EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
If the medical patient is unilingual and requests an escort from a nurse or the health centre, they have to wait for an escort to become available before they can travel down. But when escorts do become available, the requests are not always approved. That should be clarified so that it’s understood by residents in Baker Lake.
There are continual complaints about overcrowding in the Kivalliq House and we have heard that the intercom is in use all day.
This has affected some of the patients, especially the people who are convalescing there.
I was told to raise these matters by my constituents and I have mentioned them to Minister Peterson in order to get answers.
It’s understandable if we don’t get a response right away, but perhaps as we start working together on the issues impacting our people, he can provide more information to the residents of Baker Lake. Those are all the questions I have for now.
Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Keith Peterson.
I thank the hon. member for raising those issues.
Just before I attempt to answer, I would like to thank the Department of Health and Social Services’ staff.
When I was a member on the opposite side there, I used to ask a lot of questions about health and now that I am on this side, I realize how much hard work that the Health and Social Services’ staff do across Nunavut.
We have a capacity issue in the department, but they work very hard to serve all Nunavummiut. When you’re on that side, you don’t know that, but when you’re on this side, you find out awfully fast. So they have been keeping me up to date and briefing me on all kinds of issues.
There’s never a day that goes by where there’s not an important issue somewhere in Nunavut.
As the hon. member mentioned that his constituents are concerned, I’ll have the staff look into the transportation issue in Baker Lake.
Under your concern about client escorts, there is a client escort policy.
It’s quite detailed, but it’s an improvement over the policy that was happening in the past. The previous policy was quite expensive and it was unclear and vague as to who could be an escort, the new policy clarifies that.
Our officials at the department can certainly work with your community to explain that.
With respect to the boarding home I guess it’s in Winnipeg, again we can look into that. Not enough space? I can’t really comment on that, but we can talk to them about the loudness.
Sometimes it could be an individual issue, but I hear issues about boarding homes all the time. I heard, for example, from one of my constituents in Cambridge Bay that there were some ladies in Yellowknife over Christmas who weren’t getting enough food to eat.
So if members want to bring these issues to me before we get into session, we can certainly work on them. My office is always open and staff is very responsive to issues that are raised from the communities and from the MLAs.
I would like to remind members that when you ask your questions, please pose one question at a time as you are allotted up to three supplementary questions.
Question 008 – 3(1): What Happens to People in the Care of Social Workers?
(Arvaluk)
I wish to ask a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services. I prefer not to whisper since we were always admonished never to whisper when we were growing up.
With respect to the children that are sent outside of the communities by social services, where are they sent to?
They get shipped to another community that is not their own.
When they have been shipped out and they have not indicated their desire to return home, what’s the timeframe that social services follow prior to returning them to their communities?
To cite an example, if you live too long down south, then you won’t be returned to your home community.
What length of time has been established for this?
How many months do they look after the child before they abandon the child to the social services workers in the south?
Minister of Health and Social Services, Mr. Keith Peterson.
I thank the hon. member for asking the question.
He certainly could have leaned over and whispered or passed me a note and I would have tried to answer that.
I don’t have the particular details on how long people can stay when they’re on medical travel.
I believe when you’re in a boarding home, I think the department would like to get you home to your home community as quickly as possible after you have received your medical treatment. There’s only so many rooms available or beds available in the boarding home. So of course, it’s important to return you to your community as fast as possible and free up the beds and rooms for other patients.
I was not referring to people on medical travel; I was referring to people sent out by social services. Some Inuit are sent out for various reasons related to their lives. Some apparently don’t express their wish to return home right away.
This is the first time I have heard about this, so I tried to ask how long people have to be away before they are abandoned by social services.
This question arose when someone lost a relative and although the person wanted to return home, he was told that because a number of months have passed, social services turned down his request. He ended up on the streets of Edmonton, forgotten and abandoned by social services.
I am willing to accept notice or receive a written response to my question as to whether this matter can be resolved right away or if the case can be dealt with in some other way.
I again thank the hon. member for that question and comment.
I would have to check on that, but again, every case is judged on its individual merits.
I think it is the policy of the Department of Health and Social Services that patients return to their home communities as quickly as possible.
It is very expensive for the Department of Health to keep patients at any time admitted in boarding homes and we know that it’s more appropriate for patients to be in their home communities if they’re well enough, surrounded by their family and friends to speed their recovery.
