EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
However, they are being included, and I mean hamlet employees here, whenever there is training being offered about the (interpretation ends) access to information training. (interpretation) For workshops on this subject, as a matter of fact, there will be a workshop held this September and the hamlet employees will be invited to participate if they wish to be included.
Mr. Speaker, the member asked as well when the hamlet employees could be involved in this type of work, but I apologize as I can’t respond as to exactly when they would become involved. I still can’t determine the dates when they would be included. Obviously, we have to look at their employees, their capacity and capabilities to see whether they can undertake this type of activity within the hamlet offices.
I appreciate Madam Aariak’s response as well.
I’m sure the rest of Nunavut will be following this to see the progress in terms of accountability and transparency. No doubt, all municipalities and governing local organizations operate as smoothly as possible as they can, but as was indicated by a colleague of mine, it is public funds.
Mr. Speaker, the government’s response to our report also indicates that it has issued directives to territorial Crown corporations and agencies concerning the public disclosure of their contracting, procurement and leasing activities. Does the government support the idea of introducing similar statutory requirements for municipal contracting, procurement and leasing activities?
I also thank the member raising that question on this issue.
The realm of employment via contracts has to be part of the discussions when the department responsible for awarding these contracts is talking with the hamlet officials. I believe that is the best way to handle this.
At this time, I can’t provide a response as to the exact procedures that they would have to follow.
The government’s response to our report also indicates that the GN will “be reviewing health-specific privacy legislation in other jurisdictions.”
Can the minister indicate when the government expects to be in a position to introduce new health-specific privacy legislation in Nunavut?
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is also another matter that is still being developed. It seems obvious that when the next government takes over, this issue will be reviewed at that time.
Question 713 – 3(3): Improving Cancer Screening in Nunavut (Oshutapik)
Mr. Oshutapik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my Member’s Statement, Nunavut could be doing more to screen for breast cancer.
Can the minister explain why Nunavut is the only jurisdiction in Canada where women who have followed the self-examination program and have discovered a lump in their breast are not permitted to request a mammogram directly?
Mr. Speaker, during Well Women clinics, women will receive tests during their checkup and if there’s any indication of illness or symptoms of breast cancer, they will be treated accordingly.
I thank the minister for his response. (interpretation ends) Can the minister confirm whether or not there is a mammography machine located in Nunavut and, if so, is it currently operational?
There is a mammography machine at the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
I don’t believe it’s used with all the full features, but I understand that it can be used for diagnostic testing.
I thank the minister for his response because Nunavummiut will now know. (interpretation ends) Will the minister commit to directing his officials to reviewing Nunavut’s breast cancer screening policies and to allow at-risk women to request mammograms?
The policy is reviewed every five years. I believe that the policy is under review now or will be under review and complete by early next year.
Speaker: Member for Nattilik, Ms. Ugyuk.
Question 714 – 3(3): Nattilingmiut Language Curriculum (Ugyuk)
I say “good morning” to my fellow community members and the people of Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Culture and Heritage.
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I tabled a letter from the Kinguvaasaliuqtut Language Society regarding the desperate need to develop language curriculum materials to revitalize and strengthen the Nattilingmiutut dialect.
I hope the minister has had an opportunity to review the letter and is prepared to respond to my questions.
(interpretation ends) Can the minister provide an update on what specific initiatives have been conducted or supported by his department to revitalize individual Inuit language dialects, such as the Nattilingmiut dialect?
I also thank my colleague for raising questions about our language and further, that she is ardent in protecting her dialect.
Every fiscal year, the department allocates funds for disbursement specifically for language protection. This society has submitted proposals in the past to enhance the Nattilingmiut dialect and when the funds are approved by the department, they are allocated to the applicant.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The Kinguvaasaliuqtut Language Society has already undertaken a lot of work with both teachers and elders to begin developing Nattilingmiut teaching materials.
Would the minister agree that it is important for his department to have a role in these kinds of initiatives, not only to support them, but to ensure that they can be completed in a timely manner?
Yes, the Department of Culture and Heritage is extremely focused on the protection of language and further, the preservation and retention of language. Whenever an applicant makes a proposal to work on language issues, our department provides this assistance.
So, yes, this language issue encompasses all dialects, not just the Nattilingmiut dialect, but for the entire Nunavut territory wherever language initiatives are proposed and when they request assistance.
