EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, under Sivumut Abluqta, NHC is mandated to take the lead for the GN in developing more energy efficient and economical housing solutions.
On its recent 5- and 10-plex builds, NHC reached energy efficiency ratings of 83 percent based on Natural Resources Canada ratings.
This efficiency rating is great news considering that power and fuel alone constitute over 35 percent of the annual costs to maintain a unit.
However, more can be done and is being done.
In conversations with the chair and the president of NHC, I asked for a pilot project to determine the feasibility of switching from conventional halogen lights to LED lighting.
This is an initiative that I personally hold dear, as I am currently replacing all the lights in my home to LEDs to save money on energy costs and reduce my energy consumption at home.
NHC will now go forward with switching to LED lights in new housing constructions and all major renovations that warrant the work.
Although this initiative seems small, incremental changes like this are key to overall energy improvements.
Increasing energy efficiency and continuing towards greater innovation will take time and research.
To this end, NHC actively participates in housing research forums, discussions, and best practice sharing related to northern housing and energy efficiency.
Recently, NHC was an active participant in a workshop on arctic housing infrastructure hosted by Polar Knowledge Canada and included Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, or CMHC, National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN), and representation from the Northwest Territories and Yukon housing corporations.
Mr. Speaker, as much as NHC is committed to ensuring it continues to improve the energy efficiency of its new designs, the corporation is also concerned with the fact that approximately 72 percent of all public housing units, or 3,670 units, were built before 1999 and 30 percent of the stock was built before 1980.
As the maintenance costs of these older units increase, NHC recognizes that savings through energy efficiency measures will be increasingly important.
Mr. Speaker, as part of the Blueprint for Action on Housing for the implementation of the GN Long-term Comprehensive Housing and Homelessness Strategy initiative, NHC will be facilitating engagement sessions on evaluating appropriate technological innovation and its role in reducing the cost of housing in Nunavut.
I look forward to updating my colleagues as NHC begins its engagement sessions on this topic and on our continued progress on implementing small and large changes that improve the overall energy efficiency of housing in Nunavut.
Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Paul Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 102 – 4(3): Arctic Indigenous Education Conference 2016 (Quassa)
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, my colleagues and residents of my community, as well as those who are in the House.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to my fellow members about the 2016 Arctic Indigenous Education Conference being held this week in northern Norway.
The Sami Parliament of Norway and the Sami University College are hosting this conference.
Delegates from the circumpolar regions, including education officials from Nunavut, will meet to share research and achievements in:
Revitalization of language and culture,
Digital possibilities in indigenous education, and
New practices in arctic indigenous education.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the conference theme is Revitalization – Challenges and New Perspectives in Education, focusing on current successes and best practices and identifying common challenges that offer new perspectives on arctic indigenous education.
(interpretation) This is the second circumpolar indigenous education conference.
The first conference was co-hosted in Iqaluit by the governments of Nunavut and Greenland in November 2012.
(interpretation ends) The conference will bring together new theoretical approaches and practical models of arctic indigenous education that support arctic and worldwide perspectives.
Mr. Speaker, an educational ministerial meeting will be held during the conference on March 16, which is today, with the goal of signing a memorandum of understanding on circumpolar cooperation on indigenous education.
The proposed MOU focuses on educational research, quality education programs, family and community engagement, and the planning and hosting of a triennial circumpolar indigenous education conference.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, this MOU will strengthen the working relationship between circumpolar regions.
It will allow us to share research, curriculum, programming developments, and teaching practices that support academic success and indigenous culture and heritage.
This cooperation will help us strengthen the delivery of indigenous education.
Member’s Statement 213 – 4(3): Iqaluit Fiddle Club Welcomes Youth Orchestra (Angnakak)
I rise today to recognize the Iqaluit Fiddle Club and join them in welcoming members of the youth chamber orchestra from the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who will be arriving for a six-day visit on March 24.
Mr. Speaker, in February, the Iqaluit Fiddle Club visited the conservatory in Halifax and played with a string orchestra for the very first time.
