EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As the minister is aware, there is a severe shortage of foster homes across Nunavut.
Can the minister clarify what steps are being taken to ensure that Nunavut has enough foster homes for those in need and, in particular, enough foster homes that are willing and able to provide specialized care to medically fragile children?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you to the member from Niaqunnguu.
The department has implemented a centralized placement plan and review committee to improve quality care and better manage costs.
This transition started in 2012 for the children at the Ilagiittut Group Home. It is the social worker’s job to recruit and find foster homes through the proper protocol to finding foster homes.
Will the minister explain how the act of sending some of our most vulnerable children to foster homes outside of Nunavut, away from familiar surroundings and culture, can provide the same level of services that they received here, where they could be part of Nunavut society?
The Ilagiittut house, I understand, was very much like a home setting and not so much as an institution.
I thank the member for Niaqunnguu for asking those questions.
Yes, the Ilagiittut Group Home has been running for over 20 years. Change is hard when it affects our fellow people.
We understand that, but it is not proper to raise children in a residential placement. They have to be in foster homes, families and belong to the community.
Question 101 – 4(1): Search and Rescue (Sammurtok)
Last week, the minister provided an update to the Legislative Assembly on his meeting with Baffin mayors.
The minister informed the Legislative Assembly that his department has agreed to, and I quote, “meet with municipalities to look at partnership options to supply equipment for search and rescue and we are also looking at transferring surplus equipment and snowmobiles and boating equipment for search and rescue purposes.”
Can the minister confirm that these meetings will also take place with Kivalliq communities, including Rankin Inlet?
We intend to meet with all search and rescue organizations throughout Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Your first supplementary, Mr. Sammurtok.
The government’s most recent annual report on emergency management describes some of the areas of co-operation between the territorial government and the federal government.
As the minister is aware, the Canadian Armed Forces play an important role in conducting air searches in the north.
Can the minister describe how his department provides feedback to the Armed Forces concerning such areas as equipment and search operations?
Through our Emergency Measures Organization, we are in constant contact with the military when it comes to how we can best utilize their services.
The government’s 2011-12 annual report on emergency management was tabled in the Legislative Assembly in November of 2012.
When will the minister be tabling the next annual report in the Legislative Assembly?
As soon as the report is ready to be tabled, it will be tabled in the House.
Question 102 – 4(1): Medical Travel for Unilingual Clients (Enook)
Good afternoon, people of Pond Inlet, my fellow community members, and Nunavummiut.
I say “good afternoon” to you.
My question is for the Minister of Health for clarification.
I want to start with the response received earlier.
Now, Mr. Speaker, I often voice the plight of unilingual Inuit and how they can receive proper service if their flight doesn’t reach the final destination.
Earlier today, this response was provided by the minister, so let me start with this first question. The specific issue within the response states that it will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis individually.
It states factors will be taken into consideration, such as the departure point of the flight.
Let me ask this question, Mr. Speaker, if I were unilingual who can’t speak English, and I went on medical travel to Rankin Inlet from Repulse Bay. Alternatively, if I were an Inuk unable to communicate in English travelling from Pond Inlet to Iqaluit, if the flight didn’t reach Rankin Inlet or if the flight I am on didn’t reach Iqaluit, what use is it factoring in my departure point?
What does it garner such significance in these factors?
These examples he used, such as the flight flitting back from Iqaluit or was that Rankin Inlet?
Is the member trying to ask if the patients on medical travel didn’t reach their destination, why the departure point becomes significant?
I can’t quite grasp his examples, so perhaps the member can be clear in his question?
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Enook, please rephrase your question.
I am very clear.
If I departed Repulse Bay for Rankin Inlet and we didn’t land in Rankin Inlet, or if I was travelling from Pond Inlet to Iqaluit and couldn’t land in Iqaluit, who is ultimately responsible for my care?
I raised that example in past questions about who is responsible in those cases. The response provided earlier, states that each case will be examined individually on a case-by-case basis.
That is why I asked the question now, about why the service provided in this case may differ if I depart from Repulse Bay or even from Pond Inlet?
Indeed, although the member eloquently stated his example, he never even used examples such as a patient from Arviat who doesn’t land in Rankin Inlet but he doesn’t say where the hypothetical plane landed in.
The member also states the case where a patient departing Pond Inlet doesn’t land in Iqaluit but he doesn’t say where the plane landed to.
He doesn’t indicate the alternative landing site, and medical travel patients are provided with documentation such as pamphlets identifying a call-in number such as a (interpretation ends) 1-800 numbers (interpretation) which includes numbers in various communities that may serve as alternative landing sites as we have employees in every community.
