Speech from the Throne
Uqaqtittiji , as much as I appreciate that there are focuses towards national defence, I really do hope that the focus on Arctic security and Arctic sovereignty helps Nunavummiut to be engaged in it. At this point, if the military is just flown in with a cookie-cutter approach, more social issues will arise. However, if we lift barriers so that Nunavummiut can be engaged in Arctic security and Arc…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Uqaqtittiji, I will first address the member's preamble. For decades, every Liberal and Conservative government has underinvested in Nunavut and in indigenous peoples, which is why we have significant gaps in infrastructure, in the billions of dollars. Highlighting that the previous Liberal government has spent more than other governments is still not enough. Regarding projects that you have menti…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, indigenous peoples must give free, prior and informed consent for projects developed in their territories. Last Parliament, I addressed this concern in my private member's bill. The throne speech highlighted one project and one review and ignored UNDRIP. The Prime Minister plans to make Canada an energy superpower. No wonder the AFN is concerned. Will the minister reverse his colonial…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I first thank my constituents from Nunavut for placing their trust in me so that I can rejoin members in my second term in Parliament. I thank the member for Winnipeg Centre for submitting a joint letter requesting this emergency debate as well. I rise today to seek leave for an emergency debate regarding the health and well-being of indigenous children in Canada. The Canadian governm…
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[Member spoke in Inuktitut as follows:] ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ ᐅᖃᖅᑎᑦᓯᔩ, ᐅᖃᓚᐅᓐᖏᓂᕐᓂ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᕐᒥ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᖅᑕᒃᑲ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᕝᕕᒻᒥ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᖁᕙᒃᑲ ᑲᓇᑕᒥᐅᓪᓗ ᖁᕕᐊᓱᖁᕙᒃᑲ ᕼᐊᐱ ᓂᐅᔨᐊᕐᓱᒋᓪᓗ [Inuktitut text translated as follows:] Mr. Speaker, before I start speaking, I would like to wish my constituents and all Canadians a merry Christmas and a happy new year. [English] In the generous spirit of the season, I hope that, if you seek it, you will find unan…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, here is how a government question is asked. Hunters and trappers in Nunavut rely on their boats to feed their families. Three years ago, the current government promised a small-craft harbour for Arctic Bay. Three years later, the government has not delivered. This harbour would allow safer hunting and help keep our communities safe from threats in the Arctic. I have fought for this pr…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, before I became an MP, the word “solidarity” was just a word for me. After I became an NDP MP, I really learned the true value of what acting in solidarity means. I want to ask the member, in the House, because we have not been doing enough, if he agrees that we, as a country, have not been doing enough for what is going on in Gaza. I want to ask about how that solidarity needs to sho…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I recently sat on another committee, the status of women committee. It was studying a similar study on breast cancer screening. The topic was specifically on first nations' and indigenous peoples' screening. One of the discussions in the committee was to make sure that there is better access for and representation of indigenous peoples. I wonder whether the member agrees that, with th…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, my point of order is according to House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, and is to address repeatedly putting on the record information that is not accurate. I would like to ask the leader of the Conservative Party to withdraw and apologize for claiming that indigenous peoples, again, belong to the Conservatives. He needs to stop using terms that are possessive when i…
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Uqaqtittiji, the Chiefs of Ontario is calling for improved accountability of the non-insured health benefits program and access to mental health services. First nations and Inuit are not consulted or invited to participate when selecting cultural support providers for their communities. As a result, unqualified people with criminal records are being enrolled as service providers. When will the Lib…
