EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Team Nunavut was well represented in the sport of wrestling by Augaaruk Karetak from Arviat, Joe Karetak Jr. from Arviat, Saul Netser from Coral Harbour, Eli Paliak from Coral Harbour, and Levi Enuaraq-Strauss from Iqaluit. The team was trained and coached by Mike Soares from Nova Scotia, Marie Claude Grenier from Iqaluit, and Patrick Angoyuaq from Baker Lake.
Nunavut was equally well represented in the National Artist Program by the Inuksuk Inuit Drummers from Iqaluit.
The National Artist Program participants managed by Mary Piercey were Crystal Mullins, Christine Tootoo, and Marley Dunkers.
Mr. Speaker, in continuing the pursuit of excellence, these young people represented Nunavut well and are now role models encouraging others to follow their example and reap the benefits of participation in sport and the arts.
I would like to invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the participants, coaches, managers, and mission staff for their role in representing Nunavut at the 2009 Canada Summer Games.
Minister’s Statement 060 – 3(2): Nunavut’s Participation in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to rise today to update the Members of this House on the government’s preparations for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
These games are an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote Nunavut to a worldwide audience as a place to visit and invest.
I am happy to report that Nunavut will have a presence at the games that will make all Nunavummiut happy and proud.
Together with the Northwest Territories, we have leased a venue in downtown Vancouver that we are calling “Canada’s Northern House,” which will host a variety of tourism, investment, and industry displays.
Its stage will be used to showcase our performing and visual artists, as well as Nunavut’s fashion designers and furs.
Mr. Speaker, I’m also happy to report that we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the District of West Vancouver for cooperation during the 2010 Games, which will include a major mining reception and numerous opportunities to share Nunavut’s culture and tourism potential.
The Inuksuit Project, through which authentic Nunavut Inuksuit are sold as official VANOC merchandise, has meant revenues of at least $300,000 for Nunavut carvers, while the Uqqurmiut Centre was commissioned to create a tapestry which will be displayed at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
The performers we are sending down to Vancouver – circus performers, throat singers, drum dancers, break dancers, and storyteller Michael Kusugak – are all busy designing outfits and holding rehearsals, and I am confident that they will make us proud as they perform at Olympic events, including a victory celebration before a global television audience of millions.
Mr. Speaker, there are many opportunities associated with the 2010 games in Vancouver and I want to assure the Members of the House that Nunavut investment in the Games will be returned for years to come.
Minister’s Statement 061 – 3(2): Child and Family Services Knowledge Sharing Forum (Curley)
I would like to welcome the people of Rankin Inlet and I miss them all.
Mr. Speaker, one of the major priorities of Tamapta is to help those at risk and vulnerable in our community, particularly our children and youth.
The Department of Health and Social Services takes its role in working towards this vision very seriously.
As a result of ongoing and growing concerns regarding the current way we deliver child and family services programming and how we apply the Child and Family Services Act, we have acknowledged the need for a comprehensive review of both programs and the Act itself.
It is my plan to engage Nunavutmiut and our communities in the review process following traditional Inuit approaches and values.
Mr. Speaker, I am taking immediate steps towards influencing positive changes as we collaboratively work towards reaching the goals of Tamapta.
Mr. Speaker, I am inviting representatives from each regional Inuit association, as well as Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, along with other requested participants from Nunavut to attend a three-day knowledge sharing session.
This session will provide an opportunity for my department staff, Inuit organization representatives, and other invited participants, including elders, to take part in candid conversations about the current state of child and family services in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the session’s goals are to create better and locally sensitive support services for the future of children and families in Nunavut, to find common agreement on an approach to improve the Child and Family Services Act and its systems currently in place, and to provide encouragement and support to families and children.
Both positive and negative aspects of the child welfare system will be explored and participants will be able to share their vision of the future for Nunavut children, families, and communities.
In addition to reviewing current child protection practices, participants will also be invited to explore community-centred ways to support parents in fulfilling their duty to protect and nurture their children.
Mr. Speaker, this is an important step to gather strategic guidance and direction as to how the Child and Family Services Act can be best administered in accordance with Inuit societal values and culture.
Mr. Speaker, it is the goal of my department to seek guidance as to how it can best support Nunavut communities to ensure that all children have healthy and safe environments to grow up in.
Member’s Statement 091 – 3(2): Congratulations to Montreal Alouettes (Schell)
On Friday, we had Funny Friday, and today is a very sad day for me because of the Grey Cup last night.
