EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Minister’s Statement 155 – 3(2): Provincial/Territorial Early Childhood Education Meetings in Iqaluit (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): A very good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to tell my colleagues about the recent Provincial/Territorial Directors of Early Childhood Education and Care Meeting that was held for the first time in Nunavut.
This meeting brought together the heads of early childhood programming from jurisdictions around the country as well as participants from the federal government.
The three-day agenda covered emerging trends, best practices, measuring quality, data collection, and providing quality education opportunities for our youngest learners and children at risk.
Mr. Speaker, for most participants, this was their first opportunity to visit our great territory and see first-hand some of the wonderful things that our early childhood educators are doing.
It was also a great opportunity to showcase some of our unique Nunavut appropriate resources for young children.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Education believes that the start of lifelong learning begins before children attend primary school.
As part of our commitment to Tamapta, we look to enhance our existing Early Childhood Education Program and build on our past successes.
The opportunity to confer with colleagues in other jurisdictions and draw attention to Nunavut’s Early Childhood Education Program is a great benefit in helping to forward our work.
Thanks to my departmental staff for all of their efforts in making these meetings a success and to make sure that our children are educated.
Minister’s Statement 156 – 3(2): New Research Vessel (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to inform members that the construction of the new Government of Nunavut fisheries research vessel is underway.
The vessel will perform essential fisheries related research in support of industry development and science.
Funding for the vessel was provided through the Department of Environment and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. This vessel represents over $2.1 million in investment in our fishing industry.
The vessel will provide a platform for the development of sound fishery science and research, which is critical to the development of Nunavut’s inshore and offshore resources and to the sustainable management of those resources.
The vessel was designed in consultation with stakeholders to meet the specific needs of Nunavut.
The vessel will be 64 feet in length and capable of operating in arctic waters.
It will be able to accommodate eight crew, plus the captain, and will be outfitted with a variety of fishing and scientific gear.
There is much research to be done in identifying the fisheries resource potential of Nunavut’s waters.
This new Government of Nunavut research vessel will provide the platform to accomplish this task.
In the near future, Nunavummiut can look forward to participating in a naming challenge that will give the new vessel a suitable name. We hope this name will reflect the enterprising and innovative spirit at the heart of this new and exciting initiative for all Nunavummiut.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Item 3. (interpretation) Members’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Member’s Statement 229 – 3(2): Baker Lake Nunavut Arctic College Graduates (Aupaluktuq)
I rise today to share a quote with Nunavut that I think is fitting for this Member’s Statement. “The beauty about education is that no one can ever take it away from you.”
That was read by B.B. King in a Reader’s Digest magazine.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank and show my appreciation and support for the Baker Lake Nunavut Arctic College. There are 12 graduates of the Office Administration Program. They are: Susan Amarok-Walsh, Barbara Nagyougalik, Sarah Peryour, Janice Lee Qiyuk, Sarena Attungalaa, Hattie Nanauq, Brian Pudnak, Patricia Tapatai, Mary Owingayak, Nelly Qijuajuq, and Dick Stanley Alooq, and as well, very proudly, my niece, April Aupaluktuq.
I would like to thank the administrator, Mr. Alexis Utatnaaq, for his tireless work in ensuring that programs and classes are advertised, and also administering registration of students and providing support to our community by way of providing valuable resources, our people.
What he has done is provide these people with the opportunity and the structure to become empowered with the use of education.
With that, I ask my colleagues, this House, and Nunavut in offering our congratulations to the graduates.
Member’s Statement 230 – 3(2): Pangnirtung High School Exchange Trip (Komoartok)
I rise today to celebrate and to commemorate an event that occurred in our community.
I was hoping to see the lower grades graduate. Eight students were supposed to pass through Iqaluit all the way to Lima, Peru. They have two chaperones and they will be spending the trip down.
They’re going to Ottawa and they will be trying to reach Lima.
They are set return on June 13 to Pangnirtung. They will be looking at the culture and the various landscapes in Peru.
