EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Based on what I have heard previously, under specific provisions of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, the roles and responsibilities of the RIAs and NTI include this right to negotiate agreements, so basically only Inuit organizations have that right.
I share your feelings in respect to this, that the Government of Nunavut should be participants and should be included at the table when agreements are being negotiated and in discussions. I do know, however, that the government has had discussions with NTI and KIA regarding the issues surrounding projects.
Speaker: Thank you, Deputy Premier.
Welcome to the House, Deputy Premier. It was aired on the news that Nunavut Tunngavik will be a partner in the mineral exploration and advanced mining development projects in the Keewatin area.
By virtue of this interest in the mining project, it is quite obvious that they may be in conflict when they are trying to protect the rights of the Inuit under the Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement. The issue is that they may be a partner in several projects and indeed, according to that newscast, they are already a partner on one project.
Who will we regular folks in the communities be able to approach if we have concerns about the development projects, particularly those of us who utilize the area around Mary River?
Who can people turn to, to help advocate their rights under the agreement? All we can do is watch the events unfold as the mineral property is being developed right under our noses.
Can you tell the House, as the Deputy Premier, whom the people of Pond Inlet, Igloolik, Hall Beach, Clyde River, and Arctic Bay can turn to, to represent and protect their rights in regard to the mining and oil development, particularly when their own representatives from Inuit organizations own an interest in these projects?
I’m well aware that this is a very important topic and he is raising very good issues for consideration. What I would like to do at this time is to take the question as notice, Mr. Speaker.
Question 552 – 2(4): Piqqusilirivvik Cultural School (Arreak)
Yesterday during Committee of the Whole, based on one of the questions asked by another member, more questions arose in my mind, so I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Finance.
My colleague from Rankin Inlet North was questioning the minister and he asked a question about the folk school to be built in Clyde River.
His line of questioning included references to the Auditor General’s recommendation to only approve funding for projects that have legislation, policies, or regulations via the Government of Nunavut, so it seemed like he did not want to see that cultural centre approved prior to legislation, policy, or regulations being established.
He wants to see the $8 million deferred until there is such a piece of legislation to cover the funds which are to be used for all of Nunavut.
Will our Five-Year Capital Plan be affected by this requirement? As an example, if we are to follow that line of reasoning, the $34 million allocated for the healing facility and $9 million for the trade school facility in Rankin Inlet do not have any legislative basis either, so does that mean that the funding for these facilities will be deferred?
In regard to the cultural or the heritage school, it was one of the priorities of the Members of this House when we first sat as a government and we are trying to make it a reality based on its priority status.
We are still looking at the options at the ministerial level to debate some issues in the Cabinet, issues such as what type of corporate structure we should have, whether it will be independent or a part of the Nunavut Arctic College. So these are issues we have to submit for discussion at the Cabinet. The options paper is now in front of the Cabinet and once we have identified which options we will use and the type of corporate structure to be utilized, we will see.
With respect to the supplementary appropriations we are requesting, the money will be used for the architectural design and other pre-planning stages. We also require managers and other operational staff and these funds would be used for these purpose.
We are just starting the design phase of the cultural school.
We have regulations and policies under the Department of Education and we don’t foresee any problems in regard to requesting that $8 million for this fiscal year.
I thank the similarly dressed minister.
The reason why I asked that question is because we were told by the Auditor General not to approve building capital projects when there is no legislation, policies, or regulations as a foundation for the project.
From what I heard, we are to pass legislation, policies, or regulations prior to approving projects. Does this mean, even though there is no legislation, policy, or regulatory foundation for the cultural school and other capital projects in the Five-Year Capital Plan, that these projects which are highly anticipated by Nunavummiut will not be deferred?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): From what I understand, we have to get all of the requisite paperwork done prior to getting the Legislative Assembly to approve the budget or the supplementary appropriations.
There are pieces of legislation that speak to the operational requirements prior to passing financial appropriations.
We’re just going to follow the process. There isn’t going to be any change and I don’t think it will have any impact on the present Five-Year Capital Plan we approved.
Question 553 – 2(4): Dealing with Addictions in Nunavut (Alagalak)
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): That was unexpected.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke of the desperate need for support and services to help people in dealing with their addictions. The Hamlet of Arviat’s Wellness Committee received some funding to address health and wellness issues, but they’re given no direction or guidance from the minister’s office on how to deliver addictions related programs.
