EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Chairman (interpretation): Ms. Angnakak, I believe the minister responded that these three PYs will be in Iqaluit.
Ms. Angnakak: Oh, sorry.
Chairman (interpretation): Was that your response, Minister Okalik?
Chairman (interpretation): Ms. Angnakak, please move on.
Ms. Angnakak: I apologize for that.
I’m just going on to where my next question is going to be in the business plan.
Well, it looks like I have gone down to my last question.
I thought I had a few more. That’s it for me for this section.
Chairman (interpretation): Are you done for now?
I wish to remind members that we are currently on page H-6.
Please note that when you pose your questions, try to remain on the page we are reviewing to ensure we proceed smoothly, both in my role as the Chair as well as to the minister when he is trying to respond.
Let us move onwards. Mr. Mikkungwak.
My first question will be, according to your business plan, your department has completed a residential long-term care needs assessment. As the minister is well aware, some colleagues of mine have been asking for this. Can you provide a brief overview of the findings of the report and which communities, if any, were identified as needing a new residential care facility?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The overall assessment, I would say, was that currently, the care of elders is separated between departments, so it creates a real challenge for providing the proper support for elder care in our territory.
I would say that the primary recommendation is to consolidate the care of elders under one department. It does not identify any particular community as to where they may be needed. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It seems obvious that with respect to elders, many of us are very passionate about them and it is noticeable in Baker Lake that we have one of the highest per capita numbers of elders in our community.
With that being the case, when the minister was making his statements earlier about care for elders and whether to have a single caretaker, I wanted further clarification on this matter as the Department of Family Services also has elders’ care programs. I wondered if these separate programs could be amalgamated into one program and whether this concept of consolidation has been discussed with members of the cabinet, particularly with the Minister of Family Services.
Have you been in discussions with their minister?
Yes, with respect to his question, I am in constant dialogue with the Minister of Family Services on how to best work together on this and other issues.
At this time, we cannot amalgamate them immediately without a legislative review and discussions with my cabinet colleagues.
I can’t respond to the question at this time.
Your 2016-19 business plan includes a future priority for the 2018-19 fiscal year to address the need for dementia care. Can you describe the current need for dementia care across Nunavut and provide further detail on how it is currently being provided to Nunavut residents who need it?
Currently as of today, we are aware of six cases of patients with dementia. Five of them are situated in Ottawa and one patient is housed in Edmonton. These are Nunavut residents.
With regard to that, the minister indicated earlier that there were five patients housed outside of Nunavut.
Has there been any consideration given to planning a facility? We all know that our population is aging.
What kinds of future plans have been discussed for Nunavut to plan for dealing with dementia?
Are there plans for this?
We’re not alone in Nunavut. Other provinces are now trying to deal with this issue. It’s quite confusing.
They need good care and the caretakers need to be fully trained. Therefore, we can’t take on that responsibility and we are requesting a budget proposal for dementia care. We need to get support from outside of the territories because we aren’t ready to take on this responsibility.
I will move on to another topic. I have asked the minister on several occasions about the health centre in Baker Lake. It’s getting too small because the population of our community is increasing.
I would like to ask a question with regard to this issue. Looking at your proposal for the community health centre, it’s projected to increase by $4 million in 2016-17. What accounts for the $4 million increase, Mr. Minister?
I can’t deal with capital items right now. I will be dealing with that at a later date when we are dealing with capital. I can’t respond to that question.
I thought that would have been your first response as I wanted you to respond personally to the question.
We are not dealing with any capital items at this point.
Mr. Mikkungwak, anything further?
I believe we are on page H-6. In looking at the particulars, I would like clarification under Contract Services, 2015-16. The figure listed, I believe, is $34,675.
Chairman: It is $34 million.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): So the figure is $34,675,000 and in reviewing that amount for 2015-16, it looks like an increase occurred for 2016-17 where it now states a figure of $100,735,000, which is a substantial increase. Can the minister explain what the reasoning is for the large increase?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mikkungwak.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. These figures were readjusted based on the parameters of the project.
These are expenses that have to be paid. If you look at the figures, it averaged around $62 million and for this year, the amount left is $1,333,000 for contract services when the funds were moved. That is why it seems like a substantial increase as the figure seemingly went from $30 million upwards to $100 million.
Does that indicate that there are more contract services across Nunavut?
Hon. Paul Okalik: No, it’s just moving the item to a different column, so there is no change. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I guess I’ll move on to another area here.
