Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about my participation in the Arctic Encounter Symposium in Anchorage, Alaska.
On April 7 and 8, I had the opportunity to take part in this year’s symposium and present on a panel titled “Heathy Communities, Resilient Communities: Insights from the Arctic.” In the discussion I was able to share lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and how these lessons can be applied to the challenges ahead, such as the ongoing threat to Arctic sovereignty and security.
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Encounter Symposium is the largest annual Arctic policy event in the… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to mark January 18, 2024, the day the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and the Federal Government signed the Nunavut Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement. This date joins July 9, 1993, the signing of the Nunavut Agreement, and April 1, 1999, the date of Nunavut’s establishment.
This signing was made possible through the efforts of our leaders and Elders of the past, tireless negotiators through the years, and all Nunavummiut. With great pride for Nunavut and Nunavummiut, I stood alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Nunavut Tunngavik… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about his Holiness Pope Francis’ visit to Iqaluit on July 29, 2022.
I want to firstly thank Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. for their leadership in organizing the events.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Nunavut’s role in the papal visit included welcoming his Holiness to Nunavut and sending him off as he left Canada. Our involvement was guided by the leadership and vision of a group of residential school survivors.
According to our Elder advisors we worked to highlight our culture, language, and traditions during the visit. … read more.
Mr. Speaker,
After Christmas, I and several other Cabinet members took the opportunity to visit Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet. Most recently, as we headed to Cambridge Bay for the Kitikmeot Trade Show, I visited Taloyoak.
I thank regular members Alexander Sammurtok, Joseph Quqqiaq, Deputy Premier Pamela Hakongak Gross, and Minister John Main for their invitations and organizational help, as well as for the warm welcomes.
Mr. Speaker, our 25 Nunavut communities are spread out over more than 2 million square kilometres. Each of these communities, whether small or large, see themselves… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues about the support the Government of Nunavut has provided to communities in Eastern Canada who have been impacted by hurricane Fiona.
On Saturday, September 24, hurricane Fiona hit Nova Scotia, eastern Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The storm left many without power and tremendous debris throughout communities. Storm surges swept away homes. I was saddened to hear there were lives lost due to this historic, extreme weather event.
Mr. Speaker, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy to those impacted by hurricane Fiona in… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to announce the successful completion of the Nunavut Elders and Seniors Strategy.
When it comes to our Elders, time is running out. That sense of urgency is something that our government has heard loud and clear from Elders. We need to act now to make their lives better. It was with this urgency in mind that our government took on the work of developing an Elder and Seniors Strategy that addresses the needs of aging Nunavummiut.
We have 89 action items identified within the strategy. And, Mr. Speaker, I am truly happy to announce that we are taking immediate… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I’m excited to demonstrate our government’s commitment to Inuit employment at the highest levels of the public service. Each department and agency can now assign an Associate Deputy Minister to work as a core member of their executive team.
The new role is structured to enable qualified Nunavut Inuit to assume senior level responsibilities over time, and to gain experience and essential skills through a program of mentorship, structured teamwork and focused preparation. Each associate will shadow and report directly to the deputy head of a department or agency.
The creation of… read more.
Mr. Speaker, On May 5, ahead of the Northern Premier’s Forum, Premier Ranj Pillai, Premier R.J. Simpson, and I met with three federal ministers in Iqaluit. The meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, Minister of National Defence Bill Blair, and Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal, as well as Parliamentary Secretary Yvonne Jones, were an opportunity to jointly discuss the needs of the North.
Minister Blair briefed us on the Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence, while Minister Joly updated us on the International Arctic strategy the Government… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the long public service of Deputy Commissioner Rebekah Williams.
A Member of the Legislative Assembly for Quttiktuq from 2000 until 2004, Rebekah retired from a career with the Government of Nunavut, and was sworn in as deputy commissioner in 2019.
Originally from Arctic Bay, Rebekah lives in Iqaluit with her husband Glenn, and together they have children and grandchildren.
She spent many years working on the frontlines as a Community Social Worker, and as a Community Justice Specialist.
Mr. Speaker, 25 years ago, Rebekah Williams was asked by Nunavut… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues about the Council of the Federation (COF) meetings I attended in Halifax from July 15-17.
Mr. Speaker, the annual Council of the Federation summer meetings bring together premiers from across Canada to advance joint priorities by working collaboratively.
We made history this year, for the first time the gathering included three Indigenous premiers, Manitoba’s Premier Kinew, Northwest Territory’s Premier Simpson and myself. This shows the advancements made by Indigenous communities across Canada.
Mr. Speaker, it is also important to note… read more.