EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, we do have 79 percent beneficiary rates at the Hivuliqtikhanut program here in this one particular program for the manager, supervisor, and emerging supervisor series.
That is just one program.
There are many other programs.
This enables our beneficiaries to move up in positions and these vacated positions can be put to use for upcoming beneficiaries.
That’s about the only way we can increase our beneficiary numbers.
We can’t just pluck people out from the street and make them employees of the government.
There’s got to be a process. This is one of the processes we try to adhere to and this is supported by the organization of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. We do have Inuit employment plans within our department.
There is a strategy. There is a public service strategy. There are a number of different things that we try to do.
Mr. Speaker, the amount of money spent on a small group of people is enormous.
With the partnership of NTI, we do spend a lot of money on training Inuit to fill these positions.
Mr. Speaker, it doesn’t mean we’re going to stop doing that.
We want to continue finding ways to increase our levels of beneficiary employment.
Question 531 – 4(3): Enforcement of Anti-smoking Legislation (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good afternoon. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Health.
Yesterday I tabled a document that contained the names of over 400 people who have signed an online petition calling for a ban on smoking in multi-unit dwellings in Nunavut due to health concerns about the effects of second-hand smoke.
Earlier this week the minister revealed that no fines or other penalties have ever been levied for contraventions of the Tobacco Control Act with respect to smoking in prescribed areas.
Mr. Speaker, this is a perfect illustration of how issues like this can get complicated.
On the one hand, people want to ban an activity that can cause significant harm to others, but on the other hand, calling something a “ban” is meaningless without real consequences for violators.
However, on the other hand, it’s probably not realistic to expect the government to potentially threaten to evict significant numbers of people from their public or staff housing units and make them homeless if they simply ignore a ban on smoking in their homes.
Can the minister first clarify what kinds of information his department has produced and distributed with respect to the dangers of second-hand smoke in multi-unit dwellings?
I thank the member for her raising this issue so quickly after the petition that she tabled yesterday, which I was going through while I was waiting for question period to start.
I noted a number of names and I was unaware of this petition going around.
There are a number of different ways we can address this and the Department of Health, through our smoking cessation team, is currently doing any number of initiatives, talking about the dangers of smoking in general and specifically making special mention of smoking in dwellings, smoking in vehicles, or smoking while your baby is in your amauti.
Like the member just stated, it’s an educational campaign.
Right now, without any dramatic changes to legislation, it is difficult for a government or an entity like workers’ safety to enforce these smoking boundaries.
I think the biggest thing that people need to realize is that there’s self discipline, if you see somebody smoking within those boundaries, to say something.
When we’re talking specific to multi-dwelling units of not smoking, I’m not aware of any specific campaigns that we’re doing.
It is more of a general of the dangers of smoking in any dwelling, not specific to multi-dwelling, but it is something that, upon reading this petition, I made a note of for myself to follow up with the department to see if there’s a way where we can include that type of viewpoint. When we’re talking about multi-dwelling units, there are shared air exchange systems in some of them and it does create hardships for people that live in there.
I acknowledge the member’s work.
It’s something, again, I just brought it today, so I need to digest it a little bit and I’ll take it to my officials at the Department of Health and see how we can progress further education campaigns specific to what she’s looking for.
I thank the member for your willingness to look at this. I think it’s a very important issue that we all need to be more aware of. The consequences are actually deadly.
Mr. Speaker, government decisions should be based on solid facts and evidence. Will the minister commit to working with the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to undertake a survey of smoking rates in public and staff housing so that we can get a complete picture of this issue?
I’ve got a lot of information in front of me and more upstairs in my office.
I do know there’s a lot of work that our teams are doing on recognizing smoking rates across the territory, even at the community level, if I recall some of the information correctly.
With regard to the level of detail that she’s looking at, I can speak to my officials, who I’m sure will touch base with Minister Kuksuk’s officials at the Nunavut Housing Corporation to see how something like this could be arranged and identify the value of it going forward to make sure, from an educational standpoint, that the information that we gather is relevant and enable us to be able to perform type of an action.
This is a good day for me with you. I appreciate your willingness to really look at this issue and that way I can work with other people. I think that needs to be part of the picture of the work that needs to be done.
Mr. Speaker, both the minister and I are well aware that Nunavut’s highest concentration of multi-unit dwellings is here in Iqaluit.
Is the minister considering the feasibility of community-specific regulation in the area of tobacco control?
