EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In regards to the questions that I posed to the Department and I am sure that there are other cases as such individuals who are out there in the communities with no support system available.
What I heard was that there was a court order saying that this individual should not be near underage children, but because the community of Hall Beach was not informed, this individual was a babysitter, for I don’t know how many months, maybe six months, before we finally heard that he was not supposed to be around minor children.
Mr. Speaker, as an Inuit we have legislation and the court orders and other procedures that we have to follow.
This is very scary and this has to be remedied by the Department of Justice as they said that this was the first time that they had heard this.
Member for Rankin North. Mr. Anawak.
Member’s Statement 356 – 1(6): History of Inuit Travelling Down South
Sometimes it is North sometimes it is South; it works both ways when you are representing a community.
I would like to first of all congratulate the residents of Rankin Inlet, where they had the Keewatin Youth Hockey Challenge in the Avataq Cup; Rankin came in first and Naujaat came in second.
I would also like to congratulate them.
I think that it would have been a very significant time around 1923 when the ships were coming in. There were four young Inuit who were sent down South.
These four individuals Savikataaq from Arviat, Taapatai from Baker Lake, Angutitauq from Repulse Bay, who is the father of Peter Irniq, our commissioner and Angutinnguaq, who is my adopted father, were sent down south for a year where they learned how to speak English and that was way back in 1923.
They were very young and it was a significant time in their life and they were tested to see if the Inuit the nomadic people could survive down there in the south.
I think my adopted father was the last one to pass away in 1988, when I was just elected to Parliament.
I am very proud of my adopted father, and I just wanted to make a Member’s Statement to show the significance of the hardships that our forefathers went through and being able to survive in an alien environment.
They were in Halifax for one year.
That was way back in 1923, many, many years ago.
I wanted to rise in the House to congratulate and to signify this incident.
The Member for Tasiujaqjuaq, Minister Kattuk.
Members’ Statement 357 – 1(6): Kujuaraapik Hockey Game/Sanikiluaq Arena
I am speaking on behalf of my constituency in Sanikiluaq.
I would like to say greetings to my family in Sanikiluaq, my father and my siblings and all of the residents.
What I am going to be mentioning happened last year in the fall.
It is not pleasing to hear, especially since we are so far from Baffin Island, but we were invited to send a hockey team from Sanikiluaq to a tournament in Nunavik.
This was in October when a game was played in Kuujuarapik, and Sanikiluaq gets an invitation to play hockey with the Kuujuarapik residents.
I am grateful that they invited us to play in these athletic games, although Sanikiluaq did not win.
Our hockey arena is not utilized during that month because we have to wait for freeze up to get the ice thick enough for skating.
In March 2002 there was a hockey tournament going on between our communities.
They invited us to play hockey again in October.
But, due to the different weather that we have in our community, the climate has changed drastically, and the freeze up only happens in December.
Although it was frozen over in October, the climate warmed so much that the ice then started to break up in December.
Although we do not play much hockey, I appreciate that Sanikiluaq residents were invited to play hockey in Nunavik.
We have been invited again just recently to play more hockey.
At the last game, the Sanikiluaq people won the competition.
Keep in mind that we have two and a half minutes to make our Members’ Statements.
The Member for Iqaluit East, Mr. Picco.
Members’ Statement 358 – 1(6): Congratulations to Josephee Baines and Susie Shaimaiyuk
Mr. Speaker, Members’ Statements give all Members a chance to reflect on issues of the day, on concerns, to provide thanks to the Members, and to the House, give congratulations to constituents who have done well, and to talk about issues that affect the Members.
Also, Mr. Speaker, the opportunity of Members’ Statements is to give some congratulations.
In this thing, today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to give a short Members’ Statement on congratulations.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate two young people, two young people, Mr. Speaker, who were married this past weekend. Josephee Baines is an excellent role model for young Nunavummiut.
Joe is from Apex, and is a graduate of the RCMP Program, and is currently working here in the community as a RCMP Constable.
Joe’s new wife, Mr. Speaker, is Susie Shaimaiyuk, who is originally from Pangnirtung, but has lived here in Iqaluit for the last several years, and currently works for the Minister of Health here at the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, the wedding on this past weekend was very emotional and Mr. Speaker, on behalf of their many friends, families, and their parents, we would like to wish the very best to Joe and Suzie Banes as they move forward in their life together in holy matrimony.
And I want to just add a little special note, Mr. Speaker, Susie has not been able to come to work since her honey moon; she has actually been sick, she was sick before her wedding, she had a bad cold, nuvattuq, she was very nuvak and we expect to see her back in the office in the next few days and we would like to wish her and Joe the very best and pursue immediate recovery.
