EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We are taking funds from the 2013-14 fiscal year and using them to provide a series of culturally relevant books in Nunavut’s official languages for every newborn in the upcoming year.
The books will be presented to new parents in a tote bag designed to promote our new Literacy 4 Life project.
Mr. Speaker, learning does not begin when a child starts attending school.
Research shows that reading to your children more than once a day when they are young has a positive impact on their future academic success.
We want to give parents the tools they need to help them develop a strong teaching and learning relationship with their children as early as possible.
The 11 bilingual books in the book bag for new parents are being produced by Inhabit Media, a Nunavut-based publishing company that produces Nunavut-themed children’s books.
Mr. Speaker, the Baby’s First Library book bags will be an ongoing initiative that will help us promote the importance of literacy to families and emphasize the benefits that reading brings to young children.
Our department is also working with other departments, such as the Department of Family Services and Culture and Heritage, for opportunities to place these resources in other appropriate locations to make them more accessible to all Nunavummiut.
Speaker (interpretation): Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Member, Mr. Okalik.
Minister’s Statement 034 – 4(1): 2014 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship (Okalik)
On this great day, please be welcome.
Mr. Speaker, our government has made education one of its priorities and I am pleased to advise that applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship.
I encourage post-secondary students to apply. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a Nunavut student.
The scholarship is in memory of Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier, who was instrumental in creating a made-in-Nunavut electrical utility.
It celebrates her vision for leadership by Nunavummiut, inclusivity, and personal excellence. In the past, recipients have been active leaders in their communities.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform Nunavut’s students that the application is available on the Qulliq Energy Corporation’s website, www.nunavutpower.com, or by calling 867-979-7534.
The deadline for applying is Thursday, June 30, 2014.
Mr. Speaker, I have great confidence in our young leaders and see this opportunity as not only benefiting them, but benefiting the future of Nunavut.
I wish all candidates good luck.
Member’s Statement 083 – 4(1): The Need for Early Childhood Education (Mikkungwak)
I say “good day” to the people of Baker Lake and all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend a dedicated group of Baker Lake residents for their efforts to bring early childhood education programming to the community.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the population of Baker Lake is growing steadily with an average of almost 50 births every year and almost 12 percent of the population under the age of 5.
While there is a lack of daycare spaces in Baker Lake, there is an even greater need for early childhood education programs that will support parents, guardians and children to make healthy choices for their lives ahead.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, many young families in Baker Lake are still affected by the impact of the residential school experience.
Many young people have lost touch with their culture and did not grow up with a stable family structure. (interpretation ends) Many have experienced a breakdown in their family units and some have been victims of neglect, abuse, or violence, which can lead to negative behaviour.
Mr. Speaker, there is a great need for programming that will not only teach learning and communication skills to young children and infants, but will also provide support to parents and guardians by showing them parenting life skills.
Mr. Speaker, the Aupilarturvik program ran very successfully some years ago, but the facility they operated out of burned down.
While they can always rent space to deliver the program, they need support to get the program materials, educational resources, and food for the nutritional component of the program.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Education on how he and his department can help to get this much needed program underway.
Member’s Statement 084 – 4(1): Food Prices in Gjoa Haven (Akoak)
Good afternoon to the people of Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue of the high cost of living in my constituency of Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, in March and April of last year, the Government of Nunavut’s bureau of statistics conducted a pilot food price survey in 11 communities. This survey compared the prices of 28 different food items.
Mr. Speaker, the results of the survey concluded that Gjoa Haven had the highest food prices in all of the communities.
On average, food prices in Gjoa Haven were almost 20 percent higher than in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, the survey also compared the price of food in Nunavut communities with prices in the rest of Canada.
Here are some of the results:
On average, the price of milk was 38 percent higher in Nunavut.
The price of apples was 94 percent higher in Nunavut.
The price of onions was 233 percent higher in Nunavut.
Mr. Akoak: Mr. Speaker, last month’s federal budget announced that funding for the Nutrition North Canada Program will be “enhanced” to “help improve access to healthy food.”
The federal budget indicated that the current amount of funding for Nutrition North Canada is $60 million per year.
Although the federal budget did not indicate how much additional funding will be provided to the program, I am hopeful that the resources will be increased significantly.
Mr. Speaker, the issue of food costs and food security has gained much attention in recent years. I encourage our government to also take action in addressing the need to make food affordable for our families.
Member’s Statement 085 – 4(1): Kugluktuk Participants at the 2014 AWG (Taptuna)
I rise today with great pride and support to my constituents who will be participating in the 2014 Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks, Alaska.
I commend the wonderful achievements that Kuglukturmiut have made in joining the Arctic Winter Games to represent our wonderful territory.
