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, 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.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the establishment of the Nunavut Partnership Committee between the Government of Nunavut (GN) and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI)
On March 25, President Aluki Kotierk and I signed a declaration to formalize our working relationship in Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, this partnership declaration is another step towards our ongoing efforts to strengthen the Government of Nunavut’s working relations with NTI. This commitment followed the release of the Katujjiluta Mandate, which was developed in collaboration with Nunavut’s Inuit Organizations.
The creation… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the 29th annual Indspire Awards.
On May 12, I was proud to be in attendance as Nunavut’s Melissa Attagutsiak was presented with the 2022 Indspire Award for Youth. Her father accepted the award on her behalf.
Mr. Speaker, Melissa is a fashion designer, owner of Nuvuja9, and student at Nunavut’s Arctic College. Melissa showcased her first collection titled “Sinaa” during the International Indigenous Fashion Week in Paris, France. Her work features traditional materials such as seal fur. Through fashion Melissa celebrates her Inuit culture and… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about my participation in the Arctic Security and Sovereignty Summit held in Iqaluit on October 3, 2022.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut senator Dennis Patterson hosted this one-day event in partnership with local and regional organizations including Nunavut’s Inuit Development Corporations Association and Nunasi Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, at this event we spoke about Arctic sovereignty and how to strengthen and support healthy and resilient communities throughout the North.
Mr.… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about my recent visit with the Prime Minister of Canada.
I was joined for the bilateral meeting by the President and Vice President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. We spoke about the urgent need to close Nunavut’s housing gap. Addressing Nunavut's housing gap is key to bolstering Canada's sovereignty in the Arctic. Strong, resilient communities are supported by reliable social infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, at our last meeting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked me to show that our government was working in unison with Inuit organizations on a plan for… read more.
Mr. Speaker, Katujjiluta identifies Elders and “aging with dignity in Nunavut” as a key priority area. Our mandate promises to develop a comprehensive Elder and senior care strategy with broad input from Elders, families, communities, and partners.
I’m proud to announce, Mr. Speaker, work is underway towards a Strategic Action Plan for Elders in Nunavut. We have contracted Iqaluit consultant Mary Wilman to work in tandem with the Iqaluit-based company Lichen Consulting to do this review. We aim to complete the new framework by December. Elders groups are being engaged at regional gatherings… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share that on February 7th, I met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford for a bilateral meeting in Ottawa.
Nunavut is reliant on our southern neighbours for goods and services. This is especially true for specialized healthcare we cannot provide in our territory.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank my friend Premier Ford for vocalizing his support for Canada’s Territories at a national level, as together the provinces and territories negotiate healthcare funding with the federal government.
Premier Ford has never been to Nunavut. I have invited him to visit Iqaluit at his… read more.
Mr. Speaker, in April I had the privilege of accepting invitations from two members to visit their communities. I am so grateful to members Amittuq MLA Joelie Kaernerk and Kugluktuk MLA Bobby Anavilok for sharing their home communities with me.
Mr. Speaker, I believe there are few things more important for a politician to do than to meet with and listen to their electorate. There is no replacement for in-person connections.
In both Sanirajak and Kugluktuk, I met with the housing associations, district education authorities and the hamlet councils. I visited students in their schools, where… read more.