Member’s Statement 359 – 1(6): Small Communities in Need of Larger Facilities
I have a cold myself.
I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to make a Member’s Statement on an issue that was brought to the Premier about the smaller communities that they will be looking at the smaller communities for decentralization and I have a small constituency.
Mr. Speaker, the communities of Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord have not been given any infrastructure facilities like arenas and community centres because of the population sizes in their communities, because they are small communities.
They have expressed their concern that the Government has not considered them for facilities because of the small population and it should not be the case.
Although they are small communities, they should have the adequate facilities like the community centres and different social/public buildings because they need them for their people.
We should not think of them as small communities; they should be allowed to have the same kind of facilities that the larger communities do.
When the Government provides facilities like swimming pools, community centres and other facilities, what do you need to do to have these in the communities?
Member for Iqaluttuutiaq, Minister Ng.
Member’s Statement 360 – 1(6): Congratulate Nunavut Winter Games Participants
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I would like to join my colleague, Minister Thompson in congratulating all of Nunavut representatives for their participation and efforts at the 2003 Canada Winter Games.
In particular, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize two young men from Cambridge Bay, who participated on the badminton team; Jonathan Eater and Quinton Crocket, who is the only Nunavut National Artistic Program Performer.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure all Members will join me in thanking all participants for proudly representing their home communities and our Territory to the best of their abilities.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Members’ Statements.
Member for Iqaluit Center, Mr. Tootoo.
Member’s Statement 361 – 1(6): Congratulate Iqaluit Music Society for Show
And, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services for reminding us what Member Statements are for.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the cast and crew of the Iqaluit Music Society’s recent production of “Anything Goes”, directed by Brad Mac Isaac and music director, Colleen Walsh.
This musical was more than just a show; it captured the imagination of the audience by bringing back a different era to life.
Mr. Speaker, Anything Goes was performed at the Inuksuk High School.
Over 600 people came and watched the three performances.
A total of roughly $4,500 was raised in donations at the door and through the canteen.
And these proceeds will be supporting the Inuksuk High School’s Band Concert Trip to Halifax, where they will be attending next month, the Atlantic Band Festival.
Proceeds will go to the violin program here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, I’ve talked in this House about the valuable nature of music programs in our schools.
Music programs do a tremendous amount of good for our youth and they should be thoroughly supported.
The Iqaluit Music Society has contributed greatly to this community over the years.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank all the sponsors who made this performance possible.
I am looking forward to future endeavours by the Music Society who perform such high quality entertainment for Iqaluit.
Before asking all Members to join me in saluting the cast and crew Mr. Speaker, I would also like to advise the Music Society if they plan on doing another performance, they may want to look at doing something that’s singing in an airplane and then Mr. Speaker, I am sure that Minister Picco, who likes to sing on airplanes would be wanting to cast for one of the lead performers in that performance.
Again, I’d like to ask all Members to join me in congratulating the Iqaluit Music Society.
The Member for Kugluktuk.
Member’s Statement 362 – 1(6): Bathurst Inlet Road and Port
I want to say that I support those people who will be building the Bathurst Inlet Port.
There are many mining companies in the Kitikmeot Region even close to my community of Kugluktuk and also in Bathurst Inlet.
We have a lot of mining companies operating in our region.
They’ll be providing a lot of jobs and opportunities for our communities.
I support mining companies but they have to make sure that they look after our land and waters.
We have a lot of young people who are unemployed and we would like to see them be employed in those mining companies. I would like to see more opportunities for young people.
I think once they build that road and port for those mining companies, I think that they will provide a lot of job opportunities to our communities.
They will be supplying fuel and food and materials to those mining companies from that port area.
Recently, I heard that Izok Lake may not be going this time around because of low metal prices, but today, before they stop that port and road I would like to support the mining companies by building that port and road for the mining companies.
I would like the Federal Government and Government of Nunavut to support these endeavours because they create a lot of jobs for our communities and for Nunavut.
We all know that more and more people are coming into our communities but it’s not only here in Kitikmeot.
Once they start hauling fuel, and I think all the fuel prices will drop once those oils start coming from somewhere else so that our oil and gas price will go down once they start supplying gas to those areas.
Member for Toonoonik.
Member’s Statement 363 – 1(6): Social Worker Needed in Pond Inlet
I represent the community of Pond Inlet and we have had no social worker for the past three months.
And we are already hearing requests for this person and we need social workers in the communities because they do various jobs within their capacity.
So, during the Question Period, I will be asking the Minister responsible in regards to social worker issues and to let this serve as notice that we have not had a Social worker for the past three months and what are his plans to replace them.
Member for Baffin South. Mr. Akesuk.