Mr. Arvaluk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) So individual merits, in other words, we will have to look at them case-by-case of whether that person is actually eligible to be returned according to the social services policy to his respective community. So is that individual merit determined by the social worker in that particular community or is there some sort of a reviewing body to determine that individual merit policy?
I thank the hon. member for that answer.
First of all, the approval for medical travel has conditions and the doctors or nurses in the communities would make that determination.
When you’re at the hospital down south or if you’re in Iqaluit, if the doctors or nurses determine that you’re well enough to return home, then that would be what happens.
You wouldn’t stay an extra three or four days. The Department of Health is responsible for patients and when they’re in our care, we would certainly like to get them home as quickly as possible.
Again, I’m not talking about health patients. I’m talking about social service patients.
It’s not as clear-cut like the health patients in the hospitals, but rather how the patient from social services is being affected by psychological effects.
Sometimes social services may determine that you are ready to go home. Sometimes that person who has been affected mentally, or psychologically, or otherwise, doesn’t feel that they are ready to go home yet, but sometimes social services let them go.
When the person wants to go home, shouldn’t that patient be allowed to go home because they were sent down by social services in the first place?
Again, Mr. Speaker, when the patient, whether it’s a patient in the care of social services, wants to go home, again it would have to a determination by the professionals of whether they should return home or remain.
I’m sure we have a lot of confidence in the health and social services professionals to make that determination on behalf of the patient. I’m sure they will speak to the patient and they will also speak to the relatives of the patient to make that determination.
Question 009 – 3(1): Arctic Sovereignty and the Devolution Process (Elliott)
Earlier this month, the Government of Nunavut and the Government of Canada announced that Ottawa has appointed a new chief representative for Nunavut devolution.
This announcement made reference to the federal government’s Northern Strategy.
Can the Premier indicate to the House today what our government’s new timetable is with respect to achieving a new devolution agreement?
Premier of Nunavut, Hon. Eva Aariak.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Member for Quttiktuq.
I don’t know what the proper term for devolution is in Inuktitut, so I will be using the English term when I’m referring to the matter.
At this time, the issue of devolution is still a major issue with the Nunavut government.
The Government of Nunavut will work with Ottawa on this issue, along with Nunavut Tunngavik, who must be involved in any negotiations on devolution.
As I stated earlier, I am quite pleased with the federal appointment of Bruce Rawson to work on this issue as this is the first staff position they have created.
Further, Nunavut Tunngavik already appointed Dennis Patterson to be their negotiator and the Government of Nunavut also has a negotiator.
The Nunavut government is ready and willing to discuss these matters with the federal government, but the federal government has yet to name a negotiator.
Until such time as they do identify a negotiator, I am unable to say when and where this will go.
When it comes to the issue of arctic sovereignty and the Northern Strategy, I believe that close cooperation and coordination between the federal, territorial, and municipal levels of government is essential with respect to such issues as infrastructure development, local employment, and contracting opportunities.
For example, while the Nanisivik Naval Facility project is of great importance to my constituents in Arctic Bay, people are concerned that the road between the community and the facility may be closed.
Can the premier assure me that she fully supports the involvement of the community itself when it comes to making such decisions?
The Government of Nunavut is in full support of that. (interpretation ends) Inuit use and occupancy of the Arctic, both traditional and contemporary, comprise of a critical part of Canada’s legal case for arctic sovereignty.
Devolution and full implementation of the NLCA are key steps Canada can take to equip Nunavut to play a strengthened role in the Arctic on behalf of Canada.
Canada’s sovereignty over the Arctic regions can only be asserted by building prosperous and sustainable communities in the North.
The Government of Nunavut believes that arctic sovereignty depends on cultural, economic, social, and human dimension, and obviously, this includes full participation from what we plan to hear from the people of Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you.
Mr. Elliott: I think this is going to be my final one as I just don’t have enough time.
Mr. Speaker, in her announcement on January 15, the Premier indicated that one of the goals of the devolution process is to “make ourselves ready to be the managers and regulators of the resources on and beneath our lands and seabed.”
As the Premier knows, the eyes of the world are on the High Arctic and the Northwest Passage, and many experts believe that competition between nations for access to the natural resources in this region will increase in coming years.
Can the Premier indicate to me what her government’s current position is with respect to Nunavut’s jurisdiction in relation to the natural resources of the High Arctic?
Madam Premier.
I don’t quite understand the question that the member is asking, perhaps he can clarify it.
Please clarify your question, Mr. Elliott.
