EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Further, he allowed us an opportunity to speak to the audience and I was caught slightly unprepared, but I thank my colleague, Mr. Curley, for providing that opportunity to speak during that grand opening. Our Premier was also present at that opening and I extend my thanks to the Premier as well.
The patients from the outlying communities travelling for medical travel to Iqaluit now have an excellent boarding facility and our government finally had a chance to conduct a grand opening ceremony.
It is gratifying to see that our patients, who are already experiencing traumatic events, do not have to worry about their lodgings when they travel to Iqaluit.
However, I also spoke to Mr. Curley while I had the opportunity about the issues surrounding our southern facilities. I occasionally go to Ottawa to visit and I usually take the opportunity to greet people who are down in Ottawa for medical purposes. Some of the patients sporadically experience problems, especially with respect to elderly patients.
I have been informed that the mattresses are quite stiff and too hard for some of the patients who have to sleep in them.
The other complaints I have heard are that when people move the bed in another room, you can hear the movements quite distinctly, but that may be due to the age of the metal frames and wheels.
This is an issue that has been brought up from time to time and I am relaying this information while I have the opportunity.
Further, Inuit feel more at home when there is country food available and many Inuit crave their food.
Additionally, we also like to cook our food and rarely do we overcook our food, but that complaint about overcooked food has been raised previously.
I do tend to visit the minister where I usually take the opportunity to relay the concerns of my constituents who have returned from that facility.
I already provided that information to him, but I also wanted it in the public record so that the people who conveyed their concerns to me will know that I did not just listen and store their concerns.
I will always try to represent their concerns to the government so that we can look for improvements to the services provided to our people.
Member’s Statement 301 – 3(2): Graduates of Qiqirtaq School (Ugyuk)
I wish to welcome all visitors to the Gallery.
Last summer, I was invited to the community of Gjoa Haven to attend to their graduation ceremony and I wish to congratulate the following students who graduated from the Qiqirtaq High School:
Scott Aaqquq, Aaqquaq’s adopted son.
Annie Illihiituq, Illihiituq’s adopted daughter.
Cathy Uugaq, Tavvik and Anthony’s daughter.
Trevor Tungilik, Christine and her husband’s child.
Robert Porter, Peepee’s grandson.
Stanley Porter, Ipuittuq’s grandson.
Marvin Aqittuq had graduated in the year prior to last year, but since he did not want to be the sole graduate of that year, he waited until there were more graduates and he became part of this year’s graduation class. He was celebrated as an earlier graduate and was acknowledged for his patience in awaiting his graduation certificate.
It was a very moving ceremony that we attended, wherein the graduates celebrated their achievement. My husband and I both attended.
I would like to extend my congratulations to the students who graduated from the Qiqirtaq High School and I am grateful that they achieved their goal of completing high school.
I also thank the teachers, DEAs, the teachers association, the high school principal, as well as the elementary school principal.
I also would like to thank the people who hosted the community feast that was held after the ceremony.
It was wonderful to see children working and helping people while wearing white uniforms as they served the people.
I thought that was so remarkable. I also would like to congratulate the students in Gjoa Haven again for graduating.
Member’s Statement 302 – 3(2): Welcome Coalition of DEAs (Aariak)
I say “good afternoon” to my constituents.
I also would like to welcome all of the visitors in the Gallery.
As Members of the Legislative Assembly, we work hard on education and social issues.
These are the people here who work behind the scenes and I would like to thank them for attending the meeting.
I also would like to welcome them again for working hard on educational and social issues because these issues have a direct impact on all Nunavummiut.
I wish to extend a welcome to the visitors in the Gallery.
I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge an individual from Whale Cove who seems to always be on a committee or council. He is a member of various organizations and continues to represent his community’s wishes.
We rarely get visitors from his community, so I want to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt welcome and recognition of this individual from my riding. Mr. Manu Nattar, welcome to the legislature and I am thankful that you were able to visit the House.
I would like to welcome the visitors, but since I do not have time to mention all of them, I want to acknowledge several of the visitors.
First of all, I wish to acknowledge a resident of Iqaluit, James Arreak, who has been one of the lead facilitators of the issues I voiced in my Member’s Statement. He has been involved in quite a few meetings in our community and on this issue.
I also wish to recognize my fellow Coral Harbour residents, Marlene Jar and Ida Nakoolak, who are also here for the conference I alluded to in my Member’s Statement and they are part of the group dealing with that matter.
I recognize both of them.
I also recognize several individuals, but I do not know all of the people present in the Gallery attending this conference.
I really am sincere in my apology, Mr. Speaker, since I inadvertently missed a constituent from Chesterfield Inlet who is sitting across from us.
