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Member’s Statement 367 – 3(2): Congratulations to Sanikiluaq’s 2010 High School Graduates (Rumbolt)
I would like to say “good afternoon” to all the people from Sanikiluaq.
I rise today to congratulate Sanikiluaq’s 2010 high school graduates and to wish them continued success in their future.
Mr. Speaker, Sanikiluaq’s high school graduates waited until Valentine’s Day to celebrate their big day.
If any day can be an added sense of warmth and style to celebrate, then that is the day to pick.
Mr. Speaker, the 2010 graduating class is one of the largest graduating classes we have had in a long time.
I hope this is a sign of things to come.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Christopher Meeko, Tina Meeko, Chritopher Kittosuk, Joanasie Tookalook, Sarah Tookalook, Wanda Qavvik, Kelly Fraser.
These young people are fine examples for the youth in the community who are still in school.
I know their parents and families are very proud of them.
Member’s Statement 368 – 3(2): Social Worker Challenges (Elliott)
I rise today to once again urge our government to address as a priority the need to staff social work position all across Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, it was very good to hear some frank and detailed discussion in this House yesterday about social issues across Nunavut, and the role that social workers are required to play to address those issues.
Mr. Speaker, until our legislation changes, and until there is a fundamental shift in how the people of Nunavut address social issues, we need social workers to perform certain legislative duties.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that we remain aware of the tremendous burden that was put on the social workers who are employed within our government today. The level of stress they face in doing their jobs is remarkable.
In many cases, it is not just one job that they are doing, but two are more as they are given additional duties covering other communities and facing unexpected increases in their case load.
Mr. Speaker, at the recent Baffin Mayors conference, the Mayor of Grise Fiord highlighted the need for a social worker in that community. They have gone without one for a very long time.
The same can be said of Resolute Bay and Arctic Bay, the other two communities in my constituency.
Mr. Speaker, if this situation is not addressed soon, then the social workers that we do have will become exhausted and burnt out.
We owe it to them, as well as to our constituents to provide adequate support.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the government to treat this issue as a high priority. I do understand that our entire system of providing child and family services is under review, but in the mean time, the health and welfare not only of our constituents, but our social workers is at risk.
Member’s Statement 369 – 3(2): Passing of Peter Kamingoak (Taptuna)
I rise today to remember a well respected elder, who passed away suddenly on the 17th of February of this year.
Peter Kamingoak was a friend to many, a colleague, and a fellow community member who was well liked and respected by all who knew him.
I have known Peter personally for a long time. We were connected through family, as he is the grandfather of my son, whom my wife Joanne and I adopted 18 years ago.
Mr. Speaker, Peter worked hard in our community and strived to make changes that would affect our community of Kugluktuk and the rest of Nunavut in a positive way.
I would like to give one example of one of the positive things he has done for the community of Kugluktuk, way back when it was called Coppermine.
There was an expansion to our airstrip that he had a hand in doing with the company that he had worked with for a long period of time.
Of course, that oil company was Gulf Oil in the Mackenzie Delta.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time now to extend my sincere sympathy to the family, friends, and colleagues of Peter Kamingoak.
His death saddens me, as we have lost a well-respected leader and elder.
Peter Kamingoak leaves behind a wife of 67 years, Cecile Kamingoak, with 13 children, 42 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and so forth.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage everyone that is here with us today to take a moment of their time to remember this great man from Kugluktuk.
Member’s Statement 370 – 3(2): Working Together to Reduce Suicide in Nunavut (Ningark)
I rise today to speak frankly about the issue of suicide.
Mr. Speaker, on October 26 of last year, the Minister of Health and Social Services tabled the Government of Nunavut’s Suicide Prevention Strategy.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my hon. friend’s work on this important issue and to join with my colleagues in encouraging him to move forward with his plan.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is important for all of us to reflect on how suicide has touched all of our communities.
Although it is painful to do so, we have a responsibility to acknowledge that every single community has been hurt by suicide.
Mr. Speaker, a total of 327 lives were tragically and needlessly lost in Nunavut between 1999 and the end of 2010.
Mr. Speaker, these numbers can seem overwhelming and the challenge before us can appear insurmountable.
However, we should also recognize that there is hope.
Mr. Speaker, a number of Nunavut communities have not suffered suicides for some time. It seems to me that community residents must be doing something to avoid this type of tragedy.
In government, I believe that this is called “best practices.” All I know is that they must be doing something right and we could learn from them.
Mr. Speaker, we know that many dedicated people are making great efforts to reduce suicide in Nunavut.
I encourage everyone to be willing to listen and learn from the experiences of others, which is how we will succeed together.
Member’s Statement 371 – 3(2): Nutrition North Canada Program (Ningeongan)
I rise today to bring a Kivalliq perspective to the issue of the federal government’s new Nutrition North Canada Program.
