EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
They are fairly close to Repulse Bay.
For that reason, I think the Minister of Health and Social Services should consider getting aircraft that is closest to other communities.
I would like to see the Minister work on this issue as soon as possible.
I went through Kivalliq, I came in on medivac plane to come to Baker Lake to, if I had gotten sick on that aircraft I would have been medivaced to Yellowknife or to Winnipeg, although I was not sick.
There definitely is a need for improvement for medical travel and medivac planes.
Member’s Statement 572 – 1(6): Cabinet Portfolio Changes and Impact on Unfinished GN Business
I thought it was not my turn right away, but however, very briefly, as a Member of the Legislative Assembly we tend to talk about any improvements we want to see within our Government.
Some are going forward and some are just idle and some are being studied and some are not being responded to.
On improvements that are needed, when the Minister changes, when there is a turnover of the Ministers, it just disappears.
Sometimes when the Minister has actually done the work, they would go through, but however, this is for the betterment for our communities of Nunavut and I myself, I am asking myself: when are we actually going to see these Bills and what have we been doing the past four years that have actually been accomplished.
The September 11th incident highlighted the need for I.D. documentation.
We were dealing with it and the Minister responsible for changed in the middle of it.
This is just a comment to our Premier.
Member’s Statement 573 – 1(6): The Need for More Staff in the Libraries
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to finally rise today on a good news story related to the Department of Education.
Earlier this session I spoke about the need to ensure that the Iqaluit Centennial Library has the necessary staff and resources to deliver valuable literacy and educational programs to community residents.
Mr. Speaker, the importance of literacy can not be underestimated.
It is the foundation of a good education.
Mr. Speaker, Iqaluit children, including my own, have benefited greatly from the time they spend in the library.
I know the staff and the library board there, very well and I know that they do tremendous work with very few resources.
I have met with them on many occasions to discuss their concerns and needs.
Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to see that the department recently posted a job competition for the position of a program coordinator at the library.
I am hopeful that the filling of this position will enable the library to resume the special programs that have previously been cancelled because of a lack of staff and other issues.
Mr. Speaker, I’m glad to see that the department is listening to the concerns of the community and congratulate them on taking action and I look forward to seeing continued progress in this area.
Member’s Statement 574 – 1(6): Golf Tournament in Cape Dorset
First of all I would like to say happy birthday to my son.
Back in May, at the beginning of the month, there was a literacy golf tournament and there were some dignitaries invited.
It was the Peter Gzowski invitational golf tournament.
The Premier and I were also invited and there were some very well know people.
Sheila Rogers, Greg Mercer, Jonathon James, Alison Gzowski, Mike Stevens and Zebedee Nungak.
Some elders were invited to play golf as well.
It was very beneficial for the community to see that Peter Gzowski literacy program.
They were able to raise $30 thousand dollars for the literacy program.
For those people who organized the Golf for Literacy, I would like to thank them.
We were teamed up and the winners were Greg Mercer, Sandy Kusugak, Silaqi Asevak and I. We won the golf tournament.
I’m very happy that I was able to beat our premier because I’m a better golf player than our premier.
Member’s Statement 575 – 1(6): Environmental Protection from Mining and Hydro Development
First of all Mr. Speaker, I would like to say, when we first arrived here to Baker Lake, Mr. Tulugialik music was very good because he was singing about Sanikiluaq.
What I would like to talk about the concerns from my community of Sanikiluaq.
It’s in regards to the protection of our environment, such as the land and our water.
In Sanikiluaq as you know, is on an island.
That’s the concern that the people of Sanikiluaq have in regards to the proposed hydro-development and the pollution that it might create.
In Sanikiluaq, there is wildlife there such as narwhales, ducks, and seals etc.
We have a concern that our food that we get from our environment might get contaminated if there was to be a hydro-development.
The reason I'm saying this Mr. Speaker, is we have heard that the Cree people of Quebec and the Inuit made an agreement with the government that they would be perhaps hydro- development and mining and the forestry and that it might create contaminates to our environment and our food source.
