EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
On February 20 in Kugaaruk, my wife and children were told that they should pick me up on Friday at the airport and my children were very happy.
Mr. Speaker, three vehicles came to pick me up when I wasn’t even arriving on the plane.
Mr. Speaker, I have a grandchild who is named after me, Ovide Alakannuark.
He had asked through the local radio station for someone to pick up Ovide Alakannuark Jr. from the school and they made a mistake and said to pick me up from the airport instead.
Member’s Statement 118 – 1(5): Big Game Hunt
Happy St. Patty’s day to a very true blue Irishman in the House in the Speaker’s Chair this morning.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this week accompanied by a fellow islander, Minister Kattuk from the Sanikiluaq islands, and a good friend of mine and yours, the jovial RCMP, Corporal Jimmy Akavak, we struck out to pursue the elusive big game, known locally here in Nunavut as tuktu.
Mr. Speaker, after travelling most of the afternoon we came across only one set of caribou tracks.
Now I followed them Mr. Speaker, using my skill as a hunter.
I followed them for quite a while where they led me to a rocky outcrop.
There at this rocky outcrop were numerous tuktu tracks Mr. Speaker, but I couldn’t see any tuktu.
Then I heard shooting.
My partners, Mr. Jimmy Akavak and Mr. Kattuk, had surrounded the caribou.
Now I quickly turned Mr. Speaker, 180 degrees and came across my two partners, my two hunting buddies, and then I saw Mr. Speaker, a huge, a gigantic, a humongous tuktu that had escaped from Jimmy and Peter’s grasp.
Mr. Speaker, using an old hunting trick I learned many years ago, I fired one shot to scare the tuktu and then the second shot at over, my estimate Mr. Speaker, about a thousand yards, about a thousand yards Mr. Speaker, anyway I shot and I struck the tuktu after a double ricochet off the surrounding rocks.
Mr. Speaker, Minister Kattuk and Mr. Akavak with over seventy years of hunting experience between them, could not believe what they had seen.
Mr. Speaker, I still don’t believe it.
Anyway Mr. Speaker, it was a very good day, it was an excellent day and it was great fun to be with a couple of good hunters and one extraordinary storyteller.
Mr. Speaker, as a footnote to this story I have been following Mr. Anawak’s on the vegetarians and the meat. I wanted to point out Mr. Speaker, a guest at my house the other night was visiting and I offered him some of this fresh caribou meat that we had. He said, Ed no thank you I don’t want any of your caribou meat, I am a vegetarian.
I said yes, and so was the caribou.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Picco for that story.
Member’s Statement 119 – 1(5): Anti-trapping Groups
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many years ago in our area, in northern Canada, our fellow Inuit made a living by trapping foxes and hunting other fur animals.
Since those times, these same trappers have been made to suffer because of fur activists’ efforts, which damaged the markets for these products.
At the same time, they are manufacturing and using synthetic garments that are made to appear like real fur and animal products.
It is good to hear reports from around the world that indicate the use and demand for fur products is improving.
We here in the north have and will always use fur.
That is why I don’t mind if it stays cold up here.
I refer to an article that said that in a northern area of the United States, it has been a cold winter, increasing the demand for warm fur garments.
It has also been cold in China.
I expect that with the increase in demand there will be more opportunities now for our hunters and trappers.
As I said I don’t mind it staying cold for these reasons.
Member's Statement 120 - 1(5): Premier’s Dialect
I'll be talking on a subject that has not been talked about quite often.
When our Premier is speaking in Inuktitut, in his own dialect, when he is talking about working with someone, sometimes I wonder who worked on this subject.
There seems to be two subjects that he talks about, maybe when he's speaking some day he can clarify this.
If he were to adjust those words by just a little bit, closer to my dialect then I would be able to understand him better.
Member's Statement 121 - 1(5): Clyde River Dialect
Mr. Speaker, the person next to me was talking about our Premier.
He's my friend and I'd like to tell him today that my superior dialect, Kangiqtugapimiutitut, is stronger than his.
I thank him for recognizing that, my friend Mr. Nutarak.
I'd like to recognize today Mr. Vernon White with the RCMP who spends a part of his time in the Yukon.
He's visiting our community and I would like to welcome him.
Speaker: Welcome to the gallery Mr. White.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): I'm sorry Mr. Speaker.
I was given some old pictures yesterday and one of them had a picture of me and my classmate and friend Andrew Tagak, taken in 1967.
I'd like to recognize him in the gallery at this time and say that I have been proud to watch the progress he has made in his career.
Question 122 - 1(5): Emergency Preparedness at Airports
I'll be directing my question to the Minister of Community Government and Transportation.
