EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I just want to advise as well that Baker Lake could use as much help as it can, and one of the aspects that we need help with is also in the advancement of economic development.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I also wanted to advise the department that people would like some more information of past and current activities within the economic development of Baker Lake.
As I have said, Mr. Speaker, I will be in touch further with the department over the course, of course, when we’re completed here in the formal sitting of the House as our work is never done.
I also want to thank all of my colleagues here, with all of the ministers, the staff here as well, the Office of the Clerk, because they have been very helpful in terms of ensuring that we have the adequate resources as well as the proper support.
In closing, I also would like to say again, Mr. Speaker, that I very sincerely thank the people of Baker Lake for their openness, continued support, and further enhancing our office by providing us input, support, recommendations, and suggestions. Our office is always open.
(interpretation) I just wanted to state that. I apologize, Mr. Speaker. I had more to say, but since this is our last day of sitting, I send my greetings to all Nunavummiut, especially Iqalummiut for their continued hospitality.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. (interpretation ends) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 096 – 3(3): Reflections on the End of the Spring Sitting and the Beginning of Summer (Elliott)
I would like to start my Member’s Statement by congratulating Morty Alooloo as well, who earned her Bachelor of Education degree here at Nunatta Campus.
Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of our spring sitting, I rise today to offer some reflections on our spring sitting and to look forward to the work that lies ahead.
Mr. Speaker, summer is a good time to reflect on what has been accomplished and on what more needs to be done to achieve our goals.
As an elected representative, one of my priorities is to see that the needs and aspirations of my constituents are being met.
Summer is a time to rest but also to reinvigorate ourselves.
As members know, the issue of the high cost of living in the High Arctic has been one of my priorities since taking office.
I thank Mr. Taptuna for his department’s assistance with addressing this issue.
Our recent hearings on the Nutrition North Canada Program allowed all members to raise a number of important issues and questions and I again thank all of my colleagues for the collaborative way in which we approached this work.
Mr. Speaker, as you have reminded me on a number of occasions, there is a reason why question period is not referred to as answer period.
Although I feel that our hearings on the Nutrition North Canada Program raised just as many new questions as it provided answers, it is important to recognize that this is still a new program.
I am hopeful that federal leaders and officials will review the record of our deliberations with care, and I am hopeful that over the coming months, more work will go into addressing the issues and concerns that the Members of this House and our constituents have raised.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to spending time this summer in all three communities of Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay.
I look forward to being in touch with my constituents on a daily basis and consulting with them on the issues that they want to see raised at our next sitting.
Mr. Speaker, when one travels away for a period of time, it is always nice to be able to bring something back home.
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, I almost feel as if I will be going home empty handed.
I had hoped to bring home a tabled copy of the Suicide Prevention Action Plan.
I am sure that many others were looking forward to seeing this document as well.
I am confident that many government departments were hoping to get some guidance from the action plan on their role in helping to prevent suicide.
Mr. Speaker, I was also hoping to bring home news of the new GLO positions, but so far they remain un-staffed.
Mr. Speaker, I was hoping for more progress from our new social advocate’s office.
And I was hoping to see more social workers, probation officers, and dental therapists hired and eager to begin their new jobs.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that we are all a bit tired.
Sometimes after a long hard trek, we feel a bit disappointed when our journey hasn’t been as successful as we had anticipated.
However, Mr. Speaker, there is always another day and another journey ahead.
I look forward to returning in the fall, refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to follow up again on these and other important issues.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude by noting that when we reconvene for the fall sitting, three new members will be joining us. I look forward to working closely with our new colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I wish you and all of my fellow MLAs a safe and productive summer.
Member’s Statement 097 – 3(3): Government/Municipal Vehicle Abuse (Schell)
I rise today to reiterate the issue of government and municipal vehicle abuse.
At the February sitting, I brought up the issue of vehicle abuse. I haven’t seen any improvements on this issue.
I encourage any individual in any community that sees vehicle abuse to take a picture of it, date it, and mark on the picture if it’s a government vehicle or a municipal vehicle as I have set up an email address and you can send these pictures to vehicle.abuse@yahoo.ca.
Member’s Statement 098 – 3(3): Kugaaruk: An Invitation to Members of Executive Council over Summer (Ningark)
I am pleased that we will be heading home tomorrow. I also share in Hon. Tagak Curley’s love of going on the land and in his envy of Inuit who are hunting and spending time in tents.
I want to share with Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay residents the type of support we receive, as I am one of the recipients of the various services.
If I speak in English, we have interpreters to convert it to Inuktitut; conversely, if I speak in Inuktitut, we also have interpreters who convert it to English.
