Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, my colleague's speech was very informative in showing the realities of what indigenous peoples experience in Canada because of the decades of a lack in investments by the Liberal government and past Conservative governments, which has led to the continued marginalization of indigenous peoples. I wonder if the member could share her thoughts on what will happen because of the budget an…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, in their budget on Thursday, the Liberals made a lot of announcements on housing, but they did not make the $600-million investment in the territories that Nunavut, Northwest Territories and the Yukon have been desperately asking for. When I go home, I am told more heartbreaking stories of crumbling and overcrowded homes. Why will the minister not listen to the territorial premiers an…
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Uqaqtittiji, the school that I graduated from, the Ataguttaaluk Elementary School in Igloolik, is falling apart under the Liberals' watch. A recent report said that there are 127 issues that need fixing, including safety hazards like missing handrails and exposed electrical circuits. Children cannot learn when their school is crumbling. In budget 2024, will the Liberals invest in fixing or replaci…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Uqaqtittiji, I rise to speak in support of Bill S-209. I thank my colleague from Vancouver Centre for sponsoring this bill. A pandemic observance day, if passed, would honour the loved ones we lost to COVID-19. It would recognize the countless sacrifices made by frontline workers in Canada and abroad. It would provide us with a chance to reflect on the ongoing impacts COVID-19 continues to have. O…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, first nations and Inuit have been neglected by successive Liberal and Conservative governments for years. They have underfunded infrastructure for first nations by $350 billion. For Inuit, the gap is $75 billion. The Liberals committed to closing this gap by 2030, but they are nowhere near their target. This means more mouldy homes, more crumbling schools and more contaminated water. …
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Uqaqtittiji, a Calgary economic development study estimated that Alberta could see $61 billion pumped into its economy through clean technology investments. Does the member agree that transitioning to sustainable energy is the way to go, so provinces such as Alberta could continue to see their economies grow?
Read full speech →Statements by Members
[Member spoke in Inuktitut as follows:] ᖁᔭᓐᓇᒦᒃ ᐅᖃᖅᑎᑦᓯᔩ ᖁᕕᐊᓇᒻᒪᕆᑦᑐᓂᒃ ᐅᓂᒃᑲᐅᑎᖃᐃᓐᓇᕈᓐᓇᖏᑉᐳᖓ ᐅᕙᓂ ᐊᒥᓲᓗᐊᕐᒪᑕ ᐊᑦᓱᕈᓐᓇᖅᑐᖅᑰᐸᒃᑐᑦ, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᐱᑕᖃᒐᓛᒃᐳᖅ ᑐᓵᒃᓯᐊᕙᒐᒃᓴᖕᓂᒃ, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᑎᑭᐅᑎᒻᒪᑦ ᑲᔪᓯᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅ− ᓱᓂ ᑕᒑᒃ ᑰᕐᓕᒧᑦ, ᐊᒃᓱᐊᓗᒃ ᖁᔭᓕᕙᕋ ᑖᓐᓇ ᑲᔪᓯᑎᒃᓯᓚᐅᕐᒪᑦ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᒪᓕᒐᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐃᒃᐱᓐᓂᐊᕆᔭ− ᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᒻᒪᓗ ᑐᓐᖓᕕᖏᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᖅᓱᓂ ᖁᔭᓕᕙᕋ ᐃᑲᔪᖅᑐᐃᓯᒪᒻᒪᑦ ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒥᐅᓂᒃ ᐃᓅᖃᑎᒌᑦᓯᐊᕈ− ᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᕈᓐᓇᑎᑦᓯᒻᒪᑦ ᑖᒃᑯᐊ ᐊᐅᓚᔾᔪᑎᑦᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᓇᒻᒥᓂᖁᑎᒥᓂᒃ−ᖁᑎᑦᓴᒃᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᑐᕈᓐᓇᓕᖅᓱᑕ ᑖᓐᓇ ᓯᕗᓂᒃᓴᕐᒧᑦ ᐸᕐᓇᐃᓯᒪᓪᓗᓂ ᓄᓇᓕᓐᓂᒃ ᐋᔩᖃᑎᒌᑦᑎᐅᓚᐅᖅᑐ…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, grocery prices in the north are still sky high. In the latest flyer from NorthMart in Iqaluit, a jar of pasta sauce is over $10. When I asked the Minister of Northern Affairs about the broken nutrition north program, he pointed to internal reviews and studies. Indigenous peoples and northerners do not need more studies. They need to put food on the table. When will the Liberals stop t…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I would like to thank the member for her important responses. It really is quite unfortunate that the Conservatives are using tactics to avoid important debate on Bill C-35. What I very much appreciate about Bill C-35 is that it takes a rights-based approach. I wonder if the member could share with us why the Conservatives would avoid ensuring that the bill passes so that rights could…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I would like to start by saying that prioritizing is not eliminating. The member mentioned a constituent email he received where they said that they were concerned about private care not being available. Can the member please point to where in the bill it specifically prohibits private care?