It gives me great pleasure to wish the following great success:
Sara Power;
Julianne Angulalik;
Markus Kokak;
Ikey Bolt;
Cory Niptanatiak;
Dylan Kadlun;
Krista Niptanatiak; and
Aislyn Bolt.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the dedication and support of the parents and coaches, Attila and Maria Csaba.
Mr. Speaker, I wish all the best to Team Nunavut and I hope that they will enjoy their entire experience at the Arctic Winter Games.
Members’ Statements. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak.
Member’s Statement 086 – 4(1): The Need for an Elders’ Strategy (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good afternoon. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about an issue that is important to my constituents and to me as an MLA and as a Nunavummiuq.
Mr. Speaker, I am referring to our elders in Nunavut and how important it is for this government to start developing a strategy now that will address the future needs of one of the growing sectors of our population, our elders.
Mr. Speaker, we often speak about elders in this House, and praise how elders are the foundation of a community. They hold the wisdom to the mysteries of life from yesterday and demonstrate how we can apply it to our lives today.
We all need to work together as a territory, as communities and as a government to promote and support healthy lifestyles for our elders.
However, Mr. Speaker, our support and helpfulness to our elders must not only be words.
It behooves us to actually make our elders’ lives easier through relevant and supportive programs and service delivery.
Mr. Speaker, our elders are among the most vulnerable members of our society. They deserve a life of peace and security regardless of which community they come from or what ethnicity they are.
We need to ensure that services, care and facilities are in place to help all elders who need assistance or cannot look after themselves.
Mr. Speaker, many families are struggling to look after their aging parents because they want them close to home and often there is little help offered by this government.
Mr. Speaker, this issue has been brought forward many times in this Legislative Assembly as past MLAs saw how vital the need was to address this issue. You only have to do a little bit of research through past Hansards to see that this issue has been raised time and time again.
I look forward to this government finally doing something about this serious concern.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will be asking the Minister of Health questions on this matter.
Member’s Statement 087 – 4(1): Taking Advantage of Educational and Training Opportunities (Savikataaq)
I say “good day” to the people of Arviat. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage our government to live up to the promises we heard during the leadership forum of supporting and promoting education across our territory.
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that many of us agree that education is a key to our future. It enables our residents to take advantage of upcoming opportunities in sectors such as mining and related industries.
Mr. Speaker, education also provides a solid foundation for the here and now in leading Nunavummiut to be more successful and productive.
Mr. Speaker, I commend our government for expanding education and trades training through the trade school initiative in Rankin Inlet. I’m looking forward to ongoing developments at the mine training centre in the Kitikmeot.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage our government not to limit itself in delivering training and programs in the meantime. While having a heavy equipment simulator program available to introduce trainees to the basic skills needed to operate a heavy vehicle is a good start, nothing takes the place of hands-on experience and instruction.
Our government should be seeking all avenues to get Nunavummiut onto the seats of heavy vehicles and working on sites at every opportunity. For the sake of our future and the future of this territory, we should not be satisfied with limited training programs.
I encourage our government to work harder towards meeting its promise to improve educational opportunities for all.
Member’s Statement 088 – 4(1): Financial Support for Seniors (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
To the young people who are visiting in the Gallery, welcome to the Chambers.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise a concern related to the well-being of Nunavut’s senior citizens.
Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the cost of living in Nunavut is extremely high and making ends meet is even harder for our senior population.
Nunavut’s Social Assistance program is only available to Nunavut residents between the ages of 18 and 59.
The Nunavut Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit program is available to individuals aged 60 and over, but according to information available on the government website, this is only if they receive the federal government’s Guaranteed Income Supplement or Spouse’s Allowance.
According to the federal government’s published information, the Guaranteed Income Supplement is for low-income seniors who receive Old Age Security.
Mr. Speaker, an individual has to be over the age of 65 to receive Old Age Security benefits.
Mr. Speaker, there appears to be a gap in support for Nunavut seniors aged between 60 and 65.
At the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Family Services on this issue.
Member’s Statement 089 – 4(1): Appreciation for the Reopening of Pond Inlet Arena (Enook)
Good afternoon, people of Pond Inlet and our fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my appreciation to the Hon. Minister Mike, who invited me to participate in a meeting with the DFO minister.
Thank you to the Hon. Minister Mike for having invited me to this meeting.
Mr. Speaker, I also wish to give further thanks as I was just informed about our local arena in Pond Inlet being opened for public usage.
It is unfortunate that the Minister of CG&S isn’t present today. (interpretation ends) Maybe the Hon. Premier (interpretation) can inform the minister of the gratefulness of Pond Inlet residents.
Additionally, I also hope that I won’t need to raise any further questions about our arena for a long time.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, Mr. Okalik.
