Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I am concerned about a lot of things. Being Inuk, I know that religion was used against me and my people to take my language and culture away, so my views on religion might not be the same as what is in my colleague's question. I know that when we are talking about making a better future for our children and our grandchildren, we need to base that on having faith in knowing that the d…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I am not too sure what the question is, but I will quote what one of the member's Conservative colleagues said: “It is time to jail the haters.” We need to be careful about what we discuss and do as lawmakers. We need to make sure we address hate by having discussions, public conversations, about why we need to support each other, not spread hate about each other.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, hunter and trapper organizations protect Inuit lands and wildlife. The environmental assessment process is not balanced. Mining companies have millions to coax Nunavummiut to extract minerals. Hunter and trapper organizations barely have enough just to participate. Article 5.7.13 of the Nunavut Agreement is not being fulfilled. Will the Liberals finally uphold their legal obligations …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I am happy to present a petition from Canadians regarding what has been going on in Gaza. They are quite concerned, for example, that the Geneva Conventions have not been respected. The petitioners, citizens and residents of Canada, call on the Government of Canada to do five different things: publicly and unequivocally reject the militarized aid model currently used in Palestine, dem…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I will finish with the last two points: withhold Canadian funding from any entity or model that does not comply with principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence and humanity, and ensure that all Canadian aid to Gaza is delivered through internationally recognized humanitarian channels.
Read full speech →Statements By Members
Uqaqtittiji, Inuit such as Jesse Tungilik are brilliant. Jesse posted on his social media that an increased military presence in the Arctic will mean putting Inuit women at greater risk of sexual violence. He says that building a highway connecting Nunavut to the south will make human trafficking and the murdered and missing indigenous women problem worse and bring more hard drugs to vulnerable co…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, the high cost of groceries makes life in the harsh Arctic more difficult. The discontinuation of the ICFI hamlet food voucher program hit Nunavummiut hard. People often ask for donations just to feed their family. This is a direct result of chronic underinvestment in Nunavut by both Liberals and Conservatives. I have written to the Minister of Indigenous Services. Will she respond wit…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I always feel privileged to represent Nunavummiut on any matter in this House. Today, I will be splitting my time with the member for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj. I speak as the NDP critic for justice. All Canadians want to live in safe communities protected from dangerous offenders, but three-strikes policies, such as those in the United States and the one in the Conse…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I think that showcases why it is important to have more parties in the House than just two. As an NDP member, I miss many of my colleagues. We have lost opportunities for more intellectual conversations and for more conversations about what great solutions we need to see. Due to the election, we are seeing more of these extremist conversations in the House, even though it was still li…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, first of all, we need to stop over-dramatizing what is going on in Canada and creating more fear among Canadians. I think that when there are crimes being committed, as I said in my speech, disproportionately, members are indigenous peoples. I highlight that because of what has happened in the past, such as the Conservatives making cuts to important programs like the Aboriginal Healin…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, rehabilitation can help because it helps people to learn new coping skills. It helps people to learn ways to deal with stress, and it helps to reconnect them with people who might be important in their communities. This includes having action plans to make sure that they have the skills they need to be reintegrated into society.