Read full speech →Routine Proceedings
Uqaqtittiji, I am quickly reading through the report that was done by the 43rd Parliament. This is not an issue that is new to me; it is quite familiar. I hear about food insecurity all the time whenever I go to my communities. I was surprised to see there was a recommendation in the report that the nutrition north program be evaluated, but, unfortunately, that has not been done. Could the member …
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I am honoured to rise on Bill C-35, an act respecting early learning and child care in Canada. I am proud to represent Nunavut and to be the critic for indigenous issues and northern affairs. I thank my colleague and friend, the member for Winnipeg Centre, for her leadership in ensuring that Bill C-35 will positively impact Inuit, first nations and Métis. Early learning and child care…
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Uqaqtittiji, I am reminded of the conversations I had with my constituents, Bernadette Dean and Annie Curley, who reminded me that it is so important, as we continue to talk about intergenerational trauma, that we need to start shifting that focus to having discussions about intergenerational love. This bill is one of the opportunities to ensure we are passing on intergenerational love from parent…
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Uqaqtittiji, I am always appalled at question period about how many resources other parties have to address issues. When I finally get my chance to ask questions in question period, I always ask about investments that go to Nunavut and indigenous communities. However, for the Conservatives, for example, a lot of their questions are limited to the carbon tax or something that does not advance the r…
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Uqaqtittiji, I do plan to split my time with the member for Edmonton Strathcona As I said, Bill C-35 would open the opportunity for a national system of early learning and child care. A 2022 Statistics Canada study found that 38% of parents were changing their work or study schedule and 37% were working fewer hours. Bill C-35 would allow more parents to get back to work to provide for their famili…
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Uqaqtittiji, I would remind the member that it has been the New Democrats who have been able to get the most results for Canada in the 44th Parliament. We are the ones who were able to get dental care. We were the ones who got pharmacare. The fourth party in this 44th Parliament has gotten the most for Canadians. We are the ones who have been ensuring that indigenous rights are being respected. I …
Read full speech →Statements by Members
Uqaqtittiji, Inuit, indigenous and northern women have great strength. They deal with many hardships, including the effects of the lack of federal investments. They deal with overcrowded homes and so much more. Inuit, indigenous and northern women make beautiful clothing from caribou, seal and other materials. They work in partnership with hunters and many others. Funding for Inuit, indigenous and…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, northerners continue to experience the worst housing crisis in the country. Overcrowding is so bad that families sleep in shifts. One home was cracking in half from the melting permafrost and was only held together by duct tape. This cannot continue. For years, the government has ignored the territories' calls for investments to housing. They need the housing funding now. Will the Pri…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, people in the north are paying enormous amounts for food as the CEOs of the grocery chains make millions of dollars. Nunavummiut have said for years that nutrition north is not working, and the government is ignoring them. Nutrition north is keeping many northerners in poverty as the subsidy is going to CEOs' profits, not lowering food prices. Why is the minister padding the pockets o…
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Uqaqtittiji, from what I have learned, this legislation has been a long time coming. The NDP has introduced similar bills eight previous times, and I have learned as well that Quebec and British Columbia already have legislation similar to this. There has already been a lot of great work to make sure that there are better relationships between employers and the unions. I wonder if the member can e…
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I do not see in this bill how the individuals the member talked about are being prevented from accessing these programs. Can she tell us where in Bill C-35 she sees the impact of not creating that equality? I see that equality would be better achieved because of things like what it would do for indigenous families and how indigenous families could better support each other so that ind…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, Canada's federal housing advocate confirmed this week that indigenous peoples are more likely to be forced to live on the streets. This government's lack of action means that indigenous peoples are being intentionally forgotten. In Edmonton, 60% of those living on the streets are indigenous. In Winnipeg, it is two-thirds and in Saskatoon, it is over 90%. In Nunavut, many tell me about…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Uqaqtittiji, I acknowledge we are on unceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory. I do so while representing my riding of Nunavut. I rise to speak to Bill C-321, an act to amend the Criminal Code regarding assaults against health care professionals and first responders. I thank the member for Cariboo-Prince George for tabling his private member's bill. Since I joined this house in 2021, I have observed…
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Uqaqtittiji, from what I understood, the member was saying that the bill would discriminate against a certain type of care. I wonder whether she could point to where in the bill it talks about this discrimination. What I understand is that the bill states there needs to be a prioritization for public over private child care, and that it would not prevent any other care from being addressed by the …