The staff in the local centres can also take those calls as needed.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Enook.
I have in my hand a copy of the English version. If I were to try to clarify my question in English, the minister may be able to grasp the question. This is the same example I am using in English.
(interpretation ends) My question to the hon. minister is: in your response, you said that each individual case would be looked at case by case, including where the flight originated from.
My question is: why does it matter where the flight originated from? Why does that matter?
I think it matters where the flight has been diverted to.
It matters whether the flight attendants or the crew will be looking after the patient, be it wherever they come from or go to. It matters whether the plane is coming from a northern community to another northern community or being diverted to a southern community.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your final supplementary, Mr. Enook.
Mr. Enook: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) In the response, it indicates that it’s very essential to know where the flight originated.
So that’s my question, Mr. Speaker. I’m not saying, nor am I concerned, about where they ended up.
In your response, for example, we would respond based on where the flight originated.
Why is the flight origination important in the whole matter?
Medical patients, no matter who they are, go from communities to medical centres because it is a necessity.
All patients are given pamphlets and we have 1-800 numbers that are available and where they should go.
I don’t know how to respond to the question, and if the plane was diverted, they would be well taken care of, they would know. They can call the 1-800 number. It’s in Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, English and French.
It’s in all official languages. They are available in the communities. There are usually phone numbers that are displayed at the air terminals.
We have all the numbers here.
Question 103 – 4(1): Use of Telehealth Technology (Hickes)
I hope our Minister of Health doesn’t feel picked on, but I am going to ask her another question today.
Mr. Speaker, as I alluded to in my previous question, over the past decade or so, the Department of Health has made significant investments in setting up telehealth technology all across Nunavut.
Initially it was hoped that the use of this technology would reduce the need for medical travel.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister indicate whether or not her department has undertaken a cost analysis to determine whether the use of the telehealth systems has reduced the costs for medical travel across Nunavut?
I don’t want to make assumptions and whether this has been a cost saving, but I can say that it looks as though it has a cost savings because you’re making your appointments through a telehealth system rather than travelling to go see a doctor.
I will ask my staff to provide the member with an analysis at a time when we have that available.
I appreciate and look forward to that information from the minister.
Mr. Speaker, the 2013 Canadian Telehealth Report shows that the number of clinical sessions provided across Nunavut in 2012 increased by approximately 37 percent since 2010.
However, other jurisdictions such as the Yukon and the Northwest Territories respectively doubled and tripled their clinical telehealth use over the same period.
Can the minister explain what her department is doing to try and increase the clinical use of Nunavut’s telehealth technology?
Telehealth is operational in all 25 communities and as I said earlier, it has provided 4,343 hours of telehealth services just last year.
It plays a significant role in viewing medical travel needs for patients. As an example, telehealth has averted 50 medical trips since March 2012 for kidney clinic patients.
We are working to reduce more wait times.
We are currently testing to provide more services, as an example, the use of endoscopes and, if I could say this right, stethoscopes and things like that.
I think that more improvement will be available down the road.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for that response.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that factors such as bandwidth accessibility as well as training qualifications affect the ability to use our telehealth system to its maximum effectiveness.
Can the minister update this House on whether any further investments into the relevant technology are being considered to increase use of the telehealth system and further reduce medical travel costs?
Health has partnered with health care providers in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba to expand telehealth programs and services and offer our staff with the best practices and mentoring services.
We will continue to find ways to expand and improve telehealth services for patients and health care providers in Nunavut.
Question 104 – 4(1): Seniors’ Fuel Subsidy (Mikkungwak)
I would like to follow up on the issue of financial supports for seniors.
Last week when I asked the question about the Senior Fuel Subsidy program, the minister indicated that if a senior receives funds under Senior Fuel Subsidy program, then this might affect their senior subsidy or benefit.
For the sake of our elders, who may be listening to our proceedings, can the minister further clarify her comments on this issue?
I also thank the member for Baker Lake for asking that question about the Senior Fuel Subsidy Program. Elders receive this subsidy apportioned to their level of income.
The subsidy that assists them, (interpretation ends) using income tax (interpretation) returns as a basis that every citizen has to submit during the income tax return period.
This is used to calculate their overall income because the federal government pension has a limitation and if it surpasses that amount, they may lose their exemption. I hope that clarifies this matter.
It seems very unfortunate that we could have a subsidy handed out to seniors by one hand of the government only to have another hand of the government reach out and take funding away from seniors as a result.