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, I am privileged to represent Nunavut in honouring the work of the Hon. Gail Shea. I did not know Gail personally. I send my condolences to her family, her friends and, I am sure, her wide-ranging community. One of the privileges that we gain as parliamentarians is how much we learn about Canada, Canadians and the hopes and strengths we see for our future. I have learned that Gail Shea…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I completely agree that there is a huge problem with the bill, specifically because of its nature and being the one bill that would fast-track the violation of indigenous peoples' rights. I wonder if the member agrees. Will he vote against the bill so we can make sure indigenous people's rights are being protected?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I am glad that my colleague touched on indigenous peoples in his speech as well. I think that by the brilliance of our colleague, the member for Vancouver East, the parties will now be able to vote separately on part 1 and part 2. I wonder whether the member can share with us what this opens up as an opportunity for the Conservatives who, during the debates, have been touting the prot…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, the Liberal government, a minority, which to me does not indicate that this is such a massive decision by all of Canada, has successfully pushed through legislation that would violate the rights of indigenous peoples. It does so first of all by the process of getting Bill C-5 through in such a fast-tracked way, but it will continue to do so because of the way the legislation is crafte…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I congratulate the member on his election. I wonder if the member has heard from the Nunatsiavut Government in his province and whether it has shared its concerns with Bill C-5 and how the bill would infringe on its rights.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
[Member spoke in Inuktitut and provided the following text:] 1948ᒥᒃ ᐃᓅᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᐊᑦᑎᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐸᓂᖓᔭ’ᓈᖅ 12ᓂᒃ ᐅᑭᐅᖃᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ, ᐊᑦᑎᖅᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ Joan Scottieᒥᒃ Joan ᑎᑎᕋᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐅᖃᓕᒫᒐᕐᒥᒃ ᑕᐃᔭᐅᔪᖅ “ᑕᒪᐃᑦᑎᓐᓄ ᐃᓅᓛᖅᐳᖓ − ᑐᑭᓯᒋᐊᕈᑎ ᓲᖑᓴᕐᓂᖅ, ᓄᖑᓱᐃᑦᑐᓂ ᐅᔭᕋᓐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖅ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐱᑦᑕᐃᓕᓂᖏᑦ” Joan ᓴᖏᓂᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᓄᓇᒥᒃ ᑐᒃᑐᓂᓪᓗ ᐱᔪᒃᓯᓕᖅᑎᑕᐅᕗᖓ ᐸᓂᖓᔭ’ᓈᕐᒧᑦ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᐊᑏᑐᖅ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᑳᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᐱᑦᑕᐃᓕᑎᑦᑎᓂᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᓇᖅᑐᒃᑰᓂᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᑕ. ᐱᔪᓐᓇᐅᑎᕗᑦ ᓱᕋᒃᑕᐅᔪᒃᓴᐅᓕᖅᑎᓪᓗᒋ ᐊᑏ ᐱᔪᒃᓯᓂᐊᖅᐳᒍ ᐸᓂᖓᔭ’ᓈ…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
[Member spoke in Inuktitut and provided the following text:] ᒨᓯ ᐊᓈᓇᐅᕗᖅ ᑕᓗᖅᔪᐊᕐᒥᒃ. ᑕᖅᑭᑕᒫᖅ ᑮᓇᐅᔾᔭᖃᑦᑕᖅᑐᖅ $1100 ᐊᑖᓂ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓄᑕᖅᑲᓄᑦ ᓯᕗᓪᓕᐅᑎᓂᕐᒧᑦ ᐃᑲᔫᓯᐊᖅ ᐊᑐᕐᓂᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᓄᑕᖅᑲᑦ ᐅᓪᓗᑕᒫᖅ ᓂᕆᔭᒃᓴᖃᕈᓐᓇᖅᓯᓪᓗᑎᒃ Liberalᒃᑯ ᓄᖅᑲᖅᑎᑦᑎᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᓐᓄ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᔪᒥᒃ ᓂᖃᐃᓲᑎᓂᒃ ᓂᖀᑦ ᐅᑭᐅᖅᑕᖅᑐᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᑭᑐᓗᐊᖅᐳᑦ. Minister ᑲᔪᓯᑎᑦᑎᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᐊᖅᐹ Hᐊᒻᓚᒃᑯᓐᓄ ᐊᐅᓚᑕᐅᔪᒥᒃ ᓂᖃᐃᓲᑎᓂᒃ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᓂᕿᑖᕈᓐᓇᖅᓯᒃᑲᓐᓂᖁᓪᓗᒋ? [Inuktitut text interpreted as follows:] Mr. Speaker, Mosie is a single …
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I have a petition from 65 Canadians led by Doctors Against Genocide. The petitioners are calling for the implementation of the Geneva Conventions, as well as making sure that international assistance accountability act requires all Canadian foreign aid to uphold human rights and international legal standards. The petition is calling on citizens and residents of Canada to call upon the…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I would like to apologize in advance to the member. He did not really speak about what I am going to ask him in my question. Having looked at Bill C-4, which is supposed to be about addressing affordability measures, I have noticed that it has amendments to repeal sections of the Elections Act. I wonder how he feels about these repeals in the Elections Act, which seem to have nothing …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, Nunavut has the highest rate of child poverty in Canada. Almost half of Inuit children, at 42%, go to school hungry every day, yet the Liberals recently cancelled a hamlet food voucher program, with nothing to replace it. The nutrition north subsidy does not reduce grocery prices. Meanwhile, the North West Company consistently reports hundreds of millions of dollars in profits. Will t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I am going to ask the member a similar question to the one I asked earlier with respect to Bill C-4. It seeks to amend portions of the Elections Act, which has nothing to do with affordability. I wonder what the member's thoughts are on that.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I congratulate the member on his election. Canada prides itself on being a country that respects people's civil liberties, but the bill proposes sweeping powers for authorities. Can the member share with us how the bill will protect people's civil liberties while ensuring that arbitrary decision-making is not being done by the authorities through the bill?