Sometimes if I ask for assistance with my statements and questions, we have very capable legislative staff that provides this service.
During our time here at the sessions away from our communities, Mr. Speaker, the birthdays, anniversaries, and special events we are not able to celebrate in our communities are what we voice here.
However, during our sessions here in Iqaluit, the residents are always very hospitable and whenever we have any concerns, we are able to converse with our fellow MLAs.
We are able to provide support and advice to our colleagues while we are away from our own families, so we constitute our own little family.
I believe I have spoken to all members after sessional hours and I thank you for that opportunity.
This summer, I believe our break is for three months.
Mr. Speaker, through your office, I invite any minister who wants to visit Repulse Bay or Kugaaruk to do so.
You will have a place to stay and people will be very hospitable and welcoming. In my opinion, Kugaaruk has the best arctic char in the world and you are welcome to go fishing any time in our community.
As a matter of fact, I’ll be able to provide some dried fish, some fresh fish and dried caribou meat.
I’m not trying to bribe you; I’m just inviting you to visit.
I’m sure that all members of the Executive Council appreciate the invitation.
Member’s Statement 099 – 3(3): The First Eastern Arctic Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to remind all of my constituents of Iqaluit East and all residents of Iqaluit that you are in my thoughts, as we underwent a horrific event and continue to deal with the repercussions.
Be that as it may, I wish to express my gratitude to Iqalummiut for being able to pull together and deal with the crisis by supporting each other. This shows that we are indeed a community and I thank you all for that.
I also wish to thank my constituency assistant, Adamie Itorcheak, who does a lot of work while I am not at the office as I am usually at the Legislative Assembly.
I am also thankful to my children, especially Karliin and Jamal. Every time I’m away, they seem to produce a newborn and I am very grateful to them for being caring and loving parents.
Further, I would like to speak about some events that are planned for Iqaluit that I wish to elucidate in English.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the local Inuksuk Alcoholics Anonymous Group in Iqaluit with the participation of Al-Anon for organizing the first Eastern Arctic Alcoholics Anonymous Conference, which will take place here in Iqaluit on June 24 to 26.
We do not hear often of the success of individuals who are recovering from their addiction and the upcoming conference in Iqaluit will bring together individuals from different parts of Canada and even the United States to share their experience, strength, and hope so that they can be sober for another day.
These success stories show that there is help available and this conference will highlight how we can take that crucial step towards sobriety and for anyone who wants to find more information can go to www.aa90.org/survival.
(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff here at the Legislative Assembly, particularly our communications people and interpreters. I also thank the media and CBC radio for regularly informing the public via their broadcasts.
I hope that my fellow MLAs have a great summer and enjoy their break. Some of us will continue to work even when we are not in session as we have ministerial portfolios to administer and this usually is the time we travel to undertake these responsibilities.
Have a great summer, one and all.
Member’s Statement 100 – 3(3): Congratulations to Stanley Alikatuktuk and Laila Alookie (Arreak)
I also take this opportunity to wish all Nunavummiut a great summer and, in particular, to take care of our environment, to be proper stewards of our land, and to take pride in our cultural practices here in the north.
Mr. Speaker, I stand now to express my pride and gratitude of two high school students graduating tomorrow in Qikiqtarjuaq, a community in my constituency.
Education is very important to one’s aspirations and it is part of growing up.
Upon graduation, the two young individuals will set good examples to their peers in Qikiqtarjuaq and Nunavut.
I wish them all the best in their future and in continuing their education and/or careers.
Mr. Speaker, I call upon my colleagues to join me in congratulating Stanley Alikatuktuk and Laila Alookie who were students at Inuksuit School in Qikiqtarjuaq. I wish to celebrate this momentous occasion with all Qikiqtarjuarmiut.
Member’s Statement 101 – 3(3): Life as an MLA and Minister (Peterson)
I would like to thank my constituents, family, and friends in the Cambridge Bay Riding for supporting me over here.
The Cambridge Bay Riding includes Cambridge Bay, Umingmaktok, and Bathurst Inlet. I would like to tell them that I will be home in a few days. I look forward to seeing them and enjoying the summer.
I know exactly what my colleagues are saying about missing home and missing certain events and certain parts of the season, but it will be good to be home to enjoy the summer.
I would like to just make a few comments about life as an MLA and minister.
I can assure colleagues, constituents, and everybody else that there is never a dull day as an MLA and minister but it is very rewarding. We have to come here and be away from our families and our communities, but you can do a lot of great things. I know we have some interesting debates in the House, in the Committee of the Whole, and in standing committees, but at the end of the day, we always find a way to get along for the good of all Nunavummiut.