During the visit to Halifax, the Iqaluit Fiddle Club and the youth orchestra worked together to create an orchestral work that incorporated throat songs and traditional songs from Nunavut.
For the Iqaluit visit, the Iqaluit Fiddle Club and their guests will be performing a special string concert on Monday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral.
It will be a wonderful occasion to enjoy some beautiful music.
Mr. Speaker, these two groups were twinned under a project funded by the Experiences Canada program.
The exchange visit is also supported with input and sponsorship from local businesses, families, community leaders, schools, and volunteers.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the long-time contribution of Ms. Darlene Nuqingaq, who is a volunteer instructor with the Iqaluit Fiddle Club, an interschool club providing lessons to over 60 participants from all of Iqaluit’s schools.
Mr. Speaker, it is wonderful when such partnerships support our youth, encourage community pride, and promote a greater understanding of our Canadian heritage.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Iqaluit Fiddle Club on their accomplishments to date.
Member’s Statement 214 – 4(3): Wife Recovering in Yellowknife (Qirngnuq)
I rise today to inform you that my wife slipped and broke her leg just before Sunday.
She had surgery in Yellowknife where she will be healing.
Her surgery was successful and I was happy to hear when I talked to her on the telephone that she is healing now.
Our youngest daughter joined her yesterday.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to say that one of our relatives left for medical travel to Edmonton.
When she was diagnosed, it turned out she had heart problems from a stroke.
She has had heart surgery and she will be healing. I am happy to share that they will be healing.
I would like my colleagues to be aware of that and be happy with them.
Member’s Statement 215 – 4(3): Congratulations to Donna May Kimmaliardjuk (Sammurtok, T)
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am very pleased to have the opportunity to rise today in recognition of Ms. Donna May Kimmaliardjuk.
She’s prominently displayed in the Canadian Inuit youth magazine.
Mr. Speaker, Donna May’s family roots are in my hometown of Chesterfield Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, Donna May has completed medical school and is currently undertaking her residency at the University of Ottawa with the goal of becoming a cardiac surgeon.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this sitting, my colleague from Baker Lake paid tribute to two young Inuit with roots in Baker Lake who have become successful professionals.
Mr. Speaker, it should go without saying that there are no shortcuts to becoming a physician.
Mr. Speaker, Donna May’s success is another example of hard work and perseverance, and I ask all members to join me in congratulating her for her accomplishments to date and wishing her well for the hard work to come. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 216 – 4(3): News from Daughter, Lucy (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good morning” to the people of Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay, and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say “good morning” especially to my daughter whom I totally love. She has been in Emsdale, Ontario for the past three years now.
Mr. Speaker, our precious daughter in the south is named after her late mother.
Lucy Agalakti Mapsalak is her full name and I know she is watching.
When she called me the last time, I really felt it inside.
She goes to school to learn and is well taken care of there.
She told me that they are painting the homeless shelter right now.
She saw a hungry person close to the homeless shelter and she felt compassionate towards that person. She had a few dollars, so she bought a little bit of food from the store and gave it to that person.
I was so proud of her for doing that.
Even though she’s there being taken care of by an institution, she is able to take care of another person.
It touched me.
I started wondering why there are homeless people.
When my daughter told me what she did, I really felt it in my heart for that homeless person.
There are people out there who need other people to help them.
I am very grateful because she is taken care of very well down there. I was so worried about her when she left.
I just wanted to share this with my colleagues and the people of Nunavut.
There is a very caring person down there.
Member’s Statement 217 – 4(3): Appreciation of Mothers (Akoak)
Good morning to the community of Gjoa Haven, my colleagues, and visitors in the gallery.
I didn’t have anything planned this morning, but I did something on paper in 10 minutes, so hopefully it turns out good.
Mr. Speaker, it’s a story about thanking all the mothers of Nunavut.
I will tell you a little story on it and this was written in under 10 minutes.
It’s about a little boy going up to his mother one day while she was doing dishes.
He gave the mother a piece of paper.