Can the minister clarify what kinds of specific guidelines and directions are available from her department to assist community groups and organizations in setting up effective and appropriate addictions programs?
The Department of Health has been working really hard to try and address the whole issue around developing a framework related to addictions and mental health issues. Back in 2002, the government produced a Nunavut Addictions and Mental Health Strategy and we’re in the process of updating that report and the recommendations arriving from that.
Part of the work that we’re engaging is trying to build up the resources at the community level for support services, for instance, the training program for the mental health workers in every community.
The first graduates were last year and the program continues.
Part of the work that we’re also looking at is better support to the A&D workers at the community level. The Government of Nunavut currently provides resources to municipalities, but at the same time, there is a bit of disconnect between the Department of Health and the community-based service model.
The work that is underway now is to put that framework in place around how we can better provide services at the community level at the entry point of services needed, what territorial programs we can develop, and what after treatment support systems can we put in place.
Part of the delay in addressing some of that work has been our challenge in trying to hire the Director of Addictions and Mental Health. It took a good two and a half years to find a person, but we recently filled that position in December, who is now in the process of working that framework out.
At the same time, we will also be hosting a conference with community-based A&D workers on how to improve that support system.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) There are many dedicated volunteers who want to take on the problem of addictions in our communities.
For example, a number of individuals on committees want to focus on decreasing the amount of illegal substances coming into the community.
Can the minister provide an update on how her department works with other departments, such as the Department of Justice and the Department of Education, to control the flow of alcohol and illegal drugs?
As it relates to the enforcement of law, that would fall under the Department of Justice.
What I can speak to, from the Department of Health and Social Services’ aspect, are the services and support systems that we have in place to try and promote healthy lifestyles.
Under our Public Health Strategy, we have in place information programs available to young people, not only on alcohol and drug addictions but tobacco addictions, and so on, in trying to keep people well through healthy community initiatives.
We also have programs on FASD which is a result of drinking while you’re pregnant, prevention programs around that area, and the impact of illegal drugs on your body. So there are programs available to communities where we try and educate people on the effects of alcohol and drugs on individuals.
So from that perspective, I can speak to the initiatives we have undertaken under the Public Health Strategy in partnership with the Community Health Committees, as well as hamlets and CHRs at the community level.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) In September of 2007, the Nunavut Government Cabinet issued a press release stating that the staff had been directed to plan for a Nunavut Alcohol Abuse Treatment Facility and programs.
Can the minister update this House on what progress has been made in planning for this facility and related programs?
In my first response, I spoke to some of the work that we’re undertaking within the Department of Health.
One is that the 2002 recommendations around mental health and addiction strategies, we’re updating that and we will be sharing that with the members in this House.
At the same time, within the Department of Health, to put a framework in place on the programs and services that we can offer in Nunavut, stressing the roles of A&D workers at the community level, mental health, and so on, and how we can better integrate those services at the community level.
One of the other areas that we’re also exploring as a department is the delivery of 28-day addictions programs.
One model that we are working with as an idea is the model that has been delivered for the last four years in Cambridge Bay, and looking at that type of service where we can deliver addictions at the community level and not be restricted to a building per se, but rather flexible in that we can travel with the program to various regions or communities where there are facilities that we can use, for instance, the residence for Nunavut Arctic College in Rankin Inlet or here. So we’re looking at that option as it is right now.
At the same time, in our business plan, we are looking at developing a centre of excellence and those are some of the ideas that are being explored as we move forward in trying to define what will be under that centre of excellence as it relates to addictions treatments for Nunavut.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Once the plans for the alcohol abuse treatment facility have been finalized, knowing that Arviat being one of the largest populated communities in Nunavut, will the minister commit to putting forward the community of Arviat as a possible location for the new facility?
I think I answered part of that question before in that the Department of Health is looking at ways to deliver addictions programs with the flexibility of moving the program around throughout Nunavut.
In terms of the building itself, that’s going to be an item that we will discuss once we look at what the framework will look like, but what I would like to see the department move forward on is not to wait for a building to be constructed to deliver the A&D program.
I think it’s important that, as a department, if we can use a model like Cambridge Bay’s addictions program in other communities without having to wait for a building to be constructed, that that is an option that we need to explore first and foremost, particularly around the fact that we are stretched with our capital dollars.
