EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The largest carving he made sits in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.
Are there any nays? There are none. Please proceed, Mr. Curley.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, along with my colleagues here in this House.
We are quite proud of the family of Pierre Karlik. Whenever politicians and people from Ottawa would visit the community, they would visit him. I want to thank everyone, as well as our Premier, who took the time to visit with him.
Pierre Karlik and his family consisted of the following people, his daughters Rita Aupilarjuk, Lynn Rudd, his sons Ambrose Karlik, Gabriel Karlik, Arsene Karlik and their spouses, and since I can’t name all of their grandchildren, I am including all of them here. He had 17 grandchildren in total. He also had three great-grandchildren.
Pierre was an important part of the social fabric in our community, and I urge my colleagues to share in recognizing his accomplishments. He has now been buried at Ukkusiksat, Falstaff Island.
>>Applause  Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Curley.
Member’s Statement 523 – 3(3): Homelessness in Nunavut (Ugyuk)
First of all, let me send my greetings to my constituents. Good morning, Nattilingmiut. It is also my daughter’s birthday today, Corinne Qayutinnuaq.
I love her dearly.
Thank you to all her extended family for shaping who she is today. I also love her more intensely since it is her birthday. I also wish everyone who is celebrating their birthday today a very good day.
(interpretation ends) On to my Member’s Statement.
Mr. Speaker, homelessness in Nunavut is a growing concern. In the spring and summer, families who are homeless are able to utilize cabins and shacks, but winter is coming along and they will eventually have to move back to the communities. Most move in with their young adult children or extended family.
The Government of Nunavut has a homelessness secretariat. I feel strongly that these homeless people are not being well served by the government.
I will have questions for the Minister responsible for Homelessness at the appropriate time.
Member’s Statement 524 – 3(3): Awareness of Elder Abuse (Tapardjuk)
I say “good afternoon” to my constituents in Hall Beach and Igloolik.
Mr. Speaker, firstly I want to speak to the issue of elders in Nunavut.
As Members of the Legislative Assembly, sometimes we are approached by elders to provide assistance with respect to certain issues, primarily by pensioners.
Some of our elders are intimidated by their children or even by their grandchildren.
We often hear on the radio that certain persons have items for sale and the proceeds of these sales are given to their children or grandchildren. This is not right.
Mr. Speaker, the reason why I rise today is to speak to this grave matter, especially for many of our Inuit residents, particularly our elders. Although one wishes to provide assistance, as per the Inuit cultural practices, sometimes the elder doesn’t bare the issue. Although we are aware that our elders are in this situation, it still affects us, as they undergo stressful situations.
In the past, our elders in Nunavut were the subject of adulation by our people and Inuit used their advice to make their lives easier.
Nowadays, our lifestyles have changed, including the ratio of youth to elders. Youth now vastly outnumber our elders, but we have to properly look after our elders.
Mr. Speaker, this matter concerns me deeply and that is why I have raised this matter.
It rends one heart to see an elder who needs assistance, but who are unwilling to speak about the challenges they face.
Due to this reason, Mr. Speaker, I want to apologize publicly that we were unable to provide them with more protection through the legislation and polices.
However, Mr. Speaker, I want to state that from this day forward, the future government has to ensure that they protect and prioritize our elders.
Member’s Statement 525 – 3(3): Congratulations to 2013 High School Graduates (Ningeongan)
It gives me great pleasure to rise today to congratulate those high school students who graduated on August 30, 2013.
I would like to recognize Natasha Ottokie, Joy Emiktowt, Christina Angootealuk, Joshua Ningeongan, and Kyle MacLean for their accomplishment and all the hard work and dedication that it represents.
Mr. Speaker, I have been very proud, as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, to be able to recognize the young adults from my constituency who have successfully reached this important milestone in their lives.
Their success also belongs to their families and their community.
We are all proud of them.
Mr. Speaker, a good education can be the key to a successful future both for these individuals and for Nunavut as a whole.
I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these young high school graduates and in wishing them all the best.
Member’s Statement 526 – 3(3): Auditor General of Canada’s Performance Audit of the Nutrition North Canada Programs (Elliott)
I rise today to inform you and my colleagues about the results of the motion that was recently passed by this House concerning the Nutrition North Canada Program.
Mr. Speaker, as you will recall, my colleague from South Baffin and I introduced a motion during the recent spring sitting of the House which called on the Auditor General of Canada to undertake a comprehensive performance audit of this important program.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, the motion was passed unanimously by this House and I would again pay tribute to all members for their ongoing work on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, as was noted during our consideration of the motion, similar efforts were being undertaken by our colleagues in the Yukon and Northwest Territories legislatures.
