EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
339 – 2(4): No Actions Taken on Nunavut Business Credit Corporation Concerns a Year Ago (Tootoo) 2481
340 – 2(4): Audit of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Curley) 2483
341 – 2(4): Update on Monitoring of Medications (Barnabas) 2485
342 – 2(4): Qualification of Umingmaktok as Community Status (Peterson) 2487
343 – 2(4): Reports on Sealift Activities (Tootoo) 2489
344 – 2(4): Audit of the Nunavut Business Credit Corporation (Curley) 2491
Committee Report 002 – 2(4): Report on the Review of the 2007 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut on the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) Program (Tootoo) 2493
Committee Report on Bills 005 – 2(4): Bill 18 – An Act to Amend the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Related Statutes (Tootoo) 2495
147 – 2(4): A Hudson Bay Summit: A Concept Paper (Kattuk) 2496
148 – 2(4): Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal Annual Report March 31, 2007 (Okalik) 2496
149 – 2(4): Ministerial Meeting Report – Western Premiers Conference, October 30, 2007 from the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs (Okalik) 2496
150 – 2(4): Ministerial Meeting Report – Council of Federation Annual Meeting, October 30, 2007 from the Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs (Okalik) 2496
151 – 2(4): Client Travel Policy and Client Travel Handbook (Health and Social Services) (Aglukkaq) 2497
152 – 2(4): Procurement Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2006/07 – Government of Nunavut (Brown) 2497
153 – 2(4): Contract Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2006-07 – Government of Nunavut (Brown) 2497
154 – 2(4): Lease Activity Report for Fiscal Year 2006-07 – Government of Nunavut (Brown) 2497
155 – 2(4): Public Service Annual Report 2006-07 (Tapardjuk) 2497
021 – 2(4): Extended Adjournment – Notice (Tootoo) 2497
021 – 2(4): Extended Adjournment (Tootoo) 2498
Bill 22 – Engineers & Geoscientists Act – First Reading 2499
Bill 16 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Health & Social Services 2500
Bill 04 – Workers’ Compensation Act – Third Reading 2527
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Evyagotailak, Mr. Premier, Ministers, and Members.
Minister’s Statement 120 – 2(4): Passport Photographs (Picco)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to update the House in regard to our government’s initiative on passport photographs.
Earlier this year, I reported to the Members and to the House that we would be purchasing the necessary camera equipment and supplies to provide hamlets and all of our communities in Nunavut with the resources to allow Nunavummiut to have better access to passport photographs.
Mr. Speaker, members may recall that, while passports are federal responsibility, our government recognized that our residents needed assistance in getting the documentation that they require to secure a passport.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that the process is now complete: communities who requested a camera system have received them, and we are advised that the supplier has been helpful in answering questions from officials in the months since delivery.
Mr. Speaker, our residents face a number of hurdles in acquiring the kinds of secure and verifiable identification that they require for travel within Canada and beyond.
Passport camera systems in the communities, we hope, is a step in removing one of those hurdles. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 121 – 2(4): Client Travel Policy (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon.
Alagalak if you’re listening, Haluuqpagit.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Department of Health and Social Services has revised the Client Travel Policy.
The policy will be applied more consistently across Nunavut, and both health professionals and clients should find it easier to understand.
The policy outlines how essential medical and social services are provided to eligible clients when services are not available in home communities.
Mr. Speaker, we have clarified the criteria for escort travel, resulting in equity and fairness across the territory in the application of this policy.  We have also developed guidelines and a procedural manual for our staff.
As an example, unless an elder indicates that they do not want an escort as of April 1, 2008, there is a provision in the revised policy to approve an escort for unilingual elders over 60.
Ultimately, the new policy allows for more control over medical travel costs that provides only travel assistance for essential medical or social services needs.
Mr. Speaker, in addition to the policy, we have developed a Handbook for Client Travel. Each region has its own handbook with specific regional information about pre-trip planning, airport arrival, accommodation, appointments, support services, and what to do if clients encounter problems while travelling.
Later on today I will be tabling the policy and accompanying guidelines that support the policy, as well as a copy of the Handbook for Client Travel.
Mr. Speaker, we are taking in a ‘phased-in’ approach to the policy, with certain components taking effect on April 1, 2008. This allows the department to provide training and make the necessary changes in our system to effectively implement the new aspects of the policy.
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders, and Youth and Human Resources, Minister Tapardjuk.
Minister’s Statement 122 – 2(4): Arctic Winter Games 2008 – Regional and Territorial Championships (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very happy to inform my colleagues that this year we will have a record number of participants in all the Arctic Winter Games trial events.
Every single community in Nunavut is involved in our Arctic Winter Games team selection process.
Team Nunavut will be represented in 11 sports during the Arctic Winter Games.