The last couple of nights have been very difficult for me, Mr. Speaker. I have a bet with a colleague, Minister Shewchuk, on the Boston-Vancouver series, and it has been very difficult. It was difficult to watch those games, but it was especially difficult since, as everybody knows, with technology, we have these BlackBerrys and Minister Shewchuk has been making sure that I know what the score is after every goal.
I would like to assure him that it’s the best of three now and the trend appears to be a home-on-home series, teams win at home, and there’s two more home games in Vancouver. So I’m sure we will see the Stanley Cup parade in Vancouver some time next week.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of the staff in my departments of Finance and Justice here in Iqaluit and across Nunavut. I would like to thank all of the agencies that provide support to our two departments and all of our committees that are working pretty hard for all Nunavummiut.
I would like to also again thank the staff of the Assembly for supporting us. I would like to thank my constituent assistant, Irene Amoganolak, back in Cambridge Bay, and here in Iqaluit up on the second floor, Nick Pashkoski and Annie Akoak, for keeping me on schedule and on time. There are a lot of binders and paperwork and other issues to deal with.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish all Nunavummiut and my colleagues a safe and happy summer.
Mr. Peterson, just so you know, I happened to see a former colleague of ours here. Mr. Picco was seen wandering around wearing a Vancouver Canucks jersey yesterday, so I’m sure he has jumped on the bandwagon with you to support Vancouver in their quest for the cup.
I would like to recognize John Illupalik, whom I went to school with.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the interpreters for their fine work and also the technical staff that we don’t see. They are behind the scenes, but they keep things in order, as well as our Sergeant-at-Arms. I would like to recognize Mr. Kilabuk and thank him for his continued presence.
Question 130 – 3(3): School Busing Services for Kugaaruk (Ningark)
Mr. Ningark: Good afternoon and thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yesterday I tabled a letter from the minister in response to a request for school busing services in the community of Kugaaruk.
Can the minister clearly describe how her department will determine what kind of support for busing services it will consider for the community of Kugaaruk?
Minister responsible for Education, Madam Premier.
Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question.
I know that Kugaaruk has been suffering from using an old dilapidated bus that was imported to the community way back in 1991.
So the principal, with direction from the district education authority and executive director, requested a replacement for this van, which is a van that has been converted into a bus.
So my department has prepared a request for Community and Government Services to tender the bus purchase and I have good news for you that Kugaaruk will receive a new 54-passenger school bus as part of the 2011 sealift.
The person I wanted to ask is absent from the House at this moment, so if I can be allowed to wait a bit.
We will shift it around.
Question 131 – 3(3): Replacement of Taloyoak Air Terminal Building (Ugyuk)
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
A few months ago, the Canadian North Airline announced that it was improving its schedule in the Kitikmeot and Baffin regions of Nunavut.
This is welcome news to my constituents.
However, as the minister is aware, the current air terminal building in Taloyoak is old and in poor condition. I have been advised that there is not enough space for airline staff.
The five-year capital plan for the Department of Economic Development and Transportation includes $50,000 in funding for the 2012-13 fiscal year for the new air terminal building for Taloyoak. Can the minister indicate when he expects to issue tenders for the design and construction for the new air terminal building?
I’ll have to take that question as notice. I do not have that information with me at this time.
Question 132 – 3(3): Renal Care in Nunavut (Ningeongan)
Yesterday I was unable to ask the minister a question during the Committee of the Whole as I was in the Chair.
Now that his appearance in Committee of the Whole has concluded, I would like to address an important issue.
The government’s most recent annual report on procurement activities indicates that in 2009-2010, the Department of Health and Social Services awarded a $75,000 contract for a project described as “Comprehensive Analysis to Support Renal Care.” Did this project address the options to provide renal care, such as dialysis, in Nunavut?
This is quite technical in nature and I will take it as notice.
Question 133 – 3(3): Social Advocate Office (Elliott)
My questions are directed towards the Premier.
Yesterday I asked questions about the social advocate’s office and in her replies, once I checked the Hansard, I was kind of intrigued and made curious by her comments. I don’t know if I can wait until October when she had mentioned that I would be pleasantly surprised about the work that was going on within the social advocate’s office.
I was wondering if the Premier could expand a little bit more about what I will be pleasantly surprised about.
I believe this is the same question he posed to me yesterday in terms of what the Social Advocacy Office is doing and I did promise to give him a listing of all of the things that the Social Advocacy Office is working on, as I did say yesterday.
There are many things that the Social Advocacy Office is engaged in, especially in the policy and legislative development with the child and youth representative project, and I will make sure I will have all of the information that I promised yesterday prepared and given to him as soon as possible.