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Uqaqtittiji, first nations, Inuit and Métis peoples continue to be killed by the RCMP. In less than a month, nine indigenous people were killed without consequence. The RCMP and provincial authorities must respond toward reconciliation. Indigenous peoples deserve justice. Victims and their families deserve justice. When will this government finally work with indigenous peoples and law enforcement …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Uqaqtittiji, I rise knowing that today is International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. I have heard that there are Jewish people who are in solidarity with the Palestinian people, especially with respect to the genocide that is happening in Gaza. I wonder whether the member can speak to the voices she has heard of Jewish people who support the call for the end to the genocide in Ga…
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Uqaqtittiji, people in Nunavut are desperate for relief from sky-high food prices. Infant formula is upward of $80. People even feel that every time there is Jordan's principle funding, the North West Company increases the price of food even more. People are pleading with the Liberals but all they offer is another study. When will the government stop supporting corporate greed and finally help to …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, Nunavut's birth rate is double the national rate, meaning there are a lot of expenses for Nunavummiut, including diapers and children's clothing. I wonder if the member can share with us what it will mean for Nunavummiut to know they will have some relief.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, three first nations children have died since January due to this government's non-compliance with Jordan's principle. The Liberals are actively fighting against the Human Rights Tribunal's orders and allowing first nations children to die while in care. There are over 40,000 Jordan's principle requests in the backlog. Liberals are not even trying to fix this. When will the Liberals st…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, the NDP asked for the GST to be removed from home heating. I wonder if the member can explain to the House why the Liberals did not listen to us and make sure this tax relief could be extended to people who have to pay a higher cost for home heating.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Uqaqtittiji, Inuit are strong. Inuit are still here. Inuit will thrive. James Partridge, Felix Shappa Taqaugaq, Trey Angoshadluk and Solomon Uyarasuk are a few Nunavummiut who have either been hospitalized or died while at the hands of law enforcement. I thank their families for sharing some of their stories with me. I grieve with those who lost their loved ones. I share their demands for justice …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, 11 of the 25 communities I represent have experienced boil water advisories this year. That is almost half. Even the UN special rapporteur slammed the government for ignoring its obligation to ensure clean drinking water. The Liberals have failed. Nunavut children, families and whole communities should not have to worry about drinking water. When will the Liberal government finally in…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to the Indigenous Health Equity Fund for fiscal year 2024-25: (a) what are the details of all distinctions-based funding supports delivered to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, including the (i) name of the community or Nation, (ii) amount of funding delivered, (iii) program authority under which the funding was authorized; (b) what is the total number of applications for dis…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to contaminated sites and waste sites in Nunavut: (a) what is the full list of all contaminated sites and waste sites for which the Government of Canada is responsible, broken down by (i) location, (ii) responsible federal department or agency, (iii) date on which the site was first added to the inventory of sites, (iv) priority level, (v) stage or status of remediation; and (b) what a…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
