Oral Questions
Ullukkut,Uqaqtittiji. June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to celebrate the cultures, languages, histories and contributions of first nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. As we continue the work of reconciliation, would the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs show how indigenous leadership and partnership are helping advance economic opportunity and prosperity across the north?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Uqaqtittiji, with June being National Indigenous History Month, I remind all Canadians to celebrate the stories, culture, strengths and brilliance of indigenous peoples across Canada. As a proud Inuk, I highlight the strength both of Canadian Inuit from across Inuit Nunangat and of Inuit from across Inuit Tapiriit Nunarjuarmi, the circumpolar Arctic. Ancient Inuit world view is embedded in our cur…
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Uqaqtittiji, I think that one thing we all agree on is that the Conservatives are really good at spreading misinformation and disinformation. They have Canadians believing that the bill, if introduced the way it is, would make it possible for someone to be charged just for reading scripture or sharing their faith. This is what the Conservatives have done. I wonder if the secretary can tell us why …
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Uqaqtittiji, I am glad that the hon. member mentioned the importance of reinstating the Attorney General's consent before charges proceed. I wonder if he could explain why that oversight is so important, especially given that we are being told, during these debates, about Conservatives doing this and Liberals doing that. Could he expand on why making sure that there is AG consent is so important a…
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Uqaqtittiji, I would like to thank the minister for her excellent presentation and for explaining very clearly why this bill is so important. I wonder if she could share with us what this means for the people who will be impacted by this legislation and why it is so important for them to be able to enact their own legislation.
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Uqaqtittiji, I was raised in a system designed to eradicate my identity as an Inuk. While I have had my struggles, as many Inuit and indigenous peoples have, we continue to show our strength and practise our traditions. We still speak our indigenous languages, use our practices and celebrate our successes. [Member spoke in Inuktitut and provided the following text:] lnnatuqait, nunaliit ammalu nag…
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Uqaqtittiji, I always appreciate the member's speeches in the House of Commons and always learn so much more about Canada, given the long time he has been an MP in the House. I wonder if the member would share with us how much change we have seen in the 45th Parliament, especially in regard to the focus we are seeing in investments for Nunavut.
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Uqaqtittiji, here is how I answer that question. Canada is investing in Canada. Canada is making sure that it can defend itself, and it is doing so with measures that will help make sure that this includes Nunavut and keeping the Arctic secure.
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Uqaqtittiji, last month, a group of us met Joe, a long-haul truck driver in Kavvilihiktuuq, also known as Hope Bay. We learned that he and his family have been stewards of the land for generations. Inuinnait in the area continue to manage the area. They have determined and will continue to help govern decisions regarding economic potential. The recent announcement of a new Inuit-led wind project a…
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Uqaqtittiji, I will be sharing my time with the member for Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek. Before I begin my speech, I just wanted to send a quick congratulatory note to North of North, which won multiple awards at the Canadian Screen Awards. Ullukkut. I am happy to speak on behalf of Nunavummiut regarding Bill C-31, and I will be speaking regarding the proposed amendments to the Territorial Lands Act …
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Uqaqtittiji, I am always going to make sure, when it comes to us doing our work as parliamentarians, that we have transparency, of course. I know, for example, that when I asked my question about protecting the environment, I talked about how important the Inuit-led wind project is in Hope Bay—
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Uqaqtittiji, I am thankful for the wonderful opportunity to share more about the strengths of Nunavut. I mentioned, in my question, Joe, who is from the Kitikmeot region. He is a long-haul truck driver, but also, as I mentioned, he and his family have been stewards of the land for generations. For him, it is striking a balance between economic opportunities that will help with economic prosperity …
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Uqaqtittiji, I think that is why it is so important, with this speech specifically, that we continue to highlight that we need to work with indigenous partners. Indigenous partners, we know, have been stewards of these lands for generations, and working closely with them will help to make sure that we have a balanced approach to making sure that we can build Canada strong.
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Uqaqtittiji, first, I want to congratulate the newly elected NTI President, Gloria Uluqsi. I am very excited for her term. Second, the spring economic update included significant investments and programs benefiting Nunavut and helping to lower everyday costs for Nunavummiut. Some examples include pausing the fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel, working with Inuit to reform nutrition north, doin…
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Uqaqtittiji, May 5 is Red Dress Day, a day to honour the memory of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people and to reaffirm our commitment to ending this national crisis. Could the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations please update the House on the work our government is doing to build a stronger, safer country for indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people?
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Uqaqtittiji, earlier today, we had an S.O. 31 about the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre. I have had loved ones attend that wonderful facility. That is where I learned about relapse and how important it is to recognize when the potential of relapse leads to abusing substances or any other addictions. I wonder if she could share any ideas for more positive coping mechanisms to avoid relapse.