I am very proud of these students and I want to announce their names: Jessie Arnakak, Danny Ishulutak, Janet Evic, Laila Evic, Lisa-Anne Eeseemaili, Charlie Nakasuk, Laura Bourassa, and the two chaperones, Becky Palmer and Emily Karpik.
They have worked really hard over the year to try and raise funds to reach this destiny. They are working towards being future leaders and they have attained funding from six different departments.
They have applied to a lot of these funds that have been made especially available for future leadership and again to better the lives of our youth.
It is quite obvious that these students haven’t quite graduated from grade 12.
Some of them have completed out of the group, but I’m not sure how many.
However, we are expecting 19 new high school graduates on June 8 in Pangnirtung.
Again, what we can say now is that at this day and age, the Department of Education and Nunavummiut are working hard to succeed and complete their education.
This is starting to show up today, Mr. Speaker.
Member’s Statement 231 – 3(2): On Guard and On Patrol: Operation Nunalivut 2010 (Elliott)
I rise today to pay tribute to the participants in this year’s Operation Nunalivut.
As members will be aware, Operation Nunalivut is one of three major Arctic sovereignty operations conducted every year by the Canadian Forces.
I had the honour of joining our Premier, Minister Shewchuk, and the Commander of Joint Task Force North, Brigadier-General David Millar, to welcome the return of National Defence Minister Peter MacKay, General Walt Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, the Danish military’s Sirius Dog Sled patrol, and the Canadian Rangers from their operations on Ellesmere Island.
Mr. Speaker, rangers participating in this exercise from the High Arctic were Ranger Jarlo Kiguktak, Ranger Eric Pijamini from Grise Fiord, and Rangers Samson Ejangiaq and Ranger Michael Qaunaq from Arctic Bay.
I had the pleasure of travelling with Joint Task Force North in May to the communities of Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, Arctic Bay, Nanisivik, and Pond Inlet during their tactical recce for Operation Nanook.
Mr. Speaker, as members will recall, it was in November of 2008 that I first asked the Minister of Environment to invite the Department of National Defence to conduct Operation Nanook in my riding of Quttiktuq in order to participate in a mock oil spill.
I suggested this for two main reasons: firstly, I knew that we could use the economic stimulus of having such an exercise in our backyard. Secondly, I knew that it would prove to the rest of the world that which we already know and that is that we are not properly prepared to handle an oil spill in the High Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, I will anxiously be awaiting the after action report from this exercise.
I am sure we will find that we are not prepared to clean up an oil spill in arctic conditions.
Some of the issues facing us include ice conditions, telecommunications capacity, and infrastructure deficits in the communities; deficits which range from the lack of proper docking facilities to the lack of modern health centres with the capability of responding to major incidents.
Mr. Speaker, perhaps this exercise will be the catalyst that will wake up the federal government and have them truly invest the dollars needed to properly protect our sovereignty and environment.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to ask for unanimous consent to complete my Member’s Statement today.
Mr. Speaker, one only needs to look at one of the results from Operation Nunalivut to recognize its value. The search and rescue operation that took place during the exercise is an excellent example of the importance of an increased presence in the north.
The incident involving the Australian adventurer who fell through the ice while on his journey to the North Pole was described as a successful rescue mission, but everyone is painfully aware that if the rangers and the operation were not in the area participating in the exercise at the time, we would have been mourning the loss of life instead of celebrating a rescue.
Mr. Speaker, our Canadian Rangers deserve our full support. At the same time, my constituents are proud of the arctic sovereignty that we exert daily in our communities. This is a pride that I expressed when I tabled materials in this House last June on the High Arctic Council’s sovereignty campaign.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Elliott. Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 232 – 3(2): Passing of Ben Arnarjuaq and Graduates of Ben Arnarjuaq School (Tapardjuk)
I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to word this and you may hear me speaking in two different topics.
