EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The Kivalliq Science Educators’ Community won in this category through their exciting work in capturing students’ scientific imaginations through science fairs, science culture camps, annual science awards, their Science-Engineering Challenge, various contests, and the many creative teacher resources they have developed.
Mr. Speaker, this award also comes with a $25,000 grant. I’m sure these funds will help the Kivalliq Science Educators’ Community to continue their outstanding work in the region.
On behalf of the Department of Education, Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations to the Kivalliq science educators, their many volunteers, partners, and council members.
Please join me in applauding their well-deserved recognition, continued good work, and wishing them all the best as they move forward in inspiring Kivallirmiut in their scientific endeavours.
I congratulate the educators, volunteers, partners, and council members.
Minister’s Statement 144 – 3(2): Nunavut Sivuniksavut Support (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to inform you that the students of the Nunavut Sivuniksavut Training Program were once again strong advocates on behalf of Nunavut’s seal harvesters.
The Department of Environment proudly supported these students, who wore sealskin garments from our Nunavut Inuit Collection during their 10-day trip to Europe from March 8 to 18.
Six second year students received invitations from the Canadian Embassy and the Université Libre in Brussels to partake in events to promote Arctic issues.
They also participated in a conference held at the Royal Museum of Art, visited an Inuktitut class at the National Language School in Paris and met with the Inuksuk Association.
The students were given the opportunity to address change in the Arctic, co-management, governance, consensus decision-making, and Inuit cultural traditions.
We are pleased to have these young ambassadors in Europe. Their youth, enthusiasm, and passion are a benefit when promoting Inuit culture and when demonstrating issues, such as our sealing, which are truly contemporary concerns of Inuit youth.
I would like to recognize the following students: Kevin Iksiktaaryuk of Baker Lake, Keenan Lindell of Arviat, Karen Tutanuak from Rankin Inlet, Charlotte Carleton from Ottawa, Matthew Hall from Ottawa, and Kathleen Merritt of Rankin Inlet. Mr. Morley Hanson and David Serkoak were the NS instructors accompanying the students on their trip.
It makes me proud to know that these students wore our sealskin garments with pride as they educated the global community about Nunavut and addressed the false perceptions surrounding activities such as the seal hunt.
I would personally like to extend my sincere thanks to these students for their promotional and educational activities while they were ambassadors for Nunavut during their very successful trip.
Minister’s Statement 145 – 3(2): Update on Progress of Capacity Upgrades from CanNor Funding (Tootoo)
Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you and good morning, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to update the House on the progress that the Qulliq Energy Corporation has made in completing capacity upgrades in eight Nunavut communities, funded through a joint investment with the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, announced earlier this month by the Hon. Minister Leona Aglukkaq at the power plant here in Iqaluit.
First, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Minister Peterson, for attending and speaking on my behalf.
I would also like to thank Ministers Taptuna and Shewchuk for supporting the minister by attending the announcement.
Early last month, CanNor announced that funding of $5.8 million would be invested in Qulliq Energy for the completion of capacity upgrades in eight communities across the territory.
The total investment cost for these capacity upgrades is over $13 million, with Qulliq Energy funding the difference.
The corporation has wasted no time in beginning these upgrades.
This past November, two generators were replaced in Resolute Bay.
Already this year, they have completed work in both Pond Inlet and Gjoa Haven in January, replacing two generators in each community to improve reliability as well as energy efficiency.
Mr. Speaker, in Cambridge Bay, the first phase of a two-phase process was completed last month, with the replacement of one generator.
The second phase is expected to be completed in October of this year.
Whale Cove will be the next community to see capacity upgrades, with the installation of a fourth generator for its plant scheduled for this August.
In September, Chesterfield Inlet will benefit from the replacement of two generators, followed by one-generator replacements in Arviat this November and Rankin Inlet in December of this year.
Mr. Speaker, the replacement of theses generators will not only improve the reliability of power in each community but it will also reduce the corporation’s fuel usage by 1,620,000 litres annually and consequently reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The new generators are also equipped to connect either to existing district heating systems or any systems planned in the future, allowing for the expansion of Qulliq Energy Corporation’s Residual Heat program.
Mr. Speaker, this is just one example of how Qulliq Energy continues to develop and identify ways to improve service and reliability to the public, to reduce their carbon footprint, and to look at effective sources of alternative energy.
Minister’s Statement 146 – 3(2): World Tuberculosis (TB) Day (Curley)
March 24, tomorrow, is World Tuberculosis Day.
This day is meant to bring awareness to the fact that tuberculosis is still prevalent in many parts of the world and can lead to death.
Tuberculosis continues to be an important public health issue here in Nunavut, and the Department of Health and Social Services is committed to preventing the spread of tuberculosis and providing treatment and support for those infected with the disease.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s tuberculosis program was established in 2000 and provides direct patient care; supervised tuberculosis treatment; active screening for children in schools and high-risk populations; and tuberculosis information sessions.
