EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, while we understand that these disruptions have been an inconvenience to many Nunavummiut, they are necessary to allow for safe and efficient maintenance and upgrades.
We will continue to do our best to inform customers and the public well in advance of any scheduled outages.
The Qulliq Energy Corporation continues to strive to maintain its infrastructure and prevent unplanned outages. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, the system fails, which can result in power losses for a community.
What I will say is that in every instance, power has been restored as fast and safely as possible.
Mr. Speaker, with the population growth Nunavut has experienced since the majority of our infrastructure was built it is a continuing challenge to meet our power generation needs.
As we go forward, our goal is to ensure a reliable, safe, and consistent supply of electricity.
I would like to thank all Nunavummiut for their patience and understanding during these periods of power disruption, Mr. Speaker.
Member for Iqaluit West, Madam Ell.
Member’s Statement 110 – 3(3): Suicide Prevention Strategy for Nunavut (Ell)
I rise today to address the topic of mental health, one of the most critical issues facing Nunavummiut today.
Mr. Speaker, during the short time that I was campaigning to be a Member of this Assembly, the community of Iqaluit was shattered by a series of suicides, one after another.
It was very difficult to talk to people about the promise of the future when so many were in shock from the recent losses they had suffered.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Action Plan was tabled in this House on September 28, 2011.
I have had an opportunity to read through the plan and it concerns me.
Mr. Speaker, it worries me that so much of this plan focuses on such activities as environmental scans, gap analysis, research papers, and developing protocols and memorandums of understanding.
Mr. Speaker, I expected to see more action. The most substantive action in this plan is the staffing of two full-time positions. I was also pleased to note that there will be more funding dedicated to such important initiatives as the crisis line and the Embrace Life Council.
(interpretation) However, Mr. Speaker, I believe that in order to adequately address the mental health issues facing our people we need to make more real investments, not vague promises.
We need greater commitment and we need it now, not after undertaking more studies, research papers, or policy development.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, we need real action to achieve real change.
I encourage this government to work with its partners, NTI, the RCMP, and the Embrace Life Council, to convert the words in the suicide prevention action plan into actions at the earliest opportunity.
Member’s Statement 111 – 3(3): Emergency Preparedness (Elliott)
I rise today to address the issue of emergency preparedness.
As I noted in my Member’s Statement yesterday, the quick actions of first responders in Resolute Bay following the crash of First Air Flight 6560 likely saved lives.
I am very proud of the Resolute Bay volunteer firefighters and the RCMP who faced a terrible and unexpected situation with courage and professionalism.
I am also very proud of our health centre staff as well as personnel at the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, being prepared saved lives.
As a number of my colleagues have been saying, it is critical that all relevant levels of government work closely together to ensure that every single one of our communities has an approved emergency plan in place and that they have the necessary resources and equipment to ensure that the plan can be implemented.
Mr. Speaker, in looking ahead, an issue that has been brought to my attention concerns the lack of a backup generator in Resolute Bay. It is my understanding that in the event of a total power failure in the community that occurs in the winter months, residents are to converge on a central location. I urge the government to address this situation.
Mr. Speaker, in June of this year, the Minister of Community and Government Services tabled the government’s most recent annual report on emergency management in the territory.
This is an important document and I thank the government for producing it. I will have more questions for the minister on this issue during our fall sitting.
Member’s Statement 112 – 3(3): Diamond Drilling Course (Shewchuk)
First of all, I would like to say “good afternoon” to all of my constituents in Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, on September 26, 12 students from Arviat started the classroom portion of the community’s new Arviat Diamond Drillers Training Program.
Hands-on training will also be offered, which will see the trainees help operate a functioning diamond drill.
The 10-week training program will run until the beginning of December.
To help ensure successful course delivery, a local Inuit assistant instructor has been hired.
Luderic Onerk of Arviat is an experienced diamond driller and will help prepare the trainees for the hard work ahead. He will also ensure the course content is explained in Inuktitut, increasing the comprehension of key concepts.
Mr. Speaker, this exciting new program funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Program would not be possible without the concerted effort of a number of partner organizations, including the Government of Nunavut Department of Economic Development and Transportation, Agnico-Eagle Mines, Orbit Garnet Drilling Services, Boart Longyear Canada, the Kivalliq Mine Training Society, Nunavut Arctic College, Northern College, the Kivalliq Inuit Association, and the Contaminants Remediation Training Organization of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, a second course is scheduled for January 2012 and will be open to residents other than Kivalliq communities. With current funding commitments, the program is funded for the first two 10-week courses. It is anticipated that the course will continue to be offered at least twice a year.
