EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would be remiss not to offer a very big “thank you” to the Toonik Tyme organizing committee as they are all volunteers doing this work, with assistance from Kimmirut to plan the race route, and so on. To the racers as well as the viewing audience, I thank all of them for making this a success. It is an event that everyone wants to win.
I will conclude by thanking these people and I wish them continued success in the future for the snowmobile races between Iqaluit and Kimmirut.
Member’s Statement 589 – 4(3): Second Fishing Derby in Igloolik (Quassa)
This month we have heard about local fishing derbies and announcements have been made in the House on winners.
Igloolik held their derby last week and they are probably one of the last communities in Nunavut to hold such an event.
There were two derbies in our community.
I would like to identify and congratulate the winners like other members announced winners from their own constituencies’ derbies. However, Igloolik residents were beaten in this derby because Hall Beach resident Rachel Aglak was the winner.
The prize was $10,000.
Even though there were no winners from Igloolik, there were other winners.
A drum of diesel, sled runners, and a tent were amongst the various prizes.
There were nine winners.
Also, a well-known person from our community, not just known in the Baffin region, was Peter Awa, who won the smallest fish category. He ended up winning that prize.
I wanted to announce the winners of the Igloolik fishing derby and I am proud of the winners in our community and the winner from Hall Beach.
Speaker (interpretation): Yes, I congratulate them as well.
Member’s Statement 590 – 4(3): Ruth Kaviok, President of the National Inuit Youth Council (Kuksuk)
I rise today to congratulate and celebrate with my colleagues.
I’m happy to make a statement about Ruth Kaviok, a resident of Arviat and constituent of mine, who is well known by my colleague from Arviat and I. Ruth Kaviok has been voted in as President of the (interpretation ends) National Inuit Youth Council (interpretation) and her term will be from 2017 to 2019.
Mr. Speaker, the (interpretation ends) National Inuit Youth Council (interpretation) represents all Inuit youth and they have a seat on the board of directors for the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.
They will also take part as members of this committee called (interpretation ends) the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee.
Ruth is a 19-year-old Inuk youth from Arviat, Nunavut, who advocates for suicide prevention, climate change prevention, and the importance of education.
In 2016 Ruth was John Arnalukjuak High School’s Inuktitut valedictorian.
Nationally Ruth won Samara’s Everyday Political Citizen award for drawing on Inuit knowledge and western science to spread awareness of how climate change is affecting Inuit Nunangat.
Congratulations to Ruth!
Mr. Speaker, I wish Ruth all the best in her new position as President of the National Inuit Youth Council.
Member’s Statement 591 – 4(3): Respect for Inuit Traditional Customs (Shooyook)
I say “good day” to the people of Nunavut. To the people of Quttiktuq who are watching the proceedings, welcome to the House, as well as our Premier and my colleagues.
I am in a cheerful mood to share in the celebratory announcements made this afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, there are roughly only four months left in our term and today I am placing great emphasis on this matter.
I am getting concerned that what I have voiced over my term hasn’t been completely understood.
That is indeed unfortunate and is very sad to see.
This is becoming stressful and it troubles me.
Mr. Speaker, what I keep hearing is this: I am a citizen of Canada, so all legislation pertaining to Canada is what I must adhere to.
This indeed is something I agree to.
However, when we try to adhere to legislation, Nunavummiut have difficulty complying with the legislation.
Our people are getting shot.
Our people are being found frozen outside in the cold.
Our people are dying via traffic accidents.
This is due to not following the legislation we ought to abide by.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation we are trying to abide by isn’t what I am against, but rather the fact that I am a Canadian citizen and when I am told of my citizenry, I can’t always agree since Inuit have lost their cultural foundations in our modern lives.
This is very critical and Inuit culture isn’t reflected, thereby causing Inuit to break certain laws.
I have many important things to say, so I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Speaker (interpretation): The Member for the High Arctic is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays?
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, my colleagues, for allowing me to conclude my statement. I won’t make it too long, but I will try to make it clearly understandable.
Mr. Speaker, I am quite capable of speaking for a whole day on this subject if I was to try to make everyone understand and it would continue onto the next day as well.
I don’t want to be misunderstood by the public watching on television, my fellow Canadian citizens, and my legislative colleagues here.
What I am adamantly advocating is to have the Canadian Constitution recognize Inuit traditional knowledge to ensure that I can abide by the legislation without any concerns about my cultural foundations. I want to get approval to have Inuit traditional knowledge incorporated into federal legislation, as this would allow official recognition.
With petty crimes such as arson of school buildings and vandalism, if this was approved in one or two years, improvements would slowly materialize.
