EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I want to ask as well, one of the initiatives that the Nunavut Housing Corporation has been working on is the housing needs survey to collect solid information with which to pursue additional federal investments.
Can the minister update us today on the status of the housing needs survey and indicate when he will table its results in the Legislative Assembly?
Again I think another very important initiative that the member brings up and this is something that I believe, going back to the First Assembly when I was on the housing minister’s task force, we talked about getting this type of information put together, very valuable information for us to be able to present to our funding partners in the federal government.
Mr. Speaker, as far as the needs survey goes, it has been underway. They have been successful in a number of the communities that they have started in.
There have been some issues in some communities where the timeframes that they had hoped to be able to complete all of the surveying is going to be taking them a little bit longer than anticipated.
However, Mr. Speaker, I have been informed by Stats Canada that they still hope to meet the fall deadline for the final report on the analysis of the survey results provided by Stats Canada to be provided to us in the outlined timeframe.
I also want to thank the hon. minister for that response and updating us.
Mr. Speaker, I don’t have a third and final supplementary, but I do wish to make a comment that I think this Legislative Assembly should be a little bit more thankful and supportive with the staff, in particular, tenant relations officers. They are frontline workers and they deal with tremendous pressures from community members.
Homes and livelihoods are affected by housing. So basically, Mr. Speaker, I also want to just let all of Nunavut know that I thank the tenant relations officers and our local housing authorities. I think it’s a testament to see that the Nunavut Housing Corporation is making an effort and being open about all of this.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to finally say that the tenant relations officers in Nunavut, as frontline workers, bear the brunt of a lot of social conditions and issues.
I would just like to see that the tenant relations officers get more support from the corporation and trickle down to personal lives that are being affected by homelessness or a question of having a roof over their head. I think that they make every effort to make sure that people in the communities are housed.
With that, I just wanted to make that comment.
Again, as the member pointed out, I couldn’t agree him any more.
I want to assure him that every LHO that I have visited, I personally sit down and talk to the tenant relations officers.
Their job is worse than any of us here in the Assembly.
At times, they’re put in some very difficult situations dealing with friends and family members, and not always being the bearer of good news.
That’s something that I recognize. As I said, any LHO that I have visited, I have mentioned that to the tenant relations officers.
Mr. Speaker, one of the things that the corporation has done is that they have updated the tenant relations officer’s manual and based on feedback from them, providing more training to those individuals throughout the territory so that they are better able to handle the situations that they are sometimes faced with.
Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to be on the record and say that I really appreciate that probably one of the worst jobs in Nunavut is being a tenant relations officer. I want to make sure that the work that they do, as far as I’m concerned, does not go unrecognized.
Question 427 – 3(2): Accessibility Issues Facing Disabled People (Arvaluk)
I would like to direct my question to Mr. Tagak Curley, the Minister of Health and Social Services.
I previously asked the minister on March 2010 in regard to providing assistance for people in wheelchairs.
Today, I would like to ask the minister since spring is here and summer is almost upon us and most people want to spend time outside.
Inuit especially like to spend time outside, whether they are able to walk or not.
Can the minister provide an update if there has been a review done to aid people with disabilities? The wheelchair wheels are so narrow that they cannot go through sand, especially when the road is sandy.
I was wondering if they can provide scooters to the communities to be used by people in wheelchairs.
In regard to your question, people do request those scooters, especially elders.
In my community, I have seen wheelchairs that are operated by batteries during the summertime.
We have to follow established criteria of the program we have in place within the Department of Health and Social Services.
The Nunavut government does not establish this criteria, it’s the federal government’s non-insured health program that sets the criteria to be used for non-insured people of Nunavut. It goes through that process.
Our officials know about this after spending time in the High Arctic, if possible, that we need to change that requirement.
To date, they have not been completed yet.
We are working in partnership with NTI and the federal government and they do review that every four years.
With regard to your question, I cannot respond as to whether or not they have a choice in obtaining different wheelchairs.
I have asked my officials to look into that. When we spent time in the High Arctic last April, we heard about this issue from the communities.
Perhaps your department could negotiate with the federal government and NTI because I don’t think they have considered in the past the fact that our roads aren’t paved and we don’t have sidewalks in our community.
I believe that they are just starting to realize that what is used by our fellow Canadians down south cannot always be used up north.
Wheelchairs can only be used on concrete or sidewalks, or inside the house.
I believe that they are starting to realize the fact that it is impossible to use those wheelchairs on our roads because they fall under the category of special circumstances. Can you look into that today?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Arvaluk. Minister Curley.
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the member for bringing those issues up.
I have told my staff that there are many problems with using wheelchairs and we have to try and resolve these issues. Part of the problem is the lack of communication. The federal government doesn’t know that they need to support disabled people.
With the lack of information, it’s making us face difficult times.
However, when the federal government was in Rankin Inlet last month, they held a meeting with our staff from all over regarding this issue.
I have told them to provide adequate information to Nunavutmiut.
The deputy minister from my department meets with officials from NTI and the federal government to try to resolve these types of issues