Of course, I had a wager with Paul Okalik and I had the unfortunate part of taking the Saskatchewan Roughriders. I am glad, actually, that Paul Okalik won because at least he has something to cheer for, considering that his Montreal Canadiens are not doing that well. I also thought, because Saskatchewan was a nine-point underdog, that they would be allowed the 13th person there, but apparently, that’s illegal.
I was going to buy a watermelon and cut it up and put it on my head as a hat, but I thought that would be a waste of a good watermelon. So what I have done is I brought a watermelon over to the Members’ Lounge so you can enjoy with me some humble pie which is in the form of a watermelon.
I would like everybody to join me here in congratulating the Montreal Alouettes for a great season and winning the Grey Cup.
Member’s Statement 092 – 3(2): Need for Social Workers in the High Arctic (Elliott)
I rise today to repeat and reiterate the need for dedicated social workers for the communities of the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, I have raised this issue in the House on a number of occasions.
Instead of the situation being addressed and improved upon, it appears to be getting worse.
Mr. Speaker, according to the vision of Tamapta, one of this government’s priorities is to “Address social concerns at their roots.” In order to do that, I believe that every effort must be made to ensure that the appropriate resources are in place.
Mr. Speaker, for the three communities in my constituency, social worker service has gone from one to none. These communities are now receiving service from a loaned social worker based in Pond Inlet.
Providing service to the combined populations of these four communities is a heavy burden to place on one individual’s shoulders.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of Kaujak Komangapik, the social worker who is providing social work service to the communities of the High Arctic.
Providing services such as this to three communities across such a vast area must be challenging and demanding.
I applaud her ability to adapt to handling the work of three individuals.
Mr. Speaker, it is unacceptable to me that the social work situation in the High Arctic has not been resolved today.
I understand that advertising and hiring for these positions is handled by Human Resources.
Given the ongoing delays and lack of success in hiring full-time staff into these positions, I urge the government to consider alternative measures.
Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Peter Taptuna.
Member’s Statement 093 – 3(2): The Olympic Flame in Kugluktuk (Taptuna)
Good morning to Kuglukturmiut and Kitikmeot. Good afternoon to Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, on November 5, 2009, a very important and rare event happened in my home community of Kugluktuk.
The Olympic flame arrived and was greeted by the cheering of people in Kugluktuk.
The Olympic flame was carried by dogsled that was driven by one of my constituents, Colin Adjun.
Mr. Adjun was one of the four torchbearers from Kugluktuk.
As the people of Kugluktuk stood on the side of the road to welcome the flame to our community, there was much cheering and waving, including homemade signs and, of course, a lot of Canadian flags.
The flame arrived at the community arena and everyone in attendance was served a feast of traditional foods and drum dancing. Games were played throughout the day and, of course, enjoyed by all.
The torch relay is a journey across Canada to engage all Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
For those of us in Nunavut lucky enough to have the flame visit our community, it provided the chance for us to promote our communities to Canada and to the rest of the world.
Mr. Speaker, for an event like this, it requires the efforts and services of many volunteers.
I would like to thank all those who have dedicated their time to this very important event as without their time volunteering, events such as this would not take place.
Mr. Speaker, the torchbearers selected from my community to carry the Olympic flame were as follows: Colin Adjuk, Terry Kuliktana, who was the silver and bronze medal winner in the last Special Olympics in China, Gavin Ayalik, and Helena Bolt.
I would like to take this time in congratulating each and every one of them for a job well done.
Member’s Statement 094 – 3(2): Coral Harbour Men’s Group Steps Forward (Ningeongan)
I rise today to acknowledge the courage and strength of a group of men who are doing their best to become better husbands, fathers, and grandfathers.
Mr. Speaker, in September of 2009, a regional meeting in Coral Harbour brought a group of men together for the first time to address their role and responsibilities within their family.
Their focus was to become better stewards of their families.
Mr. Speaker, this meeting was inspired by the realization that too many men in our society have drifted away from their responsibilities as the head of the household.
In too many cases, the mother of the family was left to take on her partner’s role as well as her own and this, in turn, lead to other problems.
Mr. Speaker, the Coral Harbour Men’s Group was initiated by Mr. Willie Eetuk, who decided to embark on the journey to become a better father, husband, and grandfather.
It did not take long for the men to see his example and admit that they too could change for the better. With the support from the Kivalliq Outreach Program, the men’s group got together to revisit what it meant to be the head of the family: to take on those responsibilities and to recognize the importance of family unity.
Mr. Speaker, this group continues to meet every week for men to join with their peers on the journey to becoming more loving, caring, and compassionate.