So I’m looking at both options, but I would like the program development part to continue and not wait for buildings to be considered before we can deliver the program side because I think that there is an opportunity here to deliver programs without having to construct a building.
So once we’re there, I’ll be able to update the member more.
Question 554 – 2(4): Services for Senior Citizens of Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet (Peterson)
My question is for the Minister of Education, who is responsible for low-income seniors.
Mr. Speaker, a few months ago, the minister announced the coordination of the delivery of benefits to Nunavut’s low-income seniors and I was reminded about this when I visited Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet earlier this month. They have many seniors down there who receive benefits from the federal and territorial governments and I appreciate what the Department of Education does to help the folks down there.
I was wondering if the minister could explain to me how the seniors of Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok can benefit from the new system that he is talking about if they don’t have direct access to monthly counselling or Government of Nunavut officials when they have to complete the paperwork.
There have been a lot of enhancements for the seniors’ programs and senior benefit programs over the past several months. We have done some, I think, really good announcements on, for example, the Senior Fuel Subsidy Program, extra money for the seniors.
We have looked at monies that had been allocated through the federal government and tried to combine them in the program.
So specifically, we have moved I think very aggressively on some of these files, especially in the needs under income support for seniors.
I appreciate the information that the minister provided but I don’t think he answered my question. If he could he be more specific, how will the seniors in Bathurst Inlet and Umingmaktok benefit from this improved service if they don’t have direct access to his department in Cambridge Bay?
I know that the member is trying to get some type of commitment out of the government with regards to those residents who are living in those two areas.
They are not considered to be communities and don’t have some of the infrastructure that other communities would have.
So, for example, when we talk about the electronic case management system, which I think is what the member is referring to, how we are able to track a lot of the programs that are income support and so on, they probably would not be accessible to some of the residents there.
However, after saying that, that would not be any different than some of the residents that are in outpost camps in different places in Nunavut.
What I can say to the member is that I do I know that the Department of Education, through our Income Support program, we do have follow-up. This is, of course, with the residents.
As the member indicated just now, there was actually a charter to the community. And a good example again is that community where the people are living doesn’t have any type of regular scheduled airline service, so the only way to get there, as the member has indicated, is by charter.
We try to facilitate that type of support to the member’s constituents by accessing that type of transportation, as well as doing on-site visits and other types of communications, whether that is by, for example, mail or phone.
I appreciate the work that the income support people in Cambridge Bay do provide to the communities.
It is very difficult at the best of times, but again, I’m not confident that the seniors or elders down there are receiving all of their benefits.
I’m wondering if the minister could tell me how, through this program, the seniors/elders in these two communities can be assured that they are receiving all of the benefits that they are entitled to, as he mentioned in his Minister’s Statement, from both levels of government.
I think our people, under income support through our office in Cambridge Bay, do well in servicing the constituents at Bay Chimo and Bathurst Inlet.
I think the point is that they are well-versed in the program’s policies that we have under the Income Support program and when they go into those areas, they do have checklists, as it were, to see if there are programs and services that the constituents are eligible for, and then they would assist and help facilitate the people being able to apply for those programs.
If the member is aware of any specific program where his constituents have not had an opportunity to have uptake on it, if he would let me know in writing, then I will have our income support people follow-up.
It is my understanding that any benefits under the Income Support program that would be available to anyone in Nunavut are universal and it doesn’t matter if you’re in those two communities, or in Clyde River, or Whale Cove, those same benefits apply and that’s what we’re trying to do. If there has been a misstep on that and the member is aware of it, then I will take action on it.
Mr. Speaker, I have learned in the last few years, in working with seniors and my mother, when you’re applying for federal government programs, there are countless programs; you don’t know what programs are available. Sometimes they tell you about them years after you have started applying for other programs.
It’s very important that we have someone who talks to the seniors in our communities about the available federal programs and the Government of Nunavut programs.
We’re very lucky in the Kitikmeot, in Cambridge Bay in particular, there is the Service Canada Office right in Cambridge Bay located right in the minister’s own department.
It would be very easy for his officials to coordinate with Service Canada folks there to make sure that the folks in Umingmaktok and Bathurst Inlet receive their federal government programming, and it’s subject to access to information, I guess, and protection of privacy.