The piece of paper the mother read, I guess, was an invoice. It said, “For shovelling snow, it will cost you $2; taking out the trash, 75 cents; keeping the little brother while you went shopping, $1.75; for getting good grades on the report card, $3.75; for clearing steps, $1.75.
Total of the invoice, $10.”
The mother looked at the invoice and on the back of the paper, she wrote, “My boy, for the nine months I carried you while growing up inside of me, no charge; for watching you, caring for you, and doctoring you and wiping your nose, no charge; for buying clothes, food, and toys for you, there is no charge; for staying up nights worrying about you, no charge. And to add it all up, the total cost of my love, no charge.”
I would like to say “thank you very much” to my daughter, who is expecting, who gave us a little granddaughter who is very special. Thank you. Also to my wife, who gave us beautiful children, thank you very much.
A special thank you to my mother, who is watching over from above, thank you very much.
Mr. Speaker, the total cost of real love, there is no charge.
Member’s Statement 218 – 4(3): The Importance of Nunavut Sivuniksavut (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) That’s a tough act to follow.
(interpretation) Welcome and good morning, Nunavummiut, people of Cape Dorset and Kimmirut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge someone who has been a special person in the lives of many Nunavut youth.
Mr. Speaker, as you may know, over 450 other Nunavut youth, including myself, are proud graduates of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program.
It’s a program that we all know has been an important step forward for young Inuit who are now contributing to all facets of Nunavut society.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut Sivuniksavut has reinforced our pride in being Inuit and our respect for Inuit culture and our confidence and enthusiasm to contribute to the betterment of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, much of the credit for the success of that program rests with the founding partner of the program, Mr. Murray Angus. His unfailing commitment and dedication to Inuit youth have helped create one of the most unique and successful educational programs for aboriginal youth in Canada.
Mr. Speaker, this year, after 25 years of teaching in the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program, Mr. Murray Angus is retiring.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of his colleagues and all the Inuit youth who have participated in and benefited from this outstanding program, I would like to say an official “thank you” to Murray Angus for being our teacher and our friend.
Mr. Speaker, I would like all members to join me in saying “thank you” to Murray Angus for his contribution to Nunavut youth and wish him the best in his retirement.
Members’ Statements. Member for Tununiq, Mr. Joe Enook.
Member’s Statement 219 – 4(3): The Northern Youth Abroad Program (Enook)
Good morning, people of Pond Inlet and our fellow Nunavummiut.
I am thinking of my family. I know you went through hardship yesterday and I have you in my thoughts today.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my pride today for the Northern Youth Abroad program.
They have announced the participants for this coming summer. I was especially proud of my fellow residents when I saw their names on the list. The participants from Pond Inlet are as follows: Billy Tagak, good work, B.J., Cara Killiktee, and alternatives Michael Pewatualook and Rose Tagak.
The Northern Youth Abroad program is extremely important for students and youth in general. They get to meet other people from different parts of the world and learn from them.
I am very proud of the members from my community and everyone else on the list.
Member’s Statement 220 – 4(3): The Arctic Inspiration Prize (Hickes)
It is with great pleasure to have in the legislature today two special visitors who are no strangers to Nunavut and the north, Mr. Arnold Witzig, Co-founder of the Arctic Inspiration Prize and Chris Côte, Manager of the Arctic Inspiration Prize with the Rideau Hall Foundation.
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Inspiration $1 million annual prize was founded in 2012 by Mr. Witzig and his partner, Sima Sharifi. It is the largest annual prize in Canada and is focused strictly on projects that benefit the people of the Canadian Arctic.
The AIP encourages knowledge to action, plans in the fields of education, human health, socio-cultural issues, environmental stewardship, and the economy.
Mr. Speaker, since its inception, the AIP has awarded a total of $4.5 million to 11 teams.
Eight of those awards have directly benefited Nunavut totalling nearly $3.7 million.
Two teams from Nunavut were awarded prizes just this year, Mr. Speaker.
