EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Can the minister tell us today when was the last time that his department reviewed the funding amounts that it provides to hunters and trappers organizations across Nunavut?
The funding that hunters and trappers organizations receive hasn’t been increased in several years and I am not sure how long.
I cannot state when this amount was set, but the funding hasn’t changed as of today.
As the minister will recall, last week I tabled a copy of the correspondence that I received from the Ikajutit Hunters and Trappers Organization in Arctic Bay.
In this letter the organization identifies its needs for office space where it can conduct meetings and other duties.
Can the minister tell us what steps the Ikajutit Hunters and Trappers Organization can take to secure office space in Arctic Bay?
Speaker: The Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Joe Savikataaq.
I do recall the member tabling that document.
I believe that Arctic Bay is part of the Arctic Fishery Alliance.
The hunters and trappers organizations, I believe, get their funding from the Arctic Fishery Alliance.
It can be used to purchase office buildings or any other equipment that they require.
It can also be used to build an office if one should be required in your community or if you have to add on to or expand the existing office building.
It would be up to the Ikajutit Hunters and Trappers Organization. The Arctic Fishery Alliance provides funding for such activities or infrastructure.
The hunters and trappers organization in Arctic Bay has never had their own office.
With the existing office that is rented, there are three rooms available.
The hunters and trappers organization has their office in an open space and they have to deal with confidential information.
They’re having problems with their Arctic Bay offices.
Will the minister be able to assist the HTO in finding alternative solutions to their office space problem?
They have nowhere to go and they have to deal with confidential information.
They urgently need an office space so that they can have a permanent location.
Can the minister commit to looking into this matter?
The hunters and trappers organization gets their funding from the secretariat.
A part of that funding is available to rent or lease office space.
At this time we don’t have any money set aside for the hunters and trappers organizations to purchase or rent an office building.
They can obtain funding from the Arctic Fishery Alliance.
That funding can be used for any project, but the Department of Environment at this time does not have any monies set aside for the purchase or construction of an office building.
Question 629 – 4(3): Language Proficiency in the Public Service (Joanasie)
In my line of questioning to the Minster of Finance, he didn’t quite answer the last question I asked.
I’m going to try a different minister, to the Minister responsible for Languages, and it’s the same question.
Section 12.2(b) under the Inuit Language Protection Act requires every territorial institution to, and I quote, “identify and implement measures to increase the use of the Inuit Language as a working language of the institution.”
As a government, we are responsible for the Inuit language and official languages.
Each department within the government has to deal with the issue of languages, for example, the usage of the Inuit language within the government.
Each department has coordinators and each individual department is responsible for the usage of the official languages within the government system.
If I understood correctly, each department is responsible for the usage of the official languages, but who oversees the usage of the Inuktitut language in the workforce?
Which department oversees it?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Languages, Hon. George Kuksuk.
As I indicated earlier, we work closely with the departments on the usage of the Inuit language.
We promote the usage of the Inuit language and each department is responsible for their own usage.
If I understood the question correctly as to who is the overseer, I can tell the member that it is the Department of Culture and Heritage that oversees the usage of the Inuit language and we work closely with the other government departments.
Part of my questioning at that time that I directed to the Minister of Finance regarded bilingual bonuses for government employees and their proficiency in that language.
This was reviewed by the Inuit Language Authority.
In a government workplace, are there any incentives other than the bilingual bonuses that have been placed within the government in order to promote the usage of the Inuit language?
Regarding the issue of the Inuit language within the government, we work with the Inuit Language Authority and other entities.
Mr. Speaker, the question was whether there are any other incentives provided to the employees other than the bilingual bonus.
I can tell the member that each department is responsible for using and promoting the usage of the Inuit language. We give our full support and try to work closely together with the departments.
There’s also Inuit language training provided to employees who would like to learn how to speak Inuktitut. We try to make sure that information is made available to all employees within the government system in regard to promoting the usage of the Inuit language.
The time for question period has expired. Moving on with the orders of the day.
Tabled Document 261 – 4(3): Adopted Resolutions from the 2016 Annual General Meeting of the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce (Mikkungwak)
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to table today copies of the resolutions that were adopted at the recent annual general meeting of the Kivalliq Chamber of Commerce.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute to the chamber of commerce for its hard work on behalf of the communities, businesses, and residents of the Kivalliq, and I thank the Meadowbank mine for hosting this year’s meeting.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I encourage all members to review these resolutions with care.
Motion 042 – 4(3): Extension of Review Period for Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act – Notice (Sammurtok, T)
I give notice that on Thursday, March 2, 2017, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, that the period of time for the Standing Committee on Legislation to report Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act, back to the House be extended by a further 120 days.
