EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This has such an impact on the lives that this would be one of the priorities to work on.
Question 702 – 1(6): Funding Cut for Home Care Workers
Today in Igloolik there are some minor problems due to the lack of funding.
Elders need homecare, and home visits.
And the homecare employees, there has been a cut in pay for Homecare workers.
I think that there was an announcement by the Government that the pays and benefits of employees would not be impacted and so I am wondering how the funding for the homecare program is dealt with?
Is it a Federal Government program?
My question is for the Health Minister.
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I think that one of the programs that we are very proud of is homecare.
For the first time in the life of this government, or any government, we actually have dedicated trained people to take care of our infirm, our elderly, and our handicapped in the communities.
Mr. Speaker, the Member is correct this is a program that is facilitated through the Government of Nunavut, with dollars provided by the Federal Government.
Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of any wages, or benefits cut to the employees under the homecare program because of the cutbacks being done by our department.
Mr. Speaker, I am not aware of that.
When I was in Igloolik recently, I was asked why there were cutbacks in wages, and that was news to me, Mr. Speaker, and so I did not have a response for him or her.
And so he is at the same level as I am.
I am wondering if he can look into the matter.
The homecare coordinator said that because of the cuts in wages, they need assistance and because they want this homecare program to continue, this is a concern.
Is the Minister saying that there are no cuts in wages?
Can he clarify who deals with this program regarding homecare program?
Is it through his Office, or is it federally administered?
As I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, the homecare program is facilitated through the Government of Nunavut through the Department of Health and Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I have not given any instructions to cut the wages and benefits of any of our homecare employees.
This is the first that I have heard of the situation in Igloolik.
Mr. Speaker, what I can do is to find out exactly what has occurred here with the Hamlet of Igloolik, as the Member has requested.
And find out exactly why there has been a cut in wages and benefits.
Perhaps this is not run through the hamlet.
They have a homecare coordinator at the Health Centre and he or she is responsible for the Program.
It’s not a nurse, it’s a coordinator.
This employee who approached me is under the direction of this coordinator.
So, I’m wondering if the Minister can get back to me this afternoon about what this all means and who runs the show.
I know for sure the hamlet has nothing to do with it.
Mr. Speaker, at any given time there are over 400 Nunavut residents who are taken care of through our home and community care program.
We’re in the third year of the operation.
There has been no funding cuts to the program.
Indeed we’re trying to enhance the program.
So I will have to get back to the Member on exactly what has occurred in Igloolik with the costs and I will find that out as the Member said.
The Deputy Minister and myself will be here later today on the Northwest Territories and Nunavut RNA Bill or Act.
I’ll have an opportunity then to find out, when the Member is here, what exactly has occurred in Igloolik and I will let him know this afternoon.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Already.
He committed to looking into the matter and it’s good to hear that there have been no cuts in any wages and they will have comfort in knowing that there have been no cut backs.
My question was whether the Minister could get back to me this afternoon and inform those employees who may be impacted.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, I will get back to the Member this afternoon.
Question 703 – 1(6): Plans to Increase Formula Funding For Schools
Mr. Speaker, my question although it’s for the Minister of Education, I hope that all her cabinet colleagues listen to it.
I know that education has been one of the top two priorities of this government since day one and I also understand that our schools are funded through a formula that is supposed to adequately meet the needs of staffing requirements and other resources that the schools need.
I understand that they haven’t been funded to formula over the last couple of years and I’m sure that it’s not due to the lack of trying on the part of the Minister of Education to make sure that our schools have the adequate resources that they need to operation.
Mr. Speaker, on the formula, I’d like to ask the Minister, I understand that changes were made as to when the enrolment numbers are being used to calculate the next year’s funding for the school.
It was changed from November I believe, to October and I’m just wondering if the department has any plans to look at the new list, the new numbers that have come in after the current year’s enrolment to accommodate, I’m sure all our schools have higher numbers than the previous year.
They have more students than they’re funded for, so is the department looking at taking any action to try and rectify the discrepancy in numbers of actual students who are in the schools and the numbers that they’re funded for?
Just a reminder to the Members that we have a little over 14 minutes left in question period and we have three Members who have yet to speak.
So, speed up our comments.
The funding formula for the schools is being reviewed right now and according to the numbers enrolled, if there was further funding, yes, we will try and commit to increasing the funding given to the schools, but we will not go anywhere if Cabinet does not approve it no matter how much effort we put into it.
Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak for the other communities, I do know if the numbers are there, but I know for example in Iqaluit, there are 40 more students in the programs that are funded for and I know that that would roughly at least equate to one more PY plus the resources, probably around $100 thousand dollars.