The proposed budget for the Medical Transportation Division will be increased by almost $4 million in 2016-17.
Do you feel that the proposed funding will be adequate and, if not, what factors will add to the cost of providing transportation for Nunavut’s medical clients?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The major increase that’s in place is to reflect the increasing population for our territory. We do not know if there will be a need for more at this time, as you know. You never know when people may need medevacs at any given time in our territory.
In some areas, we make a guesstimate and hope that it will meet the target, but you never know and it’s beyond our control in a lot of cases. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
As we’re well aware, the contract for medical travel is going to be up soon.
Do we foresee adjustments that will be made in this particular Medical Transportation Division?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I cannot answer that at this time because an RFP will have to be issued.
The amounts will then be determined once the proponents have filed their requests to us to enter into a contract for medical travel in our territory.
We will see at that time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I guess this next question is associated with medical travel.
As we all know, according to your business plan, funding for out-of-territory hospitals and reciprocal physician billings is now projected to increase in 2016-17.
Is it your prediction that costs for services provided to Nunavutmiut in other jurisdictions will remain stable in 2016-17?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Like anything, costs increase and we’re projecting a 7 percent increase in that sector. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Moving on, Mr. T. Sammurtok.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I just have a few questions here.
Over the years, the Nunavut government has considered a number of different options for addressing addictions issues in the territory.
Can you describe your department’s current focus for mental health and addictions care services?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As reflected in our budget proposal, we are trying to strengthen community support for addictions and mental health.
That’s where we are starting from to strengthen our base.
Hopefully, in the future, we will look at facilities at the appropriate time.
What we need to do is make sure that those that are in need of support for addictions or mental health get the support in their community when they need it. From there, we will provide additional support if they need treatment.
Currently, there are 11 contracts we have with outside providers for addictions treatment.
We look forward to the day when we can provide those services in our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yesterday, during my Member’s Statement, I referenced the closing of the Mamisarvik [Healing] Centre in Ottawa.
Can the minister indicate whether he has had any conversations with his federal counterpart to discuss the possibility of ensuring that funding is provided to have the centre operating rather than being closed at the end of March?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The Mamisarvik had been operating with federal funds until they were cut by the previous government. We did our best to provide more support to the facility.
I had meetings with the managers in November and they also identified that the Province of Ontario was not providing much support.
I met with the provincial minister in support of the group and the Ontario minister was very open to providing more support.
Unfortunately, from that point on to today, the group managing the facility felt that they had to close the facility.
We were there to provide more support, but unfortunately that wasn’t enough.
I hope that we can find something with the new government in the future.
We haven’t had time to talk to the federal government at this time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Your business plan indicates that the Mental Health Act will be updated in the near future and your department recently conducted community consultations on this topic. Can you provide an overview of what types of issues are being considered with respect to amending the legislation?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The Act is quite old and it needs to be updated. There was also a very strong recommendation from the coroner’s inquest looking into suicide to provide more information to family members and disclosing them to family members where the person may be at risk for suicide. That’s one particular area that we’re working on.
We’re working with the Information and Privacy Commissioner on this matter and I look forward to providing a bill to this House hopefully in the very near future. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
As you know, suicide is one issue that touches all of us and your business plan indicates that your department will continue to implement plans or implement actions aimed at reducing suicide in Nunavut.
Can you provide an overview of what kinds of suicide prevention activities will be conducted by your department in 2016-17?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I became the Minister responsible for Suicide Prevention in November, so we didn’t have time to submit a budget during this cycle.
I will be providing a supplementary appropriation in the spring session. I look forward to more discussions on it at that time.
We’re working on it and we will come forward with a submission. I look forward to your support on this very important matter in due time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My last question here: have all the mental health workers across Nunavut received ASIST training and how many of them are certified to train others in the ASIST program?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) These employees are trained in their line of work, so ASIST training is a very specific type of training for everyone.
We only have two certified trainers at this time, so it’s one area that we’re working on as well and increasing training for ASIST in our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning, Minister Okalik and your officials.
First of all, I would like clarification on medical travel.
For the year 2015-16, you spent $58,915,000. Can you break that down, for example, on medevacs and regular medical travel?
What we spent last year was $32,200,000. That’s for the day-to-day medical travel.
For emergency travel for 2014-15, it was $32,500,000.
You stated yesterday that the travel costs have been increasing. We were informed last month by the airlines that they don’t really increase the prices they have you pay even though it’s under a contract.
If the airlines increased their rates, would that affect the contract?