There are countless issues that I deal with on a daily basis with the Department of Health.
As this has just been recently raised to my attention, I can’t say that I’ve had an opportunity to really even analyze the logistics or the legality of such a ban.
I’ll take it under advisement and it’s something that, as a part of my communications with my officials at Health, to see exactly what we can do, what we’re able to do, and to make sure that we find out all the information that we need to gather to be able to even look at something like this.
Question 532 – 4(3): Staffing within Nunavut’s Corrections Division (Rumbolt)
As the minister is aware, community corrections officers or probation officers are responsible for coordinating the community programming and risk assessment needs of clients that serve community sentences.
These officers are also responsible for the direct supervision of all adults and youth serving probation, conditional sentences, and federal paroled offenders.
Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the department’s community corrections officer position in Sanikiluaq has been vacant since July.
Can the minister indicate if his department is currently in the process of filling this position and, if not, why not?
Mr. Speaker, my information here is it is vacant.
The interesting thing is, as Mr. Rumbolt has been actively raising the issue of office space in the last few days, our problem in Sanikiluaq isn’t office space. Our problem is housing.
We don’t have a house for the individual. Although there was an individual, she did leave in June.
We were trying to staff the position, I believe, through casual staffing and that didn’t work out and we do continue to try to staff the position.
The department’s community corrections officer position in Sanikiluaq was previously filled by an individual who had planned to live in the community temporarily.
While I would like to extend my appreciation to individuals who fill these important positions and who I have no doubt do their best to fulfill their duties, I believe that it is important to make every effort to fill these positions with individuals who are committed to remaining in the community to ensure continuity for the department’s clients and for the community as a whole.
Will the minister commit his department to making every effort to fill this vacancy locally?
I won’t commit, but I will tell Mr. Rumbolt that we will make every effort.
As I said, we did have an individual who was in a position to take the job, but I don’t want to reveal too much. Other factors came into play that prevented that person from taking the job.
I recognize that staff turnover is a challenge that many departments and other non-governmental organizations continue to face.
On August 6 of 2015 the department awarded a contract to Aarluk Consulting to conduct a “review of the staffing, overtime, and organization structure for Corrections Nunavut.”
Can the minister provide an update on the status of the review and can he indicate when we can expect a report on this review to be tabled in the House?
As members can appreciate, when I became justice minister on March 7, there was a tremendous volume of work to do in terms of reading reports and reading former commitments. There were studies underway and a tremendous amount of work to do. I do try to read stuff.
I don’t want to be one of those guys who say I read the report, but I didn’t actually read it. I do read these things. I read the draft of that report and I wasn’t satisfied with the way it was written.
I asked for a rewrite to be clearer. I was hoping I could table in this sitting, but I believe we will be tabling in the winter sitting, unfortunately.
Question 533 – 4(3): Supporting the G.R.E.A.T. Program (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks the government has issued press releases regarding the latest round of the Getting Ready for Employment and Training Program.
This program is a good opportunity for income assistance clients to prepare for employment opportunities.
I would like to ask the minister if he can provide an update on what success the G.R.E.A.T. program has had to date in narrowing the unemployment gap and how many graduates of the program now have stable jobs.
The Getting Ready for Employment and Training Program is administered by the Department of Family Services and directed towards income assistance clients.
Currently progress has been made with this program, especially via the Sivumut Abluqta Mandate for this government related to improving social services for Inuit.
The program has been quite successful, at least based on the information I was provided. The income assistance clients are receiving this training module for pre-employment as well as generic employment training protocols if they wish to pursue a career and what kind of further training they would require to follow their plan for the future.
The program began as a pilot project and it was 12-week program. Clients had to pass the training courses.
Due to the success of this pilot project and the original clients’ advice to lengthen the course, the employment and training program was changed to a 14-week program from the original 12-week program.
I can state unequivocally, based on his question, that the numbers of people who took the program totalled 117 and out of the total number of students, approximately 70 individuals graduated.
Of the 70 students who completed the training course, about 25 have found employment or used the program to qualify for more advanced courses either at NAC or other programs. Twenty-five graduates have progressed from the group who passed the training program. Some clients who were taking on-the-job- training received employment.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that employment readiness programs meet Nunavut’s labour force needs.
Can the minister clarify how his department partners with other departments or agencies at the community level to address employment needs and opportunities?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Within our communities as well as generally within Nunavut, it requires partnerships and collaboration and for these reasons, we focus on the residents who require the most assistance.