Mr., Speaker, the issue of affordable food is a concern to residents of all communities in Nunavut.
As members are aware, the communities of the Kivalliq have extensive trade and transportation links with the province of Manitoba.
Mr. Speaker, it has recently been brought to my attention that Canada Safeway, which operates food mail services to the Kivalliq out of Winnipeg, will be discontinuing its relationship with the federal government’s Food Mail Program as of March 31 of this year.
Mr. Ningeongan: It is my understanding that the company will not be participating in the new Nutrition North Canada Program, which means that residents of the Kivalliq who want to make personal food orders from this company will be paying full shipping rates.
According to the company, it has made this decision following, and I quote, “considerable review of the costs and administration associated with the new federal government program.”
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that it is important for the federal government to ensure that the arrangements that it puts into place with retailers and suppliers to receive subsidies under the new Nutrition North Canada Program are designed to ensure that they actually pass savings along to the consumers.
At the same time, I am concerned that the design of the new program does not unintentionally result in a situation where our constituents have significantly fewer options when it comes to purchasing food.
Mr. Speaker, it’s clear that many questions need to be answered, and I am looking forward to supporting my colleague’s motion to invite stakeholders to appear before us to address our concerns.
Member’s Statement 372 – 3(2): Addressing Access to Alcohol in Nunavut (Ugyuk)
First of all, I would like to recall the elder who just passed away. We remember him well in Nattilik.
He has two daughters in Taloyoak. He is in our thoughts and prayers.
He was a good friend to many people in Gjoa Haven.
He is in our thoughts, as well as his wife.
Today, Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about an issue that is continually brought up in Nunavut.
I rise today to speak about this issue that is very dear to Nunavummiut and it revolves around liquor.
Mr. Speaker, as an MLA representing the Nattilik constituency, in Taloyoak, they have a free community, whereas in Gjoa Haven, they have a dry community.
If you are in Gjoa Haven, you cannot import any liquor. These two communities are very close to each other.
I think you all know that Gjoa Haven is a dry community and Taloyoak is a wet community, and these two communities comprise my constituency. They have different mindsets with relation to this particular issue on liquor and how it can best be handled in the community.
I personally know that certain communities are dry and the importation of liquor is prohibited.
I also know for a fact that many people state that they are dry in name only, that people can bring in liquor if they wish.
Mr. Speaker, I think you all know that I used to be a social worker. Alcohol is the biggest factor in causing difficulties in Nunavut.
It’s not just alcohol but also drugs which cause issues within families. Due to that fact… .
The member would like to conclude her statement.
Due to these issues, I urge our government to deliberate on this issue very carefully and to look at all of the factors related to the healing because we have to ensure that these facilities are available to all Nunavummiut.
There are difficulties when people try to go for treatment when there are no treatment centres in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I am very happy that Minister Keith Peterson has appointed a task force to look into this issue and they are reviewing the Liquor Act.
This is a very important issue for many Nunavummiut and it is important that they are able to voice what their feelings are in regard to alcohol.
This is the focus of that task group.
As many of the MLAs know, you will be seeing the report of the task force and their recommendations as to what they want to change. It will be presented to the House.
Many of us want to ensure we deal with this properly.
I want to state my own personal opinion on this matter.
First of all, I know that many Inuit have many questions about the way liquor is administered in Nunavut, and we also know that we just inherited the Liquor Act from the NWT.
I also further know that this Act was approved by the federal government and they established the Nunavut government to enact legislation.
My constituents in the Nattilik region have asked, “Why are some people not allowed to order liquor in some communities when, in Canada, it is free in all of the other jurisdictions?”
I want to ensure that the task force considers this very carefully because you have to look at both sides of the coin and you should not be picking one side over the other. You have to ensure you look at both sides.
As well to the constituents, when you are reviewing the Liquor Act, you should be able to voice what areas require revision and what requires improvement.
Many people are not happy with the way the existing legislation is implemented today and the way alcohol is administered throughout Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, many Inuit are unhappy because they are very responsible drinkers and it doesn’t cause a problem with their lifestyle. It is the people who cause trouble that force government to enact legislation.
It seems like the people who are not responsible are being penalized for the sake of a few who abuse alcohol.
For example, people from Iqaluit have to order from Rankin Inlet and the people from Rankin Inlet have to order from Iqaluit.
That is not very effective. With that the way it is, the airlines are the only ones that seem to be making any money and that is what I see.
Mr. Speaker, many Inuit are also unhappy that people are bootlegging and that they raise the prices of this illegal liquor, which impacts many people who have small income.
I further urge the minister to push forward with the legislation because, again, many people are expecting the government to raise revenue and to stop the sale of bootlegged liquor.
From my own personal opinion, I have experienced that Inuit will continue to drink and if there is a market, somebody will supply. It is a simply law of supply and demand.