The Department of Culture and Heritage has been able to provide support and part of their mandate is to work on language protection.
We will continue to work with the society and further, I will work with my officials to ensure that the society wishing to preserve and retain the Nattilingmiut dialect can be included in the next round of proposals. We will endeavour to assist them at that time.
I thank the minister for his response. (interpretation ends) I am very proud of the members of the Kinguvaasaliuqtut Language Society for investing so much of their time and resources to developing this curriculum, including terminology that can be shared across the three communities, that is, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, and Kugaaruk, in order to save the Nattilingmiut dialect before it is too late.
Will the minister commit his department to providing ongoing support for this extremely important project?
As per my previous response, we are in agreement to provide assistance to any organization that requests assistance and support for language initiatives. We have employees in the language section willing to provide assistance and support.
Furthermore, our Department of Culture and Heritage is supportive of these types of requests and it forms part of their mandated work.
This society in my colleague’s riding has been approved in the past when they have submitted applications for funding and the Kinguvaasaliuqtut Language Society has been our point of contact.
We have committed to this in the past and we will continue to provide assistance at this time.
Question 715 – 3(3): Disaster Compensation Program (Enook)
I send “good afternoon” greetings to my fellow residents of Pond Inlet and just now, I was informed about this event in which I share my joy in my fellow residents hauling in narwhals yesterday. That is good to hear.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Environment, the Hon. Minister Arreak.
I would like to return to my line of questions yesterday about the hunter disaster relief program to get further clarification on the matter and to ensure that our hunters completely understand the parameters.
Let me return to the Government of Nunavut and NTI shared work on this issue, including the recommendations contained within that report that urge the GN to provide assistance to hunters and to provide disaster relief when equipment is lost or damaged by inclement weather or storms.
This past summer, as per my Member’s Statement, Pond Inlet experienced abnormal winds and this led to hunters losing their equipment right offshore of our community and I tabled pictures showing the damage.
Let me start by first asking about the inclement weather that led to intensive damage and destruction of personal equipment.
Now, based on the disaster relief policy criteria, can these hunters apply for compensation for their lost and damaged equipment?
I have been provided information on that storm damage when the wind whipped up on August 14. Perhaps Pond Inlet had its first major wind storm because we tend to hear that it rarely experiences strong winds.
Anyone affected can apply to this program as long as they have a (interpretation ends) general hunting licence (interpretation) or, alternatively, Inuit beneficiaries listed under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
However, each case has to be investigated in order to receive compensation to determine whether or not the damage was caused by neglect or calamitous weather or accidental.
Further, this criterion includes the requirement to have the individual glean 25 percent of their income from harvesting activities.
If the current requirements are met, then the hunter can apply for compensation and even if they don’t quite qualify, they can still request assistance through the disaster program. Anyone can apply if they have lost equipment.
This issue causes me great concern and I am very protective of our full-time hunters because of this fact. Our hunters live off limited income and they generally have the lowest income levels in Nunavut.
Hunters barely get by on whatever by-products they are able to sell, yet they provide much needed sustenance for our communities.
Even though that is the case, the hunting equipment that they require is amongst the most expensive pieces of equipment that a person can purchase, yet their income levels are amongst the lowest of our residents. Generally, their equipment requires them to save due to the costs.
Can the minister indicate whether or not he has ever reconsidered this issue, especially how we can provide our hunters with more assistance?
They provide the meat that Inuit like to eat here in Nunavut.
This matter was brought up through questioning from our colleague representing the Rankin Inlet North riding.
This issue has been revisited as to how we can provide more hunters with assistance. That is why the programs have been offered for several years to compensate them if they lose their equipment. That is the main answer related to that line of questioning.
The hunters have to apply even if they aren’t approved for compensation since they have some recourse under the program.
The hunters are people we are proud of and we believe in their worth to their fellow residents for providing much needed sustenance to their fellow residents.
I can’t respond to the ideas that have been discussed at this time, although the member has queried us about this issue.
As residents of Nunavut, many of us are very appreciative of any assistance offered to our people, as we can request assistance through various programs, whether they are hunters or other workers.
However, on some occasions, I believe there has to be an adjudicator and arbitrator who can review and provide recommendations on improving existing programs.
Let me use this example. This spring, our hunters also experienced disastrous circumstances when hunters were at the floe edge during the spring hunting season where hunters lost a lot of snowmobiles and all of their hunting equipment.