[Member spoke in Inuktitut as follows:] ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ ᐅᖃᖅᑎᑦᓯᔩ ᐃᒃᐸᒃᓴᖅ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᓪᓗᖁᑎᒋᓚᐅᕐᒫᒍᑦ ᑕᐃᒃᑯᐊ ᐊᓯᐅᑎᑕᐅᒋᐊ− ᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᑕ ᒐᕙᒪᒃᑯᓐᓄᑦ ᑐᒃᓯᐊᕐᕕᓐᓄᓪᓗ ᐊᒃᓱᐊᓗᒃ ᐊᒥᓱᒻᒪᕆᐊᓗᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᓱᓕᒃᓯᓯᐊᖅᓯᒪᕗᒍᑦ, ᑖᒃᑯᐊ ᐃᓚᖏᑦ ᓇᐃᓈᖅᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅᓱᒋᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕆᕙᒃᑲ ᓲᕐᓗ ᒪᓕᒐᓕᕆᔩᑦ ᓘᑦᑖᑦ ᓴᓇᔩᑦ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑏᑦ ᑭᐱᓐᖑᐃᔭᖅ− ᑎᖃᐅᖅᓯᐊᒻᒪᕆᑦᓱᑕᓗ ᖁᔭᓕᕗᖓ ᐃᓕᓴᖅᓯᕕᒃᑯᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᒃᓚᖃᑎᒋᓚᐅᕋᒃᑭᒃ ᐃᓄᒐᐃᑦ ᐱᓐᖑᐊᖃᑎᖃᖅᓱᑕ ᓄᐊᑐᕐᓐ ᕼᐊᐃᔾᑯᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᐊᓗᒃ ᖁᔭᓕᕙᒃᑲ ᐱᔪᒃᓯᑎᒃᓯᕙᒻᒪᑕ ᑐᓴᕐᓈᕋᖅᑎᒍᑎᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᖁᔭᓕᕗᖓ ᔮᓂ ᓂᖏᐅᖓᑦ ᒥᐅᕆ ᐅᐃᓪᒪᓐ ᐲᑐᕋᔅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐅᐃᖓ ᓘᑲᓯ ᐊᒥᓱᒃᑲᓐ…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
[Member spoke in Inuktitut as follows:] ᒫᓐᓇᓵᖅ ᓄᓇᕐᔪᐊᕐᒥ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᒃᑯᓃᓐᖔᖅᑐᖅ ᖃᐅᔨᒪᔨᑕᖅ ᑲᓇᑕᒨᓵᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᖃᓚᐅᖅᓱᓂ ᐊᑐᑦᓯᐊ− ᖏᒻᒪᑕᒎᖅ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᒋᔭᐅᔪᒧᑦ ᐃᒥᑦᓯᐊᕙᒻᒧᑦ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑲᖅᓯᒪᔪᓄᑦ ᑎᓕᐅᕆᒻᒪᕆᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐊᓯᔾᔩᒋᐊᖁᔨᒻᒪ− ᕆᒃᓱᓂ, ᐊᓱᐃᓪᓛᒃ ᓕᐳᕈᓪᑯᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑲᓐᓲᕙᑎᕝᑯᑦ ᑲᑐᔾᔨᖃᑎᒌᓕᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᑕᐅᑦᓯᒃᑯᑦ ᑐᓂᓯᔾᔮᓐᖏᓚᑦ ᓇᒻᒥᓂᖅᓱᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑮᓇᐅᔭᕐᓂᒃ ᓈᒻᒪᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᐋᒃᑳᑲᑕᒃᑐᐃᓐᓇᐅᒻᒪᑕ ᐊᓯᔾᔨᕆᐊᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᒪᓕᒐᒃᓴᖅ C-61 ᑕᐃᒃᑯᓇᓐᖔᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᓪᓚᒃᑯᓃᓐᖔᖅᑐᓂᒃ, ᖃᖓ ᒐᕙᒪᑐᖃᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᖃᕈᓐᓃᓂᐊᖅᐸᑦ ᑲᓐᓲᕙᑎᕝᑯᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᑭᕋᖅᑐᕈᓐᓃᕐᓗᑎᒃ ᐊᓪᓚᓂᒃ [Inuktitut …
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Uqaqtittiji, it is my first time rising in the House today and I would like to acknowledge that it is International Inuit Day. I hope everyone enjoys this day. There is a community in Nunavut called Kimmirut that just had a four-day power outage. As winter is coming quite soon, a lot of people were quite concerned about their well-being because of having no power in that community. I wonder if the…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
With regard to government contracts with healthcare agencies to serve rural and remote Indigenous communities at Indigenous Services Canada, broken down by fiscal year, since 2017-18: (a) what is the total number of contracts signed; (b) what are the details of all contracts signed, including the (i) agency contracted, (ii) value of the contract, (iii) number of healthcare practitioners provided, …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, more and more indigenous people are still dying at the hands of law enforcement officers. Despite urgent calls to save lives, the Liberals have done nothing. I grieve with the Inuit family in Salluit, Nunavik after their son Joshua was killed. We need justice for twins Joshua and Garnet Papigatuk. We need more de-escalation tactics and indigenous-led crisis response teams. When will t…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Uqaqtittiji, I know that my constituents are starting to go trick-or-treating. I hope that all Canadians this evening, while trick-or-treating, are safe and that parents check their candies before they give them to their children. During this filibuster, we have been treated with a lot of tricks. I think we have a lot of tricking going on in the filibuster, including giving figures like what the N…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Uqaqtittiji, I thank the member for showing us what a Conservative government would act like. It would not be able to multi-task or strategize in addressing policy issues, as the Conservatives are forcing the House of Commons into a stalemate for one disclosure. It is an important disclosure, yet many different proposals have been provided to a number of Conservatives on how to get past the stalem…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, last week, first nations leaders respected the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society by voting to guarantee all first nations children would be protected from Canada's discrimination in child and family services. The Liberals had offered a weak funding plan with an expiry date. Discrimination must stop now and forever. Will the Prime Minister finally respect the Human Rights T…
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Uqaqtittiji, both the Liberals and the Conservatives are filibustering by having this endless debate rather than focusing on issues, such as maybe approving the Kivalliq hydro-fibre link project in Nunavut. That would help fight climate change and get Nunavut communities off diesel. Does the member agree that the Conservatives are just as responsible for the state the House of Commons is in?
