EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
078 – 4(3): Continuing Care in Nunavut, 2015 to 2035 (Okalik) 886
Bill 10 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2015-2016 – Second Reading 886
Bill 11 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2015-2016 – Second Reading 886
Bill 12 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2016-2017 – Second Reading 887
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Health –Consideration in Committee 888
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Mr. Joe Enook, Hon. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Tom Sammurtok, Hon. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna.
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning, my fellow Nunavummiut, members, ministers, (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) and our visitors. Welcome to the House.
Hon. Member for… . (interpretation) I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Environment, Mr. Mike.
Minister’s Statement 060 – 4(3): Operations Manual for Enforcement Officers (Mike)
Good morning, my colleagues and I would like to welcome the members who have finally arrived.
I am happy to see them again.
Also, I say “good morning” to the people of Nunavut and Pangnirtung, as well as all of my grandchildren.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to inform the House that my department has recently issued a revised version of its operations manual for enforcement officers.
Members of my department conducted a thorough review of all the guidelines, standards, and procedures contained in the previous manual, and a copy of the new manual has now been issued to all enforcement officers.
In keeping with the digital age in which we now live, all officers have also been provided with an electronic version of the manual.
This revised manual will help all Department of Environment enforcement officers provide a high-quality, consistent service across the territory, and I would like to extend my thanks to all those who have been involved in its creation.
Minister’s Statement 061 – 4(3): Nunavut Land Referendum (Savikataaq)
I rise today to provide my colleagues with an update on the progress of the Department of Community and Government Services for the upcoming territorial land referendum which will be held on May 9, 2016.
The question that Nunavummiut will answer is, “Do you want your municipality to be able to sell municipal lands?”
The results will be determined by a simple majority. A vote of 50 percent plus one would determine whether or not it will be possible for a municipal council to sell land to a person or organization in a community in Nunavut.
CGS began visiting communities in late January to share information with the general public.
We have also launched a website, brochure, and poster in all official territorial languages, and the website is landreferendum.gov.nu.ca. The website is to inform people of the issues before they vote.
CGS believes that community decisions should be made at the community level. We are committed to implementing the results of the referendum in each community.
Anyone who is eligible to vote in a territorial election is also eligible to vote in the referendum; information is available at local hamlet offices or Elections Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Nunavummiut to actively participate in learning more about this issue and that every eligible voter in Nunavut exercise their democratic right to vote in this territorial wide land referendum.
Hon. Premier of Nunavut Mr. Taptuna.
Minister’s Statement 062 – 4(3): Arctic Inspiration Prize Winners (Taptuna)
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good morning, (interpretation ends) colleagues, Nunavummiut, and Kuglukturmiut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to inform my colleagues about Nunavut’s exciting recognition at the fourth annual Arctic Inspiration Prize awards ceremony that was held in Ottawa last January.
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Inspiration Prize is a unique and prestigious award given to teams who have made a substantial, demonstrated, and distinguished contribution to arctic knowledge that benefits the people of the Canadian Arctic.
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Inspiration Prize provides much-needed funding to projects that help improve our communities, our people, and our knowledge of how to better bring transformative change to areas of common concern.
This year, two Nunavut-based projects were recognized for their exceptional efforts.
Mr. Speaker, the Better Hearing in Education for Northern Youth project was awarded $300,000 for their work to improve the lives of Qikiqtani youth living with hearing loss.
The Qaggiavuut Arts Society, which nurtures arctic performing arts, was awarded $600,000 for their efforts to connect circumpolar artists, as well as to create mentorships, collaborations, and teaching opportunities in the arts community.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to please join me in congratulating Nunavut’s recipients and in thanking the S. and A. Inspiration Foundation for their generous ongoing efforts to better the Canadian Arctic.
They have given $4.5 million since 2012, and their incredible financial contributions to improve important programming in our arctic regions have been tremendous.
Minister’s Statement 063 – 4(3): Job Shadow Pilot Project at QGH (Okalik)
Good morning. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Qikiqtani General Hospital has created a pilot project with Aulajaaqtut class at the Inuksuk High School to allow students the opportunity to receive mentorship in the form of job shadowing.
The Department of Health is committed to working with the Department of Education in providing opportunities for students to experience and train in various health fields.
This initiative is an example of Health encouraging young Nunavummiut to explore professional development in areas of:
Diagnostic Imaging;
Laboratory Services;
Nursing;
Health Records;
Rehab; and
Physician Services.
Thus far, as many as 34 students have participated in the project and have followed routine procedures and drills at the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
Mr. Speaker, it is important to recognize that Health is working on engaging youth and encouraging them to explore educational training and professional development in the health fields.
It is also relevant to note that students and administration at Inuksuk High School have expressed positive feedback and hope to make these types of experience-building programs available in other departments.
