EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In terms of looking at other facilities of that nature, no, we haven’t.
We are dealing with capital estimates. Mr. Peterson, your time is up. I have no more names on my list as well.
We are on page H-8, Tangible Assets.
Total Kitikmeot Region. $4,202,000.
Chairman: Total Tangible Assets. $22,732,000.
Chairman (interpretation): Go back to page H-4.
Health and Social Services. Departmental Summary.
Total Capital Expenditures. $22,732,000.
Chairman: Do you agree that the Department of Health and Social Services is completed?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Ms. Minister and your officials.
At this time do you have any closing remarks?
I just want to thank the members for their questions and comments. I also wanted to thank my staff, Bernie Blais, deputy minister, and Rose Brown, as well as the Health and Social Services staff for their contribution to the development of these presentations today.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Aglukkaq, Ms. Brown, and Mr. Blais.
Chairman: Now I would ask the Minister of Community Government and Services, Ms. Brown, to make her opening comments. Ms. Brown.
Bill 01 – Appropriations (Capital) Act, 2006-07 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee
I am very pleased to appear before the Committee of the Whole with the Community and Government Services Capital Estimates.
To start, I would like to briefly speak to you about several of my department’s key initiatives this year.
Consistent with the objectives of Pinasuaqtavut we have developed a new Municipal Funding Policy which replaces the old Municipal Operating Assistance Policy. The new policy is easier to understand, thus reducing complexity and enhancing transparency.
An additional $4 million was provided for the new Municipal Funding Program. In addition, this year the municipalities directly benefit from $2 million for further implementation of the Fire Protection Strategy and $500,000 for community Search and Rescue Organization support.
Another important initiative is the work of the Municipal Training Organization. The MTO was jointly created by the Nunavut Association of Municipal Administrators and my department and facilitated a wide range of training programs for municipal employees.
Recently, through a partnership with Nunavut Arctic College, the MTO initiated the Municipal Employee Certificate Program.
It provides municipal employees courses focused specifically on municipal operations and certification in the career path of their choice.
As a result of these initiatives I am pleased to report that most of our communities are improving in their financial health.
Enhanced funding has helped, as has the training through the MTO, but without the dedication of municipal employees and the effective monitoring and evaluation carried out by my department we would not be in this position.
My department will continue to work in partnership with municipalities to strengthen municipal government and enhance self-reliance.
The department is also responsible for petroleum products.
We continue to invest capital funding into lifecycle replacement and expansion of our tank farm facilities. We have also had to increase the price of our fuel products in response to world market prices.
Nunavut is 100 percent dependant on imported fossil fuels.
Significant price and supply fluctuations in the world have a tremendous impact on our national and local economy.
With that in mind the price increase was kept as low as possible.
I am now pleased to tell you about several recent initiatives that will see significant enhancements and change the way we deliver municipal infrastructure in our communities. In August I had the privilege to host representatives from the federal government in Iqaluit to sign two important infrastructure funding agreements.
They will see an additional $53.5 million invested into municipal infrastructure over the next five fiscal years; this will almost double the level of capital investment in communities.
The intent of the funding is to provide sustainable and predicable funding for community infrastructure.
We hope the funding from Canada will continue beyond the current five-year time frame.
This new funding will allow communities to make significant progress on their municipal infrastructure deficit.
The funding agreements were signed after the bulk of the work to prepare the capital estimates was completed.
Thus their impact will not show in the estimates.
In addition, some of the funding flows directly to communities and some only come after payment claims are made.
We are working with Finance to find better ways of reporting on the allocation of these funds as part of the capital estimates process in the future.
The government has taken these funding increases as an opportunity to better engage our communities in the capital planning process.
In partnership with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities we have established the Nunavut Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee.
This committee, with representatives from the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, Community and Government Services and Finance will make recommendation for community infrastructure investment priorities.
I believe the active engagement of municipal leaders in the capital planning process will provide better consultations and priority setting and the wisest allocation of our limited budget.