Today, we are graced with visitors who form our future.
These students are taking the Sivuliqtiksat leadership program, and their instructor is the person I wish to recognize firstly, Becky Qilavvaq, and she is here with the following youth from Baffin regional communities:
From Grise Fiord:
Terry Noah and Olav Christensen;
From Resolute Bay:
Melissa Idlout,
Sky Kalluk, and
Tracy Kalluk;
From Arctic Bay:
Sereta Kalluk and Martha Leetia Qaunnaq;
From Igloolik:
Alex Arnatsiaq and Emily Qattalik;
From Hall Beach:
Eric Tungilik and Cynthia Pialaq;
From Pond Inlet:
Sula Nutarak and Steven Innualuk;
From Clyde River:
Jordan Apak and another student not present here, Rose Sangoya;
From Qikiqtarjuaq:
Angela Kooneeliusie and Kathy Kooneeliusie;
From Pangnirtung:
Tina Mary Kooneeliusie and Gina Mike;
From Iqaluit:
Jennifer Kilabuk, Kelly Fraser, who is also not present currently;
From Kimmirut:
Dianne Ikkidluak and Willy Onalik;
From Cape Dorset:
Carmen Rosewell and Levina Toonoo;
From Sanikiluaq:
Lucy Mungi Cookie and Mina Mannuk.
Please welcome these students to the Gallery.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister, Mr. Mike.
There are several visitors from Pangnirtung who I want to recognize. First, this couple I wish to recognize is Adam and Joanne Evic and their children.
Also, I wish to recognize my brother’s daughter Gina Mike and her friend Tina Mary Kooneeliusie. I wanted them recognized and further, my sister Becky I include in this recognition.
Member Mr. Rumbolt.
It’s not every day that I get to rise in the House and recognize people from my constituency.
Today, I would like to recognize Lucy Mungi Novalinga and Mina Mannuk and welcome them to the Gallery.
I would also like to recognize one of my constituents, Becky Qilavvaq.
I too am quite proud for this opportunity and am quite happy in asking for recognition and a welcome to the following people. My brother-in-law Adam Evic and his wife, Joanne Evic, and their son A.J. Evic and my dear little sister-in-law, Amber Evic are the people I want recognized and welcomed to the Gallery.
I would like to recognize my wife, Susan Savikataaq, my wife of 32 years, my daughter Wendy Savikataaq, her daughter Annabella Savikataaq, and Anannaut Aningat from Arviat.
Please acknowledge and welcome the visitors in the Gallery.
Question 083 – 4(1): Heavy Equipment Operator Training (Savikataaq)
I would like to question the Minister responsible for Nunavut Arctic College today.
Mr. Speaker, last week, the minister indicated that Nunavut Arctic College offered a heavy equipment operator course in Rankin Inlet.
I would appreciate some further clarification on how this training is delivered.
Can the minister clarify whether the heavy equipment operator course in Rankin Inlet is delivered with training and practise on actual machinery or is the training based on using the simulator that was purchased in 2013?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Education, Mr. Paul Quassa.
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for his question.
With respect to the question he raised just now, yes, there is that equipment in Rankin Inlet. Perhaps if I state the name in English, a (interpretation ends) simulator (interpretation) is a part of that course.
I am confident that the minister will agree that despite the benefits and cost saving of using a simulator, nothing gives real hands-on experience like using the machinery itself.
Can the minister indicate how many Nunavut trainees are currently being sent to Morrisburg, Ontario each year to receive hands-on heavy equipment training?
That is a good question. We all know that past students were sent out to Morrisburg for courses on operating a variety of heavy equipment.
There are many graduates from Nunavut who have taken that course in Morrisburg.
The numbers change annually depending on the number of applicants. I can’t exactly state how many people are taking that course there at this time, but what I do know is that many people have taken that course originating from our communities.
I believe that it could greatly benefit both our communities and our trainees to have their training based within Nunavut, using actual machinery and possibly even helping to develop local projects.
Will the minister commit to considering the delivery of a heavy equipment operator training course in the community of Arviat with trainees getting some real hands-on experience in the field?
I thank the member for his question. The member has lived in the Kivalliq for quite some time. There is a heavy equipment operator program offered in Rankin Inlet at this time
As we all know, with the mining companies starting up new activities and we talk about the Manitoba-Kivalliq winter road, if this goes ahead, we can look at having a training course because there is going to a demand for heavy equipment operators for that major construction project.
Yes, this is something we can take into consideration, albeit everyone should be aware that a course already exists in Rankin Inlet for (interpretation ends) heavy equipment training. (interpretation) With the possibility of more development, we can definitely include that in our deliberations, Mr. Speaker.