Mr. Speaker, this House spoke with a single, united voice and I am very pleased to report that the Auditor General has formally confirmed that his office will present its audit report on the Nutrition North Canada Program to the Parliament of Canada in the fall of next year.
I am very hopeful that our federal counterparts in the House of Commons will review the results of the Auditor General’s work with care, and that appropriate recommendations and actions will be taken to effect all necessary improvements and enhancements to the program.
Mr. Speaker, as you will also recall, I presented the findings from my online survey concerning food prices during our last sitting.
Over the course of this summer, I was pleased to note that our government Bureau of Statistics conducted a pilot Nunavut price survey.
Mr. Speaker, this work acted on the comments and concerns that have been expressed by many Members of this House. I am confident that the information contained in this survey will be of assistance to the Auditor General in his work.
I would also note that the survey that was conducted by our government also compiled important information concerning the cost of non-food items that are essential for the health and well-being of Nunavut families, including items such as toothpaste, shampoo, and diapers.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, I have strongly advocated that the Nutrition North Canada Program be expanded to cover such items.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in expressing our appreciation to the Auditor General for having listened and acted on the concerns that we have raised on behalf of the constituents whom we are so proud to serve in this House.
Member’s Statement 527 – 3(3): 2013 High School Graduates of Arviat (Shewchuk)
I am proud to rise today to congratulate the 2013 graduating class of the John Arnalukjuak High School, who celebrated their graduation on August 24, 2013.
Mr. Speaker, unfortunately I could not be there to celebrate with them, but I do thank the Hon. Premier Aariak for attending this wonderful event.
Mr. Speaker, the graduates are:
Kayla Aggark,
Charlene Akammak,
Bruce Amarudjuak,
Anne Renee Angalik,
Stephanie Aulatjut,
Amanda Ishalook,
Innosar Issakiark,
Jocelyn Kaludjak,
Charlotte Karetak,
Ramon Kaviok,
Veda Kaviok,
Jonathan Kigusiutnak,
Amy Koomakjuak,
Avis Mukyungnik,
Mary Nagiyiak,
Kristen Netser,
Kristen Nutarasungnik,
Martha Pingushat,
Meda Pingushat,
Sherilyn Sewoee,
Kristy Suluk, and
Corrina Tugak.
Mr. Speaker, I again congratulate all of them and their families.
You all make your community of Arviat very proud. I encourage you all to continue with your education and wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Today, I would like to recognize an individual in the Gallery from my constituency of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove. I would like to welcome a good hunter who is here for a meeting, Ross Tatty. Please be welcome.
I also wish to recognize a constituent of mine from Repulse Bay who previously lived in Arvilikjuak, Michael Akkuardjuk.
Please give him a hand.
I am very proud to recognize an elder and a well-known gentleman from the community of Arviat, Mr. Peter Suwaksiork, and a very avid hunter and contributing to the community with many hunts.
Welcome to the Gallery, Peter. It’s good to see you again.
I would like to welcome my stepson, Ross, as well as people from Repulse Bay.
I am happy that they are doing a good job at hunting.
I would like to recognize an individual. Perhaps we all know him, and I’ve had the pleasure of being in the legislature of NWT with Dennis Patterson.
I think it was in 1990, after one year of being a member, I made a motion and seconded by Mr. Patterson that Nunavut should be divided from the NWT.
We talked about that numerous times.
After it was passed, the federal government finally responded to our request.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome to the Gallery today a constituent and a neighbour of mine from Cambridge Bay, Mr. Attima Hadlari, who is over here.
Over the years, Attima has represented Nunavut internationally as a drum dancer. He teaches traditional languages in Nunavut. He has also been involved with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and Nunavut Tunngavik, so he has done a lot of great work for Nunavut.
I would like to welcome him here today.
I would like to recognize all the people in the Gallery, but specifically from my constituency, Jamesie Qillaq.
Mr. Qillaq is also a member of the council in my community and to do with wildlife.
I would also like to recognize Hon. Dennis Patterson, who was also a fellow member back in the NWT days.
It is my pleasure to recognize my relative in this House, my son Sam Kilabuk and his wife, Annie Dialla, and their daughter Andrea.
I would like them to be welcomed. If everything is okay next year and five years from now, we will have a very good nurse who comes from Nunavut because my daughter-in-law is taking nursing.
I would like to also recognize a person who has been recognized already, my uncle Karlikitsok from Cambridge Bay.
He was raised by my grandparents. He is a very good hunter who helps the people of Cambridge Bay by providing traditional food, as well as elsewhere in Nunavut.
We will move on in our orders of the day, afternoon’s favourite time.