Bill 36 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 36, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the first time.
(interpretation ends) The motion is carried.
Bill 42 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 42, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act, be read for the first time.
Motion 043 – 4(3): Adjournment for the Day (Rumbolt)
I think the Minister of Finance has had a long day.
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Rule 46, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that the House adjourn for the day.
The motion is carried and we will proceed to Item 23 on the order paper.
(interpretation) Item 23.
Just a reminder to members and to the public that the Order of Nunavut Investiture Ceremony takes place in the Chamber this evening at seven o’clock, and tomorrow the Standing Committee on Legislation meets at nine o’clock in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 1, at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Pages 3444 – 3511
Opening Prayer 3444
Ministers’ Statements 3444
Members’ Statements 3447
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 3452
Oral Questions 3452
Tabling of Documents 3468
Second Reading of Bills 3469
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 3469
Report of the Committee of the Whole 3510
Orders of the Day 3510
Wednesday, March 1, 2017 3444
252 – 4(3): Kugaaruk Fire (Quassa) 3444
253 – 4(3): Congratulations to the Order of Nunavut Recipients (Taptuna) 3444
254 – 4(3): Child and Family Services Director’s Annual Report (Mike) 3445
255 – 4(3): RISING SUN (Hickes) 3446
478 – 4(3): Standing with Kugaaruk in the Face of Tragedy (Qirngnuq) 3447
479 – 4(3): Congratulations to Louie Kamookak (Akoak) 3447
480 – 4(3): Congratulations to Ellen Hamilton (Ell-Kanayuk) 3447
481 – 4(3): A Presentation by Karla Williamson (Okalik) 3448
482 – 4(3): Recognizing Samuel Qappik (Keyootak) 3449
483 – 4(3): Kugaaruk School Fire (Joanasie) 3450
484 – 4(3): Order of Nunavut Recipients (Shooyook) 3450
485 – 4(3): Collapse of the Sealing Industry (Mike) 3451
630 – 4(3): Response to Kugaaruk Fire (Qirngnuq) 3452
631 – 4(3): Residual Heat Study in Sanikiluaq (Rumbolt) 3454
632 – 4(3): Support for Shelters (Angnakak) 3455
633 – 4(3): Arena Upgrades under the Small Communities Fund (Akoak) 3458
634 – 4(3): Addressing Trauma and Healing (Joanasie) 3459
635 – 4(3): Old Nursing Station (Shooyook) 3462
636 – 4(3): Trades Training in Baker Lake (Mikkungwak) 3463
637 – 4(3): Nunavut Tourism (Angnakak) 3465
638 – 4(3): Justices of the Peace (Mikkungwak) 3467
262 – 4(3): Director of Child and Family Services Annual Report 2015-2016 (Mike) 3468
Bill 36 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Second Reading 3469
Bill 42 – An Act to Amend the Tobacco Tax Act – Second Reading 3469
Bill 34 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2017-2018 – Education – Consideration in Committee 3470
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk, Mr. Joe Enook, Hon. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak, Hon. George Kuksuk, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Mr. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Tom Sammurtok, Hon. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna.
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Can you say the opening prayer, please, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak.
Minister’s Statement 252 – 4(3): Kugaaruk Fire (Quassa)
I rise today to share with you and my fellow members the unfortunate news that there has been a fire at Kugaardjuq School in Kugaaruk and that it has completely destroyed the facility.
At this time the cause of the fire is still unknown.
As we have experienced the loss of a school in Cape Dorset, we know that this can be a traumatic event for the entire community.
Mr. Speaker, officials from my department and from CGS and Health will travel to the community in the morning to assess the situation and to work with the hamlet and the DEA to support the community and the school.
We will have to make considerations about this.
Mr. Speaker, there are approximately 300 students enrolled in the school.
My staff is working with Community and Government Services and the hamlet to look at alternate classroom spaces to ensure our students are able to able to continue their studies.
Mr. Speaker, I will provide more information as we learn more about this unfortunate situation.
Minister’s Statement 253 – 4(3): Congratulations to the Order of Nunavut Recipients (Taptuna)
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Order of Nunavut.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, last evening Mr. Louie Kamookak, Ms. Ellen Hamilton, and Mr. Red Pedersen received this prestigious honour from Nunavut Commissioner Nellie Kusugak.
They were recognized for their dedication to enhancing the profile and culture of our territory.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Order of Nunavut recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural, social or economic well-being of Nunavut. The order is the highest honour of Nunavut and takes precedence over all others, decorations, or medals conferred by the Government of Nunavut.
We appreciate their contributions to our territory in the fields of public service, history, and the arts and are grateful for everything that they have done to promote our territory, our culture, and our remarkable way of life.