Question 084 – 4(1): Food Price Surveys (Akoak)
In my Member’s Statement, I noted that the department’s bureau of statistics conducted a food price survey last year in 11 Nunavut communities.
Can the minister indicate if his department’s bureau of statistics will be conducting another food price survey in Nunavut this year?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to defer the question to the minister responsible for that, Ms. Ugyuk, responsible for Family Services.
I also thank the member for Gjoa Haven for asking about food prices.
If I understood his question correctly, I believe that the food price survey is still being carried out this month for all of Nunavut.
Member Mr. Akoak.
As I noted in my Member’s Statement, the food price survey that the government undertook last year determined that my community of Gjoa Haven had the highest food prices in Nunavut.
Can the minister indicate if his department’s government liaison officers are monitoring food prices on an ongoing basis?
I also thank the member for Gjoa Haven for his questions.
Yes, what I can respond with is that the government struck a committee to undertake this food price survey, and the surveyors are working with social service workers in Nunavut in the communities.
The GLOs are also included by providing additional support. That is all I can respond with at this time.
Speaker (interpretation): Your final supplementary, Mr. Akoak.
As I noted in my Member’s Statement, last month’s federal budget indicated that funding for the federal Nutrition North Canada Program will be “enhanced.” This program subsidizes the cost of transporting nutritious, perishable foods to remote communities. Subsidy rates differ between communities.
Can the minister indicate if his department’s bureau of statistics is working with the federal government to share information from our food price surveys?
The Hon. Minister of Family Services, Ms. Ugyuk.
I also thank the Member for Gjoa Haven for asking about food prices.
Yes, we are well aware as Nunavummiut that the price of food is very high, among other household items.
The Nunavut government firmly supports food subsidies and we are given assistance from the federal government for air cargo costs.
We also know that the federal government’s food subsidy program is not adequate for everyone.
As a government, we are studying to determine how the people of Nunavut can be better supported and allow them to keep up with rising food prices.
Question 085 – 4(1): Need for an Elders Strategy (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, a number of issues and concerns have been brought forward in this House with respect to support for our elders, be it health insurance coverage, financial supports, housing, and end-of-life care.
As we know, health status is strongly linked to housing, poverty, nutrition, and lifestyle among other factors.
Can the minister indicate what consideration is being given to developing a comprehensive Elders’ Health Strategy for Nunavut?
Speaker: Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell.
I cannot report at this time because I don’t have much prepared on that.
Oral Questions. Member for South Baffin, Mr. Joanasie.
I’m sorry. I didn’t see you raise your hand, Ms. Angnakak.
Ms. Angnakak: I just want to say, then, seeing the answer and that you cannot answer me today, I would like to say that I will be asking these questions again tomorrow regarding the elders.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell. (interpretation) Member for South Baffin, Mr. Joanasie.
Question 086 – 4(1): Financial Support for Seniors (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, as I described in my Member’s Statement, there appears to be a gap in financial supports available to Nunavut seniors aged between 60 and 65.
Can the minister clarify what benefits are available to Nunavut’s single, low-income seniors who are between the ages of 60 and 65?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the youthful member for asking the question, Mr. Joanasie.
In regard to the financial support for seniors who are between the age of 60 and 65, anyone can go see Family Services if you require any form of support or help.
You can go see a social worker or income support worker if you need income support.
You will be able to get detailed information on how you can be supported.
If the senior can’t be supported, then they can be given an explanation why they are not eligible for senior support.
Senior support programs are provided by the federal government and not the Nunavut government.
I understand that entities such as Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated provide a variety of financial assistance to Nunavut beneficiary seniors over the age of 55.
Can the minister clarify whether or not her department regularly reviews the different types of financial support that are available across Nunavut to our seniors to ensure that they can adequate receive funds to meet their needs?
I would like to thank the member for his question with regard to this issue.
If any person needs income support outside of senior pension assistance, they can apply to income support by filling out an application form. There is supplemental support for those who receive seniors’ pension. The income support workers do have all the necessary forms available.
I recognize that Nunavut’s Income Assistance program has been reviewed in the past and the amounts of assistance has been increased on a few occasions since 1999.
The Nunavut Senior Citizen Supplementary Benefit is currently set at $175 per month.
Will the minister commit to increasing this amount to keep pace with the rising costs in Nunavut?
I would also like my colleague, Mr. Joanasie, for asking the question.
Both the supplementary benefits are being reviewed at this time and also we are now reviewing the various supplementary programs for elders. The review is supposed to be done by 2015.
Once we get the results from the review, we will be making a report.
Question 087 – 4(1): NNI Policy (Hickes)
My questions are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, whose department is responsible for the government’s NNI Secretariat.