mr. Fred Schell, Member for South Baffin, in response to transformers on the Apex Road.
Mr. Speaker, after reviewing the 36 structures between the Arctic Winter Games Arena and the Apex Bridge, we have narrowed down the reference in the oral question to pole numbers 47, 48, and 49. The three “transformers” that the member referred to are actually voltage regulators used to maintain voltages at the proper level.
There units were originally intended to be used two years ago but the project was halted.
Upon completion of the 25 kilovolt conversions in Iqaluit, these regulators will be removed and can easily be used in future projects where voltage regulation problems arise.
In response to the 15 kilovolt system, when Qulliq Energy was part of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, some thought was given to a voltage conversion within the Iqaluit system from the current 5 kilovolt to a 15 kilovolt.
A decision was made to acquire transformers for dual voltage so they could be switched between either voltage classes without replacement of the unit.
During the 2005 planning study, a long-term solution was developed to convert the Iqaluit distribution system to a higher 25 kilovolt class.
QEC found that of the 455 pole mount transformers in service and stocked in Iqaluit, about 30 units were dual voltage.
All of these unites are salvageable.
During the original system planning study, these were identified as salvageable equipment that would be reused in other QEC systems that utilize the 15 kilovolt voltage class (i.e. Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, Coral Harbour).
Even the existing 5 kilovolt class equipment being retired in Iqaluit is intended to be used in other 5 kilovolt systems in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, this could result in savings of $750,000 overall.
Item. 5.
As I had announced last week, the Department of Education held its first ever early childhood education conference.
It gives me great pleasure today to recognize Kunuunnguaq Fleischer standing right here behind me. He’s a project coordinator on early childhood education for the Home Rule Government of Greenland.
He was a keynote speaker this weekend.
I would like to recognize him for being here and again thank him for the wonderful presentation that he provided to our early childhood educators over the weekend.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge Ivalu Adolfsen, who is also a presenter, but she left earlier today.
I would like to welcome him to the Gallery, and I’m sure we will be seeing more of each other over the years ahead as we continue to foster this great working relationship.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) I wish a good afternoon to the residents of Rankin Inlet.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise to welcome to the Gallery someone I got to know awhile back ago, you won’t believe this, when I was 18 years old.
He is the former Deputy Commissioner of Yukon Territory and a long-serving federal mandarin, if I may use that word, Mr. Peter Gillespie from Ottawa.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) I can’t picture you at 18.
There being none. (interpretation ends) Item 6. (interpretation) Oral Questions.
Question 059 – 3(3): Addressing Health Concerns (Ningark)
The minister, in my opinion, only looks as if he just turned 28 years old.
At least in his appearance, he seems that young.
When you try to provide assistance to one of your constituents as a regular MLA, you sometimes have difficulty as you are the sole representative of your constituents and they also have a wide range of issues that they want dealt with.
With respect to health issues, I’m also approached by quite a few constituents with concerns that one cannot speak to in this House since they are generally confidential information.
One cannot even mention any names here in the House, and that is a given.
During the mayors’ summit in Rankin Inlet, I informed the (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister for Health and Social Services (interpretation) that perhaps the department should consider empowering the local health committees that exist in the hamlets.
How can we ensure that concerns are voiced locally and have a local body express these concerns so that issues can be resolved?
As MLAs, even though we wish to provide assistance, we cannot always do so since we run into obstacles. Perhaps if there was a regional health board that provided a grassroots perspective or even by incorporating or empowering the local health committees so that they can pass along the concerns.
Has the minister looked into this issue to see if we can improve the way medical complaints are processed?
When the minister was a regular MLA, I recall him stating a concern from his constituents. He stated that whenever a person went to the health centre, the usual advice was, (interpretation ends) “Take one aspirin or Tylenol and call me in the morning.”
I recall that he said that when he was a regular member.
So I wonder if he has looked at the options of ensuring that medically related complaints or concerns are dealt with in a timely manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That is an excellent question and we will not brush it off as we need to improve the system.
Perhaps if I could say this, Mr. Speaker, sometimes we forget that a lot of our operations are proceeding smoothly.
Our employees are excellent workers who work tirelessly, with many nurses and managers looking after a slew of responsibilities, such as arranging travel.
Even as we speak, our employees are busy working to address medical issues all over Nunavut. They are looking after sick people, arranging medevacs, medical trips, and future appointments for testing.
Yes, it falls short of expectations.
Perhaps we haven’t done enough, but these are not the only reasons as funding remains the biggest obstacle for our nurses. We are always juggling our budget and continually in a deficit.