People will continue to look and people will continue to offer bootlegged liquor. From my perspective, Inuit should follow the law properly and order the liquor within set amounts at retail prices and not at bootlegged prices because it’s people who bootleg alcohol who create the most problems.
Bootlegged liquor is very expensive and when people want to drink, they have to pay the price.
Mr. Speaker, when the community deems itself dry, it causes a problem with the residents because they no longer believe the law. It’s supposed to be a dry community, but many of the residents don’t listen and that causes an issue with many residents who no longer believe that status.
Many elders are leery because they have been asked to stop it, but it seems like the status is a status in name only and it’s time we moved on.
(interpretation ends) When you create expectations that people will behave irresponsibly, they will not disappoint you. I’m sure that all Members of the House are aware of how prohibition of alcohol contributes to the serious problem of binge drinking.
Mr. Speaker, I do recognize that many people would like to see us return to the days when alcohol was not part of our lives in our communities.
However, I also recognize that we need realistic solutions to meet today’s reality.
Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that the task force recommends changes to our system that put all communities on the same level.
I believe that we are one territory and I believe that the same set of rules should apply to all of our communities.
I also hope that we move carefully towards a more open system of access to alcohol that is accompanied by programs and resources to help those who suffer from substance abuse.
I believe that supporting the legal responsible use of alcohol will help to address the issue of bootlegging, reduce the amount of money that ends up in the hands of criminals, and encourage people to take greater responsibility for their actions.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that this issue is very difficult for all of us.
I would like to conclude by encouraging the minister to table the report of the task force in the Legislative Assembly before he moves forward with the amendments to the Liquor Act so that all of the MLAs have the opportunity to give careful consideration and work towards a consensus on how to proceed with this very difficult issue.
Member’s Statement 373 – 3(2): Narwhal Tusk Ban by the Government of Canada (Arreak)
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say “hello” to the people of Qikiqtarjuaq. The people in Clyde River cannot watch the proceedings on television and it is unfortunate that that is the case.
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I rise to speak about the federal government’s proposed ban on the export of narwhal tusks. We heard this over the news a while back.
Many communities in Nunavut are impacted by this, but particularly in the two communities that I represent, Qikiqtarjuaq and Clyde River are the most impacted.
Based on the data that the DFO made available, it seems that they thought there were about 30,000, but the population data estimates are now about 60,000.
We believe that it could be twice as much as the 60,000 that DFO has stated as the population.
When the tusks are no longer able to be exported, the people most impacted will be the poorest people who are trying to sell the tusks to raise revenue. Whatever a hunter sells, he just puts it towards buying more supplies as well as food. They don’t just go hunting narwhal for the sake of selling the by-products.
The hunter’s first priority is to harvest the food.
The skin is food, including the meat, and it’s distributed across the families and communities.
They will even send meat to other communities and other people.
In Qikiqtarjuaq, there are very few jobs available and many people are looking for ways to raise incomes.
That community in particular is looking for ways to become more self-sufficient. With this new program as well, the cost of food is rising.
DFO has notified the communities and the HTOs… . I’m sorry my time is up. I would like to ask for unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
The Member for Uqqummiut would like to conclude his statement.
You may proceed, Member for Uqqummiut.
I also thank my colleagues for allowing me to proceed.
As I was saying, DFO has also presented a report and they keep referring back to this report. When they conducted population studies, it was unclear as to exactly how many narwhal are out there, where they actually migrate, and how many are actually harvested.
Now, my question is why they did not even touch any of the quotas. Obviously it’s not a conservation issue, but what they have done is they have banned the export.
They haven’t touched the quotas.
It seems like it is someone else’s agenda because they have no foundation as to why they have banned the export of tusks from these communities.
My mouth is watering from the reference to the narwhal Mattaaq.
When you bring some Mattaaq down, I want to be notified.
Following our orders of the day, Item 4.
There being none. Going to Item 5.
I would like to recognize a group of people from Baker Lake who are visiting.
It’s very good to see people from Baker Lake and my own constituents, and I am very grateful that they are here.
First of all, it’s very good to see our mayor, David Aksawnee.
Please be welcome.
He has now been a mayor for seven years in Baker Lake.
Another Baker Lake resident who was a past MLA and minister, who is also a business owner, David Simailak, is here.
His wife, Jean Simailak, is also here.
It’s very good to see them here because they are supporting a lot of Inuit in Baker Lake.
I used to go to the church where Jean is a pastor and I thank her for that.
Furthermore, when I was a young person, I used to watch this person who would drive for the hamlet, David Owingayak, who is also here in the Gallery.
I am very happy to recognize him.
The last person is Winnie Owingayak, who is working at the heritage centre. I used to work with her back then.