Course graduates will have immediate access to well-paying jobs as service diamond drill helpers. With experience, they can advance to work as a diamond driller and will be qualified to work anywhere in Canada or in the world.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating our first class of future diamond drillers. They are Keith Angalik, Andy Anowtalik, Matthew Issumatarjuak, Samuel Ivu, Lucien Kabvitok, Kelly Kigusiutnak, Sandy Kritaqliluk, Gary Jr. Kuksuk, Charlie Jr. Malla, Johnny Palvialuk, and David Tassiuk.
Member’s Statement 113 – 3(3): Pond Inlet Participants in Soccer Tournament (Enook)
I want to say “good afternoon” to Pond Inlet residents and our fellow Nunavummiut.
I rise today to congratulate several fellow residents of Pond Inlet.
This weekend, there was a soccer tournament for youth here in Iqaluit, with several residents of Pond Inlet under the age of 15 participating.
The team came in second place in this tournament and I am extremely proud of their accomplishment. I urge my colleagues to share in this because our community generally does not compete in soccer trials. However, they were able to participate and they came in second place, so the people of Pond Inlet are quite proud of their success.
I also want to share with you the players’ names. They are:
Michael Inuarak,
Roland Aapak,
Terrance Koonark,
Darren Enook,
Simeonie Aksarjuk,
Dominique Kublu,
T.J. Atadjuat, and
Kunuk Qajaakuttuk.
Further, I would be remiss without thanking the long-time coach for the soccer team, who provides them with training and looks after his team players in trying to improve them. The coach is Grigor Hope.
We are very proud of their accomplishments and I am sure all Nunavummiut share in this congratulations on a job well done.
Member’s Statement 114 – 3(3): Addressing Social Issues in Nunavut (Ugyuk)
I send my greetings and say “good day” to the people of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) It’s nice not to be the rookie member in the Assembly anymore.
I have now had many opportunities to see how things are done at this level and I would like to make some observations.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my disappointment at our government’s lack of progress in addressing social issues where they are the most important: in our families, in our homes, and in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, this government’s Tamapta Action Plan laid out a number of critical objectives.
Many of these have been addressed with the establishment of wide safety nets, but we are still a long way from making a real difference in people’s day-to-day lives.
For example, Tamapta promises a Nunavut-based substance abuse rehabilitation facility, which has not appeared on any capital plan that I have seen.
Many individuals are unwilling to leave their home communities to go to facilities outside of the territory and their month-long absence often causes more stress for the family they left behind.
However, the government seems unwilling to consider community-based programs, such as mobile treatment programs.
Mr. Speaker, community-based groups, such as the Coral Harbour Men’s Group, are fine examples of what can be accomplished at the local level.
I understand that members of this group have travelled to other communities in the Kivalliq and in the Baffin.
It would be very good if they could also visit Kitikmeot communities to describe their role and activities.
Mr. Speaker, in my view, another of our government’s initiatives, the Family Abuse Intervention Act, is not addressing the issue that it was originally designed for.
(interpretation ends) From what I have seen, the legislation is often being used to resolve family problems between parents, their children, and their siblings but not between spouses who are involved in a domestic dispute.
Mr. Speaker, there are not enough frontline programs on the ground in our communities to provide protection and support for women, children, and elders.
I recognize that different departments, such as CLEY, Health and Social Services, and Justice, are all busy developing policies and procedures.
Meanwhile, individuals are suffering. We need more investment at the community level.
Mr. Speaker, on a final note, I am pleased that one of the primary goals of the Tamapta Action Plan to create a poverty reduction strategy has been reached.
At the same time, more and more schools are offering breakfast programs and meal programs where educators are feeding our children.
More support and programs must be provided to families to enable them to feed themselves and their children.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage this government to look closely at what is needed on the ground level instead of focusing resources and energy at the top end. It is taking too long to trickle down.
Member’s Statement 115 – 3(3): Celebrating the Co-operative Movement (Tapardjuk)
I wish a very good afternoon to my constituents in Igloolik and Hall Beach.
Mr. Speaker, the reason why I rise today is to announce that the week of October 16 to 22 is Co-operative Week. I believe it is celebrated not just in Nunavut but everywhere they have co-operatives in our country. This is an annual celebration that is celebrated up here.
In my constituency community of Igloolik, the community Co-op celebrated its 48th anniversary this year. Further, Mr. Speaker, I can state that co-operatives that were established in the past have really benefited the communities, especially in fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship and in owning their own local co-operatives. This allows local residents to participate in economic development initiatives and other self-sufficiency initiatives.
There are many people, Mr. Speaker, who initiated the Co-operative movement who are no longer with us, but their legacy lives on as the Co-ops they created are operating successful businesses.
Due to this reason, Mr. Speaker, I want my colleagues in this House to support Co-op Week and to celebrate it and recall the people who started these co-operatives, even though they are no longer with us.