The Infrastructure Advisory Committee has already had several meetings and has made significant progress on this exciting new model for establishing priorities for municipal infrastructure funding.
I look forward to working with the committee in advancing much needed infrastructure projects in municipalities.
I am also pleased to report that we had our first meeting of the Federal-Territorial Management Committee responsible for the management of some of the new infrastructure funding.
I am pleased to report that the federal government is supportive of the Community Infrastructure Advisory Committee and the process we have outlined.
Now, I would be pleased to answer any questions that you may have.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Brown.
Does the chair of the standing committee have any opening comments?
We have a lot of comments and it’s starting to get tiring, so I would like to report progress at this time.
There is a motion on the floor. The motion is not debatable.
Your committee has been considering Bill 1, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2006-07, and Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be agreed to.
Speaker (interpretation): There is a motion on the floor, is there a seconder?
Mr. Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to seek the consent of this Assembly to go back to Item 5.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Orders of the Day Item 5.
It’s a great pleasure to take this opportunity to welcome to the Gallery four individuals, one big one and three little ones in stature.
Mr. Speaker, with us in the Gallery here is a cousin of mine, the son of a colleague of yours, the Speaker from Manitoba, Mr. George Hicks Jr. here in the Gallery. So I would like to welcome him here, along with his daughter Lily, and also my two younger children, Roseanne and Cedric who is down there being shy hiding behind the chair. So I would like to welcome them to the Gallery.
Going back to Item 21.
Orders of the Day for November 18:
This House stands adjourned until Friday, November 18, at 10:00 a.m.
>>House adjourned at 17:51
Chair, Standing Committee on Infrastructure, housing and Economic Development
Friday, November 18, 2005
Pages 181 – 228
Ministers’ Statements 181
Members’ Statements 185
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 191
Oral Questions 191
Written Questions 210
Tabled Documents 211
First Reading of Bills 212
Second Reading of Bills 212
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 215
Report of the Committee of the Whole 227
Orders of the Day 227
Friday, November 18, 2005 181
008 – 2(3): Wildlife Regulations (Akesuk) 181
009 – 2(3): National Child Day (Picco) 182
010 – 2(3): New Assistant Deputy Minister and Assistant Comptroller General (Simailak) 183
011 – 2(3): Midwifery and Maternal Care Initiative (Aglukkaq) 183
012 – 2(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Tapardjuk) 185
032 – 2(3): Condolences to Ovide Alakannuark on Death of Wife (Mapsalak) 185
033 – 2(3): Elder Abuse (Peterson) 185
034 – 2(3): Lack of Care for Elders with Cancer (Barnabas) 187
035 – 2(3): Unqualified Teachers (Arreak) 187
036 – 2(3): Golf Club Donations (Kilabuk) 188
037 – 2(3): GN Office Closure Standards During Blizzards (Curley) 189
038 – 2(3): Aboriginal Veterans Ceremony in Belgium (Aglukkaq) 189
039 – 2(3): Art of Politics (Netser) 190
040 – 2(3): Accomplishment of Inuit on Designations (Tootoo) 190
032 – 2(3): Provide Details of I.T. Contract (Curley) 191
033 – 2(3): Gaps in Student Funding – Hadlari (Tootoo) 193
034 – 2(3): Providing Information to Communities on HTLV-1 (Arreak) 195
035 – 2(3): Update on Kugluktuk Health Centre (Evyagotailak) 198
036 – 2(3): Update on Nursing Recruitment Strategy (Netser) 199
037 – 2(3): Toll-Free Number for Cancer Patients (Barnabas) 201
038 – 2(3): Preparing Nunavummiut for Mining Jobs (Peterson) 202
039 – 2(3): Review of Wildlife Regulation Changes (Mapsalak) 205
040 – 2(3): Maintenance of Community Freezers (Kattuk) 207
041 – 2(3): Discussion on Arviat Water Quality (Alagalak) 208
005 – 2(3): Performance Bonuses, Settlements (Peterson) 210
015 – 2(3): Annual Report of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005 (Okalik) 211
016 – 2(3): CLEY Schedule of Votes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Grants and Contributions for the Fiscal Year 2004-05 (Tapardjuk) 211
017 – 2(3): Canada’s Northern Strategy by Federation of Canadian Municipalities (Peterson) 211