As I stated yesterday, we have an increasing population in Nunavut. Medical travel has been increasing as well and that’s why we’re requesting more than $2 million for medical travel.
Let me move on to a different topic. (interpretation ends) The GN receives Vote 4/5 funding for the Nunavut Family Physician Residents program. I would like to find out how many family physicians are currently practising in Nunavut that are supported through this program.
We call it “NunaFam.” It is funded by the federal government and we have used two doctors under this program and that was it. It helped.
Have you been negotiating with the federal government to try to get more doctors like that in Nunavut?
It was like on a trial basis, but the federal government has told us that they will not be continuing with this program, which is regrettable.
It really helped us where we could get these doctors up here to help with the medical care.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Joanasie.
Let me move on to a different question.
In your business plan on page 116 of the English copy, some people require home care and you have increased the funding for this by about $1 million compared to last year.
How many people do you help in home care under this funding?
I’m sure there are not that many that need home care. I’m sure there are some people who can’t go outside and they need to have the help come to them instead. I’m just trying to see how many of those people there are in Nunavut.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): That money helps the communities a great deal. The programs help the elders especially.
Medical people come to their homes and help them. There are quite a number of them.
In 2014-15, the number of people who had medical people come and help them was 872.
That helped the communities a great deal.
It’s good that we have the service available in the communities because it’s very helpful. We use it to go and take care of people who can’t go outside on their own.
Would you like to continue, Mr. Joanasie?
I convey my support to that because I know we have this program in my constituency and people do get helped by this program. Some people need extra help, especially feeble people.
To move on to a different question about insurance, the funding has not been changed since last year, which is $2,702,000.
Does the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program include the money that is used for pharmacy as well? Is that included in this budget?
They mainly do support under an agreement with the federal government to provide pharmaceuticals to Inuit.
We get the money from the federal government and then we monitor it to make sure that it is run properly, but the actual budget amount will not be changed.
I’m mainly talking about people who do not have their own health insurance and it’s called the Non-Insured Health Benefits and that’s how people get helped while other people have health insurance through their jobs, but I would like to know if all of this money is spent every year. I want to make sure that the money is used properly for the insured and non-insured patients.
Yes, those issues and pharmaceuticals for Inuit in particular are under (interpretation ends) the Non-Insured Health Benefits (interpretation) Program funded by the federal government.
We do not operate this program and the funds are not specific to that purpose currently, but our employees that provide support to this program are listed here.
Yes, I understand that now. Thank you.
In your business plan 2016-19, one of your priorities for the 2018-19 fiscal year is to expand the use of telehealth.
Can you provide an update on how often telehealth is currently used to provide health care delivery?
As we all know, it decreases the necessity to travel to medical centres when communities are very far from each other. How do you plan to expand it for the future?
This program has been growing steadily and we have been using Internet or computer diagnoses as well.
There were 4,784 hours used under telehealth. Those people would’ve had to travel if we didn’t have telehealth. It decreases the number of patients who need to travel for medical purposes, so it’s very helpful.
Can you tell us how much money you have saved through the telehealth program?
It has been extremely helpful. We don’t know how many people would have travelled if we didn’t have telehealth.
It really helps us to have quicker diagnoses of people who need help.
At some point in the future, I hope the number of people who would have travelled and those who didn’t have to travel will be documented the same way that you gave us the number of hours that were used for telehealth. It would be good to see how much money the government is saving because of the telehealth program.
Let me move on to a different question. In the same business plan from 2016-19, you have indicated that you are planning amendments to the Medical Profession Act.
Which professions will be affected by changes to the legislation? Which jobs will this affect and when do you anticipate introducing this legislation in the House?
Hon. Paul Okalik: I answered this yesterday. I’ll answer it again maybe in English and people will understand.
Occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech-language pathologists, chiropractors, pharmacy technicians, dental technicians, and dental technologists will be covered under this legislation. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Sorry if I didn’t hear that the other day. I will try harder to make sure I hear everything.
I might have been out of the room when this was answered.
With respect to the three positions that you mentioned, when do you plan to hire people to fill them? This was in response to the pilot project.
I will be reviewing the progress of this pilot project and I would like to know when you are planning to hire people to work underneath that project.
Yes, after this budget has been approved, we will have to work on the hiring of these positions. This will be after the main estimates have been approved for the department. Therefore, I cannot really respond to your question at this time.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you Minister.
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I move to a report progress.
We will continue the review of the Department of Health the next time we meet.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 13 and the main estimates, and would like to report progress.
