EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The Prime Minister has indicated that the question will be put to a full vote in Parliament.
The proposed federal legislation is currently before the Supreme Court of Canada by virtue of reference by the Federal Government to the Court, seeking the Court’s opinion on this matter.
My most recent info is that the bill currently before the House of Commons will not be voted on until after the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada has been rendered.
Nunavut is not intending to register same sex marriages at this time, because the law remains unclear.
If developments in the Parliament of Canada and the Supreme Court of Canada result in the definition of marriage being broadened, we will respect the law and comply with that.
In the mean time, anyone in Nunavut who has been legally married anywhere will be recognised by the Government of Nunavut as married.
Speaker: Item 2, Ministers' statements.
Member’s Statement 668 – 1(6): Consider Gjoa Haven for Decentralization
First of all, I send my greetings to the residents of Taloyoak and Gjoa Haven and also to my daughter, I send my love to her.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in regards to my concerns for decentralization and also to speak about the Liquor Commission.
As Members are aware, the Liquor Commission was going to be decentralized to Gjoa Haven.
This has been planned for a long time and when it was started, they hired one staff or and filled one position.
Mr. Speaker, according to my understanding, the Liquor Commission was supposed to be brought back to Nunavut next year.
Mr. Speaker, I also know that the government is considering whether they can relocate this to Rankin Inlet.
In spite of that Mr. Speaker, I would like Gjoa Haven to be considered seriously, in case there are some employment opportunities.
At the appropriate time, I will be asking the appropriate Minister as to what is happening with the Liquor Commission and what kinds of plans they have for Gjoa Haven.
Member’s Statement 669 – 1(6): Student Graduate Ceremony
Just hold on a bit.
This was given to me by my son so that I could use it in the House during the session.
I would like to say I love you to my son and I’m quite proud of you and I’m using the gift you gave me and I also love my children and my grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, I’m very pleased today that in my constituencies, the students are starting to graduate from high school.
As the Minister and I are unable to go to the community today because we have Sessional business to do, but I’m very proud of the graduates.
They are Louisa Nukiruaq, Raymond Angnakuq, Lorna Aluki, Jimmy-Pee Audlakiak, Louisa Nukiruaq and also Simon Audlakiaq.
I would like to send my congratulations to these graduates and I would like to encourage them to go into the work force and also Mr. Speaker, just before we arrived here from our communities, there were 12 graduates graduating from Clyde River, Sheena Arreak, Patrick Inuaraq, Jerry Hainu, Jeannie Iqalujjuaq, Chris Jaypootee, Aina Kautuq, Seemee Nukiruaq, Leena Paliittuq, Aimu Paniluk, Rocky Kasugat, Saimataq Sangoya, Leena Qillaq.
We were very proud to see these graduates’ ceremony in Clyde River when they were in school and there was a ceremony in that school and the students sat on the stage and there were two RCMP officers standing on each end of the students and they were all Inuit officers.
We were quite proud to see the, to see ourselves building to govern ourselves.
Member’s Statement 670 – 1(6): Taking Nunavut Youth Out on the Land
Nunavut youth, there are many Nunavut youth who have no parents and some of them are fostered children.
Usually they do not have the opportunity to go out hunting with anyone and are rarely taken out hunting by snowmobile.
At times, they have no place to go and they get bored.
I would appreciate it if these young people could be taken out on the land, whether it be winter, spring or fall in order for them to live a healthy life because these young people, without parents, who have no parents, I am sure that they could have a healthier life if someone takes them out on the land or takes them out to other communities.
I think this would be a very good idea to deal with, to work with these young people.
I do not think it would be very expensive to help these young people, especially in wintertime and it would be cheaper, especially in the summertime and springtime.
So, I would like this to be considered very seriously and I know that we will have to consider this sometime in the future as to how we can give more support to these orphans who have no parents.
We definitely have to give them serious consideration.
Member’s Statement 671 – 1(6): Traditional Values – Travelling on the Land
I send my greetings to Repulse Bay residents, I am sure they will be watching these proceedings.
I have a very interesting Members’ Statement to do today in regards to traditional values.
Back then, we only travelled, our only transportation mode was dog team and we have travelled all over the land by using dog teams to go hunting.
At times, some hunters were unsuccessful.
The Elders nowadays know what the status of wildlife, any species is and when we hear from biologists today that they say that these species or any form of wildlife is endangered, but as elders would say, according to their traditional knowledge, like for example, the fishing lake near Kugaaruk, they say if there are hardly any fish in one winter, the elders would say there will be more fish the next year.
That is the knowledge of the elders.
Those are some parts of traditional knowledge of Inuit.
Member’s Statement 672 – 1(6): Completion of Nunavut Economic Development Strategy
Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate the Minister of Sustainable Development and Paul Kaludjak of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated on the completion of the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy that was recently released.