018 – 2(3): 2004-05 Annual Report – Nunavut Development Corporation (Kilabuk) 211
019 – 2(3): 2006-07 Nunavut Development Corporation Business Plan (Kilabuk) 212
Bill 08 – Statistics Act – First Reading 212
Bill 05 – An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act – Second Reading 212
Bill 08 – Statistics Act – Second Reading 213
Bill 06 – An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act – Second Reading 213
Bill 11 – An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act – Second Reading 213
Bill 07 – An Act to Amend the Liquor Act – Second Reading 214
Bill 09 – An Act to Amend the Exemptions Act – Second Reading 214
Bill 01 – Appropriations (Capital) Act, 2006-07 – Community and Government Services – Consideration in Committee 216
Speaker (interpretation): I will ask Mr. Alagalak to do the opening prayer.
Speaker (interpretation): Good morning Mr. Premier, ministers, and members.
Minister’s Statement 008 – 2(3): Wildlife Regulations (Akesuk)
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
The development of a made-in-Nunavut system of wildlife management began several years ago with the Wildlife Act, which was passed by the Legislative Assembly in December of 2003.
That Act was developed in partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and Nunavut Wildlife Management Board involved in extensive consultation in Nunavut.
Since that time we have been working to develop the regulations that are necessary for the Act to function.
The same working group that developed the Act has completed the 12 regulations and we have just completed regional consultations on these regulations with the Hunters’ and Trappers’ organization and Regional Wildlife organizations, also Nunavut’s HTOs and RWOs.
This week a second round of consultations is taking place here in Iqaluit.
This second meeting was being hosted by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and will involve representatives from all HTOs and RWOs.
This meeting will entail a detailed review of all the matters that fall within the jurisdiction of NWMB.
Following this week’s meeting all feedback from HTOs and RWOs will be analyzed, the final changes will be made and drafts will be submitted to the NWMB for their review and decision.
Following the NWMB decision making process the regulations will be finalized and prepared for implementation.
I expect that we will be in the position to implement the regulations in early 2006.
Minister’s Statement 009 – 2(3): National Child Day (Picco)
Hon. Ed. Picco: Ullaakkut.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating National Child Day on November 20, 2005.
National Child Day gives us an opportunity to recognize children and youth as full citizens and acknowledge their human rights.
Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage all Nunavummiut to take the time to celebrate our children and their potential.
Children are the foundation of our future and we as families, caregivers, teachers, communities, and as a government play an important role in encouraging and supporting the participation of our children in society.
Our government provides programs from birth to adulthood that support continued learning of our children and youth.
The Healthy Children’s Initiative gives all communities in Nunavut access for funding for family-centered early childhood programs such as prenatal classes and Parents & Tots, to support the development of young children and their families.
Mr. Speaker, community-based services such as licensed childcare facilities, our public schools, and community learning centres help our children and youth become the best that they can be.
Here in Iqaluit, the licensed childcare facilities celebrate National Child Day by holding an annual parade.
This is a wonderful way to let the children celebrate in a way they understand and show them that they are important and valued.
Mr. Speaker, this year, the parade will be held this afternoon (Friday, November 18, 2005), Mr. Speaker, this is beginning at three o’ clock in front of the Legislative Assembly and it’s going to end at the Cadet Hall; from the Legislative Assembly to the Cadet Hall is about 600 feet.
So I would take this opportunity to invite all of my colleagues to join with you, Mr. Speaker, at the head of the parade with Mr. Tootoo, and myself from his wonderful statement yesterday, to celebrate this wonderful occasion and to march with the children from the daycares in the community so that the people across Nunavut will see us.