Mr. Elliott: I guess what I’m getting at is whether the Government of Nunavut has a position on how we are going to manage the natural resources within the High Arctic.
For example, the US government has made a stand in recognizing the Northwest Passage as international waters, which then they could lay claim on that as well. As far as I understand from my reading, the Canadian government recognizes it as internal waters.
I just wanted I guess a reiteration of what the Nunavut government feels whether we have sovereignty over our natural resources or not.
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The Government of Nunavut is ready to negotiate.
We have a negotiator and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated has a negotiator, but the Government of Canada has not appointed a negotiator yet.
Once the Government of Canada appoints a negotiator, we will be in a position to carry out the negotiations that would include all of the pertinent information in terms of the resources and what has to been done within the sovereignty issue. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 010 – 3(1): Update on GN’s Purchase of Sealskins from Nunavummiut (Okalik)
I cannot ascertain which minister is specifically responsible for fisheries. I wonder who that would be.
I would like to pose this question to him.
Fisheries is a very important sector, along with the sealskin sector.
It was stated on the news lately that the sale did not go well.
Minister of Environment, Hon. Daniel Shewchuk.
I was wondering if Mr. Okalik was going to get a question in for me or not, but yes, that is true.
The Department of Environment has approximately 11,000 seal pelts down at the auction right now that are unsold.
That is extremely regrettable if that is indeed the case.
Have you made any plans to try to sell those sealskins again? As an example, we can showcase these pelts by marketing them to the outside world. Perhaps we can trade for some other commodity.
Will your department be dealing with this issue?
Yes, Mr. Okalik, the hon. member, we are working on options to deal with these seal pelts and one of the options is to bring some of those seal pelts back so they can be utilized in Nunavut also.
Question Period is now over. (interpretation ends) Item 4. Returns to Oral Questions.
I’m sorry. Item 7. Written Questions.
Committee Report 001 – 3(1): Report of the Striking Committee on the Recommended Structure and Terms of Reference of the Standing Committees of the Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Komoartok)
Today, (interpretation ends) I have the honour of presenting the Report of the Striking Committee on the Recommended Structure and Terms of Reference of the Standing Committees of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, as members in the House are aware, section 17 of the Legislative Assembly and the Executive Council Act provides that the Legislative Assembly may establish such committees to aid and advise it as it deems necessary.
Rule 83 of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly requires that a Striking Committee be established to report and recommend to the House the membership of the standing committees of the Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my Striking Committee colleagues, I am pleased to present our recommendations for the structure and terms of reference for the standing committees of the Third Legislative Assembly.
These recommendations have been reviewed and ratified by the Regular Members’ Caucus.
Mr. Speaker, standing committees perform a number of important oversight functions on the activities of the government through:
The scrutiny of proposed legislation;
The scrutiny of departmental and corporate business plans;
The scrutiny of main estimates and capital estimates;
The review of annual reports of independent officers of the Legislative Assembly; and
The study of specific public policy issues and other matters referred to committees by the House.
The work of the standing committees allows for significant public and stakeholder input into the development of new legislation. The public hearings that standing committees hold on the annual reports of the Auditor General, the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and the Languages Commissioner serve to enhance government transparency and accountability.
Mr. Speaker, in developing its recommendations, the Striking Committee took into careful account a number of factors that are required for any legislature’s committee system to be effective.
Mr. Speaker, your Striking Committee is recommending that five new standing committees be established.
The Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts will have oversight responsibility for the government’s three central agency departments, in addition to a number of Crown agencies. This committee will review the government’s public accounts, the reports of the Auditor General, and the reports of Nunavut’s Languages Commissioner and Information and Privacy Commissioner.
The committee is also empowered to consider issues related to the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
All ten regular MLAs will serve on this committee.
The Standing Committee on Legislation will also be composed of all ten regular MLAs.
This committee has the mandate to review all bills that receive second reading in the Legislative Assembly, with the exception of Appropriation Acts and House Bills, which are automatically referred to the Committee of the Whole. I would also like to draw the attention of the House to those provisions in the terms of reference for this committee that explicitly provide for the opportunity to scrutinize from time to time the regulations that are proposed and/or passed by the government.
As members are aware, a number of important matters are dealt with through regulation.
While the government has the ability to pass regulations without formal Legislative Assembly approval, the committee can and should play a role in the scrutiny of those regulations that are of significant importance.