Question 677 – 3(3): Status of the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund (Aupaluktuq)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, on May 15 of this year, I asked questions to the minister concerning the government’s Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund, the purpose of which is to “promote the wise use of wildlife and habitat, through education, training and research, while respecting Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.”
Mr. Speaker, at that time, I noted that while the fund’s balance was over $283,000, not a penny has been spent from it.
Can the minister update the House today on what efforts his department is making to ensure that the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund is put to good use?
We have not spent a penny of this fund yet.
Mr. Speaker, there is about $300,000 in that trust fund. This is to be used for wildlife training, as well as other training in habitat.
We have not used that amount of money and I feel that we might not use it.
We will be able to make use of the fund when it reaches about $5 million for the purpose that it is meant for.
We have not used any of that funding because it is to be used for wildlife, but once our Wildlife Regulations have been done and as the money grows, it will be used for those purposes.
I made a reference to the penny for the fact that this trust fund was embedded as well prior to the usage of pennies. I am glad the penny is no longer used and I am glad to say that we can round off to the nearest nickel now.
Mr. Speaker, the government’s most recent annual report on the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund indicates that it plans to “build the fund to a level where the interest is sufficient to meaningfully fund eligible projects.” Can the minister clarify what types of projects will be eligible for support?
As per my earlier statement, no funds have been expended from the trust fund. We will not be using the funds as we are currently updating the regulations that I alluded to earlier.
Once the regulations are applied this fall, we will be following the criteria laid out for those funds.
The purpose of the trust fund is to protect wildlife habitat, training, and research and how these funds will be made available. Those are the main purposes of the fund. We will also be utilizing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit as we work towards completing the regulations.
It also includes issues such as wildlife conservation, which is one of the listed purposes. Further, it speaks to harvesting and how it can best be utilized in Nunavut, especially for training purposes. Those are some of the main uses of these funds.
However, the regulations have to be completed and once they are applied, the trust funds will be available for requests. It will be clarified within the regulations.
Speaker: Thank you, Minster Arreak.
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, minister, for a good response to food security and regulatory issues.
I am glad to know that the people of Nunavut will be involved in wildlife research and monitoring through the application of traditional Inuit knowledge.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the government’s most recent annual report on the Natural Resources Conservation Trust Fund also indicates that, and the minister indicated this as well, but I have to ask in the House, “new regulations are expected to be brought forward in 2013.”
Can the minister update the House on the status of the new regulations?
We expect that the new regulations will be brought about some time in November.
The one contentious thing that we had to deal with has been resolved and we should be expecting them in November.
Question 678 – 3(3): Mould Remediation in Public Housing Units (Ningark)
On March 1 of this year, I raised the issue of mould in public housing units in the community of Kugaaruk.
In his replies to my questions on this serious issue, the minister indicated that the Nunavut Housing Corporation is aware that this is a problem.
My question for the hon. minister through you, Mr. Speaker, is: can the minister update me today on what actions have been taken to address the issue of mould in public housing units in Kugaaruk?
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation takes these incidents very seriously.
When there’s a report coming in from the local housing organizations or associations of mould in some units, the housing corporation takes action to rectify the situation.
Speaker: Thank you, Minster Taptuna.
On my supplementary question, the minister has indicated that the local housing unit is aware of this problem.
Now, can the minister indicate how often public housing units in Nunavut are inspected for mould?
There are annual inspections done on every unit within the communities. If there are any reports from the LHOs about mould infestation, that incident is taken care of right away.
In most cases, there is another form of mould, what we call mildew, which is a lesser serious form of mould. There is a lot of that and it varies from community to community, depending on humidity in some cases. The types of activities taking place in these units contribute to a lot of mildew in some cases.
Once mould is reported through the local housing associations or organizations, the Nunavut Housing Corporation takes action to rectify the situation.
If mould is a problem in Kugaaruk, I anticipate that it is also a problem in many other communities across Nunavut.
Can the hon. minister indicate if the Nunavut Housing Corporation has conducted, and I want to underline that, a territory-wide inventory of mould damage in public housing units?
I’m not aware of any information or data that is being collected throughout the territory, but there is some material out there, information that is provided to the housing tenants to prevent mould infestation, building infestation, and educational things for tenants, and that has been going on since 2004.
One of the things we want to continue doing is to educate the tenants, depending humidity and lifestyle of the tenants, to reduce the potential of mould infestation in our units.
Question 679 – 3(3): Update on Status of MOT Building in Coral Harbour (Ningeongan)
Mr. Speaker, on March 18 of this year, I questioned the minister on the status of the abandoned MOT building in Coral Harbour.
At that time, I stressed the importance of ongoing communication with the community, hamlet officials, and I regarding the proposed plans for demolishing this building and the proper disposal of the hazardous materials contained in the building.