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Uqaqtittiji, honestly, I am quite disgusted with the mockery and the way this debate is going. I am probably the only indigenous member in this Parliament at the moment. It is really unfortunate to hear the speech mock how hard indigenous partners have worked to ensure that this commission can be created. I would love an apology for how this member prefers to respect—
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Uqaqtittiji, that is a bit of a confusing question. First of all, I should say that I have always been supportive of Inuit northerners who work in the mines in Nunavut. I have never spoken against the workers. Of course, I have always placed prominence on making sure there are better relationships between mining companies and Inuit rights holders and indigenous rights holders. Once those relations…
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Uqaqtittiji, I am very happy to represent Nunavummiut on this side of the House. I was a parliamentarian when this bill was originally tabled in the 44th Parliament as Bill C-77, so I do have some history with this bill. I would like to also acknowledge that we are on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinabe people of these lands. This bill is such an important bill because it was…
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Uqaqtittiji, I would remind the member that the Harper government is the same government that made huge cuts to programs that would have benefited indigenous peoples, like the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. Maybe those funds would not have been cut if we had had the commissioner back then. That highlights how important the work of the commissioner is.
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Uqaqtittiji, it really is very important to get it right. No matter what government we have, the prominence that is given to reconciliation will always have to exist because of where Canada resides. We are on indigenous peoples' lands, and we must always acknowledge it. That is why it is always important to say where we continue to do our work. The relationships we have with first nations, Inuit a…
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Uqaqtittiji, I wonder what the hon. member has to say to the many first nations and modern treaty organizations that have negotiated for over 20 years to get this bill tabled. This is their hard work, which was co-developed with the federal government. What does she have to say to them about what their efforts have meant in making sure that the bill could be tabled so that we could have the role o…
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Uqaqtittiji, I would like to thank my colleague for his excellent speech. He described really well what the Conservatives do not seem to understand, the meaning behind what would happen if, for example, the gas tax fund was permanently ended. What impact would that have on bodies like the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which does rely on that fund?
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Uqaqtittiji, I really appreciated my colleague's early observation about the omission in this motion about what is going on in our current geopolitical environment. He rightly pointed out that the Conservatives are great at disinformation, misinformation and really fearmongering in Canadian society. I wonder if he can share with us how this motion ignores this, by omission. What would he tell the …
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Uqaqtittiji, March 31 will be National Indigenous Languages Day. Our government acknowledges that indigenous languages must be celebrated and supported. We have more great news. The additional $17.2 million towards national Aboriginal broadcasting will go a long way. More indigenous peoples will preserve their cultures by showcasing their stories. Could the Minister of Canadian Identity and Cultur…
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Uqaqtittiji, I am proud to join a team that will take the larger picture of meeting the current political environment and that is set on meeting the immediate needs of the north. Northerners know that food security is about more than getting food on the shelves. It is about addressing the cost of living, local capacity and true food sovereignty. Can my colleague, the Minister of Northern and Arcti…
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Uqaqtittiji, that is an important question. It is definitely very obvious that the federal government has used its colonial efforts to divide and conquer indigenous peoples, be them first nations, Métis or Inuit, and we need to make sure that, as indigenous peoples, we stand in solidarity to make sure that these injustices, such as the second-generation cut-off, are addressed.
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Uqaqtittiji, I agree with the line of questioning of the member. It does not go far enough. First nations need to achieve their inherent jurisdiction over citizenship and membership. That dialogue needs to go further, and making sure we have swift passage of Bill S-2, with the Senate amendments, would help push that agenda forward.
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Uqaqtittiji, I did not hear a favourable answer, unfortunately, and I think our fight will end up being that we make sure that those Senate amendments are included in Bill S-2, particularly because, for example, in Bill C-38, there was a provision where first nations who had experienced discrimination would have been disallowed from seeking restitution. The Senate amendments to Bill S-2 propose to…
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I am rising on behalf of 69 petitioners who are seeking attention on pay equity. They have found that the office of the pay equity commissioner reported in 2024 that women earn 87¢ for every dollar earned by men and that this gap is even larger for Black, indigenous and racialized women, and disabled women. The governments of Yukon, NWT and Nunavut continue to be exempt from the Pay E…
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Uqaqtittiji, I thank the minister for her important presentation. Does the minister support the amendments that were made by the Senate committee on this study? They made very important amendments that would help to equalize first nations rights so that they are on par with Canadians' rights.
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Uqaqtittiji, I will remind the member that those kinds of questions should have been asked when they were expediting Bill C-5. They did not take into consideration that there had been different solutions and different things requested by different first nations, Métis and Inuit, yet they were able to expedite the passing of Bill C-5. If they were able to do that with that bill, they should be able…
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Uqaqtittiji, very quickly, could the member share with us whether the Conservatives will support the amendments that were made by the Senate?