We have to remember our visionary leaders from those days and to ensure that Inuit are able to move towards self-sufficiency with businesses that are operated locally. The Co-ops have been very beneficial to the people of Nunavut and I would like to acknowledge that during Co-op Week.
Member’s Statement 116 – 3(3): Pangnirtung Resident Named One of Nunavut’s Top Employees (Oshutapik)
I rise today to pay tribute to the outstanding work of one of my constituents, Amie Nashalik.
Mr. Speaker, Amie was voted one of the top employees of the year in the September issue of the Up Here Business magazine.
Mr. Speaker, Amie has been working as a general labourer for the Peregrine Diamond Chidliak exploration camp for the last year and a half.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, with the limited employment opportunities in my constituency, I congratulate Amie for taking advantage of the Peregrine Mines Diamond Chidliak exploration project.
Mr. Speaker, I am also encouraged to see that the exploration camp is continuing to find diamond-bearing kimberlites, which could increase employment opportunities for my constituents.
Member’s Statement 117 – 3(3): Congratulations to Nanulik Graduates (Ningeongan)
I rise today to congratulate the recent high school graduates in the communities of Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet last month.
Mr. Speaker, as we all know, achieving a High School Diploma is a stepping stone to a productive future.
Our graduates have the potential to become the leaders of the future. They have demonstrated that they can put in the hard work and dedication that leads to success.
Mr. Speaker, on September 2, 2011, graduation ceremonies were held in both Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet.
Our Coral Harbour graduates are:
Kayla Maclean;
Norman Nakoolak Jr.;
Jalen Ell;
Alex Duffy;
Saul Netser;
Davidee Adams; and
Kelvin Kalai.
Our Chesterfield Inlet graduates are:
Brandon Ipkarnerk; and
Lavinia Tanuyak.
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of these young graduates.
They are examples and role models for the youth in my constituency.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulation the Nanulik high school graduates on their achievement.
I’m sure we all wish those young people the best in their future endeavours and hope they continue to keep up the good work.
Member’s Statement 118 – 3(3): Appreciation to Quppaapik Ningeocheak (Kusugak)
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say “good day” to the people listening to and watching the proceedings, especially the residents of Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to this issue. Many residents tend to be passive, expectantly waiting for developments to come their way.
We may know individuals who require assistance, but since we know that it is someone else’s responsibility, we tend to slough off our duty.
We end up saying that some other body or person has that responsibility, not us, so we just become spectators.
However, I am very pleased that not all Nunavummiut have that mentality.
In Rankin Inlet, I want to acknowledge Quppaapik Ningeocheak.
He rarely sits around as he is always busy. This past week, he took it upon himself to coordinate a suicide prevention workshop, where he gathered representatives of elders, middle-aged folks, as well as youth.
They held a meeting at the hamlet community hall, where they met all week, ate meals, prayed, and discussed suicide prevention, but most importantly, they talked about healthy lifestyles to combat suicide.
I am quite proud of him and wish to congratulate him for accomplishing what must have been a complex undertaking.
I wish to extend my appreciation to Quppaapik, his wife and children for their hard work in Rankin Inlet, including his assistants and the participants in the workshop.
If there were more individuals following his example, it is rather obvious that we would have fewer concerns in Nunavut.
Quppaapik, I thank you and wish you the best of luck, and I hope that you have continued success with your work in the upcoming year.
Member’s Statement 119 – 3(3): Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (Curley)
I wanted to rise today to make a brief statement and it should be one that members should take note of, as well as by the listening public in Nunavut, Nunavik, and Labrador.
Mr. Speaker, in this current year, an important milestone and anniversary will take place that marks the beginning of the Inuit movement towards political representation when they created a national Inuit organization in 1971.
Today is the 40th anniversary of the Inuit movement towards self-reliance and self-determination.
However, what I can state is that the Inuit fight for self-determination did not start 40 years ago. Prior to that era, Inuit started discussing their concerns about how we could be set up as a people.
This date commemorates only the establishment of the national Inuit organization 40 years ago and it has been recognized as a national organization ever since that time.
However, with respect to this issue, Mr. Speaker, many people can recall and remember that day, and many are still with us who were involved in Nunavut, Nunavik, and Labrador.
Nonetheless, Mr. Speaker, I want to especially note these individuals who made great contributions to the cause but are unfortunately no longer with us today. I want to express my sincere gratitude to these Inuit, although I will not mention all those who were involved. They are:
Mary Cousins from Iqaluit;
Noah Qumak from Salluit;
Edward Berthe from Churchill, originally from Kuujjuaq;
Wallace Goose from Holman Island;
Peter Kamingoak from Kugluktuk,
Joanasie Salamonie from Cape Dorset, and;
Elijah Menarik from Northern Quebec.