In speaking of income support clients in particular, it is noticeable that we need to find solutions on how to face these challenges, especially related to employment opportunities in Nunavut, and to ensure their participation in the economy.
I work with various departments of this government on this topic as well as those involved in education and training. Any group that provides job-related programs is included in our discussions.
Actually, with respect to the operations within this employment readiness program, it is obvious that each community adapts the course to the employment opportunities available.
To use Iqaluit as an example, many employment opportunities exist amongst the various groups.
The organizations involved provide much-needed assistance. If the program is required within our smaller communities, we try to offer pre-employment training with different companies.
Whether it is in an office setting or other working environments or places with job opportunities, we work together to provide training so that they can learn about employment skills.
Every community is different with respect to the type of employment needs and opportunities that are available.
I would like to ask the minister if he can commit to ensuring that programs such as the Getting Ready for Employment and Training Program explore ways to meet needs while training or serving the community.
I can say yes to his question. I say yes.
Question 534 – 4(3): 2016 Cruise Ship Visits (Enook)
Good afternoon to the people of Pond Inlet and Nunavummiut.
I will base my questions on the Minister’s Statement on November 1 regarding the 2016 cruise ship visits.
Mr. Speaker, many of our colleagues are aware that the mountainous terrain surrounding Pond Inlet, including our community, is very scenic and many cruise ships travel to our community bringing many tourists.
Pond Inlet has many species of wildlife and the land is very picturesque.
The result is we get the majority of the cruise ship tourists annually.
This summer alone 13 cruise ships landed in our community.
I believe that is the highest numbers of ships to arrive into any one community during one summer.
I want to quote from the statement the minister made prior to asking my question as I want to be clear in my understanding, so let me quote the passage.
“Most significantly the 1,000-passenger Crystal Serenity visited Nunavut this year.
The voyage resulted in a direct economic impact of $110,000 in Cambridge Bay and $35,000 in Pond Inlet.”
Mr. Speaker, let me start with this question.
What does the statement highlighting this $35,000 mean for Pond Inlet?
What that statement means in this case is that when the passengers landed in Pond Inlet, they purchased artwork and this figure is part of that.
The reason why I ask this question is in the communities and in the case of Cambridge Bay, many artisans reported that with this particular immense cruise ship, although it had many passengers, not many purchased artwork.
Furthermore, in Pond Inlet many artisans complained that many pieces were not purchased, although this figure is quite large.
I wonder where this figure was produced.
Who calculated the purchases and came up with these figures?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for asking for clarification.
The money spent by these tourists was calculated by employees from both of the listed communities.
My question seemed to be sidestepped as I didn’t hear an answer pertaining to it. Nonetheless, let me ask my supplementary question.
The reason why I wanted further clarification was each organization had different figures.
I received correspondence from the hamlet stating that this summer, out of the 13 cruise ships that landed in Pond Inlet, the hamlet income reached $51,000 from sales while their expenditures were approximately $42,500 or thereabouts.
If we are counting the profit from that, they only made slightly over $8,000.
This does not include the salaries of the hamlet employees nor other related expenses such as overtime costs and so on.
For that reason and with the reports from the local artisans, they keep stating the tourists rarely purchase any large items when they land in a community.
They tend to purchase cheap items and what is most obvious is communities undertake extensive planning for the cruise ships, running around on the day of the arrival, preparing events for the tourists. When the tourists finally arrive, it seems a total waste of time just in looking at the paltry amounts spent in our communities.
In consideration of this reality, let me ask my final question.
What has the department planned for tourism, especially the cruise ship tourism sector?
What other types of research or analysis is required to ensure that all parties have the same figures related to actual revenue and expenditures? Will we ever have comparable, correct figures here?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank my colleague for questions on this aspect of tourism.
Our department sent an employee to meet the big cruise ship prior to it arriving into the territory. We had government employees on hand in Cambridge Bay.
It seems obvious that due to the lack of banking facilities in the communities, some tourists like to purchase art with plastic or credit cards.
What we found was the need to offer this type of option so that tourists could decide which manner of payment they wanted to use so that it would allow for more purchases.
It is also noticeable communities must learn, especially with non-Canadian flagged ships, what materials can’t be purchased and which materials are acceptable.
Sometimes communities only have sealskins or ivory tusks to carve, which can’t be imported to some countries.
Perhaps this was part of the problem. We ought to communicate with our hamlets on the acceptable materials that can be purchased.
