Mr. Speaker, it is always my pleasure to promote and congratulate Nunavummiut who demonstrate excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. It is my great honour today, Mr. Speaker, to congratulate Nunavut’s finalists and winners of the prestigious Arctic Inspiration Prize.
Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Inspiration Prize provides much needed attention and funding to projects that help improve our communities and the lives of our people, expand our knowledge, and inspire change in the fields of education, health, culture, environmental stewardship, and the economy.
I attended this year… read more.
Mr. Speaker, On April 1 we welcomed Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon. This was her first official visit to Nunavut as the first Indigenous and first Inuk Governor General of Canada.
It was an especially joyous moment as we celebrated the 25th anniversary of our territory.
Mr. Speaker, it was truly an honour to receive Her Excellency and His Excellency Whit Fraser here at the Legislative Assembly. I was joined by Commissioner Eva Aariak, Iqaluit Members of the Legislative Assembly George Hickes, Janet Brewster and Adam Lightstone, Mayor Solomon Awa, the Canadian Rangers, Major… read more.
Mr. Speaker, on February 8th, I had the honour of visiting the Embassy of the United States of America in Ottawa to meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, the Honourable David Cohen.
Ambassador Cohen invited me to meet with him to establish a relationship between Nunavut and the United States. Mr. Speaker, in our meeting I focused on the significance of Arctic sovereignty and security for Canada and the U.S.
Ambassador Cohen generously offered to collaborate on bipartisan issues and to connect our government with officials in his network.
Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Cohen joined me on… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues about two recent engagements where I promoted Nunavut’s strategic interests considering Arctic sovereignty and security.
It is no secret that we are facing challenging times under the current geo-political landscape. Our ties with our friends and allies will be critical in how the Arctic responds to these challenges. With 20 per cent of Canada’s land mass, Nunavut must play a significant role in Canada’s Arctic strategy.
To ensure that Nunavut’s interests are not lost in these conversations, I have been taking opportunities to engage with… read more.
Mr. Speaker, Qulliq Energy Corporation is excited to announce that the corporation’s brand-new head office in Baker Lake is open for business. The utility’s administrative employees and services are now available at 3091 6th Street for those customers wishing to pay their bills or make inquiries in person. Its construction is a testament to QEC’s significant investment in better serving customers across the territory and supporting the local community.
The new facility also marks an important milestone for the corporation and its employees. With the introduction of a unified and organized… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine is a threat to global security, the stability of Arctic communities and the continuity of Arctic cooperation.
Nunavut condemns this unjustified violation of international law and supports the strong sanctions Canada has imposed on Russia.
Mr. Speaker, I stand united with the premiers of Yukon and Northwest Territories in expressing concern about Arctic defence and security. Russia’s aggression will inevitably impact Arctic affairs and threaten valued institutions such… read more.
Mr. Speaker, children are the future of our territory. As Premier, and as a father, I am deeply disheartened by yesterday’s report by Auditor General of Canada Karen Hogan that says the delivery of child and family services in Nunavut is in a crisis state.
Mr. Speaker, as children are involved, our response must be swift. With the full support of Cabinet, the government is unlocking the resources necessary to enable the Departments of Family Services, Health, and Human Resources to respond financially and with increased human capacity. The Department of Executive and Intergovernmental… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today, the day after International Women’s Day, to acknowledge and recognize the incredible contributions and leadership of Rebecca Kudloo, the outgoing President of Pauktuutit.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to celebrate the dedication and tireless efforts of Ms. Kudloo in advocating for equality and access to essential services for Inuit Women.
Originally from Igloolik, Nunavut, Rebecca Kadloo has served for three terms as Pauktuutit’s President. However, Ms. Kudloo’s advocacy work started long before her time at
Pauktuutit, for over 36 years she has been promoting… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
Today I want to acknowledge the organizers of the Nunavut Trade Show and Conference and the Kivalliq Trade Show.
Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to witness the results of the hard work and dedication by the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Kivalliq Trade Show Society. The business communities in our regions are strong. They are made of connected leaders – some with many years of experience and some being mentored to take the lead.
In Iqaluit, the Nunavut Trade Show and Conference celebrated its 30th anniversary. The gathering brought together Nunavut businesses,… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table the sixth assembly’s mandate titled Katujjiluta. As mentioned in the Commissioner’s address the process that led to the development of this mandate was historic.
For the first time in our territory, the Government of Nunavut’s mandate was developed through a dialogue between all Members of the Legislative Assembly, the leadership of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. and Nunavut’s three Regional Inuit Organizations.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all my colleagues, especially the regular MLAs for accepting my invitation to help develop this mandate – I know the final… read more.