EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Oshutapik.
I thank Mr. Oshutapik for the comments.
I’m not sure if there was a question there, but I think parents in every community want to ensure the safety of their children. I think, as leaders of the community and as politicians, we want to ensure that our children are protected.
That’s why we do have the Child and Family Services Act to guide us. We are undertaking a review.
The OAG has made all their recommendations precisely with the protection and safety of our children and youth in the provision of services.
I hope that Mr. Oshutapik understands that children do have to be protected.
We have too many examples in Nunavut of serious child abuse. The social workers have the Act and they have to follow the rules, but hopefully, with the incorporation of Inuit societal values, they can call on the support and advice of elders and other people in the communities to guide them.
I know that when you live in a small community in Nunavut, which all of us have for many years, you know how things work in a community, but if you’re a person who comes from the outside and you have been here six months, you still have a lot to learn and understand.
That’s where local people, people who have been there for all their lives, can provide you with guidance about how you do your work.
Let me raise this question.
I wanted to bring that issue up and I thank you for commenting on it. (interpretation ends) Your department has undertaken a very comprehensive review of child and family services.
When will you be introducing new legislation for child and family services in Nunavut?
I believe that the current schedule calls for us to introduce it in the winter of 2013, so that would be February-March of next year.
We’re on page H-5. Branch Summary.
I’m sorry. I thought you had my name on your list.
One of your department’s priorities for 2012-13 is to implement the Ilagiitsiarniq (interpretation ends) prevention strategy. (interpretation) For those people who are in a violent situation, there is… .
In your department, you have 2012-13 that you will be developing a system for the people of Nunavut to deal with that.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Chairman, the translation wasn’t coming through clear for us. I would hate to ask, but could Ms. Ugyuk repeat her question?
Ms. Ugyuk: One of the department’s priorities for 2012-13 will be to “Implement the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Violence Prevention Strategy.” Can you describe how this policy will be implemented across Nunavut’s communities?
Mr. Chairman, one of the first things I did when I became minister was sort of reading through all the strategies, draft strategies, and other important documents in the Department of Health.
I did read the draft family violence prevention strategy. It was quite a long document. I met with officials in my department and asked them to redraft it with the idea of making it easier to understand so that it will be easier to apply in our communities when it’s implemented.
The reason I did that is because I recall the Family Abuse Intervention Act years ago when it was rolled out too quickly, and then we ran into some problems, early problems with it.
I don’t want it to be the same with this particular strategy, so we’re still working on it.
It is a high priority for the department.
At some certain point, we will discuss it with the members.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When we were reviewing last year’s supplementary appropriation in the winter, the Department of EIA requested funding for two positions and the members approved it. At that time, I asked the minister about the matter of shelters and whether the government would establish them.
The answer from the minister was that the community has to support this request, with support from residents and local church groups to provide a service if a shelter is established. My question is: will there be funding made available to communities to deal with family violence?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Ms. Ugyuk for her question.
Currently, I believe there are six shelters across Nunavut and I think three are operational. There are discussions with a couple of others to bring them online.
I don’t believe, at this time, there’s additional funding for shelters.
That’s the best I can answer on that. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My question was in relation to whether or not the hamlets will be provided with funding for this initiative.
Will the church groups that have been asked to provide more assistance to resolve family violence in the communities get this funding?
This is violence in a family, irrespective of their gender.
Right now, we only fund crisis shelters and safe homes in the communities.
I believe we have to be given a truthful response when we ask questions in this House.
When I had posed a question on safe shelters and whether one would be opened, the previous minister stated in response that none would be established.
The minister also stated that community groups and church parishes have to be included and they have to support the initiatives.
When I heard that response, I took it to mean that funding would be made available in the future for this initiative. That is what I’m trying to get clarified at this time.
I think we understand a little bit better now. If we receive proposals from groups in the communities, we would review the proposals.
It’s important that, as indicated in some earlier answers, a few people in communities get more involved to address family violence.
I can’t predetermine who is going to be involved. All communities are different. They have different groups that want to get involved and volunteer to help in different activities.
So it would be premature for me to actually say who would get funded and who would be involved in family violence initiatives at the community level.
When we did a supplementary appropriation this winter or last fall, we transferred money from EIA to Health and Social Services.
I specifically asked if they were going to open more shelters. I was told by the minister of the day that no, they’re not going to open any more shelters. They want the communities and clergies or ministers to help in this area.