We heard recently that the federal government is implementing new airport emergency procedures in the coming five years.
Can the minister tell us exactly how the new standards for emergency procedures from the federal government are going to be implemented in Nunavut.
I'd like him to clarify this process and whether he will be requesting additional funding from the federal government to implement their new rules.
Regarding the airports in Nunavut, we're responsible for maintaining the airports that were transferred to us from Transport Canada.
When they were first transferred to us, we were not quite prepared to take complete responsibility but we are now.
We are going to follow all the regulations required by the federal government, but to do that we will have to get more funding from them, from the Department of Transport Canada.
It's very expensive to operate the airports and the regulations from the federal government will have to be followed through as these rules are statutory.
I understand your response and we definitely need support from the federal government.
I would like to ask him if we will be able to comply if we don't get the extra financial support.
If it is a Canadian standard or regulation it will definitely have to be followed.
But if we are going to get the required equipment and if we do not have the finances to obtain that equipment, then the federal government will have to be made to understand why.
If we can’t get the equipment, then we can’t get it.
We will have to talk to the federal government and explain that because of our limited resources that we can’t buy the equipment thus require additional funding.
We will keep negotiating with the federal government to obtain the fire fighting equipment, the trucks and so on.
We will want to follow through with the regulations and we will have to let the federal government understand this.
In Nunavut we might not be able to get this fire fighting equipment and we have to order this equipment from the southern provinces because we can’t buy them up here.
If this regulation went through, the onus would be on us to buy the equipment.
If we were not able to comply what would be the consequences for us.
We would talk to the federal government and the Federal Department of Transportation.
If we cannot buy the required equipment we would talk to them, let them know that we have limited financial resources.
Sometimes the federal government might make regulations without thinking about the impact on the Nunavut Government.
Since we have limited financial resources, then we will have to talk to the federal government to get additional funds.
When we are talking about standards and regulations we have to think about the repercussions it has on our government and we talk to the appropriate minister and let him know why we need additional funds to meet the standards and regulations that are set by the federal government.
Then we would have to re-profile or get additional funds.
We would change our priorities and because aircraft are the only mode of transportation up here, we have to look at the insurance and other issues as well, to see how we can meet those regulations.
The larger communities in Nunavut have a lot more equipment than the smaller communities. The smaller communities have very limited airport equipment and should there be an accident and if we have these standards and regulations imposed on us, what would happen to the smaller communities who do not have any equipment at all.
We do know that the larger communities have better equipment because of course they get larger airplanes coming in.
For example, there's jet service provided for Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay and also Resolute Bay.
We also have to look after the larger communities because of course they need more safety equipment and we also look at the smaller communities to make sure they have the equipment for them to meet the standards and regulations.
We keep the communities informed, for example about fire trucks and back up equipment and we'll work diligently on training in the communities so that they'll know what to do in case of an emergency.
Also, even if we don't have other equipment we would like the smaller communities to be fully trained on what to expect and how to approach emergencies.
Question 123 - 1(5): Translation of Harvesters’ Fuel Subsidy Application
This is in regards to the harvesters who will be getting subsidies for fuel.
This subsidy will be provided by two organizations.
To obtain these subsidies, the harvesters will have to fill out application forms in order to get those fuel subsidies.
I would like to ask who did the translation of these forms.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good morning.
I have not seen the translated forms yet, or know who did the translations.
I will check into it and let the member know.
I have a copy of the forms in both English and Inuktitut and a person from Pond Inlet told me that these translations will have to be redone. So I brought a copy with me and if the minister wishes to see it I'd be glad to provide it to him.
I apologize I have not seen those forms yet and haven't reviewed them.
Oral Questions. Oral Questions. Ms. Williams.
Question 124 - 1(5): Equity between Akitsiraq and Nursing Program Students
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to hear of the establishment of the Akitsiraq Law School program and I was interested in the following description of the law school web site, oh, the minister's not here… I'll continue, Mr. Speaker.
I am directing this question to the Minister of Health & Social Services.
Most candidates from the law school program who are eligible for the program or are interested in applying, have lately been working in positions of varying degrees of responsibility.
Some are supporting children or other family members.
The cost of living in Iqaluit is considerable and the housing shortage is well known.
In order to attract the best candidates to apply for admission, and in order to ensure that they stay in this very difficult program for four full years, it is necessary to be realistic and recognize that long-term student financial assistance will be necessary.
Experience in the past has shown us that Nunavut students have dropped out of other post-secondary education programs because of financial difficulties.
My question is, would the Minister of Health & Social Services agree that this description also applies to students in the Nunavut Nursing Program.