I ask my fellow members to join me in congratulating this year’s recipients. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 254 – 4(3): Child and Family Services Director’s Annual Report (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, residents of my community, and Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, today I will be tabling the 2015-16 Director of Child and Family Services Annual Report.
Mr. Speaker, the 2015-16 annual report provides Nunavummiut with information regarding child protection services that are delivered under the Child and Family Services Act.
The purpose is to demonstrate the multiple and collaborative ways families and the Department of Family Services can work together in protecting children and youth.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the 2015-16 annual report demonstrates the department’s commitment to providing Nunavummiut with accessible and clear information regarding the department’s services and initiatives and in particular the child protection services that fall under the Children and Family Services Division.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that the department was able to repatriate 34 children and youth to Nunavut in 2015-16 so that they could receive services within the territory.
The department will continue to strive towards the Sivumut Abluqta objective of “Healthy families through strong and resilient communities” and will focus on meaningful community engagement, and explore more collaborative ways to work with families and communities to protect children. (interpretation ends) This includes devoting more positions to prevention and early intervention through our family resources workers, strengthening training for our frontline workers, and exploring Inuit-specific approaches to child protection, such as Inunnguiniq parenting.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the Department of Family Services continues to work with the Department of Community and Government Services to obtain office space for our staff in order to achieve our goals and offer more comprehensive prevention programs and services.
Minister’s Statement 255 – 4(3): RISING SUN (Hickes)
My statement today is about a workshop that I had the privilege of participating in for most of the morning today.
Mr. Speaker, the RISING SUN initiative, or “Reducing the Incidence of Suicide in Indigenous Groups – Strengths United through Networks,” is hosting their final workshop here in Iqaluit March 1 and 2, today and tomorrow.
The two-day event of the US Chairmanship of the Arctic Council will look at common measures for suicide prevention efforts across arctic states.
Mr. Speaker, this international platform coordinated with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit Circumpolar Council, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research will support our collaborative approach to create a common understanding of suicide both domestically and internationally.
Mr. Speaker, for the past several years our arctic countries have been working together to develop a tool kit of common measures that enables our communities, governments, and key stakeholders to understand the effectiveness of suicide prevention interventions in indigenous arctic communities.
Common metrics will facilitate data sharing and pooling, evaluation and interpretation of the work each of us undertakes. In turn this knowledge will support our staff to better serve the needs of our communities, monitor progress, and understand challenges.
Mr. Speaker, we are very excited for the opportunity to speak and learn from the work being done in the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States to reduce suicide among indigenous communities.
Participants of the workshop will learn and discuss the Greenland Strategy and the Sami Strategy on Mental Wellness.
To all of the participants and speakers of the RISING SUN initiative and to the many Nunavummiut who bring in local ideas and experiences, please take care of each other.
The work that you do is immeasurable and for your dedication I am truly grateful.
Members, I wish to inform you and you have probably noticed that the Member for Aivilik is not here due to illness and will be absent from the House today.
Member’s Statement 478 – 4(3): Standing with Kugaaruk in the Face of Tragedy (Qirngnuq)
I rise today to ask you and all members to stand with the people and community of Kugaaruk.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, the community’s school was destroyed last night by fire.
Mr. Speaker, as far as we are aware, nobody has been injured and we thank God for that.
Mr. Speaker, this is a tragedy and a disaster.
I want to assure the community that I have been in close communication with the Minister of Education, and I will be supporting all necessary actions to address the situation.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to put the people of Kugaaruk in their prayers today.
Member’s Statement 479 – 4(3): Congratulations to Louie Kamookak (Akoak)
Good day to my community of Gjoa Haven and my families watching. Good afternoon to the members.
I rise today to formally congratulate my constituent, Louie Kamookak, for having received the Order of Nunavut.
Just to remind the members who Louie is, I will read a quote from the advisory council announced in 2016.
“Louie Kamookak of Gjoa Haven is an oral historian who has earned international recognition for his decades of work in the field of Arctic history, with a focus on the fate of the Franklin Expedition.
In 2015, Mr. Kamookak was awarded the Lawrence J. Burpee Medal by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Mr. Kamookak is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.”
Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of attending yesterday evening’s investiture ceremony, which was held in the Chamber.
I would like to express my appreciation to both you Mr. Speaker and Commissioner Kusugak for having organized a wonderful occasion to honour three distinguished Nunavummiut.
Member’s Statement 480 – 4(3): Congratulations to Ellen Hamilton (Ell-Kanayuk)
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I say “hello” to the residents of Iqaluit-Manirajak.
(interpretation ends) I, too, would like to recognize my constituent today. I was honoured to participate last night during the Order of Nunavut Investiture Ceremony.