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Uqaqtittiji, the member highlighted the ravages of what colonial systems continue to do to indigenous peoples, but I wanted to ask specifically about Bill C-62 and the amendment that has been inserted about the creation of a joint committee of both houses of Parliament designated for determining eligibility. What does the member think about that amendment, which would require discussions on ensuri…
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Uqaqtittiji, I think that we all know that indigenous peoples have the fewest mental health resources. A huge part of that is because of Canada's colonial history. One of the efforts we have been making is trying to get more indigenous healers and indigenous care workers incorporated into the non-insured health benefit system so they can be paid similarly to professionally or academically certifie…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, when the Minister of Environment and Climate Change said the government would stop investing in new road infrastructure, he made it very clear that he never considered northern communities. Many indigenous communities still lack all-weather roads. In fact, most of the communities in my riding are still using dust roads. For years, they have been calling on the government to invest in …
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Uqaqtittiji, I wonder if the member could share with us what would happen if we missed the deadline. What kinds of challenges will be experienced by Canadians and the system if we do not get this passed before March 17?
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Uqaqtittiji, I appreciate very much the passion the member shared in her intervention. I wonder if the member could share with us what she thinks would happen after March 17 if we do not meet this deadline, this really important deadline, which we need to avoid so we can make sure what she has been talking about is protected. Could she explain to us what she thinks would happen with the March 17 d…
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court's decision affirmed what we already know: Indigenous peoples have the right to make decisions about their own children, youth and families. The federal government must ensure that indigenous children receive the care they need without delay. Indigenous Services plans to sunset over $7 billion in programs, such as Jordan's principle and the Inuit child first initiativ…
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Uqaqtittiji, I am going to ask the member a similar question to what I asked a previous Conservative member, because she spoke to it as well. She mentioned that, by CAP not being mentioned as one of the board members, it is being prevented from being a voice in this board. However, I give the same reminder that the national council for reconciliation will have a minimum of nine members and a maxim…
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Uqaqtittiji, I would like to remind the member that the bill speaks to requiring the national council for reconciliation to have a minimum of nine members and a maximum of 13. Just because it names four organizations does not mean it excludes others from becoming board members. Does the member agree that there is nothing in this legislation stating that CAP shall not be a member of the national co…
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Uqaqtittiji, I am not too familiar about the work that was done before. I am aware that it was led by my colleague, the former NDP MP, Romeo Saganash. I very much always appreciated his leadership because he is also a former residential school student and one of the people that I very much look up to, being able to be a leader despite all the atrocities he experienced. I learned from him that part…
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Uqaqtittiji, before I begin, I would like to thank the member for Kings—Hants for his apology; I accept it, as he is correct that I abstained. Just to clarify, I abstained, along with my colleague, the member for Winnipeg Centre, with the full support of the whole NDP caucus, because we felt quite strongly that the Liberal government had been failing on indigenous peoples' issues and that we need …
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Uqaqtittiji, I always appreciate my colleague's fierceness in the House. I always learn from her. It has definitely been very disappointing to sit here since 2021 and to see the Liberal government not respect UNDRIP after passing Bill C-15. A very important aspect of UNDRIP, as she mentioned, is the importance of free, prior and informed consent. If the Liberal government, for example, had used fr…
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Uqaqtittiji, I do remember when you came to our committee, and I thank you for coming to our committee at that time.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I do recall the member for Saanich—Gulf Islands coming to the indigenous and northern affairs committee to help make those amendments. As well, I have learned in this whole process that the colonial process of first reading, second reading, third reading and sending bills to committee, even though it is 150 years old, is still a very foreign process for indigenous peoples. When we cal…
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Uqaqtittiji, I also enjoy sitting in committee with that member. It is critically important for the national council on reconciliation to be indigenous-led because it will need the experience of first nations, Métis and Inuit to guide its work in the accountability that is demanded of the government. If there is anyone who can express the failures of federal governments and provinces in the best w…
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Uqaqtittiji, the hon. minister started his speech by saying that the Liberal government is listening to indigenous peoples and their calls to action. Seven years ago, it promised sunny ways and an improved relationship with indigenous peoples. If it has been listening, why did it take seven years for the Liberal government to introduce this table?