Question 535 – 4(3): Gjoa Haven’s Literacy Action Plan (Akoak)
Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s Statement I addressed a very important literacy project underway in the community of Gjoa Haven.
Given that education is a primary focus of our government’s mandate, can the minister provide an update on what resources and funds are made available to promote literacy in Nunavut’s communities?
Hon. Paul Quassa (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for asking for information, education being very important.
We have been working very hard on literacy and mathematics and it has been evolving.
For instance, we started up on what we need to consider concerning literacy and the programs we have made available to our regional school operations to date.
There is new funding and new positions have been created especially for literacy programs.
We have identified the positions in the regional offices and the NTEP teachers have provided literacy programs.
If we can recall, last year we created literacy coaches and that’s an ongoing program.
Those are the current programs on literacy in Nunavut.
I know that it will be an ongoing program because you need to be able to read to graduate from grade 12.
As the minister stated, one of the ways our students can graduate is if we help them for their futures.
Mr. Speaker, the Gjoa Haven Literacy Action Plan is an ambitious project to establish literacy libraries in Gjoa Haven’s high school classrooms.
Can the minister clarify whether his department would have specific funds available to support and promote this worthwhile initiative?
Currently the Department of Education has a program called (interpretation ends) balanced literacy (interpretation) specific to improving literacy and we are making progress on this front.
More programs are being created for this reason and teachers are provided with materials and (interpretation ends) resources (interpretation) for reading programs.
Also, there are different programs under development related to literacy, as an example, as a part of our (interpretation ends) curriculum (interpretation) to be taught for this purpose.
The curriculum is being developed for kindergarten up to grade 6.
We are currently focusing on the Inuktitut reading materials that are being developed for this purpose.
We expect these materials to be ready and produced for the 2017-18 fiscal year.
This includes teaching materials and resources, so we are really developing a steady stream today.
This program was initiated originally for kindergarten up to grade 2 and more materials are being produced to date, but as per my earlier statement, we are looking to develop this for higher grades that I am aware of and that I want my colleague to understand.
Our teachers and staff are also receiving training on the uses of the materials within the schools.
These are the types of initiatives we are pursuing within the Department of Education.
Perhaps the situation in my colleague’s school means we haven’t been informed of the issues related to his question.
I would like to get more information on what my colleague referenced.
I can’t really respond in detail now, but I am open to receiving more details on what they are requesting.
To make it short, they’re looking for 1,000 books in each classroom and looking for funding.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the Department of Education, like other departments, faces many challenges in ensuring that there are enough resources and funds to go around.
Can the minister clarify what kinds of support his department can provide to community groups, such as Gjoa Haven’s Literacy Action Plan, to access funding from non-governmental sources to achieve its dream of setting up functioning libraries in school classrooms?
I also thank my colleague for requesting further clarification on this front.
With the importance we place on this initiative, if we recall, communities are visited during the summer by literacy coaches from outside of Nunavut.
The communities of Cape Dorset, Iqaluit, and one other community had visitors who worked on literacy programming during the summer.
This occurred outside of the school year. I am quite appreciative of the efforts of the communities that apply for and request these programs.
I imagine we would fully support the request, as we support our local libraries, as all of our schools have libraries.
We request and search for reading materials for the (interpretation ends) libraries (interpretation) and how to provide more support.
That is what I would like to hear more about and perhaps even to receive the request from the school or the local DEA.
That is the type of information I would like to receive.
Obviously, on a personal note, I am fully supportive of any literacy programs and requests for more reading materials for our schools. Let us support our schools by acquiring books for the libraries.
I would like to get more details in writing on this application if possible.
Question 536 – 4(3): Adequate Office Space for Baker Lake Program (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, the Baker Lake Prenatal Nutrition Program has been operating very successfully for the past 21 years.
Unfortunately this year it was determined that the space they have been using all these years may no longer be available.
As is the case in many communities, there is a general shortage of facilities that are suitable and available for delivering community programs.
Can the minister provide an update on the current status of the old hospice building in Baker Lake and what arrangements will be made to provide space for ongoing programs if that facility is closed down?
The prenatal clinic in Baker Lake will still be staying at the same building currently.
The building was set to be closed, but the closing of that building has been delayed until we can find a suitable place for the prenatal clinic to continue on with the very valuable service that they provide.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the responsibility for the Prenatal Nutrition Program lies with the Department of Family Services.
However, it is the Department of Community and Government Services that assists in locating office and program space.