Mr. Speaker, there is nothing surprising in this strategy.
I have been rising in this House for the last four and a half years to raise these very issues and making these very recommendations.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the recommendations are finally on paper.
Mr. Speaker, I have stood in this Assembly and have talked about the necessity of creating new fish plants.
I have talked about the promise of jobs in the mining sector if only Nunavummiut were given the opportunity to get meaningful training.
I have talked about supporting small business to increase the strength of the private sector.
I have talked about the importance of traditional pursuits, harvesting, arts and crafts, and survival on the land.
I have talked about investing in our youth.
I have talked about tourism until I’m blue in the face on that one, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I have stood before you in this House and condemned the neglect that has resulted in the territories woeful infrastructure, housing, schools and health facilities.
Mr. Speaker, I recognise the amount of time that was invested in the creation of this strategy and I applaud the cooperation that was required to complete it.
I am proud to have taken part in the Nunavut Sivumut II conference in Rankin Inlet.
I only hope, Mr. Speaker that this time results will flow from this strategy instead of more discussions, more conferences, more workshops, more consultants and more dust on the report.
I only hope that we will not be sitting here five years from now talking about this same issue.
I only hope that my children and your children and everybody else’s children in Nunavut will be working in a territory that has recognised its potential.
Mr. Speaker, it’s time to move forward on all of these issues.
It’s time to build our economy.
It’s time for us in Nunavut, one last time to work towards standing on our own two feet and self-reliance.
And at the end of this statement, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Territorial Government, the Federal Government and the Keewatin Inuit Association for finally after five years, ten years, fifteen years of moving forward on the much heralded Kivalliq highway.
Member’s Statement 673 – 1(6): Foundation of Nunavut Economic Development Strategy
I would like to tell my grand-child that I have ten more sleeps.
(interpretation ends) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I rise today to add my comments to those of my colleague from Qamanittuaq regarding the Nunavut Economic Development Strategy, building a foundation for the future.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the strategy is long over due.
Mr. Speaker, these issues have been raised many times by me and my colleagues in this House.
Mr. Speaker, one of the goals of the strategy is to, and I quote, a complete and maintain the inventory of facilities which can be used to support community based apprenticeship training programs by 2005.
Mr. Speaker, I have consistently supported and advocated in this House for community based training for trades related to mining.
My community of Kugluktuk has experienced the success that comes from community based training.
I’m glad to see this as a goal in this strategy.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to also include the Bathurst deepwater port, not to miss out on that.
I also want to encourage the young people to continue with their education because the KIA and the Federal Government are still pursuing the matter.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to join with my colleagues in saying that I want the strategy to become a reality.
I believe that Nunavut can begin fulfilling its potential in my lifetime.
I believe that we are moving forward towards self-reliance in this Nunavut Economic Development Strategy.
It is an important tool for that move.
Mr. Speaker, I too want to congratulate Minister Akesuk and Mr. Kaludjak on the cooperation that led to the completion of this impressive strategy.
Member’s Statement 674 – 1(6): Alcoholism – Social Drinking
We go through challenges as Inuit when it comes to alcoholism, and people think when you drink that they are happy.
I would like to touch a bit on those types of feelings today.
When the people drink they have happiness, but then they become unhappy.
They seek joy when they are drinking, but they become miserable instead.
We want to be socialiable when we drink, but we get into arguments instead.
We want to look sophisticated when we drink, but we end up being obnoxious.
We drink to create friendship, but in the process we create enemies.
When we drink, we hope to sleep, but instead, we sleep without rest.
We hope to gain strength, but we find weakness.
We think it’s medicinal; however, it causes health problems.
And when we drink, we think it is for relaxation, but we get the shakes instead.
And when we drink, we think it’s for bravery, but it causes us to be afraid.
And we also drink to gain confidence, but we become doubtful.
And we drink to create conversation, but we become incoherent when we speak.
And when we drink, we hope to be in a heavenly place, but we seem like we’re in hell when we drink.
And we hope to forget when we drink, but we are haunted when we drink.
We drink for freedom but we become slaves.
We drink hoping to erase problems, but it multiplies our problems.
And we hope to cope with drinking, but we invite death in the process.
Member’s Statement 675 – 1(6): Implementing Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
Mrs. Williams (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I’ll take my time so that I say my words properly.
I rise today about something that keeps coming up regarding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Today, Mr. Speaker, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit that we always talk about is never implemented.
And Members, my colleagues are well aware that the government is supposed to implement Inuit values as a priority into its policies, into procedures and its practices of the government, and to reflect on this issue as it relates to us as individuals and community members.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I believe the tolerance and respect is a central element of our culture.
I know that we often feel frustrated when it seems the values and priorities are imposed on us from outside.