I just want to know if the communities or churches are going to be helping in this area. I want to know where they’re standing on this Ilagiitsiarniq.
Again, as I indicated earlier, if a community has a proposal, as there are six communities with shelters or safe homes, if a community has an initiative for a crisis shelter or safe home, they could submit them to the Department of Health and we will consider them.
Page H-5. Branch Summary.
We’re going to page H-6. (interpretation ends) Health and Social Services. Branch Summary. Public Health.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $17,109,000.
This branch summary, this activity is dear to my heart.
I talk about giving more resources to community health committees. I believe this branch summary touches on that concern.
My question to the hon. minister and his staff at the witness table is under the grants and contributions. That brings us to page H-9, Summary of Grants and Contributions. I believe I’m on the right track.
Under the grants and contributions section of your draft main estimates, $250,000 will be allocated to community-based health committees of council.
My question, Mr. Chairman, is this: how many community health committees of council receive this funding?
Secondly, how much does each community receive? And thirdly, what programs or services are delivered with this funding?
I thank Mr. Ningark for the questions.
Twenty-five communities have community health committees and each one receives $10,000; $250,000 in total.
It’s up to each community health committee to determine how they want to use the money in their community.
Perhaps I can pursue this activity tomorrow and ask the Premier of this government about the empowerment of hamlets across Nunavut.
So it’s just a courtesy of letting the government know that, similar to this question. So I don’t have any further questions at this point.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Over the years, tuberculosis rates in Nunavut have consistently been higher than the national rate. The return to written question on active TB cases in Nunavut was tabled last Tuesday, February 21, indicating that as of October 25, 2011, there were 62 cases of TB diagnosed in Nunavut since January 1, 2011.
Can the minister indicate when he will be able to table the final stats on TB for 2011?
Is that an appropriate question?
Mr. Chairman, I can’t guarantee this, but we may be able to provide that information in the spring sitting.
Last year, the federal Department of Health provided $709,000 for the initiative which we have heard about, “Taima TB.” This initiative was funded with the purpose of eradicating TB and to educate residents about the symptoms of TB and the need for regular checkups for TB here in Nunavut.
Can the minister provide an update on what has transpired within this initiative to date, and whether or not the federal government will provide more funding for this program in the year 2012-13?
Mr. Chairman, there is a meeting very soon to talk about TB, to talk about funding, and we hope to be able to get some additional funding to continue the program in the next fiscal year.
Ms. Ell: On page 139 of the department’s business plan, it indicates that the GN funding for the tuberculosis program will be significantly increased in 2012-13.
Can the minister describe what additional activities or resources will be brought forward to address the high tuberculosis rate in Nunavut in 2012-13? Thank you, Itsivautaaq.
Sorry to keep you guys waiting with baited breath.
We do have a lot of paper here.
We’re going to have to provide that information as soon as possible, but the funding, I believe, is $717,000.
I assure you that it will go to good use to promote the eradication of tuberculosis.
If Ms. Ell would bear with us, we can provide that information later.
Ms. Ell: What is the current status of tuberculosis in Nunavut? (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The information that we have, there were 75 active cases of TB reported in the territory in 2011 and 101 cases were diagnosed in 2010, and 92 percent of the cases in 2010 and 97 percent of the cases in 2011 were in the Qikiqtani region.
Is this an increase due to the fact that you were screening more or that there are more active TB cases?
The project we have, the Taima TB, is a program that’s designed to identify and provide in-home screening for latent TB, and then take proactive measures to provide treatment of active TB cases.
Ms. Ell: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess the question is: do we have an increase of tuberculosis in Nunavut or is it because of the increased screening for the disease in Nunavut due to Taima TB that makes it look like we have more active cases of TB?
Chairman: Thank you, Ms. Ell. Minister Peterson.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Ms. Ell for her question.
If I’m reading this information correctly, in 2010, there were 101 cases diagnosed, which was the highest number ever reported in Nunavut. In 2011, there were only 75 active cases reported. It decreased by 26, so it seems to be decreasing.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Ms. Ell.
Ms. Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Thank you, Minister, for the answer. Concerns have also been raised that there are now antibiotic-resistant strains of tuberculosis. Can the minister clarify whether any of the current tuberculosis cases in Nunavut have been identified as antibiotic resistant and what steps are taken to treat affected individuals if that’s the case?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Ms. Ell for the question. Mr. Chairman, the three of us here aren’t aware of any situations that she has described.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Looking at H-7 and in reference to page 141 of the business plan, one of the priorities for 2012-13 is to undertake a review of the mental health issue. What specific aspects of the legislation will be focused on during this review?