Mr. Aarulaaq.
Just a reminder for meetings for this afternoon, there’s a meeting of the Standing Committee on Oversight at half past one in the Nanuq Boardroom, followed immediately by the meeting of the Striking Committee in Tuktu, and finally, at 3:45 p.m., a meeting of the Management and Services Board in the Tuktu Boardroom.
Tabled Document 70 – 4(3)
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Monday, February 29, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 11:57
Monday, February 29, 2016
Pages 904 – 962
Opening Prayer 904
Ministers’ Statements 904
Members’ Statements 908
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 914
Oral Questions 914
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters* 931
Tabling of Documents 932
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 933
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 933
Report of the Committee of the Whole 961
Monday, February 29, 2016 904
064 – 4(3): Minister Absent from the House (Quassa) 904
065 – 4(3): March 2016 First Ministers’ Meeting of Canada’s Premiers (Taptuna) 904
066 – 4(3): Team Nunavut Headed to Arctic Winter Games 2016 (Savikataaq) 905
067 – 4(3): Restorative Justice Training (Okalik) 906
068 – 4(3): Sivuliqtiksat Internship Graduates (Taptuna) 906
069 – 4(3): Tell Me a Story Book Bags (Quassa) 907
142 – 4(3): House Fire in Arctic Bay (Shooyook) 908
143 – 4(3): Congratulations to Laura Arngna’naaq (Mikkungwak) 908
144 – 4(3): Rankin Inlet Hockey Tournament (Sammurtok, A) 909
145 – 4(3): Tribute to the Late Paul Kanayok Sr. (Sammurtok, T) 910
146 – 4(3): Igloolik Neighbourhood Watch (Quassa) 910
147 – 4(3): Black History Month in Iqaluit (Okalik) 911
148 – 4(3): Constituents Attend Volleyball Tournament (Keyootak) 911
149 – 4(3): Constituency Meeting in Kugluktuk (Taptuna) 912
150 – 4(3): Kugaaruk and Taloyoak Housing Authorities (Qirngnuq) 912
151 – 4(3): Funding Announcement for Cape Dorset (Joanasie) 913
178 – 4(3): High Arctic Transportation Strategy (Shooyook) 914
179 – 4(3): Design of Housing Units (Rumbolt) 916
180 – 4(3): Response to the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Joanasie) 918
181 – 4(3): Long-term Care Needs for Elders (Sammurtok, A) 919
182 – 4(3): High Costs of Pharmacy Products (Angnakak) 921
183 – 4(3): Appointment Process for Senior Officials (Sammurtok, T) 922
184 – 4(3): Airport Infrastructure (Qirngnuq) 923
185 – 4(3): Appointments to Coral Harbour Housing Authority (Mapsalak) 924
186 – 4(3): Country Food Distribution and Food Security in Nunavut (Akoak) 925
187 – 4(3): Infrastructure Funding Announcement (Rumbolt) 927
188 – 4(3): Canada Transportation Act Review Report (Mikkungwak) 928
189 – 4(3): Response to the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Joanasie) 929
Committee Report 010 – 4(3): Report on the Review of the 2013-2014 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut and the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Annual Reports of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit (Angnakak) 931
079 – 4(3): Excerpts from the Canada Transportation Act Review Report (Mikkungwak) 932
080 – 4(3): Support Letter for a 24-Hour Palliative Care Facility and Elders Facility (Sammurtok, A) 933
Bill 15 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act – Notice 933
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Health – Consideration in Committee 934
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee 944
Mr. Tony Akoak, Ms. Pat Angnakak, Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk, Mr. Joe Enook, Hon. George Hickes, Mr. David Joanasie, Mr. Pauloosie Keyootak, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Hon. Johnny Mike, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak, Hon. Paul Okalik, Hon. Keith Peterson, Mr. Emiliano Qirngnuq, Hon. Paul Quassa, Hon. George Qulaut, Mr. Allan Rumbolt, Mr. Alexander Sammurtok, Mr. Tom Sammurtok, Hon. Joe Savikataaq, Mr. Isaac Shooyook, Hon. Peter Taptuna.
Welcome, my fellow Nunavummiut. Members, ministers, (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) and visitors, welcome.
Before we get started, I would like to recognize Minister Quassa, whom I wish to apologize for having improperly used his name at the end of our sitting on Friday.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, Government House Leader, Mr. Quassa.
Minister’s Statement 064 – 4(3): Minister Absent from the House (Quassa)