Member’s Statement 135 – 4(3): Congratulations to Jane Glassco Northern Fellow Angela Nuliayuk Rudolph (Akoak)
Good morning, (interpretation) my colleagues. I say (interpretation ends) “good morning” (interpretation) to the residents of Gjoa Haven.
I rise today to congratulate Ms. Angela Nuliayuk Rudolph of Gjoa Haven, who is one of this year’s Jane Glassco Northern Fellows.
Mr. Speaker, the Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship was introduced in 2010 by the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation.
Mr. Speaker, there are 10 participants in this year’s program.
Angela Nuliayuk Rudolph received her undergraduate degree from the University of Lethbridge in 2013 and her Bachelor of Education Degree in 2014.
She plans to undertake a Master’s Degree program at the University of Alaska.
Mr. Speaker, Angela has taught high school in Gjoa Haven and has worked hard to integrate and teach modern Inuit history in her curriculum.
Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating Angela Nuliayuk Rudolph on her selection as a Jane Glassco Northern Fellow.
Member’s Statement 136 – 4(3): Qujannamiik Iksivautaq (Mapsalak)
Mr. Mapsalak (interpretation): Thank you and good morning, Mr. Speaker.
I say “good morning” to the people of Naujaat, Coral Harbour, and Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I want to make a humorous statement this morning to draw out smiles, and obviously most of you will smile at this, both the audience listening to the proceedings as well as my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, when we were meeting in [January] reviewing the airline codeshare issues, we were broadcast via television and obviously, many people in Nunavut were viewing the committee hearings.
Mr. Speaker, I happened to be the Chairman of that committee and it was my very first time acting in that capacity. Obviously, during our regular meetings, whenever a member is going to speak, they start off with “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.” All the members use that procedural item whenever speaking.
During that committee hearing, in my role as the Chairman, as I am of the age where I have several grandchildren, they all happened to be watching the proceedings and realized I was the Chairman for the meeting.
Obviously, members were using the phrase “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
One of my grandchildren who were watching the proceedings was listening and hearing the term “Thank you, Mr. Chairman” more than once. He started wondering and asked his father, “Is my grandfather being sat on?”
This grandson of mine was very loveable with that remark during his viewing of the proceedings.
I just wanted to convey that story to my colleagues so that we can share a smile this morning.
Member’s Statement 137 – 4(3): Congratulations to Jane Glassco Northern Fellow Jessica Black (Angnakak)
Today too, I rise to talk about my niece, just like my colleague, Mr. Akoak. I am delighted to have this opportunity to talk about my niece and to congratulate Ms. Jessica Black.
She is also one of this year’s Jane Glassco Northern Fellow program recipients.
Mr. Speaker, the Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship was introduced in 2010, as what my colleague was saying, by the Duncan Gordon Foundation.
It is, and I quote, “a policy and leadership development program that recognizes leadership potential among young northern Canadians who want to address the emerging policy challenges facing the North.”
Mr. Speaker, Jessica was one of the ten recipients and she graduated from Iqaluit, the Inuksuk School here in 2004.
She received her undergraduate degree in 2010 after attending Trent University and the University of Victoria.
She was employed by the Department of Justice for a period of time and she went back to pursue her studies at the University of Victoria Law School.
Mr. Speaker, the Duncan Foundation has a legacy of positive contributions in the north and this program has been an important source of new leaders.
I ask all members to join me in congratulating Jessica Black, my niece, on her selection as a Jane Glassco Northern Fellow.
Member’s Statement 138 – 4(3): Appreciation to Kakivak Association (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to all of you.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the Kakivak Association for visiting the community of Cape Dorset last week to inform Kinngarmiut of the opportunities that Kakivak provides for community economic development.
Mr. Speaker, the information session that I attended was helpful for any person within the community to learn and possibly apply for funding through one of the Kakivak Association’s programs.
Furthermore, people were able to ask questions and gain better knowledge of their operations, as well as the process of submitting funding proposals.
I would like to further commend Kakivak Association for their continued support towards youth programs, such as Northern Youth Abroad, formerly Nunavut Youth Abroad, Nunavut Sivuniksavut Program, and Students on Ice, which I have personally benefited from.
Mr. Speaker, I again thank Kakivak Association for the different options and opportunities that they provide to Baffin Inuit. I encourage youth, especially in my constituency, to pursue the different initiatives that help with community development.
Member’s Statement 139 – 4(3): Inuit Qaujimanituqangit (Shooyook)
I say “good morning” to my fellow Nunavummiut, community residents, my beloved grandchildren, as well as those who are named after my son, who watch the televised proceedings and they see me and say “Father.”
They are quite young. I wish them all a good day, along with my colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a critical issue which is of extreme importance: Inuit Qaujimanituqangit.