Team Nunavut’s identification and selection has been completed in the Cultural Representation, Volleyball, Gymnastics and Inuit Games earlier this season. In November and December, athletes will be identified for Indoor Soccer, Basketball, Badminton, Wrestling and Table Tennis. Early in the New Year, athletes will be identified for Hockey, Short Track Speed Skating and Curling.
I would also like thank all the volunteers that coach and organize theses events for our youth. They perform a very important service to our youth and are a very important part of my department’s goal of creating healthy, active communities.
In closing, I wish all the competitors the best of luck, and I urge all of you to attend our regional and territorial trials, and cheer on not only your home communities, but all the athletes participating.
Ministers’ Statements. Minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. Akesuk.
Minister’s Statement 123 – 2(4): Sanikiluaq Housing Project Training Female Work Crew on the Job (Akesuk)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an exciting project underway in Sanikiluaq.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation, in partnership with the high school, the Qammaq Housing Association and various community groups, provided the material package for a three-bedroom house on the condition that the unit would be built by a 100 percent female work crew.
The corporation also provide the land and foundation system for this project.
Mr. Speaker, Sanikiluaq, under the leadership of the school principal John Jamieson, has undertaken a number of construction pilot projects over the years resulting in, not only new infrastructure such as housing units and a daycare, but excellent training opportunities for young people who may want to enter the trades.
The Housing Corporation, through the Housing Trust Delivery Strategy, is committed to provide employment and training opportunities for Nunavummiut.
This project in Sanikiluaq provides an opportunity for about 25 women to get on the job training, and is an example of how the corporation supports trades training, and encourages women to get involved in the building trades.
Mr. Speaker, the experience these women are getting from this project will help increase the ranks of apprentice women in the construction trades.
And, in the long run, Mr. Speaker, it could also serve to increase Inuit employment levels in the community if anybody involved with building that house decides to continue pursuing a career in construction.
Member’s Statement 257 – 2(4): Arctic Bay Elders (Barnabas)
Good afternoon. I also say hello to Mr. Alagalak.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my thanks and appreciation to our elders and the valuable contributions that they make to our lives.
Mr. Speaker, the Elders Society in Arctic Bay is a very active and dedicated community group.
They are involved in meetings and counselling, and offer support to residents.
Mr. Speaker, I greatly appreciate it when the Elders Society takes the time to offer their input and suggestions, especially on issues that affect all of our society.
I would like to thank the Chair of the Society, Mr. Tommy Tattatuapik, for his thoughtful comments on traditional approaches to life.
Mr. Speaker, our Elders Society would greatly benefit from a dedicated facility that they could use for meeting, counselling and administrative functions.
I encourage the government to provide them with the support that they need.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, our elders are an important source of knowledge.
They can provide important guidance on issues such as relationships, child rearing and how to deal with depression and thoughts of suicide.
I encourage my fellow MLAs to get input from the elders groups in their communities. They have a lot to offer us.
My apologies, I don’t think the last sentence was recorded because your time was up.
Member for Rankin, Minister Brown.
Member’s Statement 258 – 2(4): Rankin Inlet Cadets (Brown)
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) On behalf of my colleague from Rankin Inlet North, I rise today to praise and congratulate Officer Cadet Dorothy Tootoo of Rankin Inlet.
Dorothy is doing a wonderful job for the young people of Rankin Inlet for the cadets in a big way, and big time, and in so little time.
Dorothy has a nephew here among us who sits right across from me, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
I know when you were born and where you were born, so behave.
Mr. Speaker, just last week, Official Cadet Dorothy and three young cadets were involved and invited to APTN Aboriginal Music Awards and Manitou-Abii Powwow Competition in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The three young ladies are Private Tracy Kanayuk, Private Pamela Napayuk, and Private Mary Qapuk. The girls performed live at the APTN Music Awards, as well as participated in the grand entry at the Manitou-Abii Powwow.
The girls felt like stars and so they are in my eyes. I am told they received so much attention and many people went to see them and talk to them.
The girls wore traditional outfits, beaded Amautiit and Kamiit. They had everything traditionally made by my late Annarvik, my aunt Piunngua&&aq Jenny Tootoo, known to many Nunavummiut.
One of the cadets’ mothers, Mary Qapuk was also in Winnipeg at the same time when her daughter was performing. Mary and her daughter, Private Mary Qapuk, is my colleague’s from Rankin Inlet North constituents and that is why it’s important for my colleague and me to work well together and agree on all Members’ Statements.
(interpretation ends) Also in presence was Mr. Eric Robertson of CLEY, who is well known to most of us here and also the cadets had a chance to meet the Speaker of the House of Winnipeg, Mr. George Hickes, and Mr. Hickes spoke to the girls in his Inuktitut language. The girls couldn’t believe it. They were very impressed.