These individuals were very dedicated using all of their capacity to establish the organization, where we held discussions amongst ourselves, although we were not able to use telephones at the time. I want my colleagues to join me in celebrating their accomplishments so that people can become more proud of the initiative that led to Inuit being able to become self-determining and to look after their homelands.
This government is a result of their legacy for self-determination of which you are now a part.
I rise today to welcome several people who have now moved to my constituency.
First of all, I would like to welcome Gabrielle Pelky, the little girl here who looks sleepy, as well as her mother, Brenda Eckalook, and her younger sister.
You probably recognize Gabrielle as you may recall she was in the news.
On August 20, this courageous girl was a survivor of the First Air plane that crashed in Resolute Bay.
This event has touched many Nunavummiut.
(interpretation ends) Even though Gabrielle is still in a cast, Gabrielle is doing a great job learning to walk, and she and her family are now living here in Iqaluit in my riding, and she is back in school.
Mr. Speaker, I know the family has suffered a great sorrow as well. Gabrielle lost her little sister Cheyenne in the tragic crash. Our sincere condolences to the family.
Gabriel, your bravery, your smile, and your strength are examples of resilience to all Nunavummiut.
Question 151 – 3(3): Contract for Kitikmeot Air Ambulance Services (Ugyuk)
In my Member’s Statement yesterday, I expressed concern about the government’s contract for air ambulance service in the Kitikmeot.
As of today, has the government formally entered into and signed a new contract for the provision of the air ambulance service in the Kitikmeot?
I want to state to you and to our fellow Nunavutmiut and Kitikmeot residents, along with the listening public, that the air ambulance services are operating currently. The contract will continue with Adlair Aviation for another month while the RFP appeal process is being reviewed. Once the appeal has been reviewed and processed, I would be able to make a statement as to exactly how the contracting process turned out.
Currently the contract will continue to the end of the month due to the appeal process.
This contract will continue with the long-time contractor, Adlair Aviation, who will provide this service to the end of October.
That is as far as I can speak to the matter, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I noted in my Member’s Statement yesterday, my main concern is that we provide the highest possible quality of air ambulance services in the Kitikmeot and that standards of health and safety are maintained or increased. However, many residents in the Kitikmeot are concerned that the government made its decision mainly on the basis of price and other economic factors.
Can the minister clearly explain how the government is ensuring that the standards of care and services will be maintained or improved?
All contracts that are let have their own criteria and the criteria are followed when reviewing the contracts.
The overall price of the contract is not the only factor we review and this is the same case with all contracts we let here in Nunavut.
We only review qualified bidders for the contract and we only consider these bidders when reviewing the contract.
This process will not be sidestepped and this will not change since our primary focus is on safety for these medevac flights as they are emergency medical services, and further, people should be proud of the work undertaken.
However, with respect to each contract, I cannot state who will be the winning company for the contract until the appeal process has been completed. I will then be able to speak to how the contract process was worked out.
Can the minister indicate whether the final decision to make the contract award for air ambulance services in the Kitikmeot is made by the cabinet or by officials in his department?
As per my earlier statement, once the appeal process for the contract has played out, I will be able to report on the contract. At this time, I cannot provide any further details prior to this appeal process being completed.
Only then will we be able to provide actual details on the contract.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As the minister is aware, we have read that hundreds of residents in the Kitikmeot have been signing petitions concerning the award of the government’s contract for air ambulance services.
As I noted in my Member’s Statement yesterday, I am concerned about how the government’s contracting process is understood by the public.
What message does the government have for the hundreds of Kitikmeot residents who are not happy with this situation?
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I stated just recently, once the appeal process has been completed with a final decision on the contract, I will be able to provide more details on the issues the member wants us to announce.
Question 152 – 3(3): Status of Uranium Mining Policy (Aupaluktuq)
I would like to take this opportunity to revisit the issue of uranium mining in Nunavut.
So my questions are directed to Madam Premier, Eva Aariak, whose department recently organized public consultation sessions in Baker Lake and other communities in Nunavut.
With this being such an important issue, I would like to ask the Premier: can the Premier update us today on the status of the government’s policy on uranium mining in Nunavut?
Madam Premier, Minister responsible for Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for his question.
This policy has been under development for quite a number of years in Nunavut, ever since we conducted a consultation tour with communities that may be affected.
At this time, we are still using these principles. The six principles which we are using speak to mining issues here in Nunavut, particularly with relation to uranium mining.
To date, we have been able to tour these communities which we identified previously as those we wanted to meet with and they are the communities of Baker Lake, Iqaluit, and Cambridge Bay.