Mr. Speaker, when we celebrate our territorial holiday this year, we will mark three decades since the Nunavut Agreement Act and the Nunavut Act passed in Parliament on July 9, 1993.
On that day, the Crown recognized Nunavut Inuit harvesting rights and land and resource management rights over 1.9 million square kilometres of Canada’s Arctic. Canada also formally transferred ownership of 351,000 square kilometres of land to Inuit.
Mr. Speaker, our land claim is with us every day. It determines the acts of government, the relationship between government and Inuit, and the role we play in… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues important updates regarding our ongoing collaboration with the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq
In November, I visited the Winnipeg Art Gallery, which currently houses the Government of Nunavut’s arts collection, the collaboration between the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the department has been mutually beneficial. We continue to work together on several key initiatives and are committed to providing training and creating opportunities for heritage workers and artists from Nunavut. Jointly, we facilitate the long-term care of art through loan… read more.
Mr. Speaker, Qulliq Energy Corporation is pleased to announce the approval of four indeterminate apprenticeship positions within the organization. This is a significant and timely step coming after the Inuit employment arbitration decision of March 25, 2023. It is a demonstration of QEC’s commitment to supporting the Inuit Employment Plan and increasing the number of Inuit employees within the corporation.
These apprenticeship positions will provide valuable training and experience to individuals interested in pursuing rewarding careers in the energy industry. Each of the four positions will… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to announce that the Nunavut Agreement Implementation Contract renewal has finally been approved.
The Contract is between Nunavut Tunngavik, Government of Nunavut and Government of Canada and will cover the period of April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2034.
This is the first renewal of the Nunavut Agreement Implementation Contract since 1993. Mr. Speaker, this ratification signals an injection of $1.5B in Nunavut. $588M of these funds will be allocated to the Government of Nunavut.
These funds will enable the full implementation of the Nunavut Agreement – and… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate International Women’s Day. While this day commemorates the social, political, and economic achievements of women across the globe, it also highlights the ongoing work towards gender equality; to the need to break the gender biases in our society, and to the fight to stop violence and abuse towards women and girls.
On this day, I would like to recognize the strong, resilient, successful women in Nunavut who made and continue to make a difference.
I want to begin with our Commissioner, Eva Aariak. Ms. Aariak has had a distinguished career in politics… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
I rise today to share that I am now the proud owner of a Toronto Maple Leaf’s jersey gifted to me by the Honourable Premier of Ontario Doug Ford.
While I won’t comment on my sports loyalties today, Mr. Speaker, I can say I am thrilled to share that during my visit to Toronto on August 3rd, Premier Ford and I signed a Memorandum of Understanding between our jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, through this agreement, Nunavut and Ontario have a new platform to explore areas like health care, transportation, infrastructure, training, and Indigenous relations.
Nunavut and Ontario have a… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues about the February 4 Council of the Federation (COF) meeting I attended via video conference.
Mr. Speaker, the Council of the Federation provides a forum where Canada’s Premiers meet to advance their priorities, by working collaboratively on key issues of common interest. Throughout the meeting I was impressed by the dedication, energy, and passion each of my colleagues demonstrated, not only for their respective jurisdictions but also for the challenges we collectively face.
Mr. Speaker, our discussions focused on an urgent and essential… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
I continue to be awed by the beauty of our territory’s western region. My recent visit to the Kitikmeot community of Gjoa Haven was no exception.
On your invitation Mr. Speaker, I visited Gjoa Haven on August 1st and 2nd. I wish to thank you and your wife Annie for your hospitality.
In Gjoa Haven we were greeted at once by Mayor Megan Porter. It was hot and sunny, and I was honoured to be able to serve burgers and hotdogs to residents who came out for a feast.
Mr. Speaker, through your coordination I appeared before the hamlet council to listen and answer question. I sat down… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about my recent meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau about the Katujjiluta mandate.
On May 12, I met with the Prime Minister for the third time since becoming Premier. This meeting was focused on joint priorities outlined in our mandate.
Mr. Speaker, in our meeting we emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Government of Nunavut, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and other Inuit organizations on issues such as housing in the North. The Prime Minister and I agreed on the urgency of closing the housing gap in Nunavut and its connection to other… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
On September 30, several Ministers and I attended the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation events in Iqaluit organized by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. I rise today to honour the children who were taken and placed in Canada’s numerous Residential Schools, as well as their families and communities.
Here in the capital, and across the territory, we now officially observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This government passed legislation in 2022 to ensure September 30 receives equal weight with other designated statutory days.
Mr. Speaker, before the Canadian… read more.