Over the past six months, we have not received any information on this project whatsoever.
Can the minister provide an update on the status of the abandoned MOT building in Coral Harbour and indicate at what state the project currently is at?
I thank member from Nanulik for that question.
Mr. Speaker, for demolishing government surplus infrastructure, it takes a bit of time, especially when the infrastructure was built in the ‘60s or even earlier.
Mr. Speaker, I can report to the member and his community that the environmental assessment has been done on the garage itself and that report is being looked at by CGS to consider what the next step would be in the demolition of the old garage.
Thank you for your response, Minister Taptuna.
Mr. Speaker, given the fact that we recently had abandoned MOT building work done in Chesterfield Inlet, I honestly thought that the process was just going to be followed though.
However, we have a very similar type of situation in Coral Harbour and over the years, it has started to deteriorate.
Can the minister tell this House and the listening public the latest timeline for this project and give his assurance that there will be ongoing communication regarding any changes to this project, if it’s going to go ahead?
Mr. Speaker, the member can appreciate that things do take time to do some of this type of work.
I’ll certainly update him as the work progresses into the future, including after the election.
Mr. Ningeongan, Taima?
You will wait until after the election?
Question 680 – 3(3): Implementing the new Child and Family Services Act (Tapardjuk)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Family Services.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister and my colleagues will recall, this House recently debated Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act.
The bill was passed and received assent on May 16, 2013 and is due to come into force on January 16, 2014. That is eight months after the date the Act received assent.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister provide an update on what specific steps have been taken in preparation to implement the new section 2 of the Act which now specifically incorporates Inuit societal values?
I would like the minister to provide more information on the status of the legislation as of this date.
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for raising his question about this legislation. I will try to respond to my colleague.
The Department of Family Services is just starting the implementation of the legislation, which includes the Nunavut Inuit knowledge initiative, including best family practices. It is quite obvious that we have to ensure that families in Nunavut are well served and in particular, to strengthen the protection of children. We have to protect our Nunavut families, children, and youth.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, extensive consultations with Nunavummiut regarding child welfare reform have taken place over the past two years, and Nunavummiut have asked for changes in how social services are delivered.
Most of these changes are in practice and can be implemented without amending the Child and Family Services Act. These changes, which are required to update the Act, are minor in nature. (interpretation) Thank you.
I also thank the Minister responsible for Family Services for that response.
Mr. Speaker, I would hope that the government would not have introduced and passed amendments to legislation without some specific plan to implement those amendments. This is something members would like to see in these reports.
When this legislation is said to be amended to include traditional Inuit practices and knowledge, I am still not clear on the implementation process.
I want my constituents to be given a clear understanding when they exercise their traditional practices. What unique and surprising things can we, as Inuit, look forward through protection to be provided by this legislation?
Hon. Monica Ell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Thank you, my colleague. (interpretation ends) As you know, Mr. Speaker, Bill 51, An Act to Amend the CFSA, was approved in this House in May 2013.
The amendments, as he mentioned, will come into force in February 2014.
We are preparing a training program at this time for staff and partners on the implications of the new legislation concurrent with the introduction of the legislation.
In May, during the session, we went through the Act quite extensively, and I am well prepared to sit with my colleague to discuss any of the changes that we made with the amendments and the coming into force of some of these.
I can sit with my colleague on those issues if he would like to be more specific on specific issues of the Act.
All of Nunavut has to know what the government is doing. If you talk to me individually, the public will not know what is happening.
Mr. Speaker, I was asking this question. We are now halfway through the eight-month period before the amended Child and Family Services Act comes into force.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask what Inuit societal values will be added.
How will the staff work with the people? Is there anything written down as to what we can expect?
Hon. Minister Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, we are doing exactly that. With several months passing as we finish each area, we are preparing an overview that can be read by the public. We expect that this will be completed shortly.
The information will be disseminated as it becomes ready to ensure our residents understand the process and what items are being worked on, as well as changes that have been made.
The information will be provided to the public to ensure that people have an understanding of the various areas. Consultations are commencing to move staff into these positions and to ensure they know what is required. At this time, they are completing training on these issues.
There are different areas and quite a number of changes have been made.
Yes, we are working with the public in producing this legislation.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, there’s a variety of changes that we discussed and, as I said, for the proposed changes that will be coming into effect in eight months, there are several points.
During this period, it will allow us to develop the regulations; train social services staff regarding their responsibilities; develop and provide training materials for education and health professionals regarding changes and the duty to report; and communication with the public regarding the proposed changes to the legislation.
Question 681 – 3(3): Status of NDC’s Divestment of Majority Ownership in Pangnirtung Fisheries (Oshutapik)