This is a critical issue and is the reason for the breakdown in our culture.
I will try to keep it concise, as the first circumstances of traditional Inuit lifestyles being impacted was when Inuit were herded into communities and our children were taken from us to residential school.
This was the first separation from Inuit traditional life when our children’s historical connections were broken. Apologies were announced about that cultural suppression and compensation was provided to the victims.
The other aspect happened in the 1960s with a true loss of Inuit freedom when our dogs were slaughtered by our government overlords.
This occurred from 1967 to the early ‘70s, where Inuit means of independence were slaughtered without any compensation.
Although many Inuit hunters were extremely protective of their dogs, since this was a legal directive, Inuit at the time were unable to stop the killing or get compensated.
This is the biggest reason Inuit lives and culture were broken apart.
Mr. Speaker, with that being the case today, our legislated terms have dwindled to four months, so we have no more room to make changes.
Where can this subject I referenced, the legislation and official incorporation of Inuit traditional knowledge, come from?
Here I talk about the Inuit traditional social resolution rules.
We have no room left to manoeuvre and perhaps after the next round of elections this subject will be completely abandoned.
That is so unfortunate!
I don’t want to see that.
The issues I am speaking to are the social interactive rules of Inuit, RCMP interactions and the court system, which is predicated upon our Canadian court system.
In trying to abide by these alien criminal laws, Inuit are suffering since it is culturally inappropriate to adhere to alien concepts.
This is very disconcerting to my being.
Mr. Speaker, I ask: where can we cooperate and to whom can we direct our efforts towards?
If the Executive Council members and lawyers wish to learn, all you need to do is come and ask me about Inuit issues and I will gladly explain the issues and not just be painted as the unruly elder
*See Appendix for full text of Return to Oral Question 729 – 4(3).
who disagrees. I can clearly provide the basis for my arguments.
Nonetheless, it is only in the latter stages where I have started to get questions about issues and the Canadian Constitution. Incorporating traditional Inuit knowledge seems to be our only option, as we can’t sidestep it any further.
I would like to see work on incorporating this as a priority. I want to see that today.
With the importance of this matter and with our culture and lives deteriorating, outsiders will again suggest that Inuit have no laws.
Mr. Speaker, we have many laws.
These laws are already alive and if accepted, then these laws can be reinvigorated.
This is an extremely important matter which I want to discuss prior to the completion of our term.
There are still many issues to voice that speak to the subtle efforts to kill our culture.
Member’s Statement 592 – 4(3): 2017 Nunavut Sivuniksavut Graduates from Pangnirtung (Mike)
I rise to announce that although I spoke yesterday about graduates, today I am speaking about three Nunavut Sivuniksavut graduates from Pangnirtung.
The first year graduate is Lily Kilabuk and the second year graduates are Avery Keenainak and Lynn Mike.
I want to share my pride in their accomplishments as numerous students have attended the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program since its inception and Pangnirtung alumni are many, I believe, ever since the program first opened in 1985.
Many youth from Pangnirtung have taken the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program where they learned about Inuit issues, graduated the course, and gained further capabilities.
Many of them are quite independent now as they are taught to be self-sufficient students, even if it is evident from the start.
The students I just mentioned who graduated from Nunavut Sivuniksavut have had their future brightened.
Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Languages, George Kuksuk.
Return to Oral Question 729 – 4(3): Federal Funding to Support Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun (Kuksuk)
I have a return to Oral Question 729 – 4(3) asked by the Member for South Baffin on May 31, 2017 concerning federal funding to support Inuktut and Inuinnaqtun.
Mr. Speaker, this return is quite detailed and I have filed it with the Clerk for transcribing into Hansard for the public record and for distribution to all members.
Mr. Speaker, prior to welcoming this visitor, I wish to provide an introduction. Some of us MLAs would not function as well as we do if we did not receive the support that we do from our spouses.
My spouse is currently visiting in the gallery. She is my partner, my good friend, and my lifelong soulmate.
I would like to first have my wife welcomed, Mary Kilabuk.
Welcome and please welcome her.
She is here with a fellow resident of Pond Inlet, who is one of our friends, Jeeteetah Kalluk.
Welcome to both of you and please welcome them to the gallery.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to recognize a constituent of mine from Rankin Inlet who is the, to quote from the Minister of Arctic Colleges’ opening comments, director of Sanatuliqsarvik Mining and Trades Training Centre, Mr. Sandy Napier.
Even though this person was acknowledged, I want to recognize him, but perhaps I’ll provide some background first.
Although this person’s proper name is Alexander Napier, he is known as Sandy Napier.
He started working at Nunavut Arctic College back in 2009.