First of all, to my fellow colleagues here at the Legislative Assembly, I would like to give notice that my constituents in Hall Beach underwent an event during April. This individual helped all of Hall Beach and also most of Nunavut.
Ben Arnaqjuaq passed away in April due to old age.
He lived a long and fruitful life.
Most of us know his son, Simon Nattaq, who is also involved here in Iqaluit.
They lost their father and grandfather.
This is something we really felt a loss since he was instrumental in helping his community and now his descendants will implement his vision. Personally, I used to ask for advice from him and his words of advice will remain close to my heart.
Be that as it may, Mr. Speaker, there is a school named after this man, Arnaqjuaq School, and that is the reason why I stated that I would speak to two matters.
We are also celebrating since there was a graduation ceremony in Hall Beach that I unfortunately could not attend.
However, I would like to acknowledge these graduates: Cynthia Piallaq, Jordan Qanatsiaq, Donna Panikpakutsuk, Debbie Audlakiak, Douglas Qanatsiaq, Marilyn Qaunaq, Eric Tungilik, and Mike Akumalik.
They completed their high school studies and graduated.
I join them in celebrating their graduation.
Because the school has the name of that elder who passed away and because of the graduation, I look forward to these students implementing the future that that elder envisioned, and to use their education and work towards producing a good future.
Please join me in congratulating these students.
Member’s Statement 233 – 3(2): Kugaaruk High School Graduates (Ningark)
It is an honour and a privilege to recognize young people who graduated from a Kugaaruk school from grade 12.
Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of attending such an important event.
Their names are: Madeline Ihakhak, Wilfred Immingark, Tommy Karlik, John Jr. Ningark, Margaret Nirlungayuk, Vicky Qaggutaq, and Tanya Qayaqsaaq.
I will provide the names to the Clerk to table here.
I would like to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating this important event.
Member’s Statement 234 – 3(2): Taloyoak Walk against Tobacco Use and Other Activities (Ugyuk)
In Taloyoak, they will be holding a walk for tobacco awareness.
I would like to thank Annie Buchan for working hard on this and they will start their tobacco awareness walk at one o’clock today.
I am in full support of their walk because tobacco is not healthy for your body and I would also like to thank Annie Buchan for working hard.
In the springtime, they have celebrations and games, so I wish them a great festivity.
I know that they have spring games and I wish them success.
A few days ago, on Friday evening, there was a fishing derby. I thank the committee for the fishing derby for working hard.
Even though we had lost a young person in our community, the fishing derby went very well.
I’m not going to announce who is going to be the winners yet, but I would like to thank David Nannuq, the chair of the fishing derby committee.
He works very hard to ensure that the fishing derby goes well and is a success.
Furthermore, on Saturday, they opened the Kitikmeot Boarding Home.
I wish to thank Hon. Minister Leona Aglukark, federal Minister of Health and Social Services, for inviting me. Charlie Evalik and Charlie Lyall were also in attendance. They all cut the ribbon together.
I am grateful that Nattilingmiut now have a very safe and welcoming facility to go to.
Even though the boarding home is in Yellowknife, they are very receptive to patients going there. I also wish to thank Casey Adlem, the administrator, for being very receptive to the people and I know that she will continue to welcome the people.
Member’s Statement 235 – 3(2): In Appreciation of the Coral Harbour Men’s Group (Ningeongan)
You are not my Annuraaqatik.
Good afternoon to Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet residents.
The residents made us welcome when we were visiting the community of Chesterfield Inlet, so I thank them for that.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reaffirm my admiration and appreciation for the ongoing work of the Coral Harbour Men’s Group.
Mr. Speaker, you may recall that have I spoken of this group’s success before.
I am pleased to report that they are continuing their good work. Recently, members of the group travelled to Baker Lake to share their experiences and to support others who would like to heal and become better people.
Mr. Speaker, the Coral Harbour Men’s Group originally received support from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
As you know, funding from the Aboriginal Healing Foundation is currently no longer available.
