Lori Idlout
Nunavut, Nunavut · Liberal · Canada
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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Every one of 243 lines we hold for Lori Idlout, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 5.
“I am inspired by Paningaya'naaq and hope Inuit and indigenous peoples will show their resistance in what will be challenging days. Our rights are on the verge of being infringed by Bill C-5 . Let us be moved by Paningaya'naaq and do what we can to protect our lands. [ English ]”
“[ 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’ᓈᖅᑎᑐᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕉᑎᖃᕐᓗᑕ ᓄᓇᖅᐳᑦ ᓴᐳᔾᔨᓗᑎᒍ [ Inuktitut text interpreted as follows: ] Mr. Speaker, when she was born in 1948, her parents named her Paningaya’naaq. By the time she was 12 years old, she was given the name Joan Scottie. Joan has written a book about her life, entitled I Will Live for Both of Us: A History of Colonialism, Uranium Mining, and Inuit Resistance . Joan has the strength to protect the land and the caribou.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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 the Liberals admit they believe the so-called nation-building Grays Bay road is more important than feeding Inuit children?”
“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 to do with affordability measures.”
“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?”
“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 they have only had one meeting with the minister and that their needs are not being heard and their voices are not being heard. They are saying they are not asking for charity, but are asking for their treaty relationship to be respected. I wonder if she can share with us how she is reconciling what we are hearing from chiefs in first nations with what she shared with us in her statement today.”
“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 Council for Reconciliation to help make sure that first nations communities are better prepared to deal with emergencies—”
“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 Safety Council to improve the capacity of communities to respond to wildfires. Wildfires have been becoming more frequent, and this recommendation was actually a repeat of a 2018 recommendation as well. I wonder if the member agrees that the federal government really does need to work with the council to ensure that communities have the capacity to fight wildfires.”
“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 places like Winnipeg.”
“Indigenous knowledge is science, and we need to make sure decision-making is based on indigenous expertise, expertise we have had since time immemorial.”
“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 disasters as we see now. In our decision-making as parliamentarians, the guidance we give to bureaucrats and the national work that is done to implement other activities in international law, we always need to make sure we are using indigenous knowledge, indigenous traditional knowledge, in the same way that science is being used.”
“While to try to reach that next level of culturally appropriate care is appreciated, I think we need to get back to the basics and make sure the basics are invested in.”
“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, to be engaged in Arctic sovereignty and Arctic security if they have no choice but to leave for basic medical care. Nunavummiut need to have access to safe, affordable, comfortable homes. Too many families are living in overcrowded housing conditions. Too many families are living in mouldy conditions.”
“Finally, the federal government must respect UNDRIP and ensure that first nations, Inuit and Métis truly provide their free, prior and informed consent with the Liberal government's “one project, one review” system. Canada is already on fire. Expediting mining projects would make all of our lives worse. Those from first nations that have been evacuated cannot provide free, prior and informed consent on projects that may be on their territories, and their rights must not be violated. We implore the Liberal government to ensure that free, prior and informed consent is truly the practice when working with indigenous peoples.”
“Indigenous peoples are voicing that their charter rights, particularly section 7, “right to life, liberty and security of the person”, may be engaged if evacuees are exposed to unsafe conditions through inaction. Indigenous Services Canada holds and must exercise a fiduciary obligation to provide supports when federal action is required to protect indigenous peoples and communities. Indigenous Services Canada must ensure that health care services are increased with the increase in the number of people now in Winnipeg. My constituents must not lose their health care, as they were forced to leave Nunavut to receive such services in the first place.”
“A recent CBC story said that first nations leaders are pointing out that Manitoba cities are largely booked up as people continue to seek temporary housing for evacuees fleeing communities surrounded by the wildfires. What will the government do to make sure the evacuees are properly housed, fed and able to take care of each other? The federal government's role in wildfire protection with regard to indigenous peoples includes wildfire suppression on federal lands, also known as Indian reserves, or on military bases. We must be given an update as to whether this is occurring. First nations have called on the Government of Canada to uphold its obligations to those who are impacted by wildfires.”
“The federal government is refusing to negotiate in good faith with Nunavut, to the tune of $236 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Without timely negotiations and transfers, Nunavummiut will continue to be forced to access health care in places like Winnipeg. While the 17,000 or so people being evacuated to Winnipeg are so important, my constituents must not fall through the cracks as Winnipeg sees a huge influx of people who will, at some point, require health care. I will turn now to the impacts on indigenous peoples experienced by first nations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Manitoba premier, Wab Kinew, declared a province-wide state of emergency, announcing that more than 17,000 people are expected to be evacuated from wildfire-affected communities.”