Mr. Speaker, I think the member brings up an excellent point and I would support that not only to the nursing students but also to all students attending Arctic College, and indeed, post secondary education whether it be in Nunavut or indeed, in a southern institution.
Mr. Speaker, I think this question should probably go to the Minister of Education, who has the overall view of the programs.
I know that student support through Education has been there for the nursing program and the nursing students.
I have myself on occasion had an opportunity to go to the program and speak to some of the students with the Premier, I might add.
I don’t know Mr. Speaker, if I could add any more to that, I know that in my opinion itself I think, since the members asks what my opinion is on support, of course, you know that ministers aren’t supposed to give their opinions.
What I can say is that it is the policy of this government to support students whether they are in the nursing program or any other post secondary or other program that is being delivered in Nunavut or indeed, in other institutions.
Supplementary questions.
Last week the Minister of Health & Social Services indicated that the attrition rate for the nursing program was very high, somewhere near 80%.
This was also the case in the Nunavut Teacher’s Education Program when it first started.
My next question is, would the minister consider a sponsorship program for Nunavut nursing students that is separate from the Nunavut Student Financial Assistance Program.
Mr. Speaker, the nursing program is a program that is run by the Department of Education through the facilities of Arctic College.
As students they have the full rights to apply for student financial assistance that are in place to support our students that are in post secondary education.
Mr. Speaker, after saying that, the member does make a good point.
That is the availability of other funding sources that may be there.
I know for example Mr. Speaker, that we are looking at the opportunity for different bursaries that may be available specifically for the nursing program students so that they could give them an extra opportunity for income.
I also believe Mr. Speaker, that the Department of Education is in the process of looking at some type of review of the Student Financial Assistance Program.
So we would entertain that opportunity for bursaries, and in actuality, we have been pursuing it in co-operation with the Arctic College.
We hear very good success stories from the law school program, which is as important as the nursing students.
Would the minister consider being more active in considering approaching the federal departments such as Health Canada - Inuit Health Branch or Inuit Organizations to be sponsors for student positions in the Nursing Program.
Mr. Speaker, the member again makes an excellent point.
In my discussions with Minister Rock, on at least three different occasions, we've had an opportunity to discuss the Federal Department of Health and the nursing program.
I think the program should be pointed out as unique in Canada specifically focusing on Inuit, training them through the good offices of Dalhousie University.
So when they do graduate they have a Bachelor of Nursing and they can actually go anywhere in Canada for that matter, the world and be a nurse, so we had discussions with the federal government.
At the present time, they have not been as successful as we had hoped but Mr. Speaker, that's something we have approached the federal government on, and we will continue to do that. Again, with the support of the members of this House, that type of direction is something we welcome.
Just before we proceed, I just want to caution the members that, according to our rules, you are not permitted to seek an opinion from a minister.
At the same time, you are not permitted to ask hypothetical questions.
Question 125 - 1(5): Extra Funding for Akitsiraq Students
Mr. Speaker, my question is I believe for the Minister of Justice and maybe as Premier he has a more overall view on it.
I'd like to ask the minister and first off state, I'm very pleased with the law school being formed and the students being given, I think, adequate resources and support to be successful and I think it is high time these steps were taken to ensure that these students have the tools that they need to succeed.
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to ask the minister, is the Department of Justice or are there any other funds being provided to these students from the Government of Nunavut other than what the student would normally receive under student financial assistance.
Yes, the program is a joint effort, involving the Nunavut Government, Federal Government and Inuit Organizations. Each party will sponsor a number of students, so it's a unique program and it's a one-time program.
Once we select those 10 to 15 students, they'll be there for four years in addition to articling for another year, so it's a five-year commitment on the part of the students.
We'll be looking very closely as to who applies and it'll be a very difficult process to get in but we’re encouraging a lot of residents to apply.
Mr. Speaker, the minister indicated that the government, under the department, I'm not sure if it's the Department of Justice or where, is going to be sponsoring students that is funding on top of what is normal or that any other student would receive under student financial assistance.
If, you know, that is the case as he had indicated I wonder how much more the government is going to be supporting these students above what they would normally receive under student financial assistance.
The students that will be enrolled in the program will be provided with income.
The exact amount is yet to be determined, we are waiting for the applicants, number of applicants, which will largely have an impact on the amount.
But it will be around 50 thousand dollars per year.
We are asking the candidates perhaps to leave employment to take on this new challenge, so we don't want to destabilize good potential students that may be employed.
In terms of collecting additional income, they'll be collecting a salary by being sponsored and they'll be working for the sponsor during the period that they are not studying.
So it's a unique arrangement where services are provided to the sponsor and at the same time they are paid during the term of their studies.
Mr. Speaker, again, and I'm not disagreeing with providing students with the support that they need.