My question for the minister: given that there are a number of federal and territorial government programs, for income tax purposes, how are the seniors taxed on the merged benefits from the two governments? In other words, do they get one tax receipt that combines all the programs, or do they still get two, or three, or four receipts from the different programs?
The member raises a good concern and that is there are different programs that provide income assistance to our elders.
For example, if the elder is a beneficiary under the land claims, then there are monies that are payable under the land claims for our elders and those would be tax receiptable, meaning that that program would send them a tax receipt.
When we have monies that are available through the Income Support program, they would receive that type of income tax receiptable information also. But if there is a concern with the filing of the income tax, then again that’s assistance that we have been able to help out and support with our income support people in the community.
I’m not aware of any issue where, under old age security, the guaranteed income supplement, as well as the Nunavut territorial senior benefit, that comes out now in one payment and we have actually merged the payments from those, with our federal partner, so that that is also on one cheque, and that’s been in place since January of this year and that’s what the member was referring to in his statement.
Question 555 – 2(4): Replacement for Conservation Officer for Sanikiluaq (Kattuk)
My questions are for the Minister responsible for Environment.
I send my greetings to all of my relatives and to my son who is out whaling.
My son helps out in any way he can when he is asked to assist.
Mr. Speaker, we learned that our wildlife officer, who was just hired this winter to work out of Sanikiluaq, will be leaving our community this week or next due to family reasons.
Can the minister state whether or not his department will expedite the hiring of a new wildlife officer for my constituency?
Minister of Environment. Minister Akesuk.
My staff is working with the Department of Human Resources as this is the usual procedure for hiring new staff. We will try to expedite the hiring of a wildlife officer for Sanikiluaq with the Department of Human Resources.
This is a critical issue since a lot of people do not have options to supplement their income and rely on sealskin revenues coming from the wildlife office.
This wildlife officer position in Sanikiluaq might take a long time to be filled. So I’m wondering if it would be possible to have my community visited by a wildlife officer from time to time until our wildlife officer is hired.
I have already directed my staff to visit any community that doesn’t have a wildlife officer.
I will also direct them to visit the community of Sanikiluaq, perhaps with set times, so that people requiring assistance will not have to wait for a long time between visits. We will ensure that available officers are sent down from time to time.
Just for clarification, the wildlife officers in the communities that he is talking about, is he referring to wildlife officers from the communities or from Iqaluit? Can the minister clarify from which community the officers will be from?
I’m talking about wildlife officers from Iqaluit or other communities that are available to visit the people of Sanikiluaq if that officer were to leave his community.
I believe the minister’s commitment to doing as much as he can, but for his information, that wildlife officer has already left Sanikiluaq. We no longer have a wildlife officer in my constituency.
This is only a comment and not a question.
Question 556 – 2(4): Update on Suicide Prevention Strategy (Evyagotailak)
I thank you for allowing the members to raise questions in the House.
(interpretation ends) In June of last year, the government announced its new Suicide Prevention Strategy.
I would like to ask if she could tell this House today which minister is responsible for implementing this strategy.
The Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs is taking the lead on that file.
In February of this year, questions were asked in this House about the status of establishing an office to implement the strategy.
At the time, the Premier said that GN officials were preparing a document on this issue to present to Cabinet.
Can the minister indicate when this document will be finished and tabled in this Legislative Assembly?
I will have the Minister of Health and Social Services respond to that question. Minister Aglukkaq.
Not to speak on behalf of another department, but as it relates to that strategy, I understand it was supposed to be tabled in May.
Again, EIA is taking the lead on it, so I can’t add anything more to that.
Mr. Evyagotailak: Thank Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Madam Minister.
Earlier this month, I held a constituency meeting in Kugluktuk. People told me that suicide prevention is a major priority for the community.
Can the minister update me today on what plans the government has for suicide prevention initiatives in Kugluktuk?
I have said three times now that EIA is taking the lead on this file. I don’t have access to the information that’s available for what’s outlined in that plan per community. I understand the plan will be tabled in this session.
So once that information is available, I can commit to providing that information to the member.
But I can speak to some of the initiatives that we have undertaken within the Department of Health related to supporting the Embrace Life Council initiatives. Through that process, there are a number of projects that are supported by the government based on proposals received at the community level. As well, through our Vote 4 funding, we support the community-based initiatives at the community level.