Minister's Statements

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, on February 8th I was honoured to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The longstanding relationship between our regions is founded on common values, culture and heritage, Northern and Arctic geography, and a shared maritime history. We also face similar challenges as governments, Mr. Speaker. This renewed partnership will help us to jointly advance innovation, enhance responsible economic and social development, and promote diversity and inclusiveness to create and maintain robust and vibrant communities. Mr. Speaker, as… read more.
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 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 acknowledge our frontline workers and service providers. They were the heroes who kept us going in difficult times. I also want to speak about the various supports the Government of Nunavut provided during this latest wave of COVID-19. Mr. Speaker, Nunavut’s municipalities played an essential role in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in our territory. Four million was allocated to municipalities to provide support for critical local services. Community stations, which are essential to keeping Nunavummiut informed, received an additional $375,000 for ongoing… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues the very constructive discussions that took place during the Northern Premiers’ Caucus, on February 3. Mr. Speaker, the territorial Premiers meet annually at the Northern Premiers’ Forum to advance northern interests, discuss issues of common interest and concern, and develop made-in-the-North solutions. Mr. Speaker, this was my first Northern Premiers’ Forum as Premier of Nunavut. Our meeting focused on key northern priorities such as infrastructure, housing, the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and climate change to name a few. Mr… read more.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the meeting I had with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand, Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane, and Yukon Premier Sandy Silver. As you know in March, Premier Cochrane, Silver, and I sent a joint letter to the Prime Minister outlining our concerns over Arctic security and sovereignty. We noted that any decisions regarding the Arctic should be made in consultation with the people of the North. In addition, we outlined the need to invest in social infrastructure to strengthen our communities considering… read more.
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.