EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Unlike other businesses in Nunavut, the Power Corporation is regulated through the auspices of legislation and that legislation is the Utilities Rate Review Council.
In this case through the general rate application process this past spring the Utility Rates Review Council recognized that there were some financial needs of the corporation and as we’ve talked about in this House before; number 1 is that the rates are too low, the rates have not increased since 1988 and indeed the only rate increase in seven years was on April 1 of this year when we actually increased the rates by three cents roughly across the board.
The second part of that is the capital stabilization rider application by the Power Corporation, how they can finance their capital expenditures and that is in two parts.
The first part was the decrease in two communities, of their existing rate, a considerable amount for those two communities and a small amount, less than one-tenth of one percent which is applied to all the bills across Nunavut to make up the difference in the capital.
Once all those reports are completed from the Utility Rates Review Council, and I’d hope to have those in the next couple of weeks, I will make them public and make them available to the members.
The minister himself indicated that he did receive a recommendation from the Utility Rates Review Council to make some changes including the decrease and the slight increase.
That’s the report I was referring to.
Would he be willing to commit to tabling that report and not the final report, as well as the final report that he’s planning on receiving in a couple of weeks?
The Utility Rates Review Council capitalization fund request was submitted to the Utility Rates Review Council. I received it as the member indicated on September 29 and the ministerial instructions can be found on the website of the Power Corporation, so that’s available to the public, it’s there for them.
What’s pending right now is the rebalancing of the rates to reflect the cost of capital and I haven’t received that report yet.
That’s the report I would hope to receive in the next couple of weeks. That’s still pending.
The second part that is pending is actually the fuel rider. The recommendation was for 3.98 cents. I’ve instructed the Power Corporation to collect the 3.98 cents on the fuel rider.
The Utility Rates Review Council is now reviewing those numbers that were submitted by the Power Corporation and if those numbers prove to be too much then rebates to the customers would happen, to all customers in Nunavut who pay their power bill.
They would get a rebate if the Power Corporation has taken in too much money based on that rider. At the same time if the 3.98 cents on the fuel rider is not enough , then there may have to be another increase but again that would depend on the Utility Rates Review Council.
Again Mr. Speaker, it’s very important that people know that there is a check and balance on rates and that check and balance is provided by the independence of the Utility Rates Review Council.
The minister again has already indicated that these reports have been returned to him and that some of the information is on their website.
My question for the minister is: in the capital stabilization rider application that was put forward by the utility through the minister to the Utility Rates Review Council, what amount did they actually ask for, or indicate that they needed in that application, and what was the amount that was granted?
Through the process the URRC identified, not the Power Corporation, the URRC identified that the Power Corporation was short $12.5 million. The URRC only recommended an increase in revenue of $8.4 million, which was a shortage of $4.1 million.
So, for the Power Corporation to pay all of its wages, its salaries, its oil costs, and to be able to keep up with our clients, for example, you just heard yesterday about concerns with Repulse Bay with capital expenditures, the Power Corporation asked for extra money through a capital rider, and indeed, the URRC came back and said, yes, we accept that.
We have given you something out of rebalancing, which means the two communities in Nunavut came out as being one, who are paying too much money for their capital, they received a huge decrease in their capital expenses, and their rates in those two communities and the rate across Nunavut, that was increased by less than one tenth of a percent to make up that amount.
That was part of the capital rider’s extension.
The second part is still pending and that’s the actual amounts that will be put into a capital rider if needed, and that has to be ascertained by the URRC.
So the difference that Mr. Tootoo is talking about would be to accommodate between $2 million and $3 million which is forecasted to be the deficit by the URRC, and how or what mechanism the Power Corporation would be using to do that; whether a rate application, a general rate increase, or a rider.
I know that the minister is very clear in stating that it was the URRC that determined what the need was by the corporation.
My understanding of the application and the request that came from the URRC to the utility was for them to offer a plan to recoup or to come up with this money that it needs, that is requested for capital and to figure out what they needed for capital and the plan on how to correct it. I guess the minister is basically stating that they are in the dark, they don’t know what they need; that they have the Utility Rate Review Council determine what their need is for them.
Again, I ask: what did they ask for in that application that they need for the capital stabilization rider?
There must have been an amount in the application from the utility that it said it needed and that’s something for the Utility Rate Review Council to review, look at, and determine whether it, indeed, was accurate or not.
So my question, again, to the minister is: what did they ask for and we have heard part of what they have received, is that it, what is the total amount that the utility asked for that it needed in the capital stabilization rider?