The experiences for these three young ladies were awesome as they showcased their talents, skills and culture.
It’s virtually important for the young people to build their confidence, self esteem and a sense of belonging.
A big thank-you going out to Dorothy Tootoo.  Also, I would like to mention our own Minister of CLEY for his ongoing support. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member for Nanulik, Minister Netser.
Member’s Statement 259 – 2(4): Impact of Alcohol and Drugs in Communities (Netser)
I rise today to mention how alcohol and drugs can destroy our communities.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the most obvious, of course, are the things we can see such as family violence, broken homes, and in a lot of cases, the jail terms drugs and alcohol produces to our Nunavummiut.
Of the people involved, it increases the burden of child raising and on the remaining parent, or worse, the children are taken and placed in foster care away from everything that is familiar to them.
Mr. Speaker, what is not so obvious is the effect it has on the personal lives of the children involved.
Yes, as far as the social system is concerned, the child is warm, fed, has a place to sleep and will go to school, and all of this is good basic support.
However, Mr. Speaker, the psychological effect will be felt by that child for many years to come all because we, as parents, become involved with alcohol or drugs, or both.
As a child myself I watched every move my late father made and I imitated him. Mr. Speaker, the same is true for us today. As parents, we are modeling our children.
Our children always suffer when the family is affected and I believe they suffer in ways that we are still not yet capable of understanding even with all our education and technology.  Our children are our hope for tomorrow and if we, through carelessness or neglect, with alcohol or drugs, destroy that hope, then we are destroying our future.
Mr. Speaker, we all have responsibilities to the future and ensuring that we leave our children with the best possible care for survival in the future.
In my opinion, Mr. Speaker, we each have to accept responsibility for our actions.
Violence against women, child abuse, sexual or otherwise, violence within families, violence outside of families are all symptoms of a deeper problem usually rooted in drugs and alcohol abuse, which our children witness everyday and the cycle continues.
Mr. Speaker, we can stop the cycle, but only when we accept responsibility for our own actions.
This is such a simple solution. Why is it so difficult?
Member’s Statement 260 – 2(4): The Rise of Diabetes in Nunavut (Mapsalak)
I rise today to address an issue that is a growing concern in my constituency and across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, diabetes is a disease that is becoming more and more common in our population.
I am very concerned that a growing number of people in my constituency are now being diagnosed with diabetes.
Mr. Speaker, given the rising number of people with this disease, I am worried that the levels of support and services to deal with this illness are not adequate.
If the disease progresses without adequate intervention, it can lead to a number of other long-term health problems.
This puts a huge burden on individuals, their families and our health care system.
Mr. Speaker, in November of 2004, the Minister of Health and Social Services tabled a document, the “Nunavut Report on Comparable Health Indicators.”
That report shows that more than 6,300 participated in community-based diabetes prevention programs in 2003-04.
Mr. Speaker, with the steady rise in the number of people with diabetes, I fear that our diabetes prevention programs may be too little, too late.
Member’s Statement 261 – 2(4): Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre (Arreak)
Mr. Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I rise today in support of a very worthwhile initiative in the community of Clyde River.
Mr. Speaker, the Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre is a community-driven initiative to seek more involvement in research projects that benefit the community not only economically and socially but that meet the community’s needs and interests.
Mr. Speaker, this initiative is driven by a committee of dedicated community members with representation from the hamlet, local service providers and community organizations.
Their drive and commitment is a good example of how local empowerment is supposed to work.
Mr. Speaker, the Ittaq Committee see Clyde River as having great potential to attract diverse research interests and develop collaborative research projects involving members of the community.
Both researchers and local community members will benefit greatly from this collaboration.
Mr. Speaker, the Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre already has the foundations upon which to base itself.
A significant amount of traditional knowledge research has been and continues to be carried out within the community. The Elders Committee is also very active in heritage work.
The connection between upcoming research opportunities and current heritage work form a natural and complementary fit.
Mr. Speaker, the Ittaq Committee’s concept for their centre includes a research centre, a heritage centre, a visitor centre, and a training facility.
Mr. Speaker, to date the Ittaq Committee has been quite successful in its efforts to secure funding and resources. I encourage the Nunavut and federal governments to provide whatever support is necessary to see this initiative through.
You were very well timed at the end. (interpretation) Members’ Statements.
Member’s Statement 262 – 2(4): Residential Schools’ Impact (Tapardjuk)
Just a few months back we heard that the residential school students are going to be getting their payments retroactively, I think there are about 60 people that will be involved.
It’s obvious that people that went to the vocational centre in Chesterfield Inlet are the most in numbers. Some of them that were taken away from their homes to school were five years old, and I was also one of them and I was five years old when I was taken from my home community.
