Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the first in-person meeting of the Northern Premiers in over two years.
On May 9, Premier Cochrane and I were welcomed to Whitehorse by Premier Silver, the current Chair of the Northern Premiers’ Forum. We discussed several important priorities, including Arctic security, housing, and healthcare.
Mr. Speaker, as the Northern Premiers we committed to working with the federal government and Indigenous partners to strengthen Canada’s position in the Arctic. We agreed that Arctic sovereignty and security are enhanced by strengthening our communities, and… read more.
Mr. Speaker,
Today I would like to acknowledge our whole-of-government response to the Northwest Territories’ catastrophic wildfires.
We remained in frequent communication with the Government of the Northwest Territories leading up to, during, and after the wide-scale evacuations. I personally spoke with Premier Caroline Cochrane on numerous occasions. I also remained in communication with my legislative colleagues in the Kitikmeot region.
Our goal was to offer our support, while ensuring the safety of Nunavummiut in our care.
Mr. Speaker, as a pre-emptive measure, the… read more.
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, 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.