Inuit authority has been usurped by the government in this area for the last 48 years where Inuit have not been able to practise their traditional counselling and we have lost this ability.
Due to this, our elders are becoming stressed out.
Mr. Speaker, our elders are weary and tired today of being protective of their children since the legislation we use is not a part of our traditional Inuit practices and lifestyles.
The traditional knowledge that endured for generations has been cut off since we now live with alien practices Inuit never grew up with.
Mr. Speaker, in Nunavut, as the government in charge, we have to respect our constituents’ wishes and needs. Let us respect their wishes.
The reason is that in Nunavut, the choices Inuit want with respect to their traditional practices has largely disappeared.
Mr. Speaker, I am under extreme duress in trying to repatriate back to Nunavut and Nunavummiut their wishes to use traditional Inuit counselling practices and to reclaim our cultural skills.
Mr. Speaker, many Nunavummiut have voiced their support for my push to revive our traditional practices, numerous to be exact.
I have heard from people from Kimmirut, Cape Dorset, Pangnirtung, Clyde River, Qikiqtarjuaq, Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Igloolik, Hall Beach, Naujaat, Resolute Bay, and Taloyoak.
I have received support from these communities from residents who want to see changes as they are exhausted by the continual clashing.
Mr. Speaker, I tend to preface my comments by indicating my impatience with the slow process of incorporating changes in this area, but I also feel that this will eventually surface in our future after all this preparation.
Are there any nays? (interpretation) I didn’t hear any nays. Mr. Shooyook, please proceed.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to conclude my statement.
Mr. Speaker, in Nunavut, as the government, we have to respect our constituents’ wishes to repatriate traditional counselling practices and other wishes related to their culture. Let us try to respect the wishes of our constituents by working together.
Let’s move forward together, as I alone cannot complete this task.
Members, I am now putting you on notice. Mr. Speaker, we have to collaborate on this issue and take the first step.
The reasoning I use for this call is with respect to our correctional centres. As a government, we are lax since it is completely full. Many inmates are there due to their personal pain.
There is a shelter.
The RCMP charge people based on the Criminal Code, but again, these are alien practices to Inuit.
Due to these reasons, we the elders have to be respected in what we want to repatriate.
Let us move to make changes while we are sitting as a legislature.
I myself, as an elder, grew up using only dog teams and snow houses prior to any types of machines and I used to paddle around trying to harvest marine mammals.
Since there were no shelters around, I had to start a fire to warm myself up.
I have practised the traditional lifestyle and saw the traditional counselling and social interactions which can be very stressful.
With these factors in place and in trying to protect the legacy of our forefathers and with our current elders, the last generation who lived traditionally whose lives were arbitrarily changed, they are exhausted. This exhaustion is due to the loss of authority over their children.
As a government, what will our priorities be?
Do we follow the wishes of our constituents to enact changes or will this government never respect the wishes of their residents?
Indubitably saddening!
As I sit in my seat, I realize that I am of the last generation of elders who survived in the traditional ways and who were intimately versed in traditional knowledge. Here I sit as the sole practitioner now.
When the next legislature is elected, I imagine that this initiative will just be let go and if I saw that as the initiator, I would not be happy.
Based on being one of the last generations of traditional Inuit, I now understand that if I hadn’t been elected, this government wouldn’t have the time of day to even deal with this issue today.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): I take pride in my own abilities.
Ever since I sat down in this chair, I haven’t given up, but now I realize that this issue would not have been at the forefront. I have forcibly pushed this agenda of traditional knowledge, so I want support from my colleagues.
I urge members to speak about traditional knowledge, even if they hold just a smidgen. I also want this initiative enumerated as legislation to protect Inuit Qaujimanituqangat.
Mr. Speaker, prior to the end of our winter session, since this is becoming an urgent issue, as people have already made preparations as Nunavummiut towards this goal, there will not be the challenges of starting anew.
The traditional practices are already there and our esteemed elders have already prepared their submissions.
As soon as they are given the authority to deal with social healing and counselling practices and are authorized to work with the social workers, the Inuit way of life will become much smoother.
Mr. Speaker, I am extremely passionate about this issue and I seek your support on this issue.
Member’s Statement 140 – 4(3): 2016 Kivalliq Cup (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today and I have been waiting for the other members to arrive before I make my statement.
Before I came to Iqaluit, there was a hockey tournament in the community of Baker Lake and I was very pleased with that event.
We had tournament players who played for the Kivalliq Cup and I’m very sad that the Arviarmiut and Coral Harbour players weren’t able to make it to our community, but it was a joyful event.
The Grey Wolves took first place and some of them aren’t here, but I would like to recognize these individuals who opened the (interpretation ends) Kivalliq Cup 2016 (interpretation) in Baker Lake.