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Uqaqtittiji, I would like to thank the minister for sharing her time with me on this important bill, Bill S-2, to amend the Indian Act. Bill C-38, from the last Parliament, was a bill that I could not support at the time because of the inequities that first nations would continue to have. However, the NDP supports the Senate amendments to Bill S-2 and hopes that the bill will pass quickly. It is a…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Uqaqtittiji, I am very pleased to represent Nunavut in supporting Bill S-228. First, I would like to thank the very strong people, who may or may not be in this room, who are sharing their strength with us today: Jackie, Sylvia, Heather, Germaine, Chasity, Nicole, Lois, Nilak, Susan, Harmony, staff and volunteers. I also thank the MP for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes, and I thank Senator Boyer for her…
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Uqaqtittiji, the bill required so much work that it was hard to support it right away. I very much appreciate the amendments that were tabled by the MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands.
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Uqaqtittiji, I agree with the member in that amendments were needed, and they continue to be needed. I wonder if he can express whether the Conservatives will support the amendments that were tabled by the MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands.
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Uqaqtittiji, the first nations caring society created Have a Heart Day. I attended an event held at the Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe. There were about 15 schools with around 700 students at this beautiful event. Originally started in 2012, this campaign has students write letters to the Prime Minister regarding injustices towards indigenous peoples. Will the Prime Minister honour these calls …
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Uqaqtittiji, the fact that the member has stated that the government has not had data to develop the bill confirms what I have been saying: The bill was not based on evidence. I agree that we need to make sure we have better prevention programs. The best way to do that is to make sure we do not keep more people in jail, which the bill intends to. That is what we need to focus on. As the Criminal L…
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Uqaqtittiji, the sensationalism that the media shares is creating fear that is not necessary, and the focus needs to be on addressing violent offenders. I hope that with the way the bill is, it would not be overgeneralizing the people who would be most impacted. We have heard that bail works right now and that people who are violent offenders are kept in, and that is what the target needs to be of…
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Uqaqtittiji, I am very pleased to speak to the bill, and I am also very pleased to have seconded the amendments submitted by the MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands, because I believe we share values. The bill required so much work, and her amendments can address so many of the flaws in the current iteration of Bill C-14. I thank the Criminal Lawyers' Association for its work. In a submission it made, it …
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Uqaqtittiji, I completely agree that this is such an important act of reconciliation. I wonder if the member agrees that reconciliation not only happens through government but has to be an effort by everyone who can help ensure that indigenous peoples have a better sense of well-being. I wonder if the member agrees that with the Conservatives being opposed to this bill, it also shows they are not …
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Uqaqtittiji, in Canada we have several means of protecting civil liberties, whether it be law enforcement, the Canadian Armed Forces or other mechanisms. In that same line of thinking, indigenous people deserve just as much protection as all Canadians. I wonder if the member agrees that the more that we have to ensure that there is implementation of important contracts like the modern treaties, th…
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Uqaqtittiji, before the election, the Liberals planned to cut the Inuit child first initiative. When Inuit heard this, they spoke up by the thousands. Under pressure from Nunavut, the Liberals promised to extend the program. Since being elected, the Minister of Indigenous Services promised an announcement on the ICFI. Nine months later, far too many Inuit children are still being kept below the po…
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Uqaqtittiji, the state of emergency in Cross Lake Pimicikamak is now over 40 days old. The army came, made recommendations and left, and where is the federal government? It is still brainstorming solutions. Meanwhile, evacuees remain stranded in cities without adequate supports. When will Ottawa move past talking points and, at a minimum, implement the army's recommendations and uphold their const…
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Uqaqtittiji, in Rankin Inlet, the NDP caucus heard from one Inuk who shared that he has waited for 11 years for a house. There are 17 people living in his two-bedroom unit. His story is all too common in Nunavut. The government is acting on what I have told it. Nunavut will receive 50 more homes added to the 700 originally promised in the budget. This is a good start. Will the minister keep workin…
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Uqaqtittiji, successive Liberal and Conservative governments have bungled fighter jet procurement for decades. Now, with Donald Trump threatening Canada's sovereignty and our NATO allies, New Democrats call on the Prime Minister to cancel all F-35 contracts and commit to purchasing the Swedish Saab Gripen. The Prime Minister promised to make Canada less reliant on the American military. Will the P…
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Uqaqtittiji, Nunavummiut are seeking reassurance from the government. Nunavummiut deserve to know how they will be engaged in keeping the Arctic secure. They deserve to be protected and to participate in their own safety. Inuit have the expertise, knowledge and skills to do so. The federal government creates too many barriers, such as not investing in housing and not feeding families, which is kee…
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Uqaqtittiji, please join me in welcoming the new Government of Nunavut, Premier Main and his cabinet, to Ottawa this week. Canada's Arctic security is particularly important. Liberals meeting with the Government of Nunavut can show that Arctic policy is more than language in a throne speech. Parliament must look beyond megaprojects in the south. Decades of chronic underinvestment means northerners…
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