About a week and half ago there was somebody that went to Montreal to voice their concerns against the hydro-development to go before the panel.
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you colleagues.
What I'm saying Mr. Speaker is the impact on the environment could hurt all of Nunavummiut because the wars that go on in the east could destroy through the pollution that is carried in the wind and the water.
This too is a concern of the people of Sanikiluaq as well. Not just the development but the things to do with war.
Member’s Statement 576 – 1(6): Constituency Meeting
Mr. Speaker, first of all on a very personal note.
It’s very difficult when we’re away from home and over the last couple of days my children were sick.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Brian Twerdin who took my son to the hospital the night before last and I'm very pleased that he’s doing a lot better and so I would like to start off by thanking Mr. Twerdin and the people at the hospital.
Mr. Speaker, last Tuesday night I held another constituency meeting in Apex.
The meeting was well attended and many issues and concerns were raised.
Mr. Speaker, some of the questions were in a domain and the responsibility of the city council.
There were questions on the conditions of the roads in Iqaluit in general and Apex in particular, the annual over-flowing of ditches and culverts that are and could be Mr. Speaker, dangerous to small children; the issue of broken play-ground equipment at the Apex playground, and taxis that continue to refuse fairs to and from Apex.
Mr. Speaker, issues around bad gas, the lack of playground equipment at Nanook school, better alcohol and drugs programs and a neighbourhood watch program were also raised at the meeting.
Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to say that after the meeting, I wrote the mayor on these issues and other issues and he has responded very favourably.
As well, Mr. Speaker, I have contacted the Department of Education to see if playground equipment could be outsourced for Nanook School.
I have also met with the RCMP to discuss setting up a neighbourhood watch program for Apex and Iqaluit and I hope to follow this up with a public meeting in June.
Mr. Speaker, as illustrated, a constituency meeting can help move issues forward and resolve concerns.
I would like to thank the many people from Apex, Happy Valley and Tundra Valley who attended the meeting last Tuesday night and I look forward to seeing more constituents at our next meeting in October.
Mr. Speaker, finally, the public meeting for all Iqaluit residents will be held toward the end of the month and that is this month of June and I invite all Iqaluit and Apex residents interested, Mr. Speaker, in setting up a neighbourhood watch program to attend that meeting.
Member’s Statement 577 – 1(6): Respecting Elders and Their Knowledge
First of all, I would like to thank the individual that made me an ulu from Baker Lake.
I collect ulus and thank whoever made me the ulu.
(interpretation ends)Mr. Speaker, I would just like to talk a little bit about something that I think we are all aware of and that is to respect our Elders and their knowledge because they are the closest to the people and also, they have a lot of knowledge to how their surroundings should be designed or effected if it has to do with buildings or roads.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, recently, I heard over the radio and was very sympathetic to the elder from Rankin Inlet, Ukjuk’s cabin has been flooded every year, and they have tried to resolve the problem without much success.
I know that, as a Government, we can help out those people that are unfortunate, especially if they are Elders and the residents of Nunavut and we could also ask what ways we can help our people.
Mr. Speaker, that elder Ukjuk said that he was told that his parents, years ago, that he wanted, that he has to help other people in turn they can help him and that has been his motto ever since.
I have worked with the individual and the people that could help Ukjuk.
The Elder and his wife live in that cabin, but they were not asked how they can be assisted.
They said that if they could have a culvert placed where there has been some flooding that, we asked him if we can assist him and they put an eight inch culvert in that area.
Mr. Speaker, what I am trying to say is the residents, that we could work with the residents of any community because they have the knowledge of the areas, but the Elders are usually reluctant to ask for assistance and it is usually up to us to ask our constituents to find out.
I would like to congratulate Mariano Aupilarjuk, Elisapi Ootoova, as well as others.
I congratulate them all and other elders that can assist us if we ask for them.