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, I am quite concerned about some of the Conservative responses when they say they will listen to first nations. When the Conservatives were in government, they were the ones who cut funds to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, which was very important for healing between first nations, Métis and Inuit. Even though they were told not to cut the program, they did. Therefore I will ask the…
Read full speech →Private Members' Business
Uqaqtittiji, I enjoy the hon. member's chairmanship at the indigenous and northern affairs committee very much. I know that he answered this question a little. I also want to thank the member for including indigenous artists like Kenojuak Ashevak in his statement and for noting the importance of ensuring that indigenous peoples are laureates as well. I wonder, in addition to what was just asked, i…
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Uqaqtittiji, the NDP believes that immigration makes Canada stronger, so we support this motion. I will read a quote by the premier of Nunavut on immigration. He said, “We do want to welcome new workers to Nunavut, but our immense housing shortage is the biggest obstacle we face today.” In an effort to have Nunavut welcome immigrants, will the member support increasing investments in housing so it…
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Uqaqtittiji, I rise on a point of order in response to the erroneous comment made by the member for Kings—Hants when, in response to my question, he said, “I noticed that she voted against the fall economic statement and the measures that actually contain the housing that was put to Nunavut just recently.” I abstained on the ways and means vote because this government has and continues to fail Inu…
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Uqaqtittiji, I do not normally like to ask questions with respect to other parties. However, I feel compelled to do so in this case. The previous member misstated a fact about the way I voted instead of answering my question on the need for increased investments so that all provinces and territories, including Quebec, could do better to make sure immigrants get the help they deserve. For example, …
Read full speech →Oral Questions
Uqaqtittiji, the Liberals are skirting their responsibility by underfunding the non-insured health benefits that provide dental care, eye care, mental health and medical travel for Nunavummiut. Their actions are forcing Nunavut to divert funds to this program instead of to their own health priorities. The Liberals need to step up. Their failure to live up to their responsibilities to Nunavut is un…
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Uqaqtittiji, the NDP, I think, are quite well-known for trying to work with all parties to get things done, and we did try to work with the Conservative Party on this motion. Why did the Conservatives vote against our amendments, for example, requiring auto manufacturers to improve security features in the cars they sell, and secondly, to put in place tough, new measures to crack down on organized…
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Uqaqtittiji, I find it difficult to accept that apology because I do not think it is a sincere one.
Read full speech →Government Orders
Uqaqtittiji, as I listen to the interventions and think back to the effectiveness of the NDP in this 44th Parliament, I think about, for example, what the MP for Vancouver East and I have done in securing $4 billion over seven years for urban, rural and northern housing. I think about the member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre who got unanimous consent by all of Parliament that residential schoo…
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Uqaqtittiji, I would indeed like to rise on that same point of order because I am quite offended that I am being told that I might not be smart enough or might not have the level of information that I need to be able to ask smart questions. I did point to the effectiveness of what the NDP has done and pointed to the difference between that and what the Liberals have not done. The member did not an…
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Uqaqtittiji, as I shared earlier, I know that the Minister of Indigenous Services has worked really hard with organizations such as the Assembly of First Nations. However, they do not represent all first nations. There are way too many first nations that were not included during this consultation process. In terms of those who were consulted, I appreciate the sentiment, but that does not extend to…
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