Nancy Karetak-Lindell

[Hockey, February 15th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, this weekend the first ever junior hockey tournament in Nunavut history will take place in Rankin Inlet. Six teams from across the north will compete before excited fans and also hockey scouts from the south.

As a special treat, the Stanley Cup will be on display during the Polar Bear Plate Junior C Tournament which will inspire many talented hockey players. We know there are many great hockey players in the north and are proud to showcase them to the rest of the country.

Nunavut was truly honoured to be represented in the 2001 CHL/NHL top prospects game in Calgary by Rankin Inlet native Jordin Tootoo of the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. Jordin has been nominated for many honours, including Manitoba's sportsman of the year, and is a true model for Nunavut hockey players. Jordin's story proves that even if one is from an isolated Nunavut hamlet, one can still compete with the best of the country.

I wish good luck to all participants.

[Housing, February 12th, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, in winter the housing crisis in Nunavut becomes more evident. In such a harsh climate no one can survive without shelter. Inuit know this and traditionally everyone is taken in from the cold. Sleeping on a porch or on a floor is better than freezing outside.

Currently 15% of the Nunavut population is on the waiting list for housing. As the population of Nunavut is growing by 12% per year, this waiting list will certainly increase in numbers.

I assure my constituents that I am committed to working with the federal and territorial governments to improve the situation. The challenge of housing in Nunavut is a huge problem, but when we all work together toward the same goal I know we can achieve great things.

[Nunavut, February 2nd, 2001]

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Nunavut, I congratulate you on being elected Speaker of the House of Commons.

I want to thank the wonderful people of Nunavut for their resounding endorsement of me to continue representing them in the House of Commons. I look forward to working strongly on their behalf and the throne speech contained very positive announcements to start on that road. We are thankful that there is a strong commitment to the aboriginal people in the mandate of our government because we only want to share opportunities with other Canadians.

The Speech from the Throne gives us great hope for the future. I look forward to working with the government of Nunavut and the federal government on key issues such as education, health and housing. Mutna .

[Children, October 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, by now most Canadians are aware that on September 11 the Prime Minister and the first ministers reached a historic agreement on health care. What has not received quite as much public attention is that an equally important agreement was also reached to help young children and support their families.

Can the Secretary of State for Children and Youth please tell the House what the government hopes to achieve with the agreement on early childhood development?

[Hiv/Aids, September 21st, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, this Sunday, 16 communities throughout Nunavut will participate for the first time in the national AIDS walk campaign to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS.

I will be taking part in this important event in my home community of Arviat as we help raise national awareness of this devastating disease in an attempt to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

I wish to congratulate Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association, the sponsor of the Canadian Inuit HIV/AIDS Network with funds from Health Canada, on its excellent work in co-ordinating Inuit participation in the national AIDS walk campaign.

I wish all participants in Nunavut and throughout Canada good luck and say a big thanks to all sponsoring organizations that have donated tokens of appreciation and food for the participants to enjoy after their walk. Mutna .

[National Public Service Week, June 15th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, during this National Public Service Week celebrating valuable contributions that federal public servants make, I was happy to attend an awards ceremony where the Nunavut team was honoured, among others.

Public servants from all government departments, plus our Nunavut organizations who worked so hard in the creation of Nunavut received an award of excellence for their outstanding contribution. The award was presented by the President of the Treasury Board. These hard-working individuals were creative and dedicated to the creation of Nunavut. Their efforts helped to change the map of Canada. Helping to create Nunavut is an achievement they can certainly be proud of.

I also want to take this opportunity to wish all of my colleagues a good summer.

Mutna

[The Environment, June 14th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Environment.

The people of the north know better than any others that environmental damage created thousands of miles away is having a huge effect on our children's health. When the minister met with his American and Mexican counterparts earlier this week, what decisions were made that will protect all our children from environmental damage?

[Speech And Hearing Awareness Month, May 19th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House and all Canadians that May is Speech and Hearing Awareness Month across Canada. This is an opportunity to promote public understanding and to educate Canadians about the challenges faced by deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people.

In this era of advanced technology, we recognize the importance of being aware of and improving the situation for those who face hearing related communication barriers. Speech and Hearing Awareness Month is recognized by volunteers of professional organizations across Canada. They provide ongoing services to hearing impaired persons and are planning special activities for the month of May.

As someone hard of hearing and who deals with this on a daily basis, I ask all hon. members to please join me in congratulating the many organizations and volunteers who through their various programs continue to improve the quality of life for deaf, deafened and hard of hearing Canadians.

[National Press Club Book Drive, May 10th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, today the members of the National Press Club of Canada are launching a book drive to help provide books for the community of Cambridge Bay, Nunavut whose library burnt down in 1998.

The Cambridge Bay book drive kick-off is tonight at the National Press Club. Anyone wishing to donate books can drop them off at the press club at 150 Wellington Street until the end of May.

The recent book drive spearheaded by my colleague the hon. member for Ottawa—Vanier resulted in an astonishing 125,000 pounds of books for the Aqsarniq Middle School in Iqaluit, therefore enabling us to donate to every community in my riding in Nunavut.

I thank the National Press Club for its interest and wish it every success in its book drive and sincere thanks on behalf of my constituents for everyone's generosity. Thank you, mutna .

[Youth, May 9th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, as part of the celebrations marking international youth week the Government of Canada is supporting a number of diverse locally sponsored events to acknowledge the many contributions our young men and women make to the country.

I especially wish to share with the House that under the aboriginal human resources development strategy, the government is contributing nearly $1 million to assist aboriginal youth in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in their efforts to fulfill their educational potential and gain access to meaningful employment. As well the youth employment strategy earmarks another $25 million annually to first nations and Inuit organizations across the country to deliver a host of youth initiatives. These programs give youth valuable work experience and skills training through summer employment, science and technology camps, community service, entrepreneurship and internships.

In collaboration with our provincial, territorial and aboriginal partners—