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. Minister Peterson.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe Mr. Aupaluktuq is one page ahead of where we are. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Peterson. It may be my oversight here. Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Certainly I do apologize if I’m on the wrong page, but I also wanted to make reference to the mental health issues, but when it’s at the correct page, I will refer to that.
I was jumping ahead of myself. I was also looking at the question under Treatment.
The question I want to refer as well is for those with disabilities.
If there’s going to be any enhanced services or reviews of any special needs as well and for those with disabilities under treatment plans.
If I’m in the wrong area, I do apologize. I’m jumping ahead as well. I just want to confirm that.
Chairman: Just for clarification, (interpretation) we’re on page H-6. Mr. Aupaluktuq.
Mr. Aupaluktuq: Certainly I do appreciate that I did jump ahead in reference to treatment, but I guess the reason why I generally saw public health as an overall issue, the reason why I jumped ahead with that is to be able to… . It states in the branch summary that there’s going to be collaboration, regulation, community development, and the support of effective clinical prevention and interventions.
I guess what I want to ask for clarity, my apologies, Mr. Chairman, is if there is any identification, such as what Mr. Ningark was referring to, for public health, such as local and community public health committees. Some people have brought issues in regard to accessing community initiatives, as well as being able to express themselves through health committees.
In reference to Mr. Ningark’s question, I was alluding to the fact about treatments for disabilities or those with community concerns from disabilities.
Mr. Chairman, some have expressed concerns about wanting to be able to voice their concerns about barriers that they do face. So the question I want to ask is in regard to public health.
Does the health and social services department empower local and health committees?
Several years ago, I think back in 2000, the regional health boards were disbanded by the Government of Nunavut and they did set up the community committees precisely to have them work with the Department of Health on behalf of communities and work with the hamlet councils.
I recall when I was a mayor of Cambridge Bay, we did believe that the health committee was empowered to have a strong voice and say in how health services were delivered in the community, and I don’t think that has changed.
If the community health committee feels very strongly about certain health practices or issues in the community, they should absolutely feel empowered to take their concern to the executive director of the region or to the mayor or to the MLA or directly to myself as minister.
I appreciate the response as well and I do apologize to this committee as well because my perception at the time was specifically in terms of public health and the expression of constituents being able to express themselves. That’s why I jumped ahead in terms of both the Mental Health Act question as well as the disabilities, but I will clarify in the proper page.
I will thank the minister for directing and informing us as to how these local health committees are supported. As my colleague has indicated, he will have detailed questions as well to follow.
Minister Peterson, did you want to comment on this?
Hon. Keith Peterson: No, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
The issue of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder has far-reaching consequences for those who suffer from it from early childhood, through the education system, and into their adult lives. Many individuals who suffer from FASD also end up in the justice system.
What programs are currently in place to assess, evaluate, and assist Nunavut’s children, adults, and their family with problems associated with FASD?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Elliott for the question. FASD is a very serious issue in Nunavut and I believe it is right across Canada.
It’s one of those public health issues where people who are affected can feel stigmatized in their community.
Our primary focus at this time is more public awareness and public education. Don’t drink while you’re pregnant and encourage support from your family members. We’re not just talking about the mothers, but support from the spouses and the family to not drink while you’re expecting.
We also have to recognize that in the justice system, we estimate that up to 30 percent of the folks in the justice system could be affected with mental health problems. We do need recognition and awareness from our employees who are in those facilities on how to identify and how to work with individuals like that. I know the justice ministers are actually [making] a big push on that.
Perhaps some of these individuals should not even be in the justice system.
It’s going to be difficult in Nunavut for us because we are so greatly under-resourced to actually put diagnostic tools, programs, and systems in place so that we can identify individuals and work with them. I think it will be an important challenge for us going forward.
In terms of testing and diagnosis, is it his department that provides that service?
I believe, on a limited basis, we could provide it. As I indicated, we’re not fully resourced for some of the complex diagnostics that would be required to assess an individual.
I want to talk now about the breakfast programs that we have across the territory.
I know, with questioning the Minister of Education when she was before us, she had said it was your department that was responsible for providing the funding for the breakfast programs.
It was mentioned on page 5 of your Budget Address, the idea of new programs for breakfast and school programs. “If our children hunger for anything, it should be for knowledge.”
As mentioned before, the Minister of Education said there is no funding within her department. As I was looking through your department, it looks like there is no funding as well.
