Mr. Speaker,
When I am invited to communities, I try to take every opportunity possible to engage in conversation with people I meet along the way. This is how I learn about the differences in each community.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge our colleagues who work hard for the communities I visited this fall – MLA for Kinngait and Kimmirut, Minister David Joanasie; MLAs for Rankin Inlet Minister Lorne Kusugak and Alexander Sammurtok; and MLA for Baker Lake Craig Simailak.
Mr. Speaker, when in communities, I do my best to meet with hamlet mayors and councilors, with educators, with health-centre staff, and government of Nunavut employees. I chat with people at the grocery stores and coffee shops.
I was happy to meet with Rankin Inlet’s Mayor Harry Towtongie, Baker Lake’s now-former Mayor Richard Aksawnee and Kimmirut’s Mayor Maliktoo Lyta and hamlet council. Our talks focused on the highlights in each community and areas where improvements are needed.
I enjoyed chatting with students at Kimmirut’s Qaqqalik School and Kinngait’s Peter Pitseolak High School. These young people are the future of our territory.
At Baker Lake’s Nunavut Arctic College’s community learning centre, I met with a few of teachers in training. I also spoke with young people with big dreams taking the Adult Basic Education program, a solid step towards their future success.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to each community that welcomed me so warmly and shared their stories with me.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.