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Uqaqtittiji, before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that June is National Indigenous History Month. I hope we all take any opportunity this month to appreciate and learn about indigenous peoples. For my part, National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to remind parliamentarians that Inuit, first nations and Métis are brilliant. When indigenous peoples enter the path of forgiveness an…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Uqaqtittiji, I congratulate the member on his re-election. I did enjoy working with him at INAN. While his is such a good question regarding culturally appropriate services, I think the first thing that needs to happen is, at the very least, for basic services to be provided. As I mentioned in my speech, Nunavummiut are forced to leave. It makes it more difficult for Nunavummiut, for northerners, …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Uqaqtittiji, when I was at INAN, one of the first things I always wanted to ensure that we did in our reports of our studies was to remind parliamentarians that indigenous peoples were in Canada before Canada was created, since time immemorial. Before colonialism, first nations and Inuit were taking care of these lands using their practices. During our management of it, there were not as many disa…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Uqaqtittiji, while the Prime Minister and the Liberal government are looking to get rich off first nation, Inuit and Métis lands, we are going to continue to be suppressed. This is what my biggest concern is with “one project, one review”. First nations, Métis and Inuit will not be able to give their free, prior and informed consent if it is fast-tracked, especially if they are being evacuated to …
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Uqaqtittiji, I congratulate the hon. member on her new role as a critic. In the 44th Parliament, I sat on the indigenous and northern affairs committee, and one of the studies that we did was on emergency preparedness. I encourage her to look at it when she goes back to her office. One of the recommendations that we made was for the federal government to work with the National Indigenous Fire Safe…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Uqaqtittiji, I am going to ask a similar question to the one I asked another member regarding the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council. In the 2018 Parliament, they recommended that Canada work with them to increase capacity and community preparedness. In the indigenous and northern affairs committee in the 44th Parliament, we made a similar recommendation that they work with the National Counc…
Read full speech →Emergency Debate
Uqaqtittiji, I congratulate the minister on her appointment and her election. I am going to ask about Chief Monias from the Pimicikamak first nation, who, when the state of emergency was declared there, made remarks regarding the importance of treaty relationships, as well as making sure that, because of that treaty relationship, they have ready access to all ministers. The chief has since stated …
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, the translation was not coming through in English.
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Uqaqtittiji, I congratulate you on your role as Deputy Speaker and I congratulate the member on her election. As the MP for Nunavut, I hear on a daily basis about the issues of the cost of living. As an example, a package of four corn on the cob is $15 in the community of Pangnirtung. That is how drastic and unaffordable it is. I wonder if the member agrees that to address the cost of living crisi…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Uqaqtittiji, I congratulate the member on his re-election. I always appreciate his speeches. The opioid crisis has unfortunately reached my riding of Nunavut as well, which is surprising because all the communities are fly-in communities. I wonder whether the member agrees that a way to address that in my riding is to have better screening facilities both at mailing ports and at airports as well?
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Uqaqtittiji, I would like to thank very much the member for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation for sharing his time with me. I hope that this is the first of many collaborations to come. First, I thank Nunavummiut for electing me to represent and amplify their voices in this place. I thank my volunteers, contributors and staff for energizing my campaign. I thank my family, and a very special thanks to my…
Read full speech →Speech from the Throne
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, could you check to see if the member for Courtenay—Alberni is online?
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 →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 congratulate the member on his first term. We have had a quick conversation, and I think we will be able to work really well together. I think one way to make sure we can increase investments in the north is to help use NATO spending. If we are going to reach our 2% target, a way to reach it is to say that northerners need to be engaged in Arctic sovereignty and Arctic security. In…
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…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
[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 →Oral Questions
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…
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…
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, 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…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
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 →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…
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