I would note, for example, that the Parliament of Canada maintains a joint committee that is composed of both Senators and Members of Parliament.
That committee has the mandate to scrutinize federal regulations.
The Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development will have oversight responsibility for the Department of Environment, the Department of Community and Government Services, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, and the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
This committee will be composed of five MLAs.
As you will note, its focus is on those departments and agencies with responsibility for such matters as infrastructure, resource management, and housing.
The Standing Committee on Social Wellness will have oversight responsibility for the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Social Services, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. This committee will be composed of five MLAs.
As you will note, its focus is on those departments with responsibility for programs and services that focus directly on people.
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges will consider the operation of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly and any other matter referred to it by the House.
Five MLAs will sit on this committee, including a ministerial representative.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes my report.
I move that the Report of the Striking Committee be received and adopted by the House, and that the Terms of Reference of the Standing Committees of the Third Legislative Assembly be entered into the record.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Komoartok.
The member has moved that the Report of the Striking Committee be received and adopted by the House, and that the terms of reference of the standing committees be entered into the record as read.
Terms of Reference for the Standing Committees of the
Third Legislative Assembly of Nunavut
Standing Committee on
Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts
The mandate of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts is to:
Review main estimates, capital estimates, departmental business plans and corporate business plans; and
The standing committee has oversight responsibility for the following Government of Nunavut departments and Crown agencies:
Nunavut Business Credit Corporation;
Nunavut Development Corporation;
Qulliq Energy Corporation;
Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission; and
Unless otherwise referred to in the terms of reference of any other standing committee, all other boards and agencies of the Government of Nunavut.
Reviewing the annual financial statements and public accounts of the Government of Nunavut and the reports of the Auditor General;
Reviewing the reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut;
Reviewing the reports of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut; and
Considering issues related to the Government of Nunavut’s obligations with respect to the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
Standing Committee on Legislation
The mandate of the Standing Committee on Legislation is to:
Review legislative proposals;
Review bills referred by the House after second reading, pursuant to the Rules of the Legislative Assembly;
Scrutinize regulations that are proposed and/or passed by the government; and
Social Wellness
The mandate of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness is to:
The standing committee has oversight responsibility for the following Government of Nunavut departments:
Community and Economic Development
The mandate of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development is to:
Rules, Procedures and Privileges
The mandate of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and Privileges is to:
Consider the operation of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut; and
Consider any other matter referred by the House with respect to the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
>>House recessed at 15:40 and resumed at 16:04
There are none. Item 13.
Tabled Document 001 – 3(1): GN’s Response to the 2007-2008 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (Aariak)
Tabled Document 002 – 3(1): F/P/T Ministerial Report (Aariak)
Government of Nunavut’s response to the 2007-08 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
I have another document to table as well. (interpretation ends) I am pleased, Mr. Speaker, to table the following document:
First Ministers’ Meeting
Mr. Shewchuk… Mr. Peterson.
Tabled Document 003 – 3(1): GN 2007-08 Interim Financial Report (Peterson)
The Department of Finance is continuing its progress on the tabling of the public accounts within the statutory requirements. The 2007-08 Interim Financial Statements were completed by September 30, 2008, in accordance with the Financial Administration Act.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the 2007-08 Interim Financial Report.
Tabled Document 004 – 3(1): Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Annual Report for 2005-2006 (Tootoo)
I’m sure, Mr. Peterson, it’s nice to table something you have asked for, for so long.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the following document:
Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Annual Report for 2005-2006
Tabled Document 005 – 3(1): Towards a Representative Government – Statistics as of September 30, 2008 (Shewchuk)
Tabled Document 006 – 3(1): Towards a Representative Government – Statistics as of June 30, 2008 (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to table the following documents:
Towards a Representative Government Statistics as of June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008
Speaker: Thank you. (interpretation) Can we have those documents brought forward to the table, please.
Tabled Document 007 – 3(1): Elder Help Line Poster (Tapardjuk)
As per my statement with respect to the elder support phone line, I wish to table the following document:
Elder Help Line Poster
Tabled Document 008 – 3(1): Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act (Speaker)
Tabled Document 009 – 3(1): 2006-2007 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 010 – 3(1): 2007-2008 Annual Report on the Payment of Indemnities, Allowances and Expenses to Members of the Legislative Assembly (Speaker)
As required by subsection 20.1 of the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, I wish to table a list of those members who have filed elections under the Act.
I have another document. Thank you, Members.