They are Qaggiq: Nurturing the Arctic Performing Arts, who received $600,000 for their plan to strengthen northern performing artists and improve resiliency, self-worth, belonging, and pride, particularly among youth at risk.
Also, Better Hearing in Education for Northern Youth, or BHENY, who received $300,000 for their plan to improve the lives of youth with hearing loss living in the Qikiqtani region of Nunavut.
The AIP is in the process of handing over project ownership to northerners.
The AIP trust and the Rideau Hall Foundation have entered into a collaboration agreement.
The Rideau Hall Foundation will be responsible for operational management with accountability to the AIP trustees. The Rideau Hall Foundation will mobilize resources to cover the operational costs associated with this prize.
I don’t hear any nays.
Mr. Hickes, please proceed.
Hon. George Hickes: Thank you, colleagues and Mr. Speaker.
Further, the prize money for 2015 has been increased to $1.5 million and it is the goal by 2017 to further increase the prize amount to about $3 million annually, with $2 million provided by the founders and the rest by the many partners from the north and south.
All past, current, and future development plans of the AIP have been and will be based on the overwhelming participation of many northern partners and ambassadors.
Mr. Speaker, for this reason, the AIP, through Mr. Witzig and Mr. Côte, is in the process of reaching out to additional Nunavut ambassadors and partners.
In Nunavut, each community has already at least three designated ambassadors.
Among them are Nunavut government liaison officers, the economic development officers, and the board members and liaison officers of all the regional Inuit associations.
This support at the ambassador level may be the reason that Nunavut has received the largest share of prize laureates.
Among the Nunavut prize partners are Inuit owned corporations and industry partners like Baffinland and Agnico Eagle. Many other partners from other arctic regions and governments are also part of the Arctic Inspiration Prize family.
This partnership of north and south, private and public is literally the foundation of the prize. Without it, the AIP would not exist.
I would like to thank Mr. Witzig and Mr. Côte for their commitment to continue to develop strong partnerships for the benefit of northerners. At the appropriate time, I would like to formally welcome them to the legislature today.
Members’ Statements. Member for Pangnirtung, Mr. Johnny Mike.
Member’s Statement 221 – 4(3): Update on the Pangnirtung Fishery (Mike)
I rise today to provide further commentary on a statement I made when we first started our session, and this is an addendum to that information.
Indeed, personal independence and self-sufficiency are very dear and thoroughly enjoyed by the residents of Pangnirtung.
Our community received a fish plant over 20 years ago. Twenty-two years, to be exact, have passed since our community supported and planned for the creation of a local fish plant. Since that time, the Pangnirtung fish plant has provided enormous benefits to locals.
When we first started this session, I made a Member’s Statement about the turbot fishery that exists in our community with an update of the status of the sector.
At this time, I will provide further details that I want publicly known due to the beneficial relationship with our community.
To date, the fishers have harvested close to 300,000 lbs. of turbot. There are 62 fishermen and one lone fisherwoman.
There is one woman who is part of the fishers, but unfortunately, no other women have joined. Nonetheless, one woman is fiercely practising her right to fish independently. The associated income from the current harvest that I mentioned was close to 300,000 lbs. reached about $335,000 earned by these fishers.
Further, the numbers have not really changed with respect to the fish plant workers, which averages around 40 positions.
If you total the fishers and fish plant employees, we have approximately 200 Pangnirtung residents involved in the fishery when the season opens.
This sector provides much-needed income and economic development to Nunavut.
This is a tremendous source of pride to the residents, and it looks as if this fishery will be sustainable for some time to come.
Obviously, this kind of fishery can also succeed in other communities if residents are fully supportive of the initiative.
I take pleasure in announcing the continuing developments, which is why I rose today to express my gratitude to the fishers who make this possible.
Moving on. Item 4.
Minister of Family Services, Mr. Johnny Mike.
Return to Oral Question 230 – 4(3): Amending Eligibility Criteria for Senior Fuel Subsidy (Mike)
I’ll read the return in Inuktitut. The question was asked by David Joanasie, Member for South Baffin.