I would like to say Mr. Speaker, that the elders have to be asked because they have great knowledge.
Please proceed. Ms. Thompson.
What I wanted to say in my concluding remarks is there are not very many elders left in our communities in Nunavut.
They reluctant to ask for assistance and they also have a lot of very intelligent responses that they can provide us or some information that they can provide us.
What we have to do is ask our elders to find out what is the best way that we can do things.
Even though they can say some very intelligent answers to our problems, they don’t volunteer their services because they don’t feel that they’re in a position to give us advice.
I just want to say that we have to have an open mind and to listen to our elders for advice more often.
Member’s Statement 578 – 1(6): B-B Gun Shooting Accident
I would like to make a statement for people to be in a safe environment when they go out travelling.
I phoned home last night and my daughter answered the phone and she answered in a state of shock that my brother got shot in the head and it really scared me when she stated that.
He is okay. My son is okay, but he got shot by a B-B gun.
It was an accidental shooting with a B-B gun and it was scary at first when I first heard that.
But, I just want to advise the parents in the communities and in Nunavut to be careful this summer and to make sure that the children do not handle dangerous things such as firearms.
I beg my colleagues to bear with me for Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery.
I want to see how my memory serves me.
First of all, I would like to recognise the pages.
They’re all from Baker Lake and so is the Sergeant-at-arms.
Diane Iyago, Justine Killulark, Ryan Paungrat, Natasha Nagyougalik and I got Jordon Pudnak and Casimir Tunguak.
They’ve worked hard this week.
They’ve passed a lot of notes.
So I would like to recognise them.
Also, I’m going to sweep the room here, Nancy Sevoga, world renowned artist and print maker, David and Betsy Aksawnee. David is the current president of the Hunters and Trappers Organization.
Lucy Iyago and Winnie Tapatai, by the way Nancy’s mum and sister. Leena Tapatai.
Rebecca Walker who ran the student Parliament this morning and it was very noticeable that the Minister of Health was not in attendance so; there was probably a reason for that.
Joan Killulark who has been a very long term CHR, Barb Mueller our mental health specialist, Silas Kenologak Hamlet Employee, Marion Putumiraqtuq, Allan Hart that has been here for I think forever, as the Nothern Stores’ Manager, his wife Nancy Hart.
Paul Kabloona manager of the Jessie Oonark centre, Atutuvaa, Ruth Tugak, Sampson Arnauyok, Sara Peryouar has been a teacher and Neil Mautaritnaaq who is currently the AEDO, Lucy Andy and Andy got top prospector of the year award, Norman Atangala who said the prayer and also hosted a very delicious supper that I missed, it is too bad.
Philip Putumiraqtuq, who is a KIA rep, his daughter Sheila, Frank Tootoo who just wandered in the door our new director of Sport Nunavut, Peryouar, who is no stranger to anybody.
Aber Andy, Pia Qaqqaq who is a teacher here, Jasper Peryouar, and I want to apologize for anybody that I missed.
Oh yeah, Nancy Tupik who used to live here and is now visiting.
I rarely recognize anyone when we are meeting, I would like to recognize someone from Kugluktuk, my wife.
She came here with me, Magaret Aviak-Havioyak.
Mr. Anawak: Thank you, I just wanted to recognize a couple of people.
Who just sat behind me Sean Maley my constituent, Sandy Kusugak, who is just my constituent because her house is just on the corner, and of course Charlie Panigoniak who’s house is just on the side of the road, on my side of the road, also I would also like to recognize.
(interpretation) Although Mr. McLean had already recognized some members Allan Hart had moved in from Repulse Bay, I just wanted to make that point because he had lived in Repulse Bay and he is also been my long time friend.
I would like to recognize an individual who used to live in Coral Harbour, Rosline Hope, I think she is here and also they had lived in Coral Harbour before they had lived in Baker Lake.
Pia and Jimmy Qaqqaq and I am sure they are here, I do not think Jimmy had moved, Jimmy is here but I do want to recognize them.