“There is only one hospital in Iqaluit. Most communities access the care provided by a visiting doctor or specialist very infrequently. In 2022, the Qanuinngitsiarutiksait study showed that about 16,000 medical appointments went to Manitoba. The study found that approximately 80% of births by women from the Kivalliq region occur in Manitoba, primarily in Winnipeg. They experience one month of confinement, away from their familiar surroundings. The costs of one such birth is approximately $14,000. (1850) The federal non-insured health benefits program pays for medical travel, as it is a federal obligation. Unfortunately, the federal government is refusing to meet its obligation. The Government of Nunavut is basically functioning as a bank for the federal government, rather than investing in housing or infrastructure.”
“Every day, there are medical travel patients going back and forth between Nunavut and Winnipeg. The health care system in Nunavut is very basic. If one goes to the health centre for pain and discomfort, the patient is sent home with pain relief. Sometimes months, and sometimes years, pass with the patient going back and forth without proper care. That same patient often ends up being diagnosed with cancer or a debilitating disease, in places such as Winnipeg, if that patient is lucky enough to get a referral to a clinic there. Communities are served by health centres, where the bulk of care is provided by nurses. Many centres in communities have been forced to remain closed, and only open to emergency cases, because of the lack of available nurses. Some larger communities, such as Iqaluit, have resident doctors.”
“The federal government's emergency response system is inadequate for addressing the urgent needs of evacuees, particularly those from indigenous communities. The federal government must accelerate its efforts to protect Canadians and lessen the impacts of climate change. Community leaders have expressed concerns about housing space and health care resources for those who have fled the fires. The Government of Canada needs to enact a preventative system that is regionally and community-based, as well as specific and controlled, to stop tragedies before they happen. This particular emergency debate, which I thank the member for Winnipeg Centre for seeking, is of particular importance to Nunavut. Nunavut has a heavy reliance on medical travel, and Winnipeg is a major hub for medical travel patients.”
“If Canada had established a much better relationship and started honouring treaties with indigenous peoples back then, we would have a much better Canada today. Turning to the emergency debate, first, qujannamiik to first responders in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Climate change is accelerating the frequency and size of disasters such as wildfires. Canadians are experiencing unprecedented forest fire seasons, and this season has only just started. Local and provincial first responders and firefighters are already overwhelmed. Manitobans, Saskatchewanians and those in many remote and northern first nations communities are being forced to leave their homes due to raging forest fires. Both provinces have declared states of emergency. To date, about 8,000 people from Saskatchewan, and over 17,000 people from Manitoba, have been evacuated.”
“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 and intergenerational love, they thrive and make Canada a better country. Parliament must do better to honour the former residential school students. Parliament must do better to honour the children who, rather than playing in playgrounds, were buried by the schools they were forced to be in.”
“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. Investing in infrastructure in the north could mean reaching those targets. It could mean northerners' participating in the security of the Arctic.”
“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 Arctic sovereignty, like investing in Canadian Rangers, I could see the benefits going both ways.”
“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 mentioned, I think that pushing through the Prime Minister 's agenda for one project, one review, for example, will ignore UNDRIP. Indigenous rights must not be violated in this policy. Developments on indigenous territories must adhere to constitutionally protected rights before projects begin. If this happened, then we could see indigenous peoples benefiting from—”
“At this time, I am moving a subamendment as follows: That the Conservative amendment be subamended by adding “as well as Indigenous peoples”. The seconder for the motion is the member for Winnipeg Centre .”
“Every Nunavummiut knows the nutrition north program does not work. Instead of revamping it, the Liberals appointed an Inuk to review the program. While I have a lot of respect for Aluki Kotierk, I question whether this review was necessary, especially when it is so blatantly clear that nutrition north is allowing companies like the The North West Company to make record profits. The government is ignoring Nunavummiut and the government is ignoring indigenous peoples. As the member of Parliament for Nunavut, I will continue to raise the voices of Inuit and Nunavummiut in this place to address the chronic underfunding of the territory, to protect Inuit children and families, and to build the infrastructure and housing that is so desperately needed in Nunavut.”
“From community freezers to food processing plants and greenhouses, the federal government must invest in similar projects led by Inuit if it is serious about Arctic security. Nunavut has the highest rate of child poverty in Canada at 42%, compared to the national rate of 18.1%. Nunavut has the highest rate of food insecurity of any province or territory. These statistics do not seem to matter to the federal government, as it cancelled the Inuit child first initiative's hamlet food voucher program. No reason was given. Over 15,000 Inuit children were served by this program. Finally, children were going to school having had breakfast. Without it, Inuit children and families are experiencing starvation every day. This is unacceptable. The Liberals cancelled the successful food voucher program but kept the failing nutrition north program.”
“The lack of transportation infrastructure impacts the cost of living. Grocery prices are so high in Nunavut that my constituents regularly tell me they go hungry. For example, in Pangnirtung, a package of four corn on the cob is $15. Not only are groceries super expensive, but the produce is often spoiled and rotten before it reaches the store shelves in Nunavut. I was in Grise Fiord in March of this year, and the potatoes for sale had already begun to sprout and the lettuce was brown. There are solutions to these problems. The Arctic Research Foundation built a greenhouse from a sea can in Gjoa Haven. They now have access to fresh lettuce and fresh produce. This one project has done so much for food security in Gjoa Haven. Similar projects in every community can help.”