A total of 54 cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed in 2009 and 13 have been diagnosed as of February 16, in 2010.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut has an enhanced and successful drug delivery program, having 98 percent of individuals with TB complete treatment, compared to 92 percent nationally.
The territory also exceeds the National Tuberculosis Performance Standards, with drug resistance and relapse rates that are both lower than 2 percent.
While it is important to reflect on the progress that has been made, challenges still remain.
Nunavut has the highest rate of tuberculosis in Canada and has had tuberculosis rates 25 times the national average.
The best way to lower rates of tuberculosis is to ensure that people know what the symptoms are and to get tested as soon as those symptoms appear – it’s the only way to prevent its spread, with prescribed antibiotics.
Mr. Speaker, inadequate housing, poor nutrition, and lack of clean water can lead to the spread of tuberculosis.
To fully combat the continued existence of tuberculosis in Nunavut, we must work together to improve living conditions for Nunavutmiut. March 24 is marked as World Tuberculosis Day.
Minister’s Statement 147 – 3(2): NHC Updated LHO Board Manual (Tootoo)
I rise today as the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to inform the House that the Nunavut Housing Corporation takes seriously its responsibility to work with Nunavut’s local housing organizations.
As such, Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation, with recommendations from local housing organization staff and board representatives from each region, has updated and reformatted the board manual used to guide the activities of the local housing organizations.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation is committed to improving capacity at the local housing organizations.
Nunavut Housing Corporation staff provide regular workshops with LHO board members to review and discuss board procedures.
The goal of these discussions is to improve administration, management, and accountability of the LHOs.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation realizes staff at each of the territorial local housing organizations are at the front lines of fulfilling the corporation’s public housing mandate.
Their efforts are valued by the corporation.
Updating the board manual will strengthen the relationships between the Nunavut Housing Corporation and local housing organizations and will result in improved service delivery.
Item 3. Members’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Elliott.
Member’s Statement 204 – 3(2): Update to Constituents (Elliott)
With this being the final day of the session, I want to take this opportunity to wish my constituents a very safe and happy Easter.
With the increased daylight and beautiful spring weather we have been having in the High Arctic, I know most of them will be out on the land enjoying the beautiful weather.
I wanted to let everyone know that Irene Willie, my Constituency Assistant in Arctic Bay, is back at work after her leave for maternity. So welcome back, Irene.
As well Laisa Watsko is back from her medical travel.
She is my constituency assistant in Resolute Bay.
I wanted to assure my constituents, if they try phoning me over the Easter weekend, I’m not ignoring them, I’m just out on the land enjoying the beautiful weather.
Member’s Statement 205 – 3(2): Johnny Kuuk Memorial in Whale Cove (Kusugak)
Sometimes it is difficult to remember place names.
I want to say “good morning” to Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.
As we are winding down this current session, I want to take this opportunity to thank my constituents, especially my constituency assistants, John Ajaruaq and David Kritirliluk.
I want to remind the people of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove that I will be in Rankin Inlet on Friday and then in Whale Cove on Sunday to attend the Johnny Kuuk Memorial Hockey Tournament.
I will be attending, but not as a player, Mr. Speaker.
I am not a hockey player, but if there was a hockey tournament for people who cannot skate on the ice, I would definitely participate.
I will travel to Whale Cove next week and then I’ll return to Rankin Inlet shortly afterwards.
I wish them a good morning.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to make my statement.
Member’s Statement 206 – 3(2): Appreciation for Elders (Arvaluk)
Welcome to all of the elders here.
I understand that this is our last day in session here.
I have been away from my community for over a month now. Someone there is now reminding me constantly of this and telling me that it is perhaps time to come home.
Today, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the elders and people who work on behalf of the people of Nunavut.
I am sometimes told by people that I have wisdom and that they appreciate that I clearly speak from the heart.
Mr. Speaker, alas, I am not wise and my mind shifts constantly.
I grew up around Inuit elders like those sitting right there, especially my grandfather who I was always with.
He would talk about life, our future, and things he had done and gone through growing up. He would sometimes talk about his father, Ava, and what life was like back then.
For us, when we speak, there is always a bit of uncertainty.
We try and remember the wise words that our elders told us.
Their words remind us that even though life is not perfect and at times troublesome, never give it up.
My father sometimes told us that when troubles overwhelm you, say, if the ice you are on broke off, or if your snowmobile or Qamutik broke down, or even if the blizzard is so bad that all of your equipment is lost and you’re left with nothing, try and persevere. We would ask him what he would do specifically in those types of situations and he was not afraid to admit that he did not know.