Ms. Ellen Hamilton lives in Iqaluit for many years now.
I remember seeing her perform many years ago and heard her song, The Hunter.
She said last night that she created that song during the decline of the seal pelts and seal hunting to make aware to the world of our love of hunting seals and how we use the catch for everything, especially food.
We watched a short video last night of that song and images of hunting that was produced by Zacharias Kunuk, who is well known in the film industry.
Ellen is also in the film business and she co-produced the famous film Two Lovers and a Bear that was filmed here in Iqaluit.
This film has been recognized at two major international film festivals.
Ellen is also the founder of Qaggiavuut Society. Qaggiavuut works to strengthen, promote, advocate, and create space for Nunavut performing arts with a focus on Inuit.
One of their projects called “Nurturing the Arctic Performing Arts” was recognized as one of the 2015 Laureates of the Arctic Inspiration Prize.
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Hamilton is also a recipient of the Canadian Child Care Federation’s Award of Excellence.
I congratulate Ellen Hamilton on the Order of Nunavut along with the two other recipients.
Member’s Statement 481 – 4(3): A Presentation by Karla Williamson (Okalik)
I, too, share my congratulations to the recipients of the Order of Nunavut.
Unfortunately I was unable to attend this ceremony as I had another commitment and could not split in two.
I attended a sharing stories meeting where I listened to a wise speaker here in Iqaluit.
The gathering I attended was due to an invitation from Nunavut Arctic College that an Inuk originating from Greenland who has her PhD was to speak.
Her name is Karla Williamson, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan.
She relayed a very interesting story, which she entitled “Patertuumasut” and de-colonization.
She relayed her story, which she has conducted research on Inuit living in various parts of the world. She grew up in Greenland in a small outpost camp.
The camp she grew up in was closed and the residents were transferred to a larger community.
She reported on the culture, some of which was very similar to our experiences. In particular she alluded to the fact that their traditional language was still strong in Greenland with many practitioners of the language. However, what was being lost was part of their traditional practices and they were left behind.
She stated that in this aspect, Nunavut was enviable as Inuit are still very protective of traditional knowledge and we can work to retain the language.
Although our language is still strong, some of our language is being lost on the edges, so our language is slowly eroding.
Now, as she related her story, I really enjoyed the subject matter, especially regarding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and how it can still be practised today.
Further, it should be done in conjunction with western knowledge so that when they are merged, this knowledge can become very strong and provide benefits for all of Nunavut.
This is something I would like to see in the short-term incorporated into our government, as our tools are readily available and we should use them where needed, especially to strengthen our culture and language.
Member’s Statement 482 – 4(3): Recognizing Samuel Qappik (Keyootak)
I rise today to express my congratulations to an individual.
Mr. Speaker, I believe everyone is aware of Qikiqtarjuaq’s local clam harvests which occur throughout the year regardless of whether it is summer or winter.
Mr. Speaker, this initiative originally had quite a number of divers who took a training course to be able to dive and harvest benthic species underwater and in particular to harvest clams on the ocean floor, even if landfast ice is overhead or during the ice-free summer months.
Mr. Speaker, one of the original divers actually passed away and several divers cannot dive anymore for health issues as divers have to be in very good health to dive and health is a primary criterion. Further, these divers have certification for diving.
Some of the original divers can no longer participate in the clam harvesting that they used to practise.
However, one diver is left who has been diving ever since he took the diving course and continues to this day.
I really want to express my pride in his work as he still dives in the wintertime when the temperature is quite frigid.
Samuel Qappik has continued diving to harvest clams.
Divers see things which most Inuit have no idea exist and they observe the conditions underwater.
Most Inuit are not capable of diving, so they are practising something most Inuit have no knowledge of.
Whenever it gets really cold and the temperature falls, this person will joke that he would prefer to go underwater as it is much warmer.
He states that he misses that temperature change as it is much warmer underwater than above the ice which most Inuit walk on and use.
The people who dive sometimes miss diving. They have told us that it is much warmer underwater than above water and they experience many things most Inuit will never experience.
Furthermore, members should be aware that this diver promised to send clams during the session, and he may ship some clams down to Iqaluit tomorrow.
Member’s Statement 483 – 4(3): Kugaaruk School Fire (Joanasie)
Good day, my colleagues, as well as those listening to the proceedings, residents of Kimmirut, Cape Dorset, and Nunavut.
I would also like to congratulate the recipients of the Order of Nunavut, Mr. Pedersen, Ms. Hamilton, and Mr. Kamookak.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my empathy and thoughts with the community of Kugaaruk who are dealing with the tragic loss of their only school.
It is an experience that nobody would ever want to go through.