I'm just wondering if this government, if the government feels that we need lawyers.
I know that we have all heard over the last two years of the crisis that we have faced in our nursing stations and in the hospital there where at times over half the beds have been closed down because we don't have the capacity to keep them open.
We have also heard, you know, of the enormous cost of the agency nurses, the contract nurses that cost us a lot more money.
Could the minister commit to looking at developing, with the Minister of Health & Social Services and the Minister of Education, a similar program that would allow and entice with the same principles that he talks about in recruiting students for this law school to provide that same kind of support to getting nurses into a nursing program and ensuring that we get good quality candidates and we give them the resources that they need to succeed.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tootoo. Mr. Premier.
As I said this is a one-time program. It's a pilot project and once we get the ten to fifteen students that's it.
They'll be studying for four years and that's it.
There'll be no additional studies.
The nursing program is an ongoing program, so we have to distinguish between the two.
But we will see how the law school compares.
It's yet to start, and we are committing resources and money towards it right now.
But we would want to see how well it does.
We want to see it succeed and as mentioned before, the Minister of Education is currently reviewing the student financial assistance program so I'm sure the Minister of Education will also look at what we are doing in Justice.
But we need, in order for us to do this in the future for other programs, other parties have to be involved and we were very fortunate to get the federal government and Inuit organizations to buy into the program. So any new program in other areas would have to involve other parties.
Mr. Speaker, I understand what the minister is saying, that there, and I recognize the fact that there is third party funding for this program.
What I am asking is, looking at the lack of the success rate that we are seeing in the nursing program and the prices that we face in Nunavut, and our nursing stations and hospitals, it may not be a bad idea for a one time or for this first term or the second term or for a set period of time for X number of students where we want to get some Nunavummiut through this program succeed and have them working in our nursing stations.
I am asking the Premier, not just as the Minister of Justice, but to work jointly with the other two ministers that I indicated earlier in approaching outside sources to try and obtain the funding levels necessary to provide a similar type program as they have for the law students.
Yes, the Health Minister approached the Federal Minister of Health, we’ve tried, but there is no harm in trying to approach other parties.
I am sure that we can approach Inuit organizations and solicit their support.
We are open to trying to do that.
But it does involve third parties and getting them to contribute their portion.
So I think we can try that for the next coming year perhaps.
Question 126 – 1(5): Coral Harbour Caribou Harvest Study
I will be directing this question to the Minister for Sustainable Development.
He mentioned before that there was going to be a study done on the different aspects of commercial caribou harvesting activities in Coral Harbour.
At what stage is this at right now.
I thank the member for the question.
The study that was going to be done is not complete yet.
As soon as it is completed we will find out what their recommendations are.
They have studied the operations of that facility, at this time we are doing the study on the harvesting facility in Coral Harbour.
We will give the member the study when it is complete and we will be working with the community of Coral Harbour.
Perhaps in April or May I will be going to Coral Harbour to talk with the hunters to speak about what types of things they would like to see improved.
I will be talking with them about these things and how to improve the situation in Coral Harbour.
The minister said that it would be around April or May that he will be visiting Coral Harbour.
Would that study be complete by then.
Yes, we would hope that the report would be done.
We expect it to be done.
They are looking at it right now and they are reviewing it.
Perhaps even before I go to Coral Harbour I will have that report available and I would review it with the Member for Nanulik.
It would be better to meet with the member before I go to Coral Harbour.
Just before the completion of the report it would probably say that it is best to do it this way, and I would like the residents of Coral Harbour to be involved.
Yes, I will be going to Coral Harbour with the completed report on the meat processing plant in Coral Harbour and I will be involving the people there and tell them that it would be best if they do it this way.
We will do our best to work with the people of Coral Harbour.
We will be discussing the harvesting program with them and talk with them about the yearly quota.
We will look at the study with them to see whether they can get a larger quota.
We will do our best to try and help them when we go there in April or May.
Question 127 – 1(5): Labour Standards Act Amendments
This is for the Minister of Justice.
I was pleased to hear that the minister committed to amending the Nunavut Labour Standards Act and increase the parental leave entitlement for 12 consecutive weeks to 37 weeks in keeping with the federal government’s recently implemented changes to the Employment Insurance Act.
Without the amendment to the Act Mr. Speaker, most Nunavummiut will only benefit from the federal government’s increase in parental leave benefits for their employees if the employer agrees to it.
Can the minister tell the Assembly when he will be introducing the Bill to amend the Labour Standards Act.
Right now we are in the midst of negotiations with the union on the collective agreement.
That has been our main consideration to date.
But as the minister said earlier in his statement there is progress taking place.