Though times may be uncertain, we must never give up.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the elders and to encourage them to keep talking and providing advice to the young people.
Everything they have to say to us helps us in some way.
Member’s Statement 207 – 3(2): Appreciation for Interpreter Support (Ningeongan)
I rise today to express my appreciation of the interpreter staff who provide invaluable support to the work that we do here at the Legislative Assembly.
It means a lot to us to be able to express ourselves freely and confidently in Inuktitut, knowing that the interpreters will convey our words accurately and professionally in another language.
Mr. Speaker, the ability to speak in our mother tongue allows us to speak truly from the heart.
Mr. Speaker, while reading the Blues the other day on a rather lengthy exchange in Inuktitut with the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, I was very impressed with the quality of the written transcription. They were the exact contents of what I was speaking in Inuktitut. I was truly appreciative in seeing that.
Mr. Speaker, the job of an interpreter is a challenging one.
Interpreters play a critical role in ensuring that our discussions, debates, and general communications in this House can be shared and understood by everyone across Nunavut.
The demand for interpreters will greatly increase as our society evolves into a truly bilingual and even a trilingual society.
I encourage Nunavummiut who are looking for a challenging and rewarding career to consider training for this work.
Their decision to do so will make a real difference here.
Member’s Statement 208 – 3(2): Child Mauled to Death by Dogs in Pangnirtung (Komoartok)
I rise this morning to convey a sad message.
It was told to us that yesterday morning a tragedy took place involving a small child.
A child was mauled to death by dogs.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the parents of the child who was only four years old and adopted by the grandparents. The parents deeply loved the child and took great care, but tragedy struck anyway.
No one ever wishes to hear this kind of news, but unfortunately, these things do happen sometimes.
Our hearts go out to the grieving parents and the other members of the community affected by this sad event. Though we are not there to share their grief in person, they are in our prayers and thoughts. We send our deepest condolences.
Member’s Statement 209 – 3(2): Update on Constituency Affairs (Curley)
I rise today to assure the residents of Rankin Inlet, especially the elders, that they are always in my thoughts. I would also like to announce my new Constituency Assistant, Bernadette Dean, who was just hired.
She will be at my constituency office to take your calls. Please feel free to call her if you have any concerns. She briefs me every day.
I also want to acknowledge, Mr. Speaker, that a certain sporting event in Rankin Inlet is scheduled of which I’m sure my colleague from Rankin Inlet is aware.
He is, more than I by far, an avid sports fan.
The Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce held a major conference recently and here we were kept very well informed of the proceedings on issues affecting businesses.
I would like to show my pride as a father. My son, Sebastian Curley, received a business award at the conference.
He started and runs a successful construction business. My wife, Sally, and I, along with the rest of the family, are truly grateful for him to have received this award.
I also want to show my gratitude to First Air.
We were told recently that they added three more scheduled flights to the Kivalliq region, increasing their flights to six days a week starting on March 29.
This is great news for Kivallirmiut.
It could even mean making it easier for patients coming to our community.
I also have a great deal of appreciation to express for the elders of Rankin Inlet who listen in to our proceedings. They show the importance of the need for recognizing and involving Inuit, particularly as government.
Inuit sometimes worry whether we are dealing appropriately with wildlife issues and not just fighting with government over their policies.
We heard from Inuit elders about the need for the commercial caribou harvest in the Kivalliq so that it will produce surplus for the poor.
These elders also expressed their concerns that harvesting of pregnant females should be avoided as much as possible as they are already late into the pregnancy by this time of the year.
This is an excellent observation on conservation, which is a worthy idea, because the elders know that it’s very beneficial not to harvest caribou when they’re calving.
We should respect that.
Member’s Statement 210 – 3(2): Update to Constituents (Peterson)
I rise today to thank my constituents in Cambridge Bay, Bathurst Inlet, and Umingmaktok, who have been supporting me for the last several weeks.
It seems like forever when it’s only been a couple of weeks, with letters, emails, and phone calls of encouragement as we do our work here in the House.
I would like to thank the city of Iqaluit for having us and for all they have done to support us as well.
It’s our home away from home for some of us, especially us guys from the Kitikmeot, my colleague, Minister Taptuna and I spend a lot of time here
I would like to thank my two constituency assistants, Eva Tokiak and Irene Niptanatiak.
Eva has been with me for quite a long time. She is retiring at the end of May.
She does a lot of work for me in working with the elders in Cambridge Bay.
She is retiring because she wants to become an elder now and do elderly things, whatever elders do in their retirement years.
She has done a great job for me.
I would like to thank, of course, my Executive Assistant upstairs, Nick Pashkoski, who is probably watching right now.
I hope I don’t embarrass him.
We have our days but at the end of the day, we’re doing great work for our fellow Nunavummiut.