When I was a child, I watched the players for the Grey Wolves.
At the opening, we had the original Grey Wolves David Simailak, David Owingayak, Steven Niego, and their goalie, Mark Tunguaq.
At the last game, the Rankin Inlet Bears and the Qamani’tuaq Grey Wolves were the last two teams who played for the gold medal.
At the very last minute, it was a tie and towards the very end of the game, the Qamani’tuaq Grey Wolves scored and won the gold medal.
I congratulate them and I am very pleased that they won.
Member’s Statement 141 – 4(3): In Praise of Pond Inlet’s Pirurvik Preschool (Enook)
Prior to my statement, I want to comment to Mr. Shooyook. Your dialogue is full of strong statements and we take pride in your passion.
When you spoke about practising the traditional lifestyle, the language is very strong and we should remember from whence we came.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak to some pleasurable news stemming from our community to my colleagues.
I rise today to express my pleasure and gratitude on behalf of Pond Inlet to acknowledge the hard work and dedication shown by some people related to our children and of the new Pirurvik Preschool that has become a reality.
Mr. Speaker, this facility just opened last month in our community.
These people showed extreme dedication and commitment to complete this project. Although there are many people involved, I wanted to acknowledge these people who started working on this concept approximately four years ago.
Karen Nutarak and Tessa Lochhead worked on this project for four years to develop the framework and bring the project to fruition.
On behalf of Pond Inlet residents, we are extremely grateful and proud of their dedication.
There are other people who were involved as well.
Mr. Speaker, this preschool provides a foundation for the children using the Inuit language and culture, where the students practise the Inuktitut language, culture, and beliefs.
As Inuit, we have a belief that when our children have a strong cultural foundation and a good start, their later years of education are much easier for them.
Furthermore, I want to extend our gratitude as a community to Minister Quassa, Minister of Education, as well as his officials, and if he can convey that thankfulness to them.
The introduction of this facility means that when a community works together with various departments through cooperation, many initiatives are much easier to complete.
For your involvement in this important program, we profusely thank you and your staff.
I urge all members and people here to join me in celebrating this accomplishment and to congratulate the people who successfully created this program through their hard work and dedication to the people of Pond Inlet.
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. (interpretation ends) Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna.
I want to recognize a person from Kugluktuk, my hometown and constituency.
He is well known in Iqaluit and of course, he sat here as a minister and an MLA in the Second Assembly and the First Assembly.
He is well known throughout the Arctic and throughout Nunavut. He is here for a series of meetings, Mr. Donald Havioyak.
Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize, through my Minister’s Statement, a group behind me, the Qaggiavuut Society.
Of course, through the Arctic Inspiration Prize, they won $600,000 for their efforts and good work in ensuring that the art world through the north is continued on through their efforts.
I want to say their names.
Ms. Ellen Hamilton. (interpretation) Please stand up when I call your name.
Vinnie Karetak, Laakuluk Williamson Bathory, and Marie Belleau. (interpretation ends) Welcome to the House and congratulations for your hard work and efforts.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Good morning and thank you, Mr. Speaker. This visitor was just acknowledged now, but as she is one of my constituents and also my niece, I would like to recognize Marie Belleau again as I am extremely proud of her accomplishments.
She is trilingual and can speak the main languages of Nunavut, which are English, French, and Inuktitut.
Furthermore, she is a practising lawyer who has completed her education.
She shows just how bright our future can be. We want to see more examples of this in our future, to have skilled and talented Inuit capable of taking over.
Question 168 – 4(3): Dust Control Initiatives (Shooyook)
I take pride in the fact that this will be my first ever question and I am pleased to direct my question to the newest minister, so I am proud to set that precedence.
Mr. Speaker, in Nunavut, when our roads are no longer covered by snow, we experience dusty conditions.
This dust can be hazardous to one’s health, especially to lungs of our young children.
Mr. Minister, I am now asking you: since your department was going to conduct a study on the different substances to control dust or dust suppression, can you now identify which of these substances are best suited to suppress dust from our roads?
Can you explain that for my information?
Hon. Joe Savikataaq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I am very pleased to respond because the government is now doing a study to find out which suppression product is best to keep the dust down.
We use calcium chloride, I believe, though we have tried different products. They aren’t as good as calcium chloride. I believe calcium chloride is the best one.
When it’s properly laid on the road, it suppresses the dust. The Municipal Training Organization does the training and they can do training on how to lay the calcium chloride on the road.
I also thank the minister for clarifying that in my mind, but I do have a supplementary question.
Mr. Speaker, I am now asking the minister if all the rock substances used in Nunavut have been tested for their ability to suppress dust and which substance would be most effective to control dust.
I do understand they are using that salt since the study concentrated on that.
Will there be another study on dust suppression and which substances are available locally?