EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
But for some reason, there in my view Mr. Chairman, there’s more emphasis and not enough emphasis and promotion of solution thinking.
And I do really think that we really can contribute to and help the department come up with solutions if we change some of our tactics and thinking.
Mr. Chairman, I’ll just very briefly, explain what my thinking has been on this and the brainstorming I think we need to build.
Like I said, I can add my voice, but I don’t want to go and try and deal with, or try and solve the many problems under Health and Social Service’s responsibilities.
But for the promotion of solutions and identifying ways of how we can make it easier for our constituents to travel, to ask questions, and to communicate with the department, if we know we have patients travelling that are unilingual, very capable, why don’t we just say spend a few minutes with them at the nursing station and just go over with them what they should expect on the trip?
And maybe present to them cheat cards? Maybe this could be a numbered cheat card to be able to point to an indicated written sentence or question and have it duplicated in English, same numbering, and try and give them to communicate that, if that is the only means we have at the time.
It is much better than just putting someone on an airplane and saying; okay, go get the help in Ottawa. That’s where a lot of our challenges and problems do arise in the lack of communication.
If we were to talk to the airlines, and get somebody designated to look after patients that are traveling between communities or the southern hospitals.
Have these located at the airports and assist the patients both in the aircraft or departing the aircraft.
These are the kinds of things that we need to start looking at if we are serious about wanting to solve some of the problems that the department faces.
So Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to reiterate the fact that I, too, can spend many hours on the challenges and problems but it’s been said enough times already. Now it’s time to look at solutions and promote good working relations and solutions for our constituents.
So with that Mr. Chairman, I will end my comments and I do hope that the minister will take note to maybe help us promote the thinking of good promotional solutions.
Welcome Minister, Mr. Ramsden, and Mr. Whitworth.
I just want to make it clear, and I’ll say it in English.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, I wanted to make it quite clear here that I welcome Mr. Ramsden for coming in as the deputy minister and my information is, I believe you are about the eighth deputy minister in the last five years.
Officially, my recollection is five, but unofficially, I was told within the department staff that about a month ago, there were seven.
So hopefully you will have a long tenure as the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services in this government.
I look forward to working with you in that area.
Mr. Chairman, my opening comments I believe are important to note. I seem to recall, I just noted right in the middle of the minister’s opening statement, and I will quote this particular signal to our expectations in Nunavut. I think it is important.
The minister stated on page two of her opening statement and I quote, “We have a small scattered population.
We need to recognize that it’s not reasonable to attempt to offer the full spectrum of services.” I assume that these are medical services or social services that people in major population centres take for granted.
I truly believe that the minister will have to further explain in exact detail as to what type of services the other communities are not going to enjoy.
I believe also, Mr. Chairman, this conflicts with my recollection of Pinasuaqtavut, when it was published. There is a statement in there, and I remember taking note of it. It said, “By the year 2020 all the services that are available to other Canadians, assuming they are public services; medical, or public services; will be available to the people of Nunavut.”
I will ask the minister as we examine her budget, has the government changed directions based on the two comments that I’m making.
They appear to be conflicting the vision of the Nunavut Government, the Cabinet, when we appointed them, or the previous other Assembly’s statement. I will have that document with me as we turn to page H-5 perhaps tomorrow, so that I may be able to further explain, or ask the minister what they mean by that.
The other point that I want to make, Mr. Chairman, it is really quite significantly important. I truly believe and concur with the report that came out that the Department of Health and Social Services, particularly social workers are overworked.
I think as Members of the House, the Legislature, we need to take that seriously.
They are overworked; they are probably under paid in many respects, and overloaded with responsibilities and I don’t truly believe we have addressed them as much as we have the medical services side.
Those that are on the social services side, I want to acknowledge their commitment that these people have.
I know in my constituency the social workers are working hard and literally they are under tremendous stress; they are overworked and not enough resources available to them.