On H-9 under Public Health, the breakfast program received $500,000 for last year, but there is zero dollars this year. There was $176,000 for reducing poverty and food insecurity and there is zero dollars this year.
Where is the money for the breakfast programs coming from if it is a mandate of the government to help fight poverty by providing breakfast programs?
Mr. Elliott is correct.
The health department did provide $500,000 in the current fiscal year for breakfast programming, but it’s not in the budget for the next fiscal year.
I just don’t recall exactly where the funding came from, but it was a program, I think, from the federal government.
There is funding for communities that wish to access funding through the Brighter Futures program. Through The Makimaniq Plan that was recently tabled, we’re hoping that that initiative will help us identify sources of funds for breakfast programs.
Again, if providing breakfast programs to communities is such a high priority, when you look at the Brighter Futures funding for this year under A-IV-2 in the appendix, there’s actually a decrease.
In 2010-11, there was $15.8 million. The revised estimates for 2011-12 is $16 million.
What you’re receiving this year is $14 million.
So that’s less then. I’m just wondering: if we’re going to support a program, why is the funding going down?
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I could ask Mr. Elliott to clarify the information where he’s quoting from.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll try and find it because I moved my bookmark. It’s at the back of the 2012-13 main estimates. It’s under appendix IV, or appendix 4.
It’s at the bottom of the page. It says, “A-IV-2.” Under Health and Social Services, it’s third party funding, Brighter Futures, Building Healthy Communities, and Others, $14 million.
That’s where I was getting my numbers from, Mr. Chairman.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Elliott for the clarification.
Mr. Chairman, the information he is quoting from is information we don’t have available to us at this table.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So in terms of breakfast programs, what do you estimate giving to communities this year for breakfast programs across the territory since it’s such a high priority for our government?
The estimated amount, the funding would be about $800,000, but they would have to submit proposals.
Just to give an idea and not scare Mr. Elliott, we estimate that it would require about $6,500,000 in annual costs to provide adequate breakfast daily to all Nunavut students.
As a department, we’re going to do some further analysis this year and provide a more detailed framework and a budget for that figure.
So in terms of the people working through The Makimaniq Plan or the Poverty Reduction Secretariat, is it their task or responsibility to find the $6 million?
Again, I’m going from last year and, last year, I was bounced back and forth between departments to try and find out where this money was coming from to help enhance our breakfast programs across the territory.
It was very hard to find out this information, so it would be nice to know. Again, I would like to go back to my communities and tell them where to send these proposals and where to access these funds to continue to build on the success of the breakfast program that they have been having.
Hon. Keith Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank Mr. Elliott. For the $800,000, I just mentioned that the communities would send their proposals to the Health Promotion Branch of the Department of Health.
With respect to the large amount of money that I was talking about and where we would access funds to provide a top-notch breakfast program, that’s going to require larger policy discussion, bring everybody together and sit down and have a good discussion on that.
In May of this year, we will be starting into our second year of the Nutrition North Canada Program. One of the key factors of that program is providing, I think, over $3 million of funding to northern jurisdictions for healthy eating initiatives. I was wondering if the minister could provide us with the dollar figure of what we received last year and where that money was allocated.
Hon. Keith Peterson: It was at $1.3 million and it was over one and a half years.
Do we know what the allocation will be for the 2012-13 fiscal year, as this program will continue? My understanding is that education and nutritional education will continue to be a key part of the Nutrition North Canada Program.
I believe the amount annually that would flow is $840,000.
My deputy has just advised me that he is in the midst of having discussions with the funders for the funding.
So in terms of the $840,000 that we will be receiving from the federal government this year, will communities have access to, again, like with the breakfast program, applying and providing proposals for what they want to do within their community?
Are there guidelines that are based around accessing that funding?
Mr. Chairman, the intention is to run the program as it has been run this year and run it the same way in the new fiscal year.
Thank you for that response, but I don’t think you actually said how the money was accessed, whether it was through proposals and whether communities or organizations were able to access that funding.
Are organizations able to access that funding?
The funding is accessed through proposals to the department.
I believe it’s open to any organization in the community.
I think it would likely go to the communities first.
Public Health. Total Operations and Maintenance. $17,109,000.
I’ll try and make you approve something that you cannot deny.
If you put my name on the list for tomorrow as being the first one, I can make a motion to report progress now.
We have a motion on the floor to report progress and the motion is not debatable, as mentioned.
(interpretation) Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses out.