Mr. Speaker, we demand that non-Inuit who live in Nunavut respect our culture.
We also believe that we need to respect those non-Inuit who make the honest and genuine effort to integrate themselves into our communities and families.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, there are quite a few people like this in my communities who are non-Inuit who have included themselves within the community.
The majority are Inuit who are the original inhabitants and they strive to work together each and every day and a lot of those people have married in cross-cultures from non-Inuit and Inuit and are in healthy relationships regardless and there are many non-Inuit who we should respect.
They also have feelings just like we do.
(interpretation ends) They have one of the ways of ensuring that Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is integrated into modern society, and that is to encourage and support those people who made the effort to practise it.
In some cases, this can be through learning proper Inuit techniques of hunting or other things.
In other cases, it is a willingness to listen to and use our ways of approaching social issues and conflicts.
Member’s Statement 676 – 1(6): Cape Dorset Fund Raising for Food Bank
Good day and those viewers this evening in my Constituency, I send my regards and thank you for having me here.
First of all, before I proceed today, last year this was the best day of my life; we got a child this day who turns one today; Meeka Kanayuk Akesuk, happy birthday.
And as well, my regards to her cousin, Elisapee Salamonie, my regards to the people of Cape Dorset.
In Cape Dorset, there are some activities to try to assist the community in many ways and I am very grateful for the people who are in.
Next Thursday, they will start fundraising activities for the local food bank and for the less fortunate in the community.
This is the first time a food bank will be started up in Cape Dorset and I see it as a very community-based activity that will make the community closer by helping each other in the community.
And perhaps, if it was to be started up in other communities that they should interact with each other and find out what the common goals of these types of activities are.
They will accept any donations from anywhere and anyone and it will open on Thursday of next week.
I wish them every success and hope they will get assistance from the whole community, in the community and they will be accepting any donations anyone may want to give.
So, I thank the people of Cape Dorset for taking on this very important initiative.
Member’s Statement 677 – 1(6): Transparency and Consistency in Government
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to again, talk about the needs for transparency, consistency and fairness of our Government’s policies and practises.
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by saying I have personal experience in running Inuit-owned local businesses and I know the time and effort it takes to make a sale or win a contract.
Mr. Speaker, I also know the frustrations businesses feel when it appears that the playing field is not level and that the rules are being changed on you.
Mr. Speaker, we spend countless hours in this House scrutinizing the Government’s agenda with the view to making sure that the public good is protected.
Mr. Speaker, all Members are very well aware of the tight fiscal situation we are in.
Every day we ask the Government to consider new and important Capital Projects for our communities.
We are often told that there is no money for them.
We are also always looking for ways to enhance our programs and services, but we are told that it cannot be afforded.
In fact, Mr. Speaker, Bill 44, the Supplementary Appropriation Act No1, 2003-2004, which is before this House right now, contains $41.5 million dollars in O and M budget reductions for this current year, due to Government-wide fiscal restraint plans.
Mr. Speaker, when we balance the need to support our local businesses, a goal that I am in favour of, with the need to ensure value for our scarce public dollars, we also need to play by our own rules that we set up for competing firms.
We need to remember that the rules are there for a reason, to ensure fair processes, and transparent and consistent practices.
All firms ought to be aware of the policies that the Government has put in place.
When they put in a bid, or make a proposal, they are entitled to be confident that the rules will be applied fairly.
If they do not, Mr. Speaker, then I fear that we are going to suffer in the long-term.
Firms may simply stop bidding on contracts if they feel that they cannot get a fair shake.
We could very well end up shooting ourselves in the collective foot if we end up in the situation where only a handful of firms feel that it is worthwhile to put in a bid.
We will end up paying through the nose, Mr. Speaker, and we will end up with even less ability to undertake the projects that so many of our communities so urgently need.
Member’s Statement 678 – 1(6: Federal Government Authority over Same Sex Vote
I send my regards to my family, and the residents in the communities of Rankin Inlet, and Whale Cove, especially Manitok Savannah Bruce, my grand-daughter in Kuujjuaq.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say, for the record and for the Canadian Government that we do not seem to have a voice as the Nunavut Government when we were given the authority to set up our own laws.
That is how it seems to be, Mr. Speaker.
We wanted to create Nunavut so that Inuit can create their own destiny and follow our own dreams.
At times, we seem very close, and they really seem to have selective hearing when you really think of it.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the Federal Government and the different funding arrangements that we have with them.
As well, Mr. Speaker, I am also grateful for the proposed Kivalliq Road Project that will be initiated, and it would have been better if it was dealt with a little faster.
Perhaps if they did not work on their Acts and their projects so hastily, things would be so much better.
Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government has made a statement regarding same sex marriage.