Prior to the opening of Sanatuliqsarvik, he was instrumental in helping set up the program when the preparation work was commenced. Due to his capacity to work, I grant him his due.
As well, for about 12 years now, he has been a (interpretation ends) cross-cultural instructor. (interpretation) Many Inuit take the training program.
With his background in the program, he is well-versed in the trades and in preparing for a (interpretation ends) trades program, (interpretation) as he has been involved. On a personal level, he is a certified journeyman and a certified plumber able to work throughout Canada.
He is also an oil burner mechanic, with a certificate recognized in all jurisdictions in Canada. That is his background.
The students in Rankin Inlet at (interpretation ends) the trade school (interpretation) have more resources to call on when he is available at the school.
Let’s show our pride and gratitude to the man.
Although this individual was already recognized, I would like to recognize Sandy Napier, (interpretation ends) Director of Sanatuliqsarvik Mining and Trades Training Centre. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I apologize. I will get another member to ask their questions first before I do.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you for clearly indicating that. Oral Questions.
Question 777 – 4(3): Changes to Income Support (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, yesterday the minister announced some upcoming changes to income support assistance that will take effect on July 1 of 2017.
Can the minister indicate what steps have been taken to inform and explain to income support clients exactly what changes they should expect with respect to the income assistance benefits they will receive after July 1?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Family Services, Mr. Johnny Mike.
The Department of Family Services, along with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, funded a study. In actuality it was our government that funded a study on the legislation related to the Income Support Program. I will focus on that aspect in my response here.
At the conclusion of the study and with the presentation of the report, several priority recommendations were made specific to the review related to income support clients served by our department and also to improve the program benefits.
This, along with the Sivumut Abluqta Mandate, was the reason for the review of services provided by our department to assist our residents who require these programs such as income support. This was prioritized as the key measure to improve the program and it was undertaken.
This being the fourth year of our term, reviewing it from above has been quite challenging. We anticipate we will start implementing these changes by July 1, where improvements will be forthcoming for our clients served by the Department of Family Services within the Income Support Program.
I am aware there were a lot of changes that needed to be made to income support.
My question was what efforts were made to explain it to the income support recipients in our communities and I don’t think the minister answered it that way.
I’m moving on to my next question.
I appreciate that the income assistance reforms will permit income support clients to earn more income before having their benefits reduced.
Can the minister provide more detail on the specific amount of money a client can earn from employment while on income assistance and not have their benefits reduced?
If the minister does not have that level of detail with him today, can he indicate where Nunavut residents can access this information?
I tried to be clear in my response on some of the improvements as to what further work is required to implement them.
The changes to the program are based on the existing criteria for our clients.
As it is right now, if clients accrue some income through various means, such as seasonal employment, carving, or other types of income generation, the income is immediately deducted from their monthly income assistance.
This will start to change.
Starting July 1, if a client is single and they earn income through employment, carving, or other means, the limit will now jump to $500.
Even if the client reaches this amount, they will still be eligible for income support.
This was previously clawed back if their income passed the threshold. This has increased from $200.
For family clients or couples, the income limit threshold has been increased to $1,000. Clients will be able to create some disposable income through savings.
This means that they can still receive benefits through Family Services. The clients can still make some money up to this new limit of $1,000 and continue to be clients under this program.
Furthermore, respecting our disabled residents who live in our territory who have qualified for funding through other programs, they used to receive up to $175 monthly. This has been increased to $250 monthly.
As well, our government will offer a new program of $125 per month specific to an emergency temporary work disability assistance program for a period of 6 to 12 months if they suffer an inability to work and if they are residing with another disabled person.
These are the improvements to date which will be implemented by July 1.
It has long been a concern of mine that the Department of Family Services is permitted to access the banking information of its income support clients.
I note that one of the income assistance reforms announced by the minister will allow clients to save money in their bank accounts instead of being forced to spend all of their savings in order to qualify for social assistance.
I understand that the minister just announced some limits of the amount they can earn.
Can the minister indicate whether there will be any limits on the amount of money that income support clients will be permitted to save in their bank accounts and, if there are, how will he ensure that the relevant information about those limits is provided to income support clients?
As per my previous outline, we will need to be aware of the clients’ ability to save monies from income garnered outside of the Income Support Program.
That can only be done by monitoring and working with the client.
The income support workers in the communities will receive training on the new rules and practise filling the new forms with these changes.
With respect to the member’s question about clients being able to save money in their bank accounts, with this new allowance, clients have the capacity to save by increasing the limit. The purpose of this claw back of income had nothing to do with preparing clients for employment.