I’m trying to explain what has occurred, again, the file, and I guess the quick answer is, so we could be clear, is that the Power Corporation is short of about $5.6 million in capital costs, which means the money is spent on capital.
So, the amount asked for by the corporation is for $5.6 million is what their deficit is.
But the URRC already came back and said at one point; we don’t want to have a situation, in any fiscal year, where rates shock at more than 15 percent. So the URRC is being guided by that.
So, the quick answer for Mr. Tootoo is: the amount being asked for is what, at least, the Power Corporation has factored in to be the shortage for the deficit amount in their capital fund; $5.6 million.
Question 062 – 2(3): Approval of School Health Curriculum (Barnabas)
For many years now, you and I have been members of the education council when we were setting up the curriculum in the Qikiqtaaluk region.
The Kindergarten to grade 6 curriculum has to be set up and they’re only working on the high school curriculum.
My question to the minister of education is; I will ask it in English. (interpretation ends) Our health curriculum in schools, is it approved?
The member is correct; health is a required subject for all Nunavut schools.
The health curriculum teaches family life education. It teaches children about making healthy choices. So the short answer for the member is that the health curriculum is an approved curriculum in the schools.
Indeed, it is safe to say that our health curriculum used in Nunavut schools is actually recognized by the World Health Organization as the outstanding curriculum in the area of health education.
The health curriculum; does it contain family planning information?
Yes, the health curriculum includes family life education. It’s discussed in the classroom.
Depending on the grade level before the health curriculum is used, and when you are talking about sensitive issues, like the family life issues, the parents and guardians are contacted by the individual schools, to receive permission from the parent so that their children can be involved in this type of program.
Do all schools in Nunavut teach this curriculum?
Sex education is also taught in the schools; sex education in all of its forms.
That includes something that we have been talking about the last few days in this House.
It is important that our young people are given the proper information, good information so that they can make good choices.
The family life education talks about safe sex in all its forms. That is taught in school.
The member is correct, that is a component of the family and health curriculum that is in place.
This curriculum has been recognized by the World Health Organization; probably one of the most esteemed bodies in the world; recognizes this curriculum as an outstanding curriculum in our schools.
I think that is something that we should be proud of.
In regard to HTLV-1 and also sexually transmitted diseases; are they included in the curriculum too?
When we talk about safe sex, we talk about safe sex in all of its forms. There is only one way to protect ourselves from sexually transmitted diseases and that is through abstinence.
In the meantime, young people are taught safe sex practices, which is use a condom; not sharing intravenous needles, and so on.
That is not something that we should be embarrassed about; that is something that we should be communicating with our children on a regular basis.
There are a lot of issues out there affecting our children. One way to dispel and de-stigmatize these types of issues is to have open communication with our children. Open communication is started at home and can be reinforced Mr. Speaker, in our schools and that’s part of what the health education curriculum talks about.
So the answer to the member’s question is a resounding yes.
Mr. Speaker, I think that’s something that we should be proud of.
We need to get information to our children, good information, Mr. Speaker. And that starts at home and is reinforced in the classroom.
Question 063 – 2(3): Clarification on FASD Research (Peterson)
Mr. Speaker, earlier today I spoke about the importance of early assessment and diagnosis for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Mr. Speaker, in the News North earlier this week, as well, there was an article called, Nunavut Rife with Fetal Alcohol Syndromes.
One of the biggest problems currently facing Nunavummiut, and all Canadians, it is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. FASD specialist for the territorial government, Whiney Bansfield, said; “I’m aware of those statistics. I also hear that it is really just the tip of the iceberg.”
Mr. Speaker, my question for the minister: can the minister clarify for this House what initiatives and resources are currently in place to research the extent of this disorder within our population and to address it?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Responsible for Health and Social Services, Ms. Aglukkaq.
Before I go into responding to the question about what we’re doing in Nunavut, I think it’s awfully important to also talk about what we’re doing on a national level around FASD.
The Government of Nunavut is one of the territories that’s involved with the development or research of FASD in Canada.
We are working in partnership with the western provinces to come up with ways of researching and assessing the magnitude of the problem in Canada.
The other area that we’re facing in that is, after that collection, we’re looking at trying to deal with ways to seek support from the federal government on FASD initiatives or prevention type programs.
Currently as it is, there is no specific FASD type program at the national level.
That’s recognized by the western premiers, but what we’re doing right now is collectively working together not only on the assessment side, but also on the design of programs.