On March 18, 2010, all Members of this House supported a motion to call upon the Government of Canada to reinstate this funding. I am very pleased to note that our colleagues in the Northwest Territories legislature have joined with us on this issue and on May 18, 2010, took the strong and courageous stand of unanimously passing a motion on the same issue.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada’s failure to renew the Aboriginal Healing Foundation funding is a shame.
However, as the continued good work of the Coral Harbour Men’s Group shows us, it does not mean an end of the journey towards healing.
Sometimes the path gets more difficult to travel. Sometimes we face obstacles and hardships.
But as the men in these communities have shown us, we can continue to heal and improve our lives and the lives of those around us.
Members’ Statements. Member for South Baffin, Mr. Schell.
Member’s Statement 236 – 3(2): Graduates of Peter Pitseolak School (Schell)
Mr. Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the graduates from Peter Pitseolak School in Cape Dorset.
Education and lifelong learning are keys to success and are also the key priorities of the Government of Nunavut.
I had the honour of attending the ceremony in Cape Dorset on May 28. Last year, I had the pleasure of speaking at the graduate ceremony for 10 students.
This year, I had the honour to attend the celebration on the achievements of 14 high school graduates.
It is wonderful to see more and more students graduate. It was also nice to see the support and commitment of teachers, school staff, parents, and extended families.
Once again, congratulations to the 14 students of the 2010 Peter Pitseolak graduation class: Pileeta Arnaquq, Osmond Celebi, Mary Ann Corkett, Saila Namonai, Peter Ottokie, Mona Padluq, Dana Pootoogoo, Kooyoo Pudlat, Mickey Qiatsuk, Padluq Qiatsuk, Megan Ross, Ooleepika Samayualie, Isa Teevee, and James Wortman.
Please join in applauding their hard work and accomplishments.
Members’ Statements. (interpretation) Prior to moving on to the next item on our orders of the day, I wish to remind all members that when you are making your statement, you should stick to one subject and not have a long preamble.
Additionally, in our orders of the day, there is an item included that is always there, specifically the item, (interpretation ends) Replies to Opening Address. (interpretation) If you are going to make a long statement or you are going to be talking about more than one matter, you will have an opportunity to speak to those issues under that item, especially if you are going to be speaking longer than two and a half minutes.
Question 359 – 3(2): Status of Family Violence Shelters across Nunavut (Ningark)
In March, I ask a question to the Minister of Health. I also made a statement specifically with relation to shelters and family violence. I reminded him that there was a petition that was circulated in Kugaaruk that I tabled.
I also thank the Minister of Health for working with me and providing a response with respect to this issue.
Apparently, the Hamlet of Kugaaruk is working together with that department, along with other departments, to deal with these concerns that relate to shelters and family issues.
I want to raise a question to the minister with regard to these shelters. What is the status now of my previous question as it relates to the shelters in Kugaaruk?
I also thank my colleague for reminding us of that issue.
Although we didn’t meet, we provided and tabled that response to the Clerk. I believe there will be 30 plus issues and I can speak to part of it.
I want to first of all thank the volunteers who have really worked hard on identifying the facility as well as my fellow minister who allowed the use of the facility no longer being used because they set it aside for the hamlet’s use.
With that situation being the way it was, the response included the fact that the hamlet could take over that building and renovate it.
If they submit an actual proposal stating their intentions on how they would want to fix up that facility, we could look at dealing with the proponents.
Once there is an actual proposal there, we could work with the hamlet to deal with all of the legislative requirements needed for a shelter, especially the policies and procedures.
We will have to work with the Saillivik Policy.
We can assist with the operations and maintenance budget once we get the proper proposal in our department.
My supplementary question, Mr. Speaker, is I noted that on May 18, 2010, the Yukon Legislative Assembly discussed at length a number of initiatives related to their Women’s Directorate and related funding. During those deliberations, it was mentioned that and I quote, “The Yukon government has collaborated with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut to present a business case to the federal government to support more women shelters in the territories.”