Mr. Speaker, the men in this group seek to understand and meet the expectations of their families.
It is not enough to be just an authority figure; it takes much more than that to be a steward of your family as a father, husband, and grandfather.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage men from across Nunavut’s many communities to look for inspiration on how to be better fathers, husbands, and grandfathers.
The Coral Harbour Men’s Group is one example of how you can support each other. It takes courage and strength to realize the importance of this journey, but it can be done.
Going to Item 4. (interpretation ends) Returns to Oral Questions.
Return to Oral Question 105 – 3(2): Government Response to Conservation Officer’s Actions (Shewchuk)
I would like to clarify to the question asked by the Nanulik MLA on November 26 with respect to a recent investigation involving a conservation officer.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify to the House further to my response during the oral question that an internal investigation with respect to a conservation officer was conducted.
The investigation was in collaboration with the local HTO and other community members. This recent investigation was concluded and I considered the case closed at that time.
However, with new information received from the community as well as the local HTO, I have decided to reopen the investigation to look into the process of internal investigation and the new information received recently. I have also instructed the department to utilize an independent investigation for impartiality and transparency.
I expect to receive recommendations shortly after the independent investigation is completed and will advise the members accordingly.
Returns to Oral Questions. Item 5.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize an individual who has provided great support to me on more than one occasion.
Even today, this individual is my friend and current billet as I am staying there. I would like my colleagues to acknowledge Ms. Lori Morina, who is originally from Baker Lake.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the Gallery.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize a visitor in the Gallery, Tommy Tatatuapik from Arctic Bay. He is on the Parks Canada Board, Nunavut Water Board, and is also the chairperson for our elders committee in Arctic Bay, Mr. Tatatuapik.
Welcome to the Gallery. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Tootoo.
Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize a visitor here from Whitehorse who is probably no stranger to a lot of members here in this House, Mr. Jean-Francois Laurier, who is sitting back there. He’s the regional vice-president for the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
He used to be based down south. Thanks to a lot of good work of Public Service Alliance members, they were able to relocate that position into the north where it belongs. I would like to welcome him to the Gallery.
Mr. Elliott… Mr. Okalik
I will take Mr. Elliott’s place. I know he wanted to recognize an individual from Grise Fiord. I have known him for a very long time and I would like to welcome to the Gallery Mr. Japatee Akeeagok.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik. Welcome to the Gallery. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
Question 123 – 3(2): Five-Year Funding Agreement with Health Canada (Okalik)
I’m sure he recalls that when I was with the government, the federal government approved getting funding which we worked very hard to obtain.
We had wanted this money to go on indefinitely, but the federal government set a limit up to five years, which we’re approaching the fifth year, and the funding lapses on March 31.
I would like to ask the minister to give us an update on what is happening with this situation.
Hon Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member for posing that question. The Member for Iqaluit West brought up a very important subject.
The federal government, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut agreed on that funding, but it’s going to lapse on March 31 when it’s $175 million, which our government agreed to.
Through collaboration, they wanted to see what they could put up with health prevention and mental health services, especially with the public health issue.
It’s a five-year funding that was used also for medical travel. For the past five years, we have used $75 million for medical travel.
So we are concerned with the agreement about to expire, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the member for asking that question, but we haven’t been told if they’re going to renew the agreement.
The three governments for the Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut are looking for a total of $215 million.
We still haven’t received a reply, but we did hold a teleconference last week with their finance minister and he has submitted that to the finance department.
But to date, we haven’t heard whether there is going to be an extension or if anything is going to be happening on that.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Your first supplementary, Mr. Okalik.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, it’s something that should be of concern to the department. If we don’t get those additional funds, we’re going to have to look elsewhere.
At this time, I would like to urge the minister to keep lobbying the federal government.
I will be giving my support.
Would it help if we tabled a motion to see this funding be made available indefinitely?
Would it help to table a motion?
I thank the member and we would really appreciate it.
At this time, I can say that the Premier has written to Mr. Harper last week.
We are currently asking for $85 million for medical travel. The continuing care centre is set up in Igloolik and there will have to be training programs.
With that funding, we had been able to get the staff to come here to train.
The NWT, the Yukon, and Nunavut are lobbying hard to the Prime Minister and we don’t know exactly what’s going to be happening, but we would like to get a response.
We are also utilizing consultants to help lobby the federal government.
If it’s possible, we could write to the MPs. A motion from this House would be a definite asset when we’re requesting that money.