I do acknowledge the individual but for the life of me, I cannot recall his name, so I apologize for that. I would like to ask the person to stand so that people can see whom I am referring to as the person from Chesterfield Inlet I am recognizing.
I, too, would like to recognize a visitor in the Gallery and that’s Hattie Alagalak, the wife of the former MLA from Arviat, David Alagalak.
I would like to recognize her for her very dedicated and hard-working efforts in being a member on the Arviat District Education Authority.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Member for Kugluktuk, Mr. Taptuna, did you have your hand up? No?
Okay. Ms. Ugyuk.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): I would like to acknowledge an individual because I recognize my uncle from Taloyoak, Iola Taqulik. He is a member of the DEA in Taloyoak.
He is my uncle and I do love him. He is the younger brother of my father.
Also from Gjoa Haven, Jackie Ameralik is a member from the DEA and is also the chairman. He is here for meetings.
Also Renata Rousseau, I would like to acknowledge that individual who works in Taloyoak providing the nutrition program.
Sorry, she works in Gjoa Haven.
In Taloyoak, she runs the nutrition program and works with the Inuit.
Also two individuals from Kugaaruk, one of them is not here, Beatrice Apsaktaun, who is here attending from the school in Kugaaruk, and also Ovide Alakannuark, who has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
I am sure everyone in Nunavut knows him.
I do would like to acknowledge those two individuals who are visiting us today.
Hon Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to recognize people from my constituency. I would like to recognize Soloman Nasook from Hall Beach. As Inuit people, we name differently.
Although his name is Suulumuuni, I call him Tumuluuni. I also recognize Louise Haulli from Igloolik.
Right beside that individual is the High School Principal, Vince Pickett. Welcome.
The individual was here, but I don’t see the individual from Igloolik who is attending the same meeting, Aime Panimera.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Member for Cambridge Bay, Mr. Peterson.
As everybody knows, it’s not very often that MLAs from the Kitikmeot get an opportunity to welcome people from the Kitikmeot to the House.
I would like to recognize a friend, neighbour, co-worker, Bessie Joy. She is sitting over against the far wall. She is a tremendous person.
Over the years, Mr. Speaker, she has helped me do research on Inuit special constables. We were successful in identifying three constables with headstones. She was responsible for organizing a number of IQ days for our office building.
I remember one in particular. A couple of years ago, we went out to Kitiga Lake. It was 40 or 50 below.
The weather didn’t seem to bother them. Her brother was working with a t-shirt drilling holes for us while the rest of us were shivering in our parkas. It was a lot of fun.
I welcome Bessie to the House and wish her all the best in her work with the DEA.
Although I recognize every one of you here, I know you are busy.
I would like to first of all acknowledge a person from my constituency who is a coordinator for our DEA, Nikki Ejeesiaq. Welcome to the Gallery.
Although this individual is not from my riding, Mr. Speaker, this individual is from your riding. I would like to welcome Mary Killiktee. She now lives in Qikiqtarjuaq.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Mr. Schell.
First of all, I would like to acknowledge Mr. Lyta there from Kimmirut, he’s here and Mary Kellypalik from Cape Dorset.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome all of the visitors in the Gallery.
Because education is one of our foundations we require in order to plan for our upcoming future, I would like to thank this individual from Baker Lake who is representing the local DEA, Bill Kashla, and I want to recognize him as he is present here.
I know that Bill has continually been in support of the residents of Baker Lake.
In order for people to get the context of this statement, yesterday, I made a Member’s Statement outlining the need for education as our foundation because we feel the impacts of your work and it is visible to our residents.
I would like to thank you all for your important work and I also would like to acknowledge my fellow Baker Lake resident, Bill Kashla.
I always find it’s very hard trying to find people from my community. I have Mary Kalluk behind me over here from Resolute Bay who is the DEA chairperson.
As well, she is a former colleague, Nunavut Arctic College adult educator in Resolute Bay. As well, Esau Tatatoapik should be here as the DEA chairperson for Arctic Bay, but I don’t see him.
Liza Ningiuk is the chairperson in Grise Fiord, but I don’t see her as well.
Maybe weather kept them from coming. I would like to recognize those people.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Member for Iqaluit Centre, Mr. Tootoo.
I’m going through individuals that I acknowledged in my Minister’s Statement, but for some of the people that are here, their representatives are unavailable to be here.
I would like to recognize Jeeteeta Merkosak, the Chair of the DEA Coalition.
She’s in here sitting over there.
Also, Mr. Speaker, Annie Siutinuar from Repulse Bay is here.
As well, Alice Ladner is sitting in the Gallery too.
Alice and Jeeteeta were both instrumental in developing the new Education Act through that process.
I would like to recognize them in the Gallery. Also, the individual helping to facilitate their conference going on here this week is Meeka Mike. She came into the Gallery and I would like to recognize her and welcome her.