There are many people here that I would like to recognize, there are many people here Churchill Vocational Centre, all of them, I would like to recognize all of those who attended Rebecca, Jobie, Kenaligak and Silas, There are many people who went to vocational school with us in Churchill and also I would like to say that only three percent of Churchill students are unemployed, thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize my colleagues here who are always pestering me.
I would like to recognize my own cousin, although I rarely call him by his name, Paul Attutuvaq, my first cousin.
I would like to recognize him and I'm very pleased to see him here and also yesterday we were fed very delicious food and the food that I use to eat when I was a child when we use to live inland when I was a child growing up.
So, I was very pleased to get the food that I use to eat and I felt sleepy afterwards and I would like to thank that individual for feeding us thank you.
I would like to recognize one individual although I recognize many people around here.
Leena Tapatai, she sitting here and she’s a good friend of mine.
Also for those of you or if you would like to go have some eggs, she had collected some eggs in Arviat, after the meeting you’re invited to go have some eggs.
Mr. Speaker, just very quickly.
I know there were some questions and later on in the question period about the airlines so I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the representatives from Skyward who are with us today in the gallery as well as representatives from that wonderful Inuit owned Nunasi Corporation airline Canadian North…
...welcome board members from Nunasi.
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Iqaqrialu was at one time a board member of Norterra one of the subsidiary companies of Nunasi Corporation and that’s why I started clapping.
Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to welcome to the gallery a constituent Mr. Doug Stenton.
He’s with us here today.
And I’d also like to welcome Mr. Alan Hart.
Glen said he’s been here about 20 years.
I think Al and I, and I can stand and be corrected, but I believe he came here 81 or 82 after he left Hall Beach, right?
So it’s about 22 years.
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to welcome Alan.
Things have really changed in the 20 year period because I went to the Northern yesterday to cash a cheque.
I’ve never had a problem cashing a cheque before but they would not take my cheque in Northern.
But Mr. Speaker, I understand that it’s not just Ed Picco they’re doing this with; it’s a policy of Northern Stores across the country now.
So, something new everyday we learn.
Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome one more person to the Legislative Assembly.
She’s been here, she in the gallery, she’s in the back, she’s working very hard for all of the members.
She’s our own legislative coordinator, Ms. Eeta Kanayuk, welcome to the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, since we’re doing so many recognitions today, I was going to save it for tomorrow, but I’d like to recognize the hard working Inuinnaqtun interpreter/translators, the two of them, my constituents from Cambridge Bay, James Panioyak and Henry Ohokanoak and also John Koomak formerly of Cambridge Bay.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I’ve run out of constituents while I was waiting. (interpretation) I would like to recognize your mayor and I would like to thank him for being here and also our elder whom I have worked with Mr. Peryouar and I would like to thank him for being here and all the elders who are attending here and I'm very pleased that they’re here.
Yes, my constituencies have been recognized. I did want to recognize them.
George Metuk, although he was recognized and also Nancy Tupik although she’s originally from here but she’s living in my constituency and also behind me David Akeeagok, he has just moved into my constituency area. Thank you. You’ll be one of my constituents and also Eeta Kanayuk, and then a Member of ours he recognized her first, although I wanted to recognize her first and also Lauranne White, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize her and also the media.
John Quirke and also Pat Best, Peter Kilabuk’s Executive Assistant and also a couple of individuals that are in the gallery and Alex Baldwin, I would like to recognize him.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for recognizing me.
I would feel left out after all these recognitions if I did not recognize somebody.
Especially the gang from Skyward, Canadian North, long time friend from here, Joe Niego, Mr. Northern from South, Allen Hart and a very special friend of mine, originally from Arviat now living in Baker Lake, and he is a very special friend and very special skills and talents and his name is Jasper, Jasper come over here and stand up.
You made everybody in Arviat back home.
I wish to rule on the issue that I rose earlier this week during Oral Questions.
As Members know, the Legislative Assembly is in place where language is a fair amount of importance.
