Electoral Reform committee  Qujannamiik. I have no strong views on the current system, but if it has to be changed, as I said, I would prefer the alternative model. You're given choices, but the ticket is multiple choices on a preference basis, so at least there will be a majority of wishes expressed through that model, which chooses the candidate on a priority basis.

Electoral Reform committee  I believe there are too many. At the same time, our territory is very big, so it can be a challenge. We started with 19. We are 22 with our small territories, so there's a little overrepresentation at times. It was the choice of the last assembly, so we are following through with that at the moment.

Electoral Reform committee  Yes. I would agree.

Electoral Reform committee  We go through a mid-term review. We had one halfway through this current mandate. The members assessed the progress and the work produced by the various cabinet ministers. One minister fell, was voted out. It's a system of checks and balances on how the government is doing. After that, there are really no checks.

Electoral Reform committee  Yes. The members elect all the cabinet ministers, and then the premier assigns the portfolios from there. The only real authority of the leader in our territory is to assign portfolios, and they also used to be able to appoint deputy ministers. I don't know what the practice is today.

Electoral Reform committee  The consensus model is a carry-over from the NWT, which we are a part of. There are 22 ridings, and each individual runs on their own platform and gets elected. From there, there is a formal leadership forum where candidates for premier and ministers are vetted and chosen by all the 22 members that ran for office.

Electoral Reform committee  In our current system, you can't really promise anything, because you don't know if you will be part of the government at any point in time. You can't really promise results. Therefore, you have to do your part in trying to deliver as much as you can for your riding. It's something that I think we have to really examine ourselves.

Electoral Reform committee  Qujannamiik. Merci. Thank you to all of you for giving us and the people who are here with me, my colleagues, an opportunity to speak in front of you. What I’m going to basically talk about are the things you’re going to consider. I will probably talk more in Inuktituk and I will also speak in English.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Qujannamiik. I would be remiss if I didn't make a correction to the answer that I provided to the honourable member from Scarborough following the testimony that I made earlier today. When asked what current programs are working well in our communities, I made a mistake in my response, but in the interest of time and understanding that there's limited opportunity to list all of the amazing work that's being done on the front lines among our regions and in our communities, I'd be very happy to work with the council members of the National Inuit Council to provide a list for your reference in terms of suicide prevention activities and work being done across Inuit nunaat.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Qujannamiik, honourable member, for that question. There is not one issue that could be tackled stand-alone. I have been saying over and over that social and economic inequities that Inuit face in Canada must be eliminated, based on statistics as well as other things I've indicated in my testimony.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I definitely recognize that when we're talking about suicide prevention, that has to be an interdisciplinary and holistic approach. I see one of the strengths as prioritizing this and eliminating those social inequities so that we are raising happy and healthy children who go on to become youth.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  My answer will require a few minutes, and I seek consent to go beyond the time allotted to answer this question.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Qujannamiik. Thank you for honouring my request. It's really in the interest of the listening youth and attendees, as well as for your report. Qujannamiik for asking that question. I think it's really important that we continue to identify best practices and highlight role models such as those who sit beside me on their journey to continue to serve in the best interests of Inuit in Canada.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Qujannamiik. I'll rush this answer. If you can't move back and can't move forward, where is it that you go? That might be the reason why suicide is so prevalent, because there is nowhere else to go. I can confidently say the interest of youth is to continue to become more proud of being Inuk.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Sure. Thank you for that question. With respect to children in care, I require clarification. Is it for children who have been apprehended and are in the care system?