Minister’s Statement 010 – 2(3): New Assistant Deputy Minister and Assistant Comptroller General (Simailak)
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, it gives me a great pleasure to welcome the executive of the Department of Finance, Mr. Victor Tootoo as Assistant Deputy Minister and Mr. Gerry O’Donnell as Assistant Comptroller General.
Mr. Tootoo played a major role in the development of the Department of Finance from 1998 to 2003 in the capacity of Assistant Deputy Minister of Fiscal Management.
For the last two years, he has been an Assistant Deputy Minister in the Department of Health and Social Services.
He now has responsibilities for the Policy and Planning Branch, including fiscal and economic policy, corporate services and planning, and for financial relations with Ottawa.
He will also manage support for the Crown Agency Council.
Recently, Mr. Tootoo has earned a Certified General Accountant designation, becoming, I understand, the first Inuk in Nunavut to acquire a professional accounting designation.
We all recognize that this is quite an achievement.
Mr. O’Donnell, also a Certified General Accountant, joins us from the Government of Alberta, where he has acquired over 25 years of senior financial management and systems experience.
He has worked as a Director of Finance, Director of Internal Audit or Senior Finance Officer in several departments and agencies.
He has responsibility for the Comptrollership Branch, including government accounting, compensation and benefits, financial operations, and regional financial services.
Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that the Department of Finance will benefit greatly from the experience and ability of these two executives and I am very pleased to have them on my team.
Minister’s Statement 011 – 2(3): Midwifery and Maternal Care Initiative (Aglukkaq)
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and good morning everyone.
Mr. Speaker, as part of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Closer to Home Strategy we are expanding the range and location of maternal care and midwife services in Nunavut over the next few years.
With the help of dedicated advice the department is involved in a number of programs and processes that will train new maternal care workers and midwives and promote the professional development of midwives and stakeholders, formalize maternal care initiatives, and develop legislation to support the professions in Nunavut.
Enhanced maternal and health care is an important part of building healthy communities in Nunavut.
We all need to make sure our children get the best start possible in life.
Mr. Speaker I’d like to share a few specific examples. First, a two-year long training has just begun in Rankin Inlet.
The program is a result of a partnership between Nunavut Arctic College in consultation with Manitoba’s new Aboriginal Midwifery Education Program. The training program offers a stepped approach.
Graduates of year one will receive a maternal care workers certificate. Those who graduate in year two will receive a diploma.
The program is now being piloted by two students.
By the time classes end in June of 2008 Nunavut will have more than two dozen people qualified to work in maternal care and midwifery in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the midwifery system in maternal care is part of our traditional practice and I am pleased to see emphasis in this direction.
Second, in addition to the new training program, work is underway with Manitoba University College of the north to develop a degree equivalency program.
This is available through distance education including tele-health to Nunavut based students.
This professional development would allow current and maternal care workers to significantly upgrade their skills while living working in Nunavut.
Third, the Department of Health and Social Services is now in the early stages of developing legislation to support the practice of midwifery in Nunavut.
Legislation would be similar to that found in other Canadian jurisdictions with features to Nunavut.
Currently, maternal care staff follow policies that have been in place since 1993.
The department has developed new standards of competency and practice that are now in approval.
Fourth, the Midwives Association in Nunavut was formed earlier this year. It will focus on building a network among midwives and maternal care workers in Nunavut as well as provide advice and support to government and others.
Mr. Speaker, I think the department’s action makes clear our commitment to enhancing maternal and newborn health services.
I would note in closing that we are also committed to accountability. To this end Nunavut’s midwifery implementation update has been prepared that I will be sharing with health committees, mayors and councils, Inuit organizations in Nunavut, and Members of this House.
Minister’s Statement 012 – 2(3): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit (Tapardjuk)
I stand up today to thank the Members of this House in coordinating the recommendations of the newly appointed 15 Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit members.