This must be very distressing to elders, who often struggle to make ends meet.
Can the minister explain how her department officials work with seniors to assist them in applying for subsidies, such as the senior fuel subsidy, and to explain how their overall financial situation might be affected by receiving different types of funding?
I also thank the member for Baker Lake for asking that question.
Yes, I completely concur with that concern, as it would be quite worrisome for elders if they lose their old age pension.
The (interpretation ends) federal government (interpretation) has their own legislation which this government has no say in. The federal government has to administer their own rules.
Unfortunately, there is an upper limit for the level of income for senior citizens.
They identify what they are eligible for, under which plan, and that is part of their regulations.
In the year 2013-14, there were less than 25 cases that were denied social assistance by the income support workers due to their being above the threshold. I hope that is clear, that people who don’t receive assistance are ineligible if their income is above the identified threshold.
That is regrettable, but a limit is placed on this subsidy.
If the household income is up to $75,000, then they’re eligible for the full fuel subsidy. If their income bracket falls between $75,000 and $100,000, they would receive 50 percent of their fuel expenses as part of this rebate.
That is how I can respond to the member.
I appreciate that receiving a subsidy is almost like receiving a little bit of extra income.
If the federal government considers a subsidy as income, then this could affect other benefits that an individual is entitled to receive.
Can the minister indicate whether she has had any discussions with federal entities such as the Canada Revenue Agency to have certain Nunavut subsidies, such as the senior fuel subsidy, exempt from being considered as income when it comes to calculating seniors’ benefits?
I also thank the member for Baker Lake for asking these valuable questions on behalf of the elders.
Yes, when elders’ income levels surpass these thresholds, this is the only time they are refused.
Also, the federal government also places income limits under their pension plans and identify the limit where they become ineligible for the pension and they are the sole authority on these issues.
I personally haven’t met with any representatives of the federal government in my portfolio, but I believe I will eventually get a chance to meet them in the future.
Yes, the subsidies are all subject to limits. If you go on a course and get financial assistance or income support, these funds provided to you are reported in the (interpretation ends) income tax (interpretation) process.
Your return dictates the GST and child tax credits you receive and many people utilize these financial assistance programs.
I hope I have answered his question.
Motion: Extension of Question Period (Enook)
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, that the time for question period be extended.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order and is not subject to debate.
All those in favour, raise your hand. (interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) All those opposed, raise your hand.
There is a tie vote. I vote in favour of the motion.
Question period is extended by 30 minutes.
Question 105 – 4(1): A Comprehensive Elders’ Health Strategy for Nunavut (Angnakak)
That was a great vote.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health because she has not received too many questions today.
I just want to add another one.
Mr. Speaker, a number of issues and concerns have been brought forward in this House with respect to the support of our elders, be it health insurance coverage, financial support, housing, end-of-life care.
As we know, health status is strongly linked to housing, poverty, nutrition, and lifestyle, among other factors.
Hon. Monica Ell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for her question.
Any strategy would require input and coordination across many departments.
She mentioned some of them. Health works with Family Services, the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Culture and Heritage on the seniors’ file.
As you know, the elders’ program strategy 2010-14 developed by Culture and Heritage, that was then called “CLEY,” outlined the importance of a collaboration approach to addressing the needs and concerns of elders.
Any strategy would require input and coordination across many of these departments.
Although the majority of Nunavut’s population is still very young, Nunavut’s bureau of statistics projects that by the year 2036, 10 percent of our population would be aged 65 and older.
Can the minister indicate whether or not her department officials have begun to plan for this projected growth?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Health, Ms. Ell.
I thank the hon. member for her question.
As of July, 2013, there were 1,244 Nunavummiut 65 years of age and older, which represents approximately 3.5 percent of the population.
That means there has been a 54 percent increase in Nunavummiut aged 65 plus since 2006.
I don’t have my glasses on, Mr. Speaker.
Health is currently in discussions with the Nunavut Housing Corporation to explore many things that we can do with elders.
We are planning to conduct a needs assessment to determine how best to meet the long-term care needs for Nunavummiut. The assessment will be including a care delivery model, such as community and in-home supports, models for supportive living and residential programs.
I think we all recognize that preparing for the future is really a difficult task. There are many known and unknown variables to consider. However, as a government, we must work hard to anticipate for our future needs and plan for them instead of reacting with too little, too late.
Will the minister commit to work with her counterparts to develop a comprehensive elders strategy for Nunavut and keep this Assembly updated on her progress?