I stand today to firstly state that the DEA chairperson cannot attend, although I would have acknowledged the person if they had attended.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize an individual who was a member of the DEA back when I was a member of the DEA.
Some of the same members who were there in the DEA are still present, and I know that they are diligent in representing their community and interests.
Please continue to fulfill your mandate as your role in the community is indispensable.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to recognize an individual with whom I went to school with down in Churchill where we attended classes. His name is Jaycob Jaypoody and he still looks the same as when I last saw him.
Further, I would encourage all the visitors to the Gallery to continue representing their communities. In this forum, we are all residents of the same territory and we urge you to continue representing your communities as you do a commendable job.
I hope I did not miss anybody.
At this time, I would like to give Mr. Ningeongan another opportunity while he has the chance.
Again, I forgot to recognize an individual from Coral Harbour who is the chair, Mr. Leo Angootealuk, especially my in-law, Mrs. Annie Siutinuar. Now I can sleep in peace.
I would also like to recognize visitors.
Although this individual was already recognized, he is the Chair of the DEA in Clyde River, Mr. Jacob Jaypoody.
Also, Jacob Gearhead is the Director of Ilisaqsivik.
You are familiar with him.
Most of the men in Clyde River are named Jacob.
Also, one of the counsellors at the Mamisarvik Centre is Joana Qillaq.
Also someone who was already recognized from Broughton Island is Lizzie.
Also, one who was already recognized, my namesake, James Arreak.
He carries a good name. Welcome.
A very warm welcome to you all. Always feel welcome at the legislature whenever you come to town.
(interpretation ends) Item 6.
Question 438 – 3(2): Uranium Development in Nunavut (Aupaluktuq)
My questions are for the Premier, Madam Eva Aariak.
In June of this year, I presented a petition that had been signed by over 140 people from Baker Lake, Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit.
The petitioners had requested that a public inquiry be held into the wisdom of allowing uranium mining in Nunavut.
In her government’s response to the petition, the Premier rejected this request in favour of hiring consultants to undertake a study on uranium mining and hold a public forum on the issue of uranium development.
Can the Premier clearly state for the record today why she decided on this course of action?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member for asking that question.
I had received two documents from the member and I gave them a great deal of thought.
First, I looked at exactly what public inquiry means and the other avenue that we call the public forum.
I first had to fully understand what each meant and how it would affect the people whom we represent.
We then concluded that the public would be fully consulted with greater participation through a public forum.
We chose that to ensure that Nunavummiut would be given a chance to participate the most.
The government’s response to the petition that I presented indicated that “Nunavummiut will be invited later this year to a public forum” on uranium development.
Can the Premier tell me today exactly where and when this public forum will be held?
We chose to hold a public forum in order to include all three regions, meaning the Baffin, Keewatin, and Kitikmeot regions, so that everybody is given an opportunity to voice their concerns and to make their views known.
I also would like to add that even if they don’t make their thoughts known, we would also give an opportunity to the consultants to tell us exactly what uranium development entails.
I would like to give everybody an opportunity by way of a public forum or by computer, and also to listen to the proceedings by way of radio, telephone, and other media.
The Minister of Health and Social Services is also seeking public input by various means of communication, through computer and public forums.
That is how we want to do it so that we involve as many people as possible.
It’s imperative that everybody in Nunavut voice their concerns and share their concerns as well in regard to public health versus development.
In regard to that, Mr. Speaker, on March 14, 2007, the Government of Nunavut’s mineral exploration and mining strategy was tabled in the Legislative Assembly. That document indicates that $100,000 would be spent on public consultation towards developing an [unambiguous] “GN position on uranium of use both to investors and Nunavummiut related to uranium exploration and development.”
Can the Premier tell me today whether or not the Government of Nunavut actually has a formal policy on uranium and, if not, when will the policy be approved and tabled in the Legislative Assembly?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. (interpretation ends) Madam Premier.
The Nunavut government does not presently have a policy in regard to uranium development, but they use a six-point principle and this was announced in 2007.
In regard to the 2009 mineral exploration and mining strategy, it states that the Nunavut government would draft a policy on uranium mining in the future.
That is what we are moving towards and that is why we are doing a consultation prior to putting together a policy statement within that mining strategy.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Your final supplementary, Mr. Aupaluktuq.
In her response to the petition that I presented, the Premier stated that the Government of Nunavut “believes that the existing Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) regulatory process… is a comprehensive, inclusive and effective means of evaluating mining projects in Nunavut...”
As the Premier is aware, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association was successful this summer in obtaining an injunction to stop seismic testing in the waters of the High Arctic, despite the fact that NIRB had been involved in the process leading up to the testing.