I guess that must have been a misunderstanding on my part. I didn’t catch that the Premier was going to be sending me separate information, so that’s great to know.
For my second question, I was wondering: will child and youth representative legislation be brought before the House in October of 2011 for the fall sitting?
In terms of the exact time of the presentation and in which sitting, I don’t have that information, but as I have been saying over the last two years, we are planning to have a child and youth representative by the year 2013. Of course, we would like to see that position in place before then, but due to requirements of developing policies and legislation, the timeline seems to be that case.
As the Premier has pointed out, this process has been going on for two years and I realize that there is a lot of work that needs to be done in terms of research and making sure that the legislation is correct, but all members are aware that a legislative proposal needs to be prepared to, more or less, start the process.
So I’m wondering if the Premier could confirm: has a legislative proposal been drafted in the last two years to kick-start this process?
That information will also be included in the information that I will be providing him as well as the rest of the members.
For my final question, in terms of a letter that will be prepared and sent to all regular members, will we receive that over the summer so that we will have adequate time to review it for October or will we get it when we get back here in October?
As I indicated earlier, I will provide that information as soon as it is available.
Question 134 – 3(3): Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan (Elliott)
I was wondering, before the sitting is over, a sort of last kick at the can in terms of the action plan.
Could the minister provide us with a date when he thinks he will be able to table this action plan? I’m talking about the Government of Nunavut’s Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan.
I’ll be pleased to table the action plan. Are you referring to the suicide prevention action plan?
If that is the case, Mr. Speaker, it’s a matter of process, really. Right now, we’re trying to get all of these parties signed on to it. Most have certainly communicated to my deputy minister that they are in agreement.
Once the remaining work is completed, I will table that document in the fall session, but the work will begin as soon as all parties have signed on to the plan. It’s not necessarily just a signature that I’m talking about but agreeing to the terms of the whole work.
By and large, I think they are pretty close. I don’t foresee any difficulties in it at all.
Item 6 in our Orders of the Day.
Question 135 – 3(3): Sole Source Contracts (Schell)
Yesterday in the Committee of the Whole, I had mentioned about the contract for the operations and maintenance of the airport and he had told me that the hamlet has the right of first refusal on whether they want to do the work or not. Later on in his closing statements, he made comments that they’re trying to get away from sole sourcing.
So my question for the minister is: if there is a contractor in the community… ? Another part of his mandate is to help the contractors in the community to survive. If there is a contractor in the community that can do the job, why can’t that contractor bid on this contract?
In my closing comments, yes, I did make a statement saying that we’re trying to get away from sole sourcing contracts. There are numerous other contracts that are given to contractors out there; it’s just not in airports and maintenance. There are also the contracts that we do give out.
That’s why my general statement was that yes, for these others, but in our Transportation Strategy, we do have an agreement with the hamlets for giving the hamlets the first right of refusal for such contracts as airport maintenance.
In the future, would the minister consider changing that?
I thank the member for that question. Our department is striving to improve its relationships with hamlets and it’s trying to improve how we disburse money and contracts out there. We want to get the most efficient use of our budgets and we will look at any kind of improvement through discussions, consultations, and if there’s room for improvement, we will certainly look at that.
Question 136 – 3(3): Ukkusiksalik Park (Ningark)
You will have to assist me with this question. Who is the minister responsible for parks? A resident in Repulse Bay asked me whether the Ukkusiksalik National Park had an official opening ceremony with a federal minister present in Repulse Bay and he wanted an answer.
I am submitting this question, although I don’t know which minister will respond.
I believe that question is directed to the Minister of Environment and that would be Minister Shewchuk.
I would like to thank the member for that question. I must inform the member that he does know that there’s ongoing consultation about the territorial park near Kugaaruk. However, when it comes to the jurisdiction of a national park or federal park, I am not sure whether somebody has officially opened that or not.
That is not the jurisdiction of the Government of Nunavut.
Question 137 – 3(3): Government Liaison Officer Funding (Elliott)
Yesterday there were questions asked about the government liaison officers and I know this process has been going on for the last two years and we have allocated money in both years. I believe it was $2 million in the first year and $4 million this year.
I thank the Premier for providing the information that we asked for in terms of the job description and duties of the GLO, and I believe yesterday she mentioned there were no dates as to when all GLOs would be hired.
I’m just wondering: is her department anticipating spending that full $4 million?
The department is working very hard in keeping the communities informed and having dialogues with the hamlet offices in terms of acquiring office space and whatnot.
Advertisements have gone out and of course, they are at different stages due to availability of offices and the number of applicants who have applied, and so on.
In determining exactly how much money will be spent at any certain time, I don’t have that information in front of me, so I cannot provide that answer at this point.