Read full speech →Orders of the Day
Uqaqtittiji, the Conservatives, throughout the course of this debate and this filibustering, are showing the extent to which they are willing to play games in this House, but they are not the only ones. The Liberals and Conservatives both are using procedures that are resulting in this stalemate. If the member truly care about his constituents, is he willing to advise his leadership that what is b…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, Red Fish Arts Studio diverts youth out of the criminal justice system by teaching them skills. The government promised Red Fish funding last April, but when the Prime Minister shuffled his cabinet, the new minister cancelled not only its funding but the much-needed funding for indigenous languages. Indigenous peoples deserve better than broken promises. Will the minister reverse his d…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, the Liberals are actively refusing reconciliation and evading their obligations required in the honour the Crown. The government knew for seven years that “the big dock” in Fort Chipewyan is contaminated with cancer-causing substances, and for seven years it covered it up. Rightfully, families are now worried about their children's health and whether they will lose them to cancer. Whe…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I have learned, through this report, just how complex the regulations are, given that there are municipal, provincial and federal regulations. One of the discussions mentioned in this report is the need for a multi-stakeholder approach. Can the member share with us how important federal leadership will be to ensure that shorelines are better protected?
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I have learned through this report that there used to be a shoreline protection program, but the federal government stopped funding it. Reading the first recommendation, I see that it is recommended to re-establish that program. Can the member share with us the importance of implementing this recommendation?
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, indigenous elders endured genocidal policies resulting in indigenous women and girls being missing and murdered. Thanks to the Liberals, Wiikwemkoong first nations elders are on the verge of exile. Long-term care facilities are important for passing on intergenerational love and knowledge to keep indigenous peoples alive. Liberals are refusing an act of reconciliation. When will this …
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Uqaqtittiji, it is another injustice and another day in court for the Liberals. Two Ontario first nations are suing the government for its discriminatory underfunding of fire services in their communities. With climate change and aging infrastructure, first nations are at a higher risk. Instead of wasting more time in court, will the Liberals stop their discrimination against first nations, truly …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Uqaqtittiji, I have been listening to the debate, and I am concerned that the Conservatives are equating a call for a ceasefire as an attack on Jewish people. Can the member explain that asking Netanyahu and the extremist government to be held accountable through things such as sanctions is not an act of anti-Semitism and that we are actually looking for peace?