My question, Mr. Speaker, is: can the minister provide further clarification on the business case regarding women’s shelters and what specifically is being requested from the federal government?
This past winter during our session, I spoke to what transpired during our Cape Dorset Cabinet Retreat.
It was included in the Tamapta mandate and it relates to families at risk.
We have to prioritize those residents at risk, especially with relation to Nunavut.
With these issues, members of the cabinet agreed that we would set aside some funds. They set aside a larger amount of funds and I believe there five or six shelters that received assistance.
Because of this mandate, we have tried to create a foundation for more of these shelters to get approved.
However, with respect to the federal government, we haven’t heard anything back and that’s what I can relay to the member.
With regard to my second supplementary, we hear about this issue from Canada’s government. For example, in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, as well as Nunavut, I believe there are quite a number of shelters and they’re used a lot.
As a matter of fact, I believe that in Nunavut, our numbers are in the stratosphere. If you look at Canada as a whole, our numbers are skewed at the high end.
Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, the minister can respond to my question or he can notify the House as to how many Nunavummiut utilize these shelters and what kinds of programs and services and they offer to Nunavummiut.
So that is my question to the Minister of Health.
First of all, I thank the member for raising that question. I know it’s a concern of his.
I think a lot of us share that concern, but if we are to operate efficiently and if Nunavutmiut dealt with all of these issues properly, we wouldn’t have to have so many shelters.
We know there is a role and place for them, but at this time and place, there are a lot of reasons why people need to use these shelters.
What I can state, Mr. Speaker, is that currently, there are five shelters in operation and this applies specifically to people who may need to be away from their spouses. We give them an operation and maintenance budget. Here in Iqaluit, there is a 21-bed shelter.
In Kivalliq, in Rankin Inlet, there are eight beds in the shelter. In the Kitikmeot, in Taloyoak, there is also a shelter with six beds. In Cambridge Bay, there is a four-bed shelter.
In Kugluktuk, there is also a four-bed shelter.
As I stated, the funds were allocated from the cabinet and we haven’t started using the new funds yet, but we are expecting that the shelter in Kugaaruk can be put forward as a proposal so that we can work with them on the operations budget and get it up and running.
My final question is with regard to the federal government.
It’s quite obvious that they have put together a program regarding shelters. We have heard about it and we’re speaking with our federal government.
It’s something that we need to look at, but perhaps the minister can meet with his federal counterparts to look at how they’re planning to deal with these issues and resolve these matters.
Perhaps he can update us after his meeting.
Yes, I will look into that matter and to see if we can work together with our federal counterparts.
Once I find out the details, I will ensure that I provide those details to the member.
Question 360 – 3(2): Status of Relocating the Medical Travel Office from Pangnirtung (Arvaluk)
I want to ask a question to the same minister, the Minister of Health and Social Services.
As I told him earlier, I’m reminding him just in case he doesn’t believe me afterward.
I wasn’t going to raise questions when they said that they were going to move the Medical Travel Office staff from Pangnirtung to Iqaluit. This is specifically with respect to the Medical Travel Office and the minister stated that they would be transferred on April 1.
However, I have been notified that the office hasn’t been transferred and it’s not operating properly.
My question is: what is going on? They set up the new office. When will the office actually be transferred?
On April 2, just a little while ago, I know that I have told my staff that apparently, we’re having a meeting tomorrow.
When they said tomorrow, they probably meant four days.
I usually think about it that way, but I’m glad that you guys remind me once in a while.
What we can say is that the transfer is proceeding. However, we couldn’t transfer everything that the office required and there were a lot of little nagging issues that caused this.
Again, there were people who were training, the families have to be moved, and some of the staff are undertaking training and they can’t be moved until the training is over. There is also the issue of getting replacement workers.
So there are a lot of issues that we have to deal with, but what I can state is that at the Qikiqtani General Hospital, there are casual staff dealing with the travel requirements.