As minister, I would like to thank my staff in the Department of Finance and the Department of Justice, and all of the organizations that support both departments.
I hope everybody has a great spring and we look forward to seeing you in June.
Member’s Statement 211 – 3(2): Message to Arviat Residents (Shewchuk)
I rise today to say “good morning” to all of my constituents in Arviat.
I wish everyone there the best and I wish to say that I’m trying to represent them and their concerns as best as I can in the government and in the Legislative Assembly.
I would also like to thank my Constituency Assistant, Mary Pameolik, for her hard work in representing me in the community.
I say to all Arviarmiut that I will be home soon after this sitting.
I would like to also recognize the hard work, Mr. Speaker, of our district education authority, our local housing organization, and our health committee that are working very hard in the community of Arviat to bring the much needed concerns to the forefront of the Government of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 212 – 3(2): Appreciation for Staff and Constituents (Aariak)
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also say “good morning” to my constituents and to welcome those who are here.
We are heading into the mild days of spring and good weather will soon be with us.
I would like to thank those who called my constituency office and I especially want to thank Ms. Elizabeth Roberts.
She handles all calls and is always extremely busy. While I’m here at the House, she is busy in our office, responding to the many calls that come in. I want her to know that I truly appreciate all of her hard work.
I want to extend our gratitude to the staff of the Government of Nunavut, especially the executive assistants to the ministers. I can imagine their sleepless nights during the sessions here.
They deal with such a hectic workload to make things happen, so our biggest thanks go to them.
Our Legislative Assembly staff are always courteous and approachable.
Even with our endless requests for information, they continue to fulfill their duties willingly and they always try and accommodate all of our requests. I profusely thank your staff, Mr. Speaker.
In my opinion, this session was quite productive. Even after every sitting each day, the regular members and the ministers still got together in the foyer or outside to discuss issues further. This is a very good practice and can only help this government.
I give my thanks to the members and their sincere commitment in doing their work.
We meet here on behalf of all Nunavummiut to plan and envision our future.
I would like to also express my undying gratitude for the elders who assist us in our work as this government. We have an Elders’ Committee that we can turn to, especially as we struggle with these issues. When members are uncertain about an issue, they turn to the elders who are there to advise us.
I am extremely grateful for the elders` support.
I look forward to seeing all of you in our June session. I wish everyone here a very good spring break.
Member’s Statement 213 – 3(2): Appreciation to everyone in the House (Tootoo)
I, too, as this is our last sitting day until June 1, would like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a good break and hope everyone enjoys the spring weather.
It’s an opportunity to go out on the land and do that.
I’m hoping to be able to get out to my camp before the snow goes this year.
Last year, I got out there once for three hours one day, so I’m hoping to be able to spend more than three hours out there this spring.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody here in the House today for what I believe is a very good testament to consensus government by seeing how it was operated during this sitting and I’m always glad to see that.
Over many years of asking pointed questions and now answering pointed questions, that’s democracy at work.
Contrary to what some members might feel, I look forward and appreciate those questions as much as I’m sure members enjoy asking those questions.
Also, Mr. Speaker, as my colleague pointed out, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our support staff in our offices and also here in the Assembly, our interpreters and our technical guru sitting up in the second floor there, and also the Clerk’s staff.
I also want to point out that after so many years, I think they finally got it down pat so that we’re not wasting any paper as today is our last sitting day and my notepad for signing notes, I just used my last one.
So if members aren’t getting notes from me today, now you know why.
Member’s Statement 214 – 3(2): Appreciation to Staff and Constituents (Taptuna)
I will take this opportunity to wish my constituents in Kugluktuk well. We know the Easter break is coming up soon.
I do have a new CA in Kugluktuk, Annie Bolt. It’s going to be a great season.
We know that this may be our last day until June 1, so I want to take this opportunity to thank my staff, the members, and everybody who has put in a lot of time for this sitting.
Most of all, although there has been some technical difficulties in getting the TV program going of the House sitting in Kugluktuk, I’m aware that Kuglukturmiut are paying attention to what’s happening here and I really appreciate that and the help and the emails that I get from over there.
In any case, I would like to reiterate thanking my staff, the members here, and my colleagues.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation) Item 5.
I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the members of the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee who are sitting here with us at the Gallery today.
The much esteemed elder members come from all parts of Nunavut. They have been working with the government in their capacity as Inuit cultural advisors.
As per this government’s stated intent to have Inuit societal values guide its mandate, we can now request advice from our knowledgeable elders as to what else needs to be done to implement best practices of incorporating Inuit social and cultural values within our system.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge the government advisory committee members who are all present here today. They provide us with their wisdom when we present them with our issues.
We hope to continue using their advice with respect to issues pertaining to government.
They were not chosen randomly but carefully, based on their knowledge, skills, and life experiences.