I want to take note of that and I will be asking the minister whether or not any help is on the way for them.
If not, we are going to lose good workers; those people that are providing counselling as well as the other important counselling services they provide to children, and what not.
I think we need to gear a plan for them and that we treat them just as important as the other services that the minister has responded to such as the recommendations of the accreditation specialist, which in my view, is not mandatory, it is voluntary; you can subscribe to it, or you don’t need to subscribe to it.
Most of the other facilities like we have in other regions, have not subscribed to the services.
I was also particularly interested in a point when you provided a reason to us, I believe it was January, it was also right after the standing committee hearing that we had, when you were invited to appear in one of our briefings that we have upstairs, that the Baffin Regional Hospital had lost its accreditation, and it was treated as though it was an emergency.
In view of that, without any announcement; without any approval of the Assembly, I don’t know whether in fact the total funding has been acquired, and what not, through formalities required, that the minister accepted all the recommendations from accreditation report, stating that Baffin Regional Hospital was some 26 or 24 odd positions short, and that particular report was immediately adopted. I’m not sure without a full consideration of other revenue; there was an extra $2.3 million or $4 million available from other sources of funds in the government.
At the same time, there appear to be conflicting statements from the medical side of the staff who were present when you stated that there were in no way any risks to the patients in the hospital or out there to the Baffinmiut.
But when the report came out, all 26 positions were approved somehow and that they had to be staffed. I wish we had that kind of luxury in the Keewatin, in Kivalliq, or the Kitikmeot; we don’t.
So where are your priorities and what’s going on?
I truly believe that there has to be a proper accountable presentation of issues of that kind.
My other colleague’s, Mr. Chairman, concern with the number of the contracted services and facilities by this government, for instance, we have a number of elders’ facilities, we would probably have some other contracted facilities like patient services in provinces, in Montreal, Ottawa, as well as Winnipeg, Yellowknife, and so on.
What I’m interested in, and I will probably be asking you more, is whether or not there are conditions that are to these services, for instance, training.
Are there guidelines that compare contracting arrangements because when I was billeting the patient services in Winnipeg, I was appalled at the interpreter people who provide therapy even to some of the patients of that facility, Inuit workers, are barely making just anything more than minimum wages of Manitoba?
So I really truly believe that there should be standards with contracting arranged with any private contractor. So I think that’s an area that you are going to have to explain to us of why we are just letting our people who do work hard at all hours be subject to that kind of very minimum wages and so on.
Mr. Chairman, I have other points of interest that I want to raise at this time and the minister provided to regular members the draft copy of the patient escort policy that the department was working on some time ago, early this year or late last year.
When I read that, I was particularly interested in the fact that the approval process, whether or not it’s the elder or whoever, a patient requiring an escort is really at the hands of the medical doctor. At every level, it is that the authority given to the medical doctor.
If the medical doctor says or the nurse in charge probably says that this patient requires an escort, then they would do it. If that medical doctor who is in charge says “No, healthy enough, a person can walk, and no escort is required.” That, in its sense, conflicts with the traditional Inuit, what I call, societal values, we don’t know whether emotionally this fellow needs or that person, man or woman, requires an escort.
I was advised by an elder while I was in Winnipeg about two weeks ago that we definitely do need escorts, whether we look healthy and look good, we still need an escort because I can’t speak in Qallunaatitut.
I realized when I went to see the doctors I was nodding my head when I shouldn’t have. That is related to the prescriptions of his medical were okay and he didn’t know what he was talking about so he just nodded. The doctor apparently took it as affirmative and prescribed another kind of medical drug.
So minister, I’m asking your department that when an escort is required that you not just leave it to the medical people. Get their families involved.
It is critically very important Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit if you’re going to apply that. It should be part of the policy.
I respected him. Many of you do know him and I will not release his name. The other point that I’m…
Chairman: Mr. Curley, your time was up a couple of minutes ago. Each member has 10 minutes for general comments.