It is on their agenda at this point and it has been given to the Court system regarding same sex marriage and the recognition of this topic.
Mr. Speaker, what my constituents have told me that is that they are not satisfied with this piece of legislation. If the Federal Government watches TV, I would like them to hear what I am saying. I would like unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Speaker: The Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude her statements.
What Inuit have told and me, and I have even been told by elders that they think this area is quite a danger issue regarding the recognition of same sex marriage.
This is not our authority as a government.
As we have heard, it is the authority of the Federal Government, regarding this same sex marriage issue.
However, Mr. Speaker, do we have a voice in the Canadian government? That is the question.
If we were to have a voice in Ottawa, Mr. Speaker, and then representatives in Ottawa, if they were to see the Hansard, especially in my community, in my riding, there are quite a number of people who are opposed to the idea and are adamant not to even go there, especially the Catholics who have also been given that direction from the church.
Mr. Speaker, it will be put to a free vote in Ottawa, apparently, regardless of what party they come from.
Mr. Speaker, I think that at times, there are bribes for yes votes, to my knowledge. Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government perhaps, also are aware of our agenda and that it is also in our agenda.
They should start ensuring that funding comes through faster just like they want the same sex marriage issue to go through the system fast.
Member’s Statement 679 – 1(6): Turbot Fishing in Pangnirtung
Here in this House I recently mentioned that there would 831 thousand pounds of turbot landed for the Pangnirtung fish processing plant.
We have had 10 thousand pounds already to date that have been cleaned and packed.
On the weekend they shipped out 50 thousand pounds.
I would also like to say, Mr. Speaker, after they have landed fish from February to April say for instance, last year, there were 4 hundred thousand pounds of turbot that were sold by the fishermen and we had 70 thousand pounds of Arctic Char.
Up to April they made $450 thousand and the employees of the fish processing plant made $18 thousand.
The employees are from the community comprised of 42 women and 8 men, almost 10 people working under the age of 25.
There are seasonal workers there as well.
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to inform the Members of the process of what is happening with Pangnirtung fisheries.
In conclusion I would like to say hello to my Kevin and my daughter Jenna.
Member’s Statement 680 – 1(6): Environmental Studies in the Sanikiluaq Area
I would like to congratulate Minister Thompson for speaking about her concerns.
I would like to say hello to my grandson too.
We are allowed, as Members of this House to air our concerns and I will talk about mine in regards to the study that is being done and how the study is being done secretly.
The Inuit over there believe that they are entitled to the study as well.
The Inuit are not given the opportunity to be involved in the environmental studies and other studies in our communities and this has been happening for some time.
For that reason, Inuit want to be more involved and more proactive in those activities that are done by environmental studies groups and they have voiced their concerns and the issues around the Sanikiluaq area.
I congratulate them, the people who have been using these Inuit people along with their studies.
Also, the Inuit and the environmental study groups have included the Inuit concerns into their study.
Years ago, we were told that the animals were declining in numbers and they would say we have to put a ban on certain species; however, Inuit did not believe that.
They used to say, like, according to Inuit beliefs, the animals are, if they keep on harvesting them in a certain way in certain numbers, they will not decline.
In any Inuit communities, whenever there is going to be a study done, the western world scientists and Inuit who live in the communities have to work together so the study that is being done could be done in a proper manner.
Member’s Statement 681 – 1(6): Update on Joamie School
Mr. Speaker, I want to update this House on some of the excellent work that has been taking place on a new Joamie School.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Department of Public Works and the Department of Education for the excellent work to move Joamie School forward, which is our new Joamie School.
Mr. Speaker, as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Joamie School, I have worked closely with Minister Thompson, as well as Minister Kattuk to ensure that our new Joamie School is built on time and on budget.
Mr. Speaker, residents of Iqaluit can see the construction supplies, steel and heavy equipment on site.
The new school will have a larger gym, a dedicated cultural room, as well as extra classrooms, and Mr. Speaker it is on time and on budget.
Mr. Speaker, when I arrived on the site very early the morning of the fire around 5:30 in the morning, it was very sad.
Mr. Speaker, many families and especially our children were affected by the fire.
Mr. Speaker, our principal, David Serkoak and staff, have relocated Joamie School to the second floor of Nakasuk School and I want to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to thank Nakasuk staff, as well as the students, for their hospitality and their support of Joamie School staff and students.
Mr. Speaker, in the coming days, exciting news on the fundraising for Joamie School will be enough and I know that all of the Iqaluit residents will be there, again, to support children.
Mr. Speaker, I apologize. Mr. Speaker, quickly, I want to add that the construction site is not a safe place for children to play.
There are security guards on site and Mr. Speaker, over the next week and week and a half, the site will be fenced so that the children will not be able to play in the area and provide a better environment for the neighbourhood.