He asked Johnny Mike, Acting Minister of Family Services.
The date was March 7 and the subject was increase in senior fuel subsidy.
“Every year, a specific budget is allocated for the Senior Fuel Subsidy Program.
I would like to ask the minister: can he confirm whether or not the full budget is expended every year and, if not, why not?”
The Government of Nunavut has not fully spent the Senior Fuel Subsidy Program’s annual budget in recent years.
The senior fuel subsidy budget for fiscal year 2012-13 was $478,000 with expenditures of $227,000; for fiscal year 2013-14, the budget was $478,000 with expenditures of $250,849; and for fiscal year 2014-15, the budget was $478,000 with expenditures of $289,524.
The department will continue to actively promote the program to Nunavummiut. Frontline income assistance workers are available to help Nunavummiut apply for the subsidy.
The department will continue to monitor the gap and make adjustments as appropriate.
Hon. Minister of Community and Government Services, Mr. Joe Savikataaq.
Return to Oral Question 244 – 4(3): Search and Rescue Contribution Policy (Savikataaq)
Return to oral question asked by Mr. Rumbolt, asked of the Minister of Community and Government Services, No. 244 – 4(3), date asked March [9], 2016, subject, Search and Rescue Contribution Policy.
The question Mr. Rumbolt asked was:
Schedule 1 of his department’s policy regarding community-based search and rescue contributions for local search and rescue organizations also provides that, and I quote, ‘Where unusual circumstances warrant special consideration, the Deputy Minister or delegate may deem excluded items to be eligible expenditures.’
In my response, I’ll give him not “roughly how many times” but the exact number.
Excluded items have been deemed eligible expenditures six times in the past year. These items include Sanikiluaq, various equipment; Hall Beach, trailing arm and ski; Hall Beach, replaced damaged track; Pangnirtung, ATV battery; Taloyoak, repair ATV motor; Naujaat, new sled/qamutik.
The Acting Minister of Family Services, Mr. Johnny Mike.
Return to Oral Question 256 – 4(3): Repatriating Nunavut Elders (Mike)
I will also speak in Inuktitut with my return to oral question.
The question was asked by Pat Angnakak, MLA for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, asking the Minister of Family Services, date March 10, 2016. The subject was repatriating Nunavut elders.
“Can the minister provide an update on how often his department re-evaluates the status of clients who are receiving continuing care services in the south with a view to repatriating them back home to Nunavut?”
The Department of Family Services conducts annual reviews for both children and adults receiving care in a residential care facility in or out of territory.
Occasionally, reviews occur with greater frequency if a client’s circumstances or plans of care change.
The review is conducted through the Placement Planning Review Committee.
Return to Oral Question 259 – 4(3): Departmental Vacancies (Savikataaq)
Return to oral question asked by Mr. Enook and he asked of the Minister of Community and Government Services, No. 259 – 4(3), the date the question was asked, March 10, 2016, the subject, departmental vacancies.
The question Mr. Enook said:
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is my last question. I know that there are empty staff housing units in Pond Inlet and I keep saying that in the House.
However, the job advertisement for the position of regional project manager indicates that no staff housing is available. Let me ask the minister: can he clarify whether this is because there are no units available in Pond Inlet or is it because his department did not request a unit to be allocated to this position? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
Mr. Speaker, my response:
Currently, CGS is in the process of staffing the following position in Pond Inlet:
Regional Projects Manager
Competition is currently advertised without housing as there is a lack of available staff housing in Pond Inlet and there are existing staff who are interested in applying who already have housing.
Returns to Oral Questions. Acting Minister of Family Services, Mr. Johnny Mike.
Return to Oral Question 274 – 4(3): Nunavut Food Strategy and the Niqittiavak Committee (Mike)
The question was asked by Tony Akoak, Member for Gjoa Haven, asked of the Acting Minister of Family Services on March 14, 2016, Nunavut Food Strategy and the Niqittiavak Committee.