Health is committed to working with various departments to do an assessment, and then that eventually will lead to a coordinated approach, a strategy, if you might want to call it that.
We are committed to working to see the assessment…would see things like care delivery models and other things that I mentioned earlier, other organizations outside the government, like hamlet councils and things like that.
Question 106 – 4(1): Medical Travel for Unilingual Clients (Enook)
I need some clarification with regard to the return to one of my previous oral questions.
There are quite a few responses in there and the minister has the copy and read it out loud.
My first question: when a patient is coming from a community, according to where they came from, if they do not reach their destination, why is the place where their flight originated from relevant in the case they do not arrive at their destination?
I thank the hon. member for that excellent question.
Mr. Speaker, clients on medical travel are provided with phone numbers for contacting the boarding home and medical travel staff for interpreter services that are available. If a patient is travelling from community to community, they have been provided with the phone numbers.
These situations are deal with case-by-case basis. It depends on the services available, interpreter staff, and many things come to play.
I want elders or anyone who is a unilingual patient to be very aware of the process and I want them to understand fully.
The response includes that they would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, including where they originated from.
If the patient is going to Iqaluit, what does where they originate from have to do with not reaching their destination?
Why do we need different services depending on where we originate from?
All patients are treated equally.
In all communities, patients are provided with and information about what process they’re expected to go through, along with a copy of the hospital’s policies and what they should be expecting. It’s all spelled out in the pamphlet.
The member had asked if the flight did not reach its destination and he was asking who would be taking care of those individuals.
We had stated the relevance of the flight’s origin and its destination and where it actually lands to what action would be taken.
That’s why they would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, just for that purpose. It doesn’t matter where the patients originate from, because they’re treated equally on that service.
Tomorrow will come for sure.
Let me ask this question again.
In the response here by the minister, it states, and it mentions a number of items… why has the flight changed?
Why, for example, did the flight not arrive at its destination? If they originated in the Baffin region, we go to the hospital in Iqaluit.
These cases would be looked at on a case-by-case basis. It states that the patients might be taken care of by the airline staff.
There is no doubt that in a diverted flight, passengers would be taken care by airline staff.
Mr. Speaker, my question is: if I couldn’t speak English and the pilots couldn’t speak Inuktitut since most are non-Inuit, how am I going to communicate with them?
I have been answering questions on what if, what if this, what if that on an airplane that might go here or might go there.
Mr. Speaker, these are dealt with case-by-case basis. That’s why we’re saying it’s a case-by-case basis.
The fact airplanes may not have people working there who are Inuit; last year, we praised an airline for having an all-Inuit crew, Mr. Speaker.
Question 107 – 4(1): Government Contracting Practices (Angnakak)
On March 1, 2012, the Legislative Assembly was informed that the Government of Nunavut would be conducting a “comprehensive internal review” of its public procurement practices.
It is now March 18, 2014. Can the minister inform the House what the results of this review were?
I apologize to the member. However, I just don’t have that information with me at this moment.
Ms. Angnakak: I’ll try my second question.
Although the government has a Contracting Appeals Board, its mandate is limited to hearing appeals based strictly on the application of the NNI Policy to a given contract award. This board does not have the mandate to hear appeals based on broader concerns.
Can the minister indicate what his position is on establishing a new and independent appeals body?
As a department, although we do use NNI, my department is not responsible for the application and development of the NNI Policy itself.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your final supplementary, Ms. Angnakak.
Annual reports on the government’s procurement, contracting and leasing activities have not been tabled in the Legislative Assembly since the fall of 2012.
When will the minister be tabling the most recent annual reports on its procurement, contracting and leasing activities?
As soon as I have the report in my hands, I would be happy to table the report.
Question 108 – 4(1): Review of Income Assistance (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, the minister’s 2013-14 Business Plan for the Department of Family Services indicates that there will be a comprehensive review of the department, in particular the Income Assistance program.
As the minister and many of my colleagues are aware, from time to time, we see clients who either misuse or abuse this program.
Can the minister indicate how the income assistance policy will be improved to reduce the abuse of the program?
I also thank the member for Tununiq for asking a question about the abuse of the program.
Social services are not policemen, so they don’t check to see whether the program is being abused or not.
It’s only if we empowered them with the authority to do so can they effectively deal with client abuse, but their job at this time is only in giving out social assistance. If you know that someone is being abused, we can take them to the Human Rights Tribunal where they would be investigated.
All I can say at this time is that this was reviewed in the past year.
Do I understand that the minister is saying that even if you know there is abuse happening, you can’t do anything?