Can the Minister commit to having some type of a review process in place in the formula to re-examine the current numbers in the program over current number of students enrolled in the schools over the numbers that they are funded for to review on an annual basis?
We are already doing that process.
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister provide that information to the Members of this Assembly as soon as possible?
Not to be accused of having two questions in one, does the Minister have any idea of when that might be?
Perhaps on April 1st.
Question 704 – 1(6): More Funding Assistance for Carvers
My question will be directed to the Minister of Sustainable Development regarding the carvers who sell their art to the Arctic Co-Ops as a means of income.
The carvers I know work very hard to provide for their families through carving and I am wondering what further assistance can be provided for these carvers.
To date there is assistance available for carvers.
We provide funding for the purchase of tools through an application process.
We are trying to market carvings throughout the world to ensure that this industry is alive and well.
We do provide some assistance through our grants and contribution programs for provision of carving tools.
What I am trying to ask him is that the only place in the communities that they can sell carvings to are the Co-ops and they do have a limit of how many they can purchase.
So, I am just wondering if there can be additional places where these carvers can sell their art.
The art of carving is quite difficult and marketing the art is even more difficult because many times in the communities, the Co-Ops are usually the ones who sell to galleries across Canada and so we have reviewed the matter to find out where else we can provide a market place for carvings from Nunavut.
For the assistance given to the carvers, what actual plans are in place to give them further assistance to provide a wider market place?
Yes, we do assist them any way possible; there is a Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association that we provide $200 thousand dollars to annually.
They also help to find other markets for carvings.
We also work with Nunavut Development Corporation in the marketing of carvings and to find a wider market area.
Thank you, for the Minister’s response.
He said it’s in the process of being reviewed.
When do you think the work will be completed to find out other markets?
This work is ongoing.
Since the creation of Nunavut it has been one of our major priorities to provide assistance for carvers and to find a market place for those carvers.
Question 705 – 1(6): Economic Development Plans
As an Inuk I honestly love to eat country food.
I don’t mind not eating vegetables myself.
I think I’m sure I’ll be healthy if I don’t have any vegetables.
Inuit, eat caribou meat whether it’s frozen, aged or cooked.
We eat caribou any way it is prepared but there are many Nunavummiut who cannot get enough of these country foods.
What has the Department of Sustainable Development done to try to sell traditional food? I know that we can sell and I know that we can sell country food to the communities.
For example, Baker Lake has no muktaaq and there are no walruses there or some communities would like to purchase country food to feed their dogs.
I was wondering if the department has any plans or have they made any strategy to trade country food between the communities of Nunavut?
In the Operations and Maintenance estimates for the department, it states that there is $45 thousand dollars set aside to be used by the communities for example, if there is no caribou in one community, that they could use this funding to go caribou hunting or get someone to ship caribou.
Last year I remember Cape Dorset had purchased caribou meat from Coral Harbour because the caribou was quite scarce in Cape Dorset.
And yes, we have been looking at trading the country food between the communities, especially for the communities that lack certain kinds of country foods.
The HTOs should assist on how we can treat country food in Nunavut.
Question 706 – 1(6): Kivalliq Air Too Small for Medical Travel
Mr. Netser (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister for Health and Social Services.
As I stated before, that a small plane, Kivalliq Air flies from Winnipeg which people on medical travel use, usually they transport pregnant women and elders.
We all know that First Air and Calm Air also have scheduled flights and they are very spacious.
It seems like Kivalliq Air is still making fun of the Inuit of the Kivalliq.
It is a very small airline and there are not washroom facilities and people get tired of being on the plane, especially when they are an elder.
People going to Coral Harbour at times are dropped in Repulse Bay.
Joan Gibbons was also on her way to Rankin Inlet was dropped off in Repulse Bay, and she was pregnant.
They left her at the Airport Terminal.
If she went into labour, it would have been very embarrassing for the Government.
Yes, we are opposing the small airline.
I was wondering if you could take that off from the medical scheduled airline travel.
Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to say very quickly that the Member representing the people of Coral Harbour and Chesterfield Inlet has done an excellent job.
Last week, he raised the issue; he gave me a letter.
And Mr. Speaker, now he has provided me with information so we can actually follow up on what Kivalliq Air has done.
After his question in the House last week and in his letter, Mr. Speaker, I spoke with the Deputy Minister.
I met with officials from First Air to confirm that when we have elders travelling, that we have women who are pregnant, and so on, that in all expectation, Mr. Speaker, when a jet is available, that they should be put on the jet.
Mr. Speaker, we will have to follow-up and redouble our efforts because the Member has brought forward an incident that demonstrates that this was not occurring.
Supplementary?
Tabled Document 155 – 1(6): Youth Identity Development Strategy
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the Youth Identity Development Strategy.