She has been involved in many of the committees in our community and has been involved in cultural issues, such as Qilautimiut Elders Society, and has assisted and has cooked for our elders for a long time and it won’t be forgotten.
Welcome to the Gallery and enjoy your stay in Iqaluit.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Member for Kugluktuk.
It’s not too often that I stand up to recognize my fellow Kuglukturmiut, but today, I am especially proud to recognize Anne Rose Kerkovious.
She has been a long-time government employee from Kugluktuk, of course, and Millie Kuliktana.
Anybody who has anything to do with education would know who she is, and I am pleased to see her here.
Although she has been kind of limited in travelling, she is all the way here in Iqaluit.
Her health is getting better, and I am hoping that she is going to be available next year to do more Christmas radio-thons to raise more money for Kugluktuk’s needy.
In fact, last year, they raised over $38,000 last Christmas for the Kugluktuk food hampers, and every year she has a hand in that.
Like my colleague, Mr. Taptuna, it’s not very often I get to welcome people from the Kitikmeot, so it’s especially a proud day for us both to see so many people from Cambridge and Kugluktuk here.
I would like to welcome Bernice Lyall to the Gallery.
I have known Bernice since she was pretty small anyways. I hope I am not dating her age or anything.
I would like to welcome Helen Larocque, who is from Kugluktuk but she works in Cambridge Bay and she works with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, so she helps out with all of the important work that we need to do in the Kitikmeot.
I would just like to add a comment to my colleague’s comments that the Kitikmeot is a very small region, so we all kind of know each other. So it doesn’t matter if you are from Kugluktuk, or Cambridge Bay, or Taloyoak, or Kugaaruk, we are all friends, and it is very good to see everybody here today.
According to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, we were not supposed to state their actual names when we were children.
I would like to welcome the people from Baker Lake to the Gallery and I recognize them, as well as those from Cambridge Bay, including the people from Kugluktuk, who are all my good friends.
However, if I were to state a name, that person would just be happy, so I would like to state Peter Irniq as the person I recognize.
I went to school with him in Chesterfield Inlet and we were also MLAs in the NWT days in Yellowknife.
I welcome all of you to the Gallery and I am glad that you are here.
The Member for Iqaluit East has her hand up.
I would also like to recognize everyone who was recognized by my colleagues and Peter Irniq. Welcome.
I cannot exactly say where he is from.
I safely say that he is from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and living in Ottawa.
There are no more hands up. (interpretation ends) I would like to recognize one of my constituents who is in the Gallery, Ms. Debora Voth.
She is the executive director for the Department of Health.
Moving on to the next item in our orders of the day. Item 6.
Question 542 – 3(2): Status of European Union’s Seal Ban (Tapardjuk)
I believe he spoke about an issue yesterday that I would like to raise a question on.
Mr. Speaker, it has now been two weeks since the minister made a news release that the federal government used a court, this was the World Trade Organization situated in the European Union, and this was with regard to the seal ban. They were taking the European Union to the courts.
We also heard in the news that the Nunavut government has supported them financially when that court case had been taken to WTO.
The minister also identified in the House that this government would allocate $35,000 towards supporting this court case.
Can the minister inform the House as to whether or not the Nunavut government will also be allocating further funds in the new fiscal year or if they will be checking to see how the results of the court case are?
Mr. Speaker, the member is correct that we have contributed funding through two HTOs, and on behalf of the ITK lawsuit and the HTOs that are involved, we contributed $25, 000.
That lawsuit is still ongoing; it is in an appeal stage.
We are going to wait for a request from the litigants of the lawsuit if they need more funding and we would consider that funding request.
Also, the other action its taking is through the federal government, which has now launched an appeal with the European Union to have litigation heard and an appeal board. That is where the status of that litigation is to.
Your supplementary, Member for Amittuq.
I think we all know that seals are very important and when the market is dried up, it impacts a lot of hunters in Nunavut in particular.
I believe that it will be only a couple more weeks that seal pups will start being born.
Can the minister inform the House how they are trying to support the communities to recover the lost revenue that they would have garnered when they sold the sealskins? Have you offered more programming support for these hunters?
That question is also directed to the Minister of Environment.
I thank the member for that question and concern.
I can advise the member that the Government in Nunavut has always supported the sealers and the hunters in the sealing industry, and we still do.
The seal ban has not impacted the prices of seals that we pay hunters that we as a government buy, purchase, and send down to the auction house. We have in place funding that provides an average price of $50 per seal that goes to the hunter. Even though we are not selling those furs in the auction for that price, we are still providing that money to the hunter.
So in that essence, it has not impacted the hunter in any way right now.
We are promoting seals products.
We are actually bringing more seals products back into Nunavut than ever before. We are repatriating our seals from the auction at a subsidized rate for all Nunavutmiut to use and we have done this with great success. Actually, the greatest “utilizers” of all seals are Nunavutmiut themselves.