A hunter lost their boat with the motor attached, with the replacement costs surpassing $19,000, actually more like $18,500 for their lost equipment.
At this time, based on the criteria listed in your policy, even if the hunter was approved for this so-called disaster policy, then the maximum available is only $10,000.
Mr. Speaker, another rote answer from this government is, “Why don’t these hunters apply for insurance for their equipment?” If you try to get insurance for this type of equipment, the costs are exorbitant and, as per my earlier statement, these hunters are in the lowest income levels.
It is as if this government policy is designed to stop applicants, with respect to the Department of Environment policy seemingly punishing our hunters with lost equipment costing over $18,500. Am I correct in my understanding that no matter how expensive their lost equipment is, the maximum will always be set at $10,000 and not a cent more?
Currently, the funds are capped at $10,000 per applicant. As to whether this fund will be capped at that amount forever isn’t written in the policy. Each case will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, so I can’t state that it won’t ever surpass that amount.
However, at this time, the department caps it at $10,000. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 716 – 3(3): Nunavut’s High School Graduates (Schell)
Mr. Schell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education.
Mr. Speaker, the standard of education achieved by Nunavut high school graduates is an issue that has been raised many times in this House.
As the minister is aware, Nunavut’s education system offers different graduation options to its students. Some students take the classes in the academic stream, which is supposed to prepare them for university and post-secondary opportunities, while other students take classes in the general stream, which leads them to a basic grade 12 diploma, but does not provide them with what they need to be accepted at a post-secondary institution.
Can the minister clearly describe how her department keeps track of the number of students who graduate with an academic level grade 12 and how many students graduate with a general level grade 12?
The Department of Education has recently activated the student information system that will greatly improve how we collect data from our schools in terms of attendance and whatnot.
This will greatly improve the access to information that we need.
In order to be accepted into a post-secondary program at a university, students need to acquire a minimum number of credits and a minimum grade in special courses. The minister has described how to keep track of this, but does she keep a record of the number of students who are graduating from Nunavut high schools with the necessary academic background to apply for university level post-secondary education and would she be prepared to share that number with the Members of this House?
I don’t have that information with me at this point, but I would be happy to provide it when I get it.
The future of Nunavut depends in large part to the possibility of Nunavut high school graduates to be able to further their education in a professional field, which requires a university level education. Can the minister clearly describe what measures are in place to ensure that as many Nunavut high school graduates as possible are graduating with the necessary academic qualifications?
I totally agree with that fact. In fact, when I attend graduation ceremonies or when I visit schools, I do speak to the classrooms and I try to emphasize the importance of going beyond grade 12 and going on to college or university.
In order to do that, there are certain course selection criteria there that should be selected by students who are aspiring to attend academic level education.
We encourage that the parents and the teacher go over the credits required for academic level education carefully earlier on in their education, especially at the beginning of the high school stage.
It’s very important that the selection of courses is taken carefully. It will guide them to complete at the academic level.
Question 717 – 3(3): Bilingual Education Models in Our Schools (Elliott)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education as well.
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned in my Member’s Statement, recently parents have brought forward concerns regarding the bilingual education models being used in Nunavut’s schools.
Some parents feel that the system is failing their children.
Yes, the Department of Education does track which models are used and I would be happy to provide that information as well.
Of course, the district education authorities play a big part in deciding which model of the language of instruction should be carried out in the classrooms in each different community.
It’s the district education authority’s decision, with consultation with the schools and so on, that is given.
I don’t have the information as to how the evaluation is taken with me at this point. Again, I would be happy to provide it, if there is a system in place as to how the evaluation is carried out by the Department of Education.
The Department of Education’s 2012-13 business plan referred to a number of assessment activities to be carried out.
Can the minister clearly indicate whether or not those assessments have evaluated the success of the bilingual models being used in Nunavut’s schools?
The assessment is a very important tool to find out exactly where our students are advancing or not advancing, and how our education system is doing.
There are no final assessments produced to date and this is an ongoing initiative. I’m very much looking forward to the final results once all the assessment tools are in place.
Question 718 – 3(3): Medical Travel Policy for Babysitters (Ningark)
My question is for the Minister of Health, Minister Peterson.
In some cases, when parents are going for medical treatment, either a mother or father, with lots of children, it sometimes means that both parents have to travel, leaving their children behind. They then have to get a house-sitter to look after the house and children.