Can the Premier explain why the government has so much confidence in NIRB? I just want to have a formal understanding for the record.
The Government of Nunavut is going ahead with NIRB in supporting the project and what they have concluded from the review of the project. NIRB was, after all, created under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Furthermore, the Nunavut Impact Review Board has four representatives; one each from NTI, GN, and the federal government, and as a legally mandated body, they deal with very important issues.
Question 439 – 3(2): Status of Special Constable Program (Elliott)
Mr. Speaker, history shows us that special constables have provided support and assistance to regular RCMP members in the north for well over 60 years. Special constables have performed a wide range of functions using their skills and expertise in the northern setting.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice’s 2010-13 business plan indicates that a pilot program to create a new troop of Inuit special constables got underway in 2010 and that in 2010-11, the candidates would be receiving special training.
Can the minister provide an update on how many candidates have been recruited to date and what is the current status of this pilot program?
I thank Mr. Elliot for asking the question.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Elliott is aware I am a strong advocate of the Inuit Special Constable program.
The pilot project was initiated two years ago or a year and a half ago by former Chief Superintendent Marty Cheliak.
The plan with the pilot project was we hoped, in four or five years, to establish a troop of 32.
The business case was developed calling for 32, but initially the RCMP is going to fund internally and find five recruits.
That process is taking a little bit of time.
They have identified 15 candidates, put them through the recruiting process, the tests, questionnaires, and other recruiting processes, and they have narrowed it down to, I think, five now.
I think, first, the plan is that the four or five, or whatever it works out to, will be taken into a depot in Regina in November of this year.
That is the current update. If the member wishes, I could provide a more detailed update when I talk to Chief Superintendent McVarnock.
The role of special constable recognizes and takes advantage of the close ties that these individuals have to the land, the communities, and the people of the north.
Can the minister update this House on how his department will work with the RCMP to determine which communities’ special constables will be assigned to once they begin to perform their duties?
Mr. Speaker, we do have regular discussions with Chief Superintendent McVarnock about a number of RCMP issues.
I believe the RCMP will determine primarily where the new recruits will be placed.
Obviously we don’t want them to be put into a situation where there is only a two-person detachment.
Very likely, they will go into communities where there’s a larger detachment where they can learn and gain some experience before being relocated to other communities in Nunavut.
In recent years, a number of media stories have described situations where law enforcement professionals who have been assigned to their home communities have faced unexpected difficulties, often as a direct result of the additional expectations and pressures placed on them.
Can the minister describe what consideration has been given to ensuring that newly trained special constables are not assigned to work locations where the demands on them will be unrealistic?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I again thank Mr. Elliott for asking that question.
I appreciate that he is concerned about the success of the Inuit Special Constable program.
Mr. Speaker, Chief Superintendent McVarnock is well aware of our concerns in that area. He is not going to put his officers, experienced or otherwise, into situations that are beyond their capabilities to handle. I will leave the operational decisions to them, but they are well aware that we want to ensure the success of the program.
After all, this is a pilot program. We’re hopeful that we will eventually have 32 Inuit special constables.
The success of the four or five who go through the program will determine the success of additional recruits in Nunavut.
It’s in all our best interest to ensure that the folks succeed when they come out of depot.
Will the minister commit to looking into this matter a little bit more? He has mentioned that he would talk to commander of the RCMP and has assured us that they will not put RCMP members or special constables into these positions, but in the past, obviously they have.
With some of the news articles that have come out and some of the comments by Crown lawyers saying that they worked within situations that were unrealistic being in their home communities, I was just wondering if the minister could commit to looking into this a little bit more before they are put in situations that are unrealistic.
I again thank Mr. Elliott for the question.
I will assure the member that I will raise his concerns with the RCMP.
Question 440 – 3(2): Baffin Island Caribou (Okalik)
Different issues come up and some of them are unexpected, but today I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Environment because it’s especially affecting our community.
We have had no caribou.
Especially over the last few years, we have not seen a caribou.
If I do see one, I wouldn’t know what it is at the first sighting.
I would like to ask the Minister of Environment about what types of studies or if they are studying the migratory routes.
Even if somebody gets a caribou around here, we’re a little bit shocked because there are none around.
This question is directed to the Minister of Environment.
That’s a very good question and a very important topic about caribou in Nunavut.
I would suggest maybe that the member come to the Kivalliq region and go on a hunting trip on the land, and then he probably would get a caribou.
It is a very serious topic and we have several different populations of caribou throughout the territory distributed through the three regions in Nunavut.
As we all know, caribou is one of the mainstays of country food in the territory.
The Department of Environment is presently in the stages of having a draft caribou strategy in place.
Consultation is presently taking place. It was just completed in all three [regions.]
There is going to be further consultations done in the communities at the HTO level with the officers and the regional managers.