To focus more on preparing them for employment, these changes are now attempting to look at assisting the clients of our department and give them the ability to save by not having every cent of their hard-earned monies deducted from their income support.
We want income support clients to be able to save funds as this can allow a person to get back on their feet and regain their independence.
This is the purpose and intention. As I identified earlier, the reason is to allow people to regain their independence and gain meaningful employment, which we want to encourage. That is the main reason.
As to the monitoring of client bank accounts, it is obvious that the workers will have to abide by the proper procedures touching upon banking information and privacy.
I am aware of my colleague’s concern related to that and that is why I have responded to his question in this way.
Question 778 – 4(3): Runway Extension for Naujaat (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, when we were in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the (interpretation ends) round-table session… .
(interpretation) I’m not sure what they call that in Inuktitut.
When we were there, the president of Calm Air had an opportunity to speak. He stated that if the Naujaat Airport landing strip was extended by 100 feet, then they could carry 6,000 lbs. more on their aircraft.
Mr. Speaker, the Naujaat Airport landing strip is already very short, yet I have heard that when the terminal was being improved, they shortened the lights.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister because I know that it will help a great deal if the landing strip was extended by 100 feet.
Sometimes cargo and passengers can’t get on the flight because there is a load limit on the aircraft based on the length of the airstrip.
Can the minister ask her officials to find out how difficult it would be to extend our airstrip by 100 feet?
We can have our officials review that matter.
Currently the Naujaat airstrip is, as you know, 3,400 feet by 98 feet.
An enquiry can be made to the airlines that have aircraft landing in the community to see whether the 100-foot extension would make any appreciable difference.
The main aircraft that land in most communities is the ATR-42 model and many communities are served by that model here in Nunavut.
We would have to enquire if a larger aircraft would be able to land at the airstrip with that minimal extension. I have no idea, but we can ask our officials to review this matter.
I also thank the minister for agreeing to that.
Mr. Speaker, it would help a great deal. Often when people have a lot of personal items or if they bought big-ticket items like snowmobiles, ATVs, and summer equipment, they have to wait a very long time to get them due to how long it currently takes for cargo to make its way to Naujaat.
Can the minister have this looked into soon or some time this summer?
As to what exactly we will be doing, I will just talk to my department about this concern and try to see how difficult it will be to do. I will let my colleague know.
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Indeed that may be, but when someone responds that way… .
Calm Air is the sole airline serving our community. There are no other airlines serving the communities that I represent, especially Naujaat. As well, Naujaat is the only community in the Kivalliq region where the airline can’t accommodate heavier cargo due to the limited length of the airstrip.
With that being the situation, can the minister agree to have this looked into this summer to determine the complexity?
I would like to at least have a study, even if the work doesn’t proceed, as obviously it would be an expensive extension.
What I ask is that she have this looked into by having an official travel to the community in the summer.
Hon. Minister Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member for asking about that matter.
Mr. Speaker, after I speak with my officials, I will send him a letter as to what our plans are for this summer regarding his request.
Question 779 – 4(3): Accounts Payable (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that the minister will agree with me when I say that it is important that the government pay its bills on time, especially when we’re talking about small businesses here in Nunavut.
As the minister will be well aware, Financial Administration Manual Directive 803-3 provides that, and I quote, “The standard payment term for suppliers listed on the Inuit Firm Registry or the Nunavut Business Registry is 20 calendar days, whereas, it is 30 calendar days for other suppliers.”
Can the minister confirm whether or not this standard is currently being met across government?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I’m not involved in the day-to-day paying of bills to suppliers across Nunavut or down south. I do know that the department makes every effort. When the Department of Finance gets all the bills with the proper documentation, they make every effort to pay the bills according to the directive.
There are situations that occur when proper documentation is not received.
I don’t have the specific details of all invoices. I’m sure there are invoices that don’t get paid within the 20 days. There are probably invoices that are paid way sooner than 15 days.
If Ms. Angnakak has specific concerns with someone’s bill that wasn’t paid, I would be more than happy to take that information and follow up.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his kind invitation.
I will take advantage of that.
I am sure that I am not the only MLA who has received concerns from businesses regarding the length of time that it can take to get paid by the government.
Although I recognize that every situation is unique, I would hope that the Department of Finance is keeping a careful eye on whether or not some departments are experiencing more problems than others.
Can the minister clarify how the Department of Finance ensures that the FAM-mandated timelines for payment are being met across government?
Again, as I said earlier, I’ve got constituents of my own who have come to me with concerns and I have followed up.
I don’t want to name names, so I won’t, but after following up, we determined that the invoices never got to the right place.
They were sending invoices in late or without the documentation.