“The throne speech said that transfers to territories would be maintained. This is completely unacceptable. Maintaining transfers to the territorial government means no increases, even when the cost of everything is on the rise. The cost of living is exacerbated by the lack of infrastructure for airports and marine ports. A recent example is how much longer it took for my validation. My validation was delayed by two weeks because flights were cancelled or delayed. Often, flights are cancelled due to weather, rather than being delayed to a later part of the day when the weather improves. (1355) The Cambridge Bay Airport runway is not paved. This causes mechanical challenges for airplanes and impacts the flight schedules. How can the government talk about Arctic security and defence when it will not even invest in paving airport runways?”
“The federal government is responsible for funding the non-insured health benefits program, but the Liberal government continues to fail to transfer the funds in a timely manner. The Government of Nunavut is forced to use its own meagre funds to ensure that medical care continues. It cannot prioritize building schools, long-term care facilities or more homes, because it is subsidizing the federal government. The Nunavut Minister of Health is frustrated by the shortfall in federal funding and by the federal government's refusal to negotiate in good faith. Without a proper negotiated agreement, the territorial government cannot prioritize its own agenda. Chronic underfunding of investments in Nunavut and Inuit was the reality before Nunavut was created in 1999 and remains as such today.”
“Instead of building capacity for health care within Nunavut, the federal government has decided to subsidize the airlines, which are making huge profits from medical travel. Elders are unable to age at home. As we age, we often require more medical attention. Too many times, elderly Nunavummiut are exiled to institutions in the south. They are taken from their familiar surroundings and diet, and forced to live without culturally appropriate care. This is a horrible way to live out the last years of their lives, especially for elders who have already experienced genocidal policies like residential schools, dog slaughters and forced relocations. We must do more to support elders to remain in Nunavut communities by investing in each hamlet to build an elders' qammaq and to have access to transportation and medical care.”
“There was nothing on addressing the high cost of groceries and nutrition north, and nothing on making the rich pay what they owe. First, with respect to health care, Nunavummiut do not have proper access to basic health care. The non-insured health benefits program relies heavily on medical travel. All 25 hamlets in Nunavut are fly-in communities. When a constituent needs medical attention, they are flown to Iqaluit, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Yellowknife or Edmonton because of the lack of access to doctors. I represent the largest electoral district in the world. Nunavut is more than two million square kilometres. It is eight times larger than the United Kingdom, and there is only one hospital. As a result, Nunavummiut must travel to southern locations for medical attention.”
“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 husband Allan for supporting my work. I acknowledge that we are on unceded Algonquin Anishinabe territory. The throne speech was quite similar to the last one I heard. Again, there were major gaps. We heard nothing on health care, non-profit and indigenous housing, the TRC calls to action and the MMIWG calls for justice.”
“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?”
“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 crisis, there needs to be an increase in investments like airports and marine ports in Nunavut.”
“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 approach or will indigenous people's rights be violated?”
“The NDP and I are seeking an emergency debate so that parliamentarians can discuss the sweeping changes made to Jordan's principle and the Inuit child first initiative and address the failure of the current government to implement the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal's order on Jordan's principle. I call on you, Uqaqtittiji , to ensure that the country takes seriously the systemic racism and discrimination toward indigenous children and families that is happening and to do your part to demand accountability for indigenous children.”
“Nunavummiut worked hard to get the ICFI extended, but, during the federal election campaign, the Liberals cancelled the hamlet food voucher program for Inuit children and families. This was a very successful program that served over 15,000 Inuit children. No reason was given for cancelling it. This political decision led Inuit children and families back into situations of poverty. Nunavut has the highest rate of child poverty in Canada, at 42%; the national rate is 18.1%. Nunavut also has the highest rate of food insecurity of any province or territory. Although the population of Nunavut is small, food insecurity in the territories is of concern to all Canadians, given the scale and severity of the problem.”
“The principle is named after Jordan River Anderson, who died in hospital at the age of five because the federal and provincial governments avoided responsibility for his care. His legacy must be properly honoured. How indigenous children and youth are treated has become a national crisis. The federal government unilaterally made changes without considering the impacts on first nations and Inuit children, youth and families. Changes to the requirements to access Jordan's principle and the Inuit child first initiative result in keeping first nations and Inuit children in poverty and less healthy than non-indigenous children. The months-long backlog of cases is 140,000 applications under Jordan's principle, with no clear plan on how to address this matter.”
“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 government has failed first nations, Métis and Inuit children and youth by imposing sweeping new changes to Jordan's principle and Inuit child first initiative applications. Jordan's principle is a legal obligation directed by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to address gaps in health care for indigenous children.”