As an example, within the Akulliq Riding, from Kugaaruk, a person is requested to travel to Repulse Bay to look after their house and children, but the travel costs are quite expensive because you have to travel through Yellowknife. Even when the communities raise funds to assist in these costs, they can never quite cover the entire cost of the ticket.
Can the minister indicate whether or not his department has any (interpretation ends) policies, (interpretation) to say it in English, for situations where both parents are required to travel outside and if their only option is to request relatives from another community, such as from Kugaaruk to Repulse Bay?
This is specific to cases where the parents have to leave and they require a sitter for their house and children.
Is there any type of policy for these situations to provide assistance?
I appreciate Mr. Ningark’s question.
I’m unaware of any policy that addresses his concern.
Further, with respect to this type of situation occurring, is there any type of funding assistance available for this within his department?
If there is funding available, I am unaware of it and, therefore, I can’t tell Mr. Ningark one way or the other.
I also thank the minister for responding to our questions.
If he wasn’t aware of any policies specific to this type of situation, is the minister aware of whether or not funds are available for this? Can the minister provide an update on this issue prior to the completion of this session in this House?
There are many policies in the Department of Health covering many programs and services and health issues, serving 34,000 Nunavummiut.
If Mr. Ningark wishes to visit me in my office or talk to me after and give some details, I can provide some more information.
My officials can respond to me and I’ll assure Mr. Ningark that I’ll have an answer before the end of this week.
Question 719 – 3(3): Measuring School Attendance (Schell)
Mr. Speaker, with the start of the school year, the Department of Education is finally implementing its electronic attendance recording system in all of Nunavut’s schools.
Hopefully this system will be able to provide up-to-date information on attendance rates for both individual students and schools as a whole.
Can the minister clearly describe how the information collected with the electronic system will be used to help improve attendance rates in Nunavut schools?
The research is based on the (interpretation ends) information system (interpretation) within the schools for collecting (interpretation ends) data. (interpretation) This will provide assistance in that when the school administrators are aware of the issues within their schools, they can deal with them.
Whenever we are in session, we are also questioned on various data-related information items, such as the number of students in a particular stream. This system will allow us to provide more details now that the data information systems are now in place in our schools. They will now be available to all schools.
(interpretation ends) The student information system (interpretation) is to collect data on students and there will be various benefits that we can glean from this data once all of the work is completed.
As my colleagues will be aware, I am not in favour of the practice of social passing where students progress from one grade to the next, whether or not they have acquired the appropriate skills at each grade level.
It appears that students are passing from grade to grade simply if they attend school.
Can the minister specify what level of independent attendance is required by students in order for them to proceed to the next level?
I thank the member for his questions on this issue.
As we all are aware, whenever a student attends classes regularly, their learning levels continue to rise compared to those students who have spotty attendance, who tend to fall behind in their lessons.
Attendance is a very important aspect of learning, especially as the student works towards completing their schooling.
If I understood the member’s question correctly, how… . Perhaps I didn’t understand his question properly, as I can’t recall the information he wanted as I am trying to recall his question now.
Mr. Speaker, can I ask exactly which issue the member was referring to in his question?
Mr. Schell, could you repeat your question for the minister, please.
The specific question I was asking is: can the minister specify what level of independent attendance is required by a student in order for them to proceed to the next grade level?
Hon. Eva Aariak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for repeating that.
As everyone knows, it is very important for a student to pass each grade level and in order to do that, one has to attend regularly in school.
It is estimated that if a student does not attend, let’s say, 70 percent of the time, then they’re three years behind.
In that, the attendance is very important. It is important for the parents or guardians to ensure that the student is in school, well-fed and well-rested.
Even though she didn’t answer my question on that one because I asked her what the required attendance would be to move on to the next grade, what percentage of time they would have to attend school, but I’ll ask her this one.
Statistics from the previous year show that school attendance rates can vary from a low 50 percent to a mid 80 percent.
Can the minister describe what kind of attendance objectives her department will be setting for Nunavut schools and how the new electronic system will help achieve these objectives?
The objectives that the member is asking me are ones that I don’t have information on at this point.
With the amounts, it’s important for students to ensure that, of course, they attend school regularly.
Again, in repeating, the number of days that are not attended affects the schooling the student gets.
I don’t have the objectives of what the member is asking with me, Mr. Speaker.
Question 720 – 3(3): Status of Development Partnership Agreement with Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (Enook)