It’s obvious that they were trying to assimilate them into the western society and their culture was being diminished when they went to these schools and taken from their communities. Our culture is different from the western society.
They went through hardship, and when you think about it, it’s very hard to take it into your mind when they were being sent out to the communities when they were at a very young age.  Some of them lost their heritage and culture.
This was a big problem when they returned to their communities and they also encountered many problems. Some of the students that were abused turned to alcohol because their culture had been lost when they returned to their communities.
For this reason, we continue to hear from those that went to the residential schools are not white people so to speak, and they’re not Inuit so to speak.
Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
For those of us that were taken away from our communities and put in residential schools, we have been taken away from our culture and were introduced another culture.
Today we hear that they have lost their culture.
Our elders think: why are the Inuit losing their culture? Why is it not working properly in their communities? Sometimes we are discriminated outside of our communities.
For those that sent us out to the residential schools, I want them to hear that we don’t blame them for that. Our parents are not to be blamed because they blame themselves for agreeing to send their children to residential schools.
I would like to say that our culture and the western society that we entered into in the schools... and many of us encounter many things and problems in our lives.
For those that are going to be getting a payout from the federal government, it’s not a payment for the problems that we encountered.
Our culture is very valuable and it’s not going to help getting the payment.
For my constituents in our communities, I wish the individuals who went to residential schools to have a better future in this time so that they can have a better life. So let’s think on these for the future even though we encountered many problems when we were little children.
And, thank you, Mr. Speaker, for those of my colleagues that went to residential school. Let us enter into healing of the past.
Member’s Statement 263 – 2(4): Ban on Sealskins & Its Effect on Inuit (Kattuk)
I rise today, although I have risen in House in the past to talk about sealing, because international countries made us aware of their opposition to the use of sealskins and the hunting of seals.
As Inuit, we utilize the whole seal from the skin to the meat.
As I have stated before in the House, and I will say it again, we eat the meat of the seal and we share the seal meat in the communities to feed the people who don’t have seal meat. When someone catches a seal in the community, they provide for the people who don’t have any seal meat.
Also, the skin is used for clothing for the family. They use the skin during the winter and during any other season of the year. They can use it for clothing and the skin is also used to make money for the families in the communities of Nunavut.
There are hardly any economic opportunities in Nunavut, and when a family gets money from the sale of a seal skin they are very proud because they can buy food from the store.
The blubber of the seal has also been used for heat, and it was the only means for heat and the only means to make water. This was used for everything.
Mr. Speaker, the seal is being used properly from the meat to the skin to make money with and for subsistence. Those people who are against seal hunting should know about this.
Member’s Statement 264 – 2(4): 2007 Regional Kitikmeot Soccer Tournament (Evyagotailak)
I rise today to congratulate the young athletes in the Kitikmeot region who recently participated in the 2007 Regional Kitikmeot Soccer Tournament.
This event was hosted in my community of Kugluktuk from November 2 to 4, 2007.
Mr. Speaker, the youth of Kugluktuk did very well during the tournament.
The 14 and under boys team won the silver medal, the 16 and under boys team won the silver medal, and the 14 and under girls team won the gold medal.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the Kugluktuk Grizzlies who encourage the youth to participate in sport, promote competition, team-building and healthy lifestyles.
Mr. Speaker, we should have organizations such as this one in every community in Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, keeping our youth busy and occupied also contributes to suicide prevention.
This tournament was probably the largest gathering of Kitikmeot youth and one of the largest tournaments held in Nunavut.
On behalf of Kugluktumiut, I would like to thank the many volunteers who made this possible, the support of many local organizations, the Hamlet of Kugluktuk, the District Education Authority and the Kugluktuk School Operations.
And lastly, Mr. Speaker, I encourage every youth in Nunavut to participate in any sport events that are available in their community.
Member’s Statement 265 – 2(4): High Cost of Gasoline, Fuel and Power (Curley)
I rise today because I don’t think it’s too soon to be concerned about the increasing costs of living in the communities.
Mr. Speaker, just recently we have seen that the fuel prices are increasing very rapidly. It is $100 per barrel in Canadian dollars and the Canadian dollar is the strongest dollar.
For that reason, I expect prior to the winter coming, perhaps, there will be a huge increase by approximately 20 percent for the fuel we use at home and we’ll see some increase at the gasoline pump.
Mr. Speaker, not only that but the power rates will increase and there will be a fuel rider, for sure, even before the winter sets in, and I’m sure the consumers will have to pay for it.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I think this is at a risky time, especially in the North and in Nunavut. I don’t think we would be in too much of a rush if the Minister of Energy could start asking questions to the Nunavummiut, such as how we can keep the fuel prices at a lower cost, especially the heating fuel. We need to find a better way.
Perhaps, some homes, especially in the cold winter months, should be using wood heating stoves.  I think the minister should consider all those.