I am pleased to announce Kananginak Pootoogook and George Qulaut are the co-chairs.
For the next three years I have increased the Katimajiit membership to adequately insure that each member’s life experience, interest, knowledge, and skills are fully utilized in their areas of expertise.
Their mandate is to provide advice in the incorporation of Inuit societal values to all government programs.
Mr. Speaker, the second legislature reaffirms the important role of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit in achieving the government’s commitment and goals.
I look forward to the advice and help in improving the operations and services within all aspects of the Government of Nunavut.
Member’s Statement 032 – 2(3): Condolences to Ovide Alakannuark on Death of Wife (Mapsalak)
I rise today to extend my condolences to those of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay and to our former MLA Ovide Alakannuark on the recent passing of his wife, Victorine.
Ovide and Victorine were married for over 40 years. Their marriage was a long and happy one, and produced many children and grandchildren.
The couple was well known and respected in both communities.
Ovide’s long record of public service is well known to the Members of this House.
I would ask my colleagues to join me in extending sympathies to the family.
Member’s Statement 033 – 2(3): Elder Abuse (Peterson)
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to address an issue that can be considered a hidden tragedy.
Mr. Speaker, the Commissioner’s Address that we heard earlier this week contained many fine words about the role of elders in our communities. The speech read “We respect the accumulated wisdom of our elders and they help us combine traditional ways with modern knowledge. Elders provide an inspirational and cultural link from one generation to the next.”
These words describe an ideal situation that is not always the reality for our elders today.
Mr. Speaker, that is the way it should be for elders who have worked hard all their lives. It is only in their later years that most elders have the opportunity to rest and enjoy their remaining days in peace and comfort surrounded by family and grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren.
However, Mr. Speaker, in many cases there are elders in Nunavut who are not enjoying their twilight years.
At the recent Kitikmeot Inuit Association AGM in Cambridge Bay the issue of elder abuse was raised.
What is elder abuse?
It doesn’t appear to be as recognized a problem as child or spousal abuse. I have talked to my constituents about this issue. Here are some of the examples that they provided to me:
Relatives harassing elders for money on a weekly basis, even if the relative has their own money but uses it for drugs or alcohol.
Relatives asking for cigarettes, or money for cigarettes.
Relatives using elders’ houses for alcohol or drug use.  Relatives taking control of an elder’s house, even though the relative is not the actual tenant.
Relatives damaging the elders’ houses and making the elders responsible for damages.
Relatives residing with the elders don’t help pay for the rent or utilities even if they are working.
Relatives under the influence of a mind-altering substance causing physical harm to the elder.
I don’t have any hard numbers on how widespread the issue of elder abuse is across Nunavut, but I think it is an issue the Government of Nunavut should investigate. We owe our elders no less.
I am sure that every Member of this House will join me in encouraging our communities and agencies to help care for our elders and do whatever possible to help them enjoy their remaining years with us.
Member’s Statement 034 – 2(3): Lack of Care for Elders with Cancer (Barnabas)
I rise today in regard to the elders.
A lot of us have witnessed where our elders go to the hospitals and after being diagnosed with cancer they are returned to the community and then the relatives are given the responsibility for the care of that elder.
There is no place to call, for those cancer patients, for them to be given moral support.
There is nobody to talk to and the relatives of that patient go to their loved one and there is nothing where they can get more information on how to make that patient more comfortable.
This is for all of us because we all get affected by those patients, so we should look at this more.
Member’s Statement 035 – 2(3): Unqualified Teachers (Arreak)
As we just heard that today is National Child Day.
I am very happy. It should be a day for the children every day, for all the children, because they should be healthy and safe at home, maybe we should recognize them 365 days a year.
For that reason they should be taught well so they can have a good, steady job when they are adults.
There are students who are going to Arctic College taking the Teacher Education Program.
There are some teachers in the communities who have never taken formal training, who don’t have the training to become qualified teachers.