Member’s Statement 364 – 1(6): Junior C Hockey Game in Rankin Inlet
First of all, just before I begin, I would like to congratulate my youngest child, Okalik Akesuk, as it is her birthday and I would like to wish her a happy birthday.
On the weekend, there were some individuals who came here for a hockey trial at the Junior C Level and they will be playing hockey in Rankin Inlet.
There were quite a few players from Cape Dorset and there were five who came from my community selected to play at the Junior C hockey challenge in Rankin Inlet and they will be coming over here at Toonik Tyme.
These hockey players have been playing since they were Midgets and they have won quite a few tournaments and they are all under 21 years old.
There were five from Cape Dorset and I would like to congratulate them for being selected to the Junior C hockey for the Baffin Region.
They are Niviaqsaq Saila, Jamesie Alariak, Johnny-boo Ashevak, Peter Peterloosie, Ashevak Tauki and I would like to congratulate those individuals for being selected to the Junior C Hockey Challenge and I would like to tell them to do their best as they will be representing the Baffin region.
Member Statements. Returning to Orders of the Day.
I would like to recognize someone in the Gallery.
Sometimes as Members of the Legislature, we visit with each other at night.
I am not even recognizing my grandson and the Members have never heard the name of my grandson, especially Enoki.
I usually only call him “Irngutaq”, but I would like to recognize Brad Nutarak, who is behind me, who is my first grandson.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome to the Nunavut Legislature.
You will be sitting at your grandfather’s seat someday.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery, Member for Uqquqmmiut, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
I would like to recognize the Mayor of Qikiqtarjuaq, Lootie Thomasie. He was involved in the amendments to the Hamlet Act and he is here for that reason and perhaps, to do some other business, but I would like to recognize him.
And I would like to give my appreciation to Manitok Thompson for having him and other Mayors speak to the proposed amendments to the Hamlet Act.
I would like to recognize someone today.
I guess it is Inuinnaqtun day today.
I would like to recognize the Inuinnaqtun Interpreters from Kugluktuk and from the Kitikmeot, John Komak, and Henry Ohokanoak.
James Paneok is not at the booth at the moment, but I would like to thank them all.
Speaker (interpretation): Welcome Inuinnaqtun Interpreters.
The Member for Amittuq, Mr. Irqittuq.
Yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I recognized an individual.
I would also like to recognize someone again today.
I’ve recognized people for two days in a row, which is a record for me.
I would like to recognize my good friend.
This is the first time that I have heard Brad Nutarak.
Welcome again Brad.
The Member for Nanulik.
Question 359 – 1(6): Update on Economic Development to Non-Decentralized Communities
I also have a cold.
I would like to ask the Mr. Premier.
He had stated before that non-decentralized communities will be assisted, will be developed, or given some economic opportunities.
The Premier has been saying that for the past three years.
I would like to ask the Premier whether there have been any plans put in place, or are any economic development opportunities for those non-decentralized communities?
What we are doing is an ongoing process at this time.
After we have completed some mandate items we have to do, we will vigorously start the economic development for those non-decentralized communities.
I would like to inform the Member that there has been a caribou hunt that takes place every year in Coral Harbour.
What we are trying to do is to try to bring about a place to tan hides; this is an issue that we are trying to re-visit.
What we do is we try to recognize something that we could do in a non-decentralized community, and to talk with development corporations to assist those communities in those non-decentralized communities for economic development.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you for the response Mr. Premier.
Has the Premier made any estimates as to how long it would take to implement economic development in those non-decentralized communities?
I cannot really answer the Member at this time when this will be completed.
What we are doing is we are trying to find out what kinds of development can be done for those non-decentralized communities.
I will be going overseas after the session is over to try to find out what kinds of markets we can provide to them from the non-decentralized communities.
After finding out from the visit, we will be perhaps be going to Chesterfield Inlet as we have a development corporation, and they will look to see what kinds of things we can do for those communities such as Chesterfield Inlet and other non-decentralized communities.
Question 360 – 1(6): Update on Road and Port in Bathurst Inlet
As I stated earlier, if and when this port and road is approved from the Federal Government, I would like to ask him at this time if that road and port to Bathurst Inlet, and whether the approval has been given by the federal government to start work on it.
I would like to know what the status of this proposed project is today and if the construction is going to be beginning in the immediate future.
When will the construction commence?
I would also like to thank the Member for Kugluktuk on his question.
We are currently working and having discussions on this issue.
We have also set aside some funds to initiate these projects.
The Nunavut Impact Review Board is currently doing the review and we are waiting for written responses from the Federal Government.
We want to know exactly what’s happening on this issue and we are doing a review currently.
But at this point we are waiting for a written response from the Federal Government.