When a person has FASD, that person’s life is affected for the entire duration of their life and everything in terms of their education, or their jobs or learning is affected.
So, it affects a whole bunch of other elements or other departments.
So, we’re working in collaboration with jurisdictions to research what’s happening in other provinces and other territories around FASD and collaborating on that.
To answer the member’s question, we are, again, part of that research network at a national level.
Again, the work has just been initiated and we’re looking for that result fairly soon.
The other area that my department has been working in partnership with is the Manitoba Clinic for Alcohol and Drug Exposed Children.
Again, the purpose of this is to establish partnerships which include consultation, training, and mentoring of individuals with FASD.
The FASD initiatives that we’re also preparing are two pilot projects in communities of the Kivalliq and Qikiqtani.
We continue to work with community agencies and have delivered a number of training programs in communities where 20 have participated and to date, across Nunavut, we have trained 60 individuals on FASD, on assessment of FASD and working with children with FASD.
I thank the minister for that long detailed answer, information.
I’ll be looking forward to reading the Hansard tomorrow and I’m sure so will other people in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, just over a year ago the Yukon Government set up a program to assess children for FASD in the Yukon instead of sending them out of territory for assessment.
Can the minister tell us whether her officials have collaborated with her counterparts in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories on the issue of FASD assessment and diagnostic measurement tools in the North?
I responded earlier in that we are a partner of the western provinces and the three territories are part of that.
During those discussions, we exchanged with other jurisdictions information on different types of initiatives that are being undertaken and we are aware of the Yukon’s initiative.
I thank the minister for the answer.
I’m aware that the Yukon is doing some good work over there. So, it’s good to share that kind of information; I’m glad to hear that they are working with our northern counterparts.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister clarify for the House whether her department is working with the Departments of Education and Justice to address the issue of FASD within the school population and the prison population in Nunavut?
The FASD initiative in Nunavut; initiatives are in partnership with Health Canada First Nations Group; the research on it, but they also include Inuit organizations; NTI, QIA, KIA, Pauktuutit, Health, Education, Justice, Status of Women, and community members.
So, there are a number of people involved in the initiatives to address FASD. Yes, the Department of Education is involved.
I hope she also means that the Department of Justice is involved.
Mr. Speaker, the minister outlined a lot of initiatives that the Government of Nunavut is doing.
As we know, initiatives cost a lot of money if they are to be successful.
FASD is a huge social problem. The FASD specialists said it is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
I’m aware that in January of this year, the Rankin Inlet Liquor Warehouse was opened and this probably brings a great deal more revenue to the territory. Can the minister clarify for the House whether she has considered the possibility of supplementing existing programs by accessing some of the extra revenue from the sale of alcohol and allocating it directly to alcohol awareness programs?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and I thank the member for that question.
One thing I would like to just highlight is that the goals of the FASD program in Nunavut is to develop and promote territorial approaches to prevention, intervention, care, and support to individual families and institutions like education, again, to create partnerships, community-based training, again, as well, to increase awareness of the impact of FASD, and to increase awareness to young women of the impacts of drinking while pregnant.  The total funding available, in Nunavut, for FASD this past year is a little over $400,000, and of course, that is not enough to address the impact of FASD in our society.
So, I will take the member’s comments and seek support from the Department of Finance; whether that’s an option that we can consider.
Question 064 – 2(3): Wait Time for Cancer Patients (Curley)
There are still a lot of Nunavummiut who are passing away while they are waiting to go to the hospital.
I would like to ask the Minister of Health; after their meeting last month with the federal government and the provincial and territorial ministers, they were dealing with waiting times. I would like to ask the minister: how great of a problem is it for patients who are waiting to be treated, especially with cancer patients, and how are you trying to reduce that waiting time, especially with the cancer patients?
The member is correct in that the health ministers across Canada, as well as the federal health minister have been addressing the issue of wait times in Canada.
The Wait Time Initiative at the FTP level relates to five areas, one of them being cancer. Right now, as it is, we are trying to address benchmarks at the national level; what should be acceptable wait times in the categories identified by the first ministers two years ago.
For Nunavut, when an individual requires immediate treatment, those individuals are sent to Iqaluit, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Yellowknife, or Edmonton.
So in terms of Nunavummiut waiting to be seen; that number is very low. It is very low because we have very good service arrangements with the hospitals and facilities in the southern jurisdictions. If a person requires immediate treatment, that individual is sent to one of those locations where there is a hospital.
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is important that the minister does respond, not only to this House, but to the public exactly as my first question was and it was not answered.