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Uqaqtittiji, I am taking offence to the way the member is accusing me of who I am being when I am not. I hope he could be asked to apologize for labelling me the way that he is.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, indigenous peoples across Canada are still dying at the hands of the police and RCMP. Just this week, a first nations man from Saskatchewan was killed and, instead of acting, the government wants another study on policing. Studies will not save lives. We need action now, such as an indigenous-led crisis response team. The Liberals need to stop delaying. Why does the government refuse …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I would like to acknowledge that we have another settler MP in the House. What I have heard so far is not a lot of willingness from the Conservatives to talk about experiences of indigenous peoples, including the lack of reference in his intervention regarding indigenous people, indigenous people's rights and the lack of investments that we continue to suffer. We have great indigenous…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, when the Liberals inherited the government from the Conservatives some years ago, the conditions that indigenous peoples were in were quite deplorable, and they have not improved that much since the Liberal government was elected. I will give a basic example of how corporate greed is being supported by this Liberal government. The Liberals keep the nutrition north program going, which…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, Nunavummiut are prevented from thriving because of the lack of doctors and the lack of access to health care. The Conservative leader wants to cut health care, but Conservatives would have nothing to cut as the Liberals have not invested enough in Nunavut. The Prime Minister has failed on his promises to deliver the health care people need. When will the Prime Minister invest in the h…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, indigenous peoples represent 20% of unhoused people in Canada. The CEO of Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services states only 0.2% of all funding to end homelessness is going to indigenous peoples. This means thousands will be living out in the cold this winter because of the Liberals and the Conservatives who voted against any funding for indigenous housing. When will the Liberals end th…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, the more I learn about this bill, the more I see how important survivors of violence in the military are. I am sure that it is already very traumatizing to have to serve in the military, especially in today's society, globally, with all the violence that we are seeing. In particular, with survivors of abuse within the system itself, it makes me quite concerned that there are still a l…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I thank the member for her passion. This is an important piece of legislation that requires such seriousness, especially thinking about the survivors. We have heard that survivors say that the bill was not thought through well enough, especially for survivors. I wonder whether the member could tell us whether the Conservatives would agree at committee to extend the study so we could m…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I apologize. The government's data on the nutrition north program includes prices and the subsidy paid for some products. Since the voices of constituents are not enough, I will cite a researcher. Nicholas Li is one of just two or three researchers who have confidential access to that data. In April, Nicholas told APTN that when he last checked, there was a lag in the data reporting. …
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, Nunavummiut still have the highest levels of food insecurity in the country. My home territory has the highest number of children going to school and to bed with empty stomachs. Mothers are not eating enough so their children can be full and grow up healthy. These conditions are by design of the federal government. These conditions do not happen by accident. These conditions are on pu…
Read full speech →Adjournment Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, Amautiit Nunavut Inuit Women's Association released a report on child poverty in April 2024, and its report showed that those dollars are not working because children are still in poverty. The close to $100 million that you mentioned in your response is going to corporate greed. Your government's data on the nutrition north program—
Read full speech →Statements by Members
[Member spoke in Inuktitut and provided the following text:] ᐅᖃᖅᑎᑦᑎᔨ, ᖁᐊᖅᓵᖅᓯᒫᓪᓚᓚᐅᖅᖢᖓ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑕᐅᑦᑕᐃᓕᒪᓪᓗᖓ ᐃᓅᓯᓐᓂ ᐊᒃᑐᐃᓯᒪᕗᖅ ᐃᒫᑎᒋ ᒪᑭᒪᔾᔪᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᑦᑎᐊᖅᓯᒪᖏᑉᐳᖓ ᖁᔭᓕᕗᖓ ᔮᓂ ᓂᖏᐅᙵᒥᓐ ᐅᒃᐱᕐᓂᕐᓂᒃ ᖃᐃᑦᑎᓯᒪᓚᐅᕋᕕᑦ. ᒪᒥᓴᖅᐸᓪᓕᐊᒐᓱᒃᑐᓄᑦ, ᐃᓕᒃᓯᓐᓄ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖓ, ᐊᑏᑐᖅ ᓴᖏᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᐃᓐᓇᕐᓂᐊᖅᐳᓯ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓯᓐᓄ. Robin, ᕌᐱᒻ ᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋ, Lloyd ᓗᐃᑦ ᓇᒡᓕᒋᕙᒋ. ᓴᖏᓂᖅᓯ ᐅᕗᓐᓂ ᐱᔪᒃᓯᓕᖅᑎᑦᑎᑲᓐᓂᕋᓯ ᖁᔭᓕᕗᖓ Bruce Oake ᒪᒥᓴᕐᕕᒃ, ᐊᒻᒪ Scott Oake ᐃᓚᖏᓪᓗ ᐱᒋᐊᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᕋᓯ. ᐋᖓᔮᕐᓇᖅᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᒥᒃ, ᖃᐅᔨᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖓ ᐱ…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, Johannes Rivoire sexually abused Inuit children in Nunavut for years. Canada refused to charge him for 30 years and he died protected. The daughter of the late Marius Tungilik has asked the RCMP for his file, but it refuses to release it. The government must honour families, especially those who suffered during residential schools. Will the Minister of Public Safety provide the docume…
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