Tabled Document 156 – 1(6): 2002/2003 Public Service Annual Report
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): I almost forgot.
I’m glad that I’ll be leaving today.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, in accordance with section 3 (2) of the Public Service Act, I wish to table the 2002/2003 Public Service Annual Report.
Mr. Speaker, the 2002/2003 Public Service Annual Report provides information on the management and direction of our public service.
(interpretation) I would like to table this and recognise the dedication and contribution of our employees, our most valuable asset.
Members, I have a document I wish to table.
Tabled Document 157 – 1(6): Members Guidelines and Information on Indemnities, Allowances and Services in the 2004 Election Year
It’s the Member’s Guidelines and Information on the Indemnities, Allowances and Services in the 2004 election year.
Mr. Speaker, I seek consent for the Assembly to waive the two day notice requirement to allow for the first reading of Bill 49, an Act to Amend the Safety Act, for today.
The Minister is seeking consent to Rule 62-1 so that Bill 49 can have first reading today.
Bill 49 – An Act to Amend the Safety Act – First Reading
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Baffin South, that Bill 49, an Act to Amend the Safety Act, be read for the first time.
The motion is carried and Bill 49 has had first reading.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I request consent of the Assembly to waive the one day notice requirement to allow for second reading of Bill 49, an Act to Amend the Safety Act for today.
The Minister is seeking consent to waive Rule 62 (1) so that Bill 49 can have second reading today.
Bill 49 – An Act to Amend the Safety Act – Second Reading
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Hudson Bay that Bill 49, an Act to Amend the Safety Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this Bill amends the Safety Act to clarify the definitions of employer and worker, requires the personal contractor or owner of an establishment to coordinate the activities of all employers at the establishment, to impose duties on suppliers of things used by workers or establishments, require employers to establish safety programs to allow for the disclosure of information under the Act in specific circumstances and to specified bodies, to enable safety officers to issue direction to address potential dangers, to enable the Chief Safety Officer to issue codes of practise to provide practical guidance with respect to the Act and the regulations and to provide the establishment of a safety advisory committee to make recommendations respecting amendments to the Act and regulations.
To the Principle of the Bill.
The Motion is carried and Bill 49 has had second reading and accordingly the Bill stands referred to a Committee.
Consideration Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters, Bill 36 and Bill 41 with Mr. Iqaqrialu in the Chair and in the accordance to the authority provided to me by Motion 2-1(6), the Committee of the Whole will stay in Session until it reports itself out and before we proceed with Committee of the Whole, we will take a short break and return to the Chamber at 1:30.
>>House recessed at 12:41 and resumed at 13:30
Chairman (Mr. Iqaqrialu) (interpretation): Thank you.
The Committee will now come to Order.
During Committee of the Whole, we will be dealing with Bill 36 and Bill 41.
The Committee would like to deal with Bill 36 and after that, Bill 41.
I am pleased to appear before the Committee to discuss the amendments proposed to the Workers’ Compensation Act.
These amendments are attempted to capture the administrative matters dealing with the Act.
This is a part of a major review conducted by the joint Nunavut and Northwest Territories Workers’ Compensation Board.
As of now, the report of the Legislative Review Panel covered all aspects of the Workers’ Compensation Board, which would require major Legislative changes.
Mr. Chairman, the purpose of the amendments to the Workers' Compensation Board Act is to move to implement changes to the Legislative Review Panel recommended to both Ministers responsible of the Workers' Compensation Board in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
This is the first part of a two-page Strategy that will lead to developing a new Workers' Compensation Act during the life of the next Government.
One of the key objectives of the Bill is to establish a Government, a council of directors of the board.
This will formalize the unique partnership that we have that is going to clearly define the appointment process for the board of directors under the shared agreement.
Mr. Chairperson, these pages will also allow Workers' Compensation Board to provide items such as the yearly maximum insurable remuneration to be set out in regulation and not through Legislation.
These changes will also clarify the board’s power to acquire, hold and dispose of real property in Nunavut.
This would allow for the board’s ability to purchase facilities or to lease them.
The Bill also makes certain amendments of remedy, administrative and enforcement difficulties that have been arisen under the Workers' Compensation Act.
The attempt, Mr. Chairman, has to merge the Legislation between the two jurisdictions.
There has been some very close working relationships that take in place to ensure that the share board has the same Legislation.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. Does the Committee’s Chairman have any comments?
Mr. Tootoo: I am more than happy to share with the Honourable Member from Baker Lake, no secrets though.
It is nice to see you smiling today, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee of Government Operations and Services is pleased that they had the opportunity to review Bill 36, an Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act with the Minister and his Officials.
Mr. Chairman, Members recognize the intent of this Bill is to enact the number of recommendations made in the “Act Now” report that was tabled in this House in February 2002.