We want to initiate this project but with the current prices of minerals, we have to do a careful review of the viability of the project.
There are quite a number of things we have to do at this point but they will have my ongoing support in order to create these viable economic opportunities.
We will also look at the environment to make sure that there are no negative impacts to the wildlife and the land.
At the current time, we have made a submission to the Federal Government and we are awaiting a written response in respect to the proposal.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Olayuk.
Thank you, Minister for your response.
The money we are going to be using for the construction of the Bathurst Inlet Port project, if I understood clearly, there is going to be some environment studies going on in the future.
I have heard the federal government is looking at the proposals in the region, so I would like to know if there is an update available.
I want to ask you how much money is put aside for the construction of that road and port project.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, with the assessment done through cooperation with the land claim organizations, we have set aside 6 million dollars for the environmental studies. Out of this total, there were $3 million dollars set aside from Nunavut, both private and GN funds and $3 million dollars from the Federal Government.
We have not put aside any other funds for the additional years, but we are looking at $216 million as the total cost if this was initiated and completed.
It is quite expensive, but we still have to have ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government and with the other organizations.
We have not set aside any money for this specific project until we have the assessment or the review completed.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Havioyak.
And thank you, Minister.
I thought I understood that you had put money aside for the construction; I guess I misunderstood so thank you for clarifying that.
My last question is, if and when that road and port project is approved, are there going to be some Employment Opportunities?
Are you looking at some turning opportunities for the construction part or for those people who are going to be building the road up to Bathurst Inlet?
And are you looking at some training programs that can be part of this project if and when it goes ahead?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Akesuk.
We have not set aside any funds at this point for the construction phase.
We are going to have the assessment by the Federal Government completed before anything goes ahead.
This hinges on that approval.
In regards to training, it is very important and there is a lot of potential for mining development in Nunavut, so we have to review the industry from the entire territorial perspective.
I think, perhaps in November that we can table a report.
And the Member for Kugluktuk and other Members have had ongoing questions and concerns about making training opportunities available in the mining sector for the people of Nunavut.
Possibly in November, we will then have the mining strategy ready.
Speaker (interpretation): Your final supplementary, Mr. Havioyak.
I forgot one more matter.
As the Minister first answered, he is consulting with the other groups.
Who are you working with at this time?
The Minister alluded to the federal government; are there other governments or organizations that he is consulting on this matter?
In regards to the road to Bathurst, the road and port project to Bathurst Inlet, there are representatives from all over Nunavut.
We have people representing the Kitikmeot Corporation, Nuna Logistics, Inmet Mining and the Hamlet of Cambridge Bay, Hamlet of Kugluktuk and also our Nunavut Government representatives from the Departments of Community Government and Transportation and also Sustainable Development.
They are currently working together with the Federal Government on this issue.
Question 361 – 1(6): Declaration Forms Translated into Inuktitut
I would like to direct my question to the Minister for Community Government and Transportation.
As a Member of the Legislative Assembly, we went to Nuuk, Greenland and two other communities on a fact finding mission.
From what I found out, the two communities that I represent are rather close to the community of Nuuk, Sisimiut and Ilulissat and it’s approximately an hour flight from my community to Greenland.
We’re that close.
The two communities that I represent do not have economic opportunities and if we’re looking at developing communities or specifically my two communities that I represent, we could possibly think about chartering.
When we were returning to Canada, we had to fill out a declaration.
We had to fill out an immigration and customs declaration forms in English.
I am sure that we have to go through all this bureaucracy; we’re going to be moving from one country to another.
My question is if you’re going to be bringing back anything from a foreign country and if you did not declare some of the items that you bought, is there a possibility that they might be confiscated or you might be charged?
These declaration forms are just in English.
My question is, is it possible for the declaration forms to be translated into Inuktitut?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Community Government and Transportation, Ms. Thompson.
In regards to foreign travel, it’s the usual custom to declare what you’ve bought from a foreign country if you’re going back to Canada or the U.S. or any place.
Those declaration forms are not the responsibility of the Government of Nunavut.
What I can do is look into it to see if there’s a possibility of getting them translated.
If the Federal Government could recognise our language than maybe they could provide funding for the translation of these forms.
Mr. Speaker, I will look into it and I’d like to state again that it’s not part of our responsibility as Community Government and Transportation.
I agree with her response.
But can you assure me that you will be working with the Federal Government because of course the country of Greenland and Broughton Island and Clyde River are one hour apart by air.
Because of our close proximity, there is a very good opportunity where we can trade between Greenland and Canada.
Can you work with the Federal Government on this?
If the Federal Government is willing to work with me, it would go much easier.
I’ll try to work with them.
Question 362 – 1(6): Criteria for Arenas Based on Population