If we don’t get that funding or if there is no extension, then we will be losing the $215 million.
Question 124 – 3(2): Status of New Dozer for Grise Fiord (Elliott)
I apologize for overlooking Japatee over there.
I was so engrossed in my Member’s Statement about trying to get social workers in the High Arctic that I overlooked him.
He’s a great supporter of the Legislative Assembly and my role.
My question, Mr. Speaker, is directed to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Earlier this year, the Assembly approved the 2009-2010 Capital Estimates of the Department of Community and Government Services.
As I recall, the department’s budget for small capital projects included $280,000 for the acquisition of a new dozer for the community of Grise Fiord.
Can the minister tell me today why the community of Grise Fiord has not received this dozer even though funding for this item was approved by the Legislative Assembly earlier this year?
It was decided by the department that we had fixed block funding for all municipalities to enable all municipalities to be able to purchase heavy equipment of their choice, at their convenience through this block funding program.
It became part and parcel of that, Mr. Speaker.
I believe the minister is referring to our main estimates for 2009-2010 where there is $1.5 million for mobile equipment block funding.
My question again is: if the community of Grise Fiord is now supposed to draw on this new mobile equipment block funding to purchase the dozer, what happened to the $280,000 that was already approved for the dozer in the department’s 2009-2010 capital estimates?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: My understanding is that it became part of that $1.5 million.
I guess I’m a little confused because one is O&M money and the other is capital money. I don’t know how they mix and how they combine.
But as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I was asked to support funding for specific capital projects.
As I understand the situation, I am now being told that the funding that I approved as an MLA will not be used for the purposes that were originally intended.
How can the minister justify this approach?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: I believe the community wanted to get a dozer and they will still be able to get that dozer with the funding that we will be providing, Mr. Speaker.
So the minister is confirming that the block funding will actually be in excess of $280,000.
I know, in speaking to the community, they have been told they were actually going to be receiving $62,000 instead of the $280,000, which would not be able to afford buying the bulldozer that he’s talking about or that I’m requesting and the community has requested.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak: The block funding that everybody will be receiving will enable all of the communities to purchase heavy equipment from the appropriate people.
This will enable them to get into some payment plans and so forth.
So it would, over time, be able to pay for the cost of the dozer or loader or whatever the community may choose to purchase with that block funding.
Question 125 – 3(2): Update on Federal Funding Request for Small Craft Harbours (Arvaluk)
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): It is pretty strange, Mr. Speaker, when we’re not talking about the arena.
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Transportation. The minister made a comment to the standing committee that he was going to review the possibility of getting a docking facility through the federal government. Can the minister state now and give us an update on the response from the federal government?
Yes, I can give the hon. member from Tununiq an update.
At this present time, we’re working to find a way to get these items on the agenda for Pond Inlet and some of these other smaller communities that I have previously mentioned.
For Pond Inlet, we are working on several issues and at this time, I will be in a position to actually put out a number possibly today.
Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. (interpretation ends) Oral Questions.
Question 126 – 3(2): Update on Language Laws Consultation (Elliott)
My questions are for the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
On September 25, 2009, the minister’s department issued a news release regarding the consultations on the implementation of Nunavut’s new language laws. Round table dates and locations were listed for all three regions. These consultations were scheduled to occur from late September to early November 2009.
The news release also stated that key findings from the consultations will be tabled by the Minister of Languages to the Legislative Assembly during the fall session.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister to provide us with an update on the results of the consultations.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to also thank the member for asking the question.
We had a consultation tour in the communities and the report is ready to be tabled in the House.
The report has to be approved by cabinet and it was just approved recently.
The report will be tabled during this session, Mr. Speaker.
So the minister is confirming that it will be tabled before the end of this session.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Yes, before we go back home after this session, I will be able to table that report.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation) Your second supplementary, Mr. Elliott.
It’s my understanding that the legislation for the Act is complete and that through the consultation, the GN will come up with a plan for implementation and regulations.
Could the minister indicate when the regulations will be complete?
Once we implement the Inuit Language Protection Act, the Minister of Languages… .
It states that before March 2010, these will be implemented as to how the system will work.
I will table that information.
In February, they will do another Nunavut-wide meeting for the preparation.
According to the law, in March 2010, I will have to table that report once we have the Act enforced, Mr Speaker.
Thank you for that update.
I know the minister was in Arctic Bay with the Premier to do a round of questioning. I thank the minister for allowing us to participate. There was a lot of good conversation and it was nice to see the different Inuit associations and the Government of Nunavut working together.