Mr. Curley would like to conclude his general comments.
Mr. Curley: Mr. Chairman, I move that we report progress.
Thank you, Madame Minister, and we’ll see you tomorrow.
Your committee has been considering Bill 12 and the main estimates, and would like to report progress. Also, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed with.
A reminder of meetings for tomorrow; a meeting of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Housing and Economic Development at 9:00 in the Tuktu Boardroom, and a meeting of the regular caucus at 10:30 in the Nanuq Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for March 1:
Speaker (interpretation): This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 1, 2006 at 1:30 in the afternoon.
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Pages 1129 – 1197
Opening Prayer 1129
Ministers’ Statements 1129
Members’ Statements 1130
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1137
Speaker’s Ruling 1138
Revert to Item 5: Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 1156
Notices of Motions 1158
Motions 1158
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 1159
Report of the Committee of the Whole 1196
Orders of the Day 1196
Wednesday, March 1, 2006 1129
066 – 2(3): Nunavut Apprenticeship Program (Picco) 1129
067 – 2(3): 2004 Hodgson Trophy Award (Tapardjuk) 1130
160 – 2(3): Polar Bear Management (Curley) 1130
161 – 2(3): More Support for Elders and Youth (Arreak) 1131
162 – 2(3): Passing on Elders’ Knowledge (Kattuk) 1132
163 – 2(3): Nunavut Youth Court – Kugluktuk Students (Evyagotailak) 1133
164 – 2(3): Ignoring Community Concerns for Arviat (Alagalak) 1134
165 – 2(3): Lack of Services for People with Disabilities (Kilabuk) 1134
166 – 2(3): Pandemic Emergency Response Plans (Peterson) 1136
167 – 2(3): Anglican Church Fund Raising Dinner a Success (Picco) 1137
179 – 2(3): New Nursing Station for Repulse Bay (Mapsalak) 1138
180 – 2(3): Pandemic Emergency Response Plans (Peterson) 1140
181 – 2(3): Borrowing Debt Cap (Tootoo) 1142
182 – 2(3): Harvesters’ Support Program (Curley) 1143
183 – 2(3): Inmates at Baffin Correctional Centre Attending Funerals (Arreak) 1145
184 – 2(3): Migrating Birds and Bird Flu (Kattuk) 1146
185 – 2(3): High Cost of Living in Nunavut (Barnabas) 1148
186 – 2(3): High Cost of Building Public Housing (Alagalak) 1150
187 – 2(3): Changing Street Light Bulbs (Kilabuk) 1152
079 – 2(3): Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut for the Year Ending March 31, 2005 (Speaker) 1157
080 – 2(3): Photos of Deteriorating Buildings in Grise Fiord (Barnabas) 1157
081 – 2(3): Government of Nunavut’s Report to the 2004-05 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (Okalik) 1157
010 – 2(3): Establishment of the Electoral Boundaries Commission – Notice (Curley) 1158
010 – 2(3): Establishment of the Electoral Boundaries Commission (Curley) 1158
Bill 12 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2006-07 – Review in Committee – Health and Social Services 1160
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon Premier, Cabinet Members, Members of the Legislature, and our staff.
Minister’s Statement 066 – 2(3): Nunavut Apprenticeship Program (Picco)
I would like to inform the House about the Nunavut Apprenticeship Program, which is a combination of on-the-job and technical training.
The Department of Education works closely with private businesses and the employers of apprentices to ensure that Nunavummiut acquire the skills to participate more fully in the expansion of our territory’s economy.
Mr. Speaker, traditionally, on-the-job training was completed on work sites here in Nunavut while the majority of in-school training was done outside of the territory.
With the creation of the Nunavut Trades School in Rankin Inlet, the majority of our students will have the opportunity to remain in the territory for all of their training.
Since the creation of Nunavut, 48 apprentices have received their completion of apprenticeship certificate, 84 apprentices or trade qualifiers have received their certificate of qualification, and 31 had their inter-provincial red seal, a distinguished accomplishment recognized across the country.
Currently, an impressive 116 apprentices are registered here in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, recently, a new apprenticeship board was selected to oversee the program and their first meeting was scheduled for the month of March 2006.
Other apprenticeship initiatives are underway, including collaborating with industry and mining stakeholders to determine the future needs of trades programs in Nunavut, as well as the development and coordination of our Nunavut Early Apprenticeship Training, or NEAT, Program.
Mr. Speaker, apprenticeship is vital in working towards self-reliance here in Nunavut and trades training will prepare Nunavummiut for lasting careers.
Minister’s Statement 067 – 2(3): 2004 Hodgson Trophy Award (Tapardjuk)
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, during the Arctic Winter Games, the Arctic Winter Games International Committee presents the Hodgson Trophy to the contingent whose athletes best exemplify the ideals of fair play and team spirit.
This distinctive trophy, which was donated by the Commissioner S.M. Hodgson of the Northwest Territories, is a piece of Inuit artwork from the Canadian Arctic.
The Hodgson trophy is on display at the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame in Whitehorse. A framed photograph of the trophy is presented to the winning contingent at each set of Arctic Winter Games.
Team Nunavut won this prestigious award during the 2000 Arctic Winter Games and again in the 2004 Arctic Winter Games. This award is a true celebration of the spirit that marks our participation in the Arctic Winter Games. These two trophies will probably be showcased in this Legislative Assembly right by the receivers.
So I encourage all members of Team Nunavut to continue to compete in the true spirit of fair play and sportsmanship in Alaska.
Member’s Statement 160 – 2(3): Polar Bear Management (Curley)
I rise today to add my voice to those who have expressed concern over recent developments concerning the issue of polar bear management.
Mr. Speaker, our cultural survival as Inuit depends, to a significant extent, on our ability to exercise our harvesting rights and manage our wildlife resources.
I believe that the recent news from the United States clearly shows, and the Member for High Arctic already made a Members’ Statement, that we need to vigorously defend our rights.
We should be under no illusion that the so called environmental groups have our interests as Inuit in mind.
We have to keep Inuit in mind.
Their agendas are different.
Mr. Speaker, I have always believed that Inuit are the best and most responsible for each of our own wildlife.
For untold generations, our physical and cultural survival as a people depended on our ability to responsibly manage the bounty of our land.
Our existence today is testament to our success in doing so.
I am requesting unanimous consent to conclude my statement and I only have a few more words to say.
There are no nays. Mr. Curley, please proceed to complete your statement.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will conclude my statement.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to wildlife management we should first look to the knowledge and experience of the communities and the people whose own lives are so closely linked with the health of our land.
Our government must draw upon their wisdom in developing wildlife management practices and make reports.
For example, I see value in the government developing a database for our historic, traditional knowledge for use in management policies.
We need to clearly communicate to outside organizations and government that Inuit can indeed be trusted to responsibly manage their own resources.
We need to point out that so called scientific methods of assessing polar bear populations are not infallible.
Mr. Speaker, when I look around the circumpolar world today, I see threats to the cultural survival of Inuit. A recent disturbing example was a recent decision to ban the importation of sealskins into Greenland.
I see the proposal to list polar bears as endangered as used in the legislation in the same way and we could lose part of our culture. I urge the government to rigorously defend the integrity of our harvesting practices.
Member’s Statement 161 – 2(3): More Support for Elders and Youth (Arreak)
I rise today to talk about an issue that I have been thinking about for quite some time.
Many individuals who are running to be elected usually make promises to give help to elders and the youth.
They make their campaign speeches and get elected.
I don’t know how their promises become a reality and when they do make their promises reality, they do it in the least way.
When they start working on the issues of giving support, their support and services are provided at minimum.
When elders’ benefits are increased, they increase them like only two or five percent. The elders don’t know how much the increases are and their elders’ pension increase doesn’t even provide for a box of tea.
We use the elders’ wisdom anytime we require it, so therefore we should be providing more support to the elders.
When they receive senior citizens’ homeownership programs or assistance programs, they have to apply themselves, but the applications are in English.
Also for youth services, every time the youth groups want to get some assistance they have to apply from other various entities, even though we promised we would give them support.
In Nunavut, education is at the lowest level compared to other provinces.
When Nunavut students go down south to go to school, the level of education is put lower even though we had promised to give them support.
We state that our younger generation is our future.
We say that even though many leaders don’t seem to live up to that promise.
I urge all of the members to make sure that we provide these services to our future generation. I’m sure that the younger generation doesn’t want to operate the way we do.
We want to see the young people becoming wise and old.
We say that our young people are our future, but we provide very difficult situations for them.
I urge all of the members to try and rectify the hurdles we face in regard to youth services. I would like to urge the Cabinet Members to resolve some of those problems we face.
Member’s Statement 162 – 2(3): Passing on Elders’ Knowledge (Kattuk)
I rise today to remind us about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit because the government talks about the traditional knowledge of Inuit, and we say that they have to be incorporated into the government’s system.
I rise today to talk about the knowledge that I hold.
Mr. Speaker, as I was growing up, I used to be told by my father and my grandfather, “If you respect the wildlife and if you respectfully kill them then you will not deplete the population.
You have to be conservative and respect the wildlife, and make sure you provide food for the other people.
That way the population of wildlife will not deplete.
That’s the traditional knowledge of Inuit, but we hear the government say that if you’ll be killing animals, or wildlife, you will be depleting the population.
That’s totally opposite of the knowledge of Inuit.
Even though the government did not govern Inuit long ago, we were very conservative of our wildlife.
Our elders and senior citizens advised us of how to do the right thing; we governed ourselves without being governed by a foreign government; we survived with traditional laws; we respected the environment, though we faced difficult challenges, especially when we had to be assimilated to another culture.
At times, we neglect our knowledge, Mr. Speaker. For that reason, I’m urging the government to consider Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. So I’m just encouraging them because there are a lot of holders of traditional knowledge.
When the scientists say when you kill off the wildlife, they will start depleting.
Member’s Statement 163 – 2(3): Nunavut Youth Court – Kugluktuk Students (Evyagotailak)
I rise to say how proud I am of the students in Kugluktuk who recently participated in a Nunavut Youth Court.
Mr. Speaker, Janet Kadlun, Adam Kikpak, Emma Ivarluk, Helena Bolt, Ian Niptanatiak and Chelsea Power were selected by their teachers to serve as Kugluktuk’s first Youth Court Advisory Panel.
Mr. Speaker, those students were given the opportunity to give advice to persons that were given a guilty plea or where a verdict has been established. They were asked to consider and give advice on what a fair sentence might be. Their advice, it has been agreed, has shown real wisdom.
Mr. Speaker, I believe this is a very good program for the students and it will definitely help them to acknowledge their own actions and how it could have an effect on others.
Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that this program can be done in all the Nunavut communities.
I ask all Members to join me in congratulating those youth.
Member’s Statement 164 – 2(3): Ignoring Community Concerns for Arviat (Alagalak)
I am deeply concerned and worried about my constituents, that this government has ignored our community of Arviat in its capital expenditures last fall for 2006-07.
Furthermore, the government has again ignored the community of Arviat for other government program proposals such as midwifery, which was first proposed by Arviarmiut in the mid 80s and 90s.
Without consulting Arviarmiut, it has been again moved to another community.  And training centres: Arviarmiut always has proposed to take part in the training of its own community residents and again, that seems to be far away and getting further as it was proposed.
Other major projects this government has identified and yet the government still expects Arviarmiut to pay recent increases in costs of fuel, gas, fuel riders, electricity costs, and not getting any job opportunities for the community of Arviat.