How long is the wait list for Nunavut residents seeking treatment for cancer?
What’s specifically being done to reduce the wait time for Nunavummiut? My supplementary question is where do patients in the Kivalliq suffering from cancer go to for treatment? Are the wait times for patients in the Kivalliq longer or shorter than patients waiting in the Baffin or the Kitikmeot?
The member asked three questions in his second question so I will try and answer all of them. The wait time for Nunavut for the services people require when they need immediate treatment is there.
When individuals require treatment immediately, they are medevaced to the centres.
In the Keewatin, people are sent to Winnipeg for cancer treatment. That service is not available yet in Nunavut.
The waiting time that we make reference to in the FTP levels identifies the five categories, which I will provide the member.
The waiting time we have in Nunavut and the service that we get from the hospitals is very, very good as compared to the rest of Canada.
I appreciate the minister attempting to address this issue but I really believe it’s much more serious because we do have a huge waiting list in Nunavut. Patients continue to die without receiving medical treatment. I believe this government has to do more to really keep track of patients that actually need treatment and cannot get treatment, otherwise they are going to become attached to the provinces’ waiting lists.
That is why it is important.
My final question, at the 2004 First Ministers’ meeting it was agreed by December 31, 2005 benchmarks for wait times are to be developed for five priority areas, which the minister outlined: cancer, heart diagnostic imaging, joint replacements, and sight restoration.
Benchmarks represent the maximum amount of time patients should be waiting for specific procedures.
My question is: what improvements can we expect to see in Nunavut in these areas?
I think it is important if a person has cancer and dies of cancer without treatment, I would like to know the specifics on that because that is a very serious issue and a very serious problem if people are dying without being treated; I would like that clarified by the member because I do not want to leave the impression to Nunavummiut that this is happening.
So, if the member can maybe provide me after with some specifics on that, I would follow up on it.
The December 31 issues related to the wait times is being presented to the first ministers meetings where the Premier is at, or will be at this year, before December 31.
As I mentioned, in Nunavut, our wait time is next to nil when it comes to treatment in northern areas because the difference between us is that when we require service or treatment in those five areas, the patients in Nunavut are sent to Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Yellowknife, or here for treatment and we have a very good arrangement with those hospitals.
So when a person requires any treatment, we receive that service from those agencies and hospitals immediately. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I certainly will help the minister in giving her some.
I really don’t believe that what we’re... what I’m doing is, I’m not accusing the government of not treating our patients.
It is a fact, and it is a fact, and I have had relatives who have had no treatment because by the time they were diagnosed with cancer, it was too late.
Even less than one year ago, I do have a personal relative who died, and it was beyond treatment.
So, we had to accept that reality.
So I’m asking the minister: will you do a bit more to really keep track of those serious diseases that need tracking in terms of waiting lists? We need to take part in reducing the wait list for our patients that need treatment.
Will the minister undertake to release and provide information to the public on these areas?
I will commit to the member to provide that information.
And, one of the things that I would also like to add is that with the new hospitals being established in the Kivalliq, as well as in the Kitikmeot and here, the whole issue of early diagnosis will be more available to Nunavummiut and that’s one of the reasons that getting treatment closer to home and having those facilities available to provide early diagnosis is the overall goal to address some of the concerns that the member raises.
I will commit to providing that information.
Question 065 – 2(3): Homeownership Funding (Netser)
Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would direct my question to the Minister Responsible for Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Just before the Committee of the Whole yesterday, we were told that individuals who want to get homeownership, you said that it was available.
When will that become available? I would like to get that information. That is what I’m asking him.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Akesuk.
The funding, if this is agreed to at this session, will become available immediately, once it’s approved.
So, how many would be able to get some from that funding?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker.
I don’t really understand his question.
Speaker (interpretation): Can you clarify your question Mr. Netser?
The money that is set aside for this program, as he stated, once it’s approved, and we’ll probably approve it anyway, because we have a shortage of housing... so, how many houses would that be able to build?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): I believe that we are requesting material for assistance programs.
It will be for ten homeowners because we have talked to the federal government and they really approved of this idea, and if this goes through, then we can have more negotiations as to how else they can help us.
The minister stated ten units.
So, will they be scattered like in the Baffin, the Kivalliq, and the Kitikmeot?
Yes, they will be reviewing as to which communities will qualify and we will make it available to all Nunavummiut.
If this succeeds, we will be able to make improvements in the upcoming years.
But at this time, I can’t say which communities will benefit from that program.