Mr. Chairman, during its previous reviews of the Bills relating to the Workers' Compensation Act, the Committee has commented on the somewhat unique circumstances facing Members of the Legislative Assembly both here and in the Northwest Territories, given the desire to maintain essentially parallel statutes.
Mr. Chairman, the Committee would again like to stress the need for the Government to make efforts to ensure that our Bills are introduced into this House in as timely a fashion as possible.
To date, we have been in the position of considering Bills after their parallel versions have been first considered and, in some cases, amended by our western counterparts.
Nevertheless, Mr. Chairman, I would like to state for the record our appreciation to our NWT Standing Committee counterparts for their efforts at communication with us.
We would strongly urge the Members of the Second Assembly to work towards a joint discussion early on during the two legislatures’ terms of office with respect to WCB issues.
This will be useful as both governments prepare to introduce further legislative changes in late 2004.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to take a moment to highlight some of the concerns raised by the Standing Committee during the Minister’s appearance.
This Bill provides for the appointment of a Workers’ Advisor and one or more Deputy Workers’ Advisors to assist individuals in navigating the often-challenging processes involved under the Act.
The Committee learned that there have been a significant number of claims in Nunavut since division.
Members learned that although a Yellowknife-based Workers’ Advisor is in place, the appointment of Nunavut based Deputy Workers’ Advisors has not yet happened.
The Committee would wish to strongly urge the Board to move on this issue, especially with respect to ensuring that Inuktitut service is available to Nunavut residents.
Mr. Chairman, the Committee was pleased to hear the Minister indicate that he would have no objections to ensuring that the annual report of the Workers’ Advisor is tabled in the Legislative Assembly, so long as no personally confidential information was contained that could violate individuals’ privacy.
In addition to the obvious benefits for government transparency, the annual tabling of this report will assist future legislatures in measuring progress towards a workers’ compensation system that is less adversarial than appears to be at present.
Mr. Chairman, the Committee was interested to note comments from the WCB officials regarding the Board’s willingness to explicitly recognize the role of traditional healers in the Board’s operations and policies, should a suitable definition be developed.
The Committee would urge the Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services, especially the Minister, because I’m sure that he would agree, as given yeoman service to his department and that they work to co-operate with its NWT counterpart in this work.
Mr. Chairman, the Committee also encouraged the Board to consider the issue of workplace stress and its potential impact on people’s mental and emotional health.
Mr. Chairman, the Committee noted that the Bill would move some areas into the realm of regulations.
While the Committee has no difficulties with certain issues, such as the YMIR being dealt with by regulation in the interest of timeliness and responsiveness, the Committee would nonetheless introduce its usual caveat with respect to the trend towards placing too many matters under regulation.
The Committee would note, for example, that the WCB has apparently developed draft regulations regarding workplace smoking for the consideration of the Nunavut and NWT Ministers responsible for the Act.
Although the Committee recognizes the ultimate prerogative of government to approve regulations, it would nonetheless wish to see draft regulations provided to the appropriate standing committees for scrutiny and comment.
Mr. Chairman, the Committee raised a cautionary note with respect to provisions in the Bill dealing with the exchange of individuals’ personal information between the Board and other entities.
While the Committee recognizes the utility of a degree of information-sharing, it is nonetheless mindful of past comments made by the Information and Privacy Commissioner with respect to the need for extreme caution in sharing personal medical information.
The Committee would urge the Board to approach this issue with due care.
Mr. Chairman that concludes my opening comments.
The Standing Committee recommends the passage of Bill 36 to all Members.
Individual Members, as I’m sure you are aware Mr. Chairman, may wish to raise their own question as we proceed.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Tootoo, chairman of the committee.
I would like to ask Minister Ng if he has his officials with him, to go to the witness table.
Sergeant-at-Arms, can you escort the officials?
Minister Ng if you could introduce your officials for the record.
To my right, Mr. Chairman, is Mr. David Clark who is the Vice-President of the Workers Compensation Board in charge of Nunavut operations.
To my left is Mr. Michael Triggs who is the Corporation Secretary and General Council for the Workers Compensation Board of Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Ng. According to our Rule 77 (1), you are allowed ten minutes for general comments as well as questions there after.
I would just like to highlight the chairman’s opening remarks on this matter.
In regards to the worker advisor and the deputy worker’s advisor to assist individuals, this part is very important for Nunavut and I would like to urge the Workers Compensation Board and the Minister to make sure as early as possible that we have a staff person in Nunavut to deal with Nunavut issues or clients.
We were advised that there are about 900 cases per year from Nunavut and I would just like to make sure that we’ve heard that there are positions, if not more than one, should be placed in Nunavut.