Words are tools, you must choose them with care and deliberation.
In our Assembly, the task is perhaps the most difficult in all of Canada.
In this House, up to three languages are spoken each day during proceedings.
Our task as Legislators would not be possible through the tremendous work performed by our professional interpreter/translators.
The issue that arose this week goes to the very heart of this challenge to Members speaking during our proceedings.
One Member spoke in Inuktitut, the other in English.
Both Members relied upon the interpretation provided to determine the meaning and intent of the others words.
As Speaker, I have been called upon to determine whether one Member broke one of our cardinal rules, the requirement that we not make accusations about another Member’s truthfulness or honesty.
In attempting to determine whether this occurred, the Chair examined with the assistance and advice of our interpreters, both the original and interpreted audio records of the exchange.
After reviewing the records, I am satisfied that neither Member made an accusation about the truthfulness or honesty of the other Member.
I will certainly grant that both Members may have strong and different views about the other’s position on a matter of public policy.
Neither Member appeared would appear to accept the factual premise of the other’s arguments, but that is exactly what debate is all about.
The Chair is simply concerned that debate not involve an accusation that another Member lied or was untruthful or dishonest and I am satisfied that this did not happen in this case.
Nuance and context are in part of our language, without them, the words that we use would be meaningless.
In this case, linguistic differences lead to a basic misunderstanding of the intent.
I would therefore rule that there is no points in privilege.
Question 562 – 1(6): Update on Photo Identification
I would like to direct my question to, we’ll try and deal with Minister’s statement and I will be asking my question to the Minister of Community Government & Transportation, Culture, Language, Elders and Youth and also responsible for Recognition of Status of Women, so that I’m sure what kind of portfolio he holds.
I’m sure everyone is sure of what kind of portfolio he holds.
As I have stated earlier on, Mr. Speaker, during the September 11th incident in the United States, the Federal Government made a rule that we need to have identification cards in order to be able to travel.
No matter where you go, you needed photo identification after that incident.
I had asked this question to the previous Minister, in regards to the requirement of identification cards so that everyone will have the knowledge of where individuals come from.
The Minister stated that they would be working on photo id.
I have reported that the photo id camera in Pond Inlet doesn’t really work.
The competitors at the Arctic Winter Games did not know where to get their photo id because our camera didn’t work too well in Pond Inlet.
My question is, for individuals who need photo id, can the Minister for Community Government & Transportation update me what the status of this is or have all the photos been taken for id.
I think there were three questions and I will try and respond to them all at the same time.
Mr. Speaker, our requirement for photo id, for those individuals who are requesting it, yes this is ongoing and in regards to the members question and also I have reviewed the process; anyone who is living outside of Nunavut, if they require photo id, they can still apply for it, and it’s still free.
For the first time, if they’re 12 and under, they can ask for photo id at the office.
The Minister talked about his office.
What kind of office is he talking about, the offices within the community or is that the office in Iqaluit or Qamanittuaq?
I was wondering if the Minister was willing to clarify that.
In New York, no.
At the local level, they can go to the office.
Some offices are situated in the Hamlet offices where the photo id cameras are.
At times, I wait for the technician to turn on my microphone, so I apologise.
If anyone at the community would like to get their photo id, do you have cameras in all the communities.
God cameras that could be used for passport pictures or what kind of cameras do they have?
I had asked the same question to my officials.
If we want to make these available and if we want to have photo id cameras I was told that not all the communities have photo id cameras.
But at this point my officials are now looking into what kind of camera that they should be using and also if it’s an official photo id, the Federal Government require some ids and as we speak, I have asked my officials to get some cameras for the communities and how we can expedite the process.
He indicated that there was going to be good cameras that are going to be ordered because some of the photo id cameras in the communities are very old.
They’re outdated.
Would the Minister and his officials start giving photo id cameras to each community because I myself tried to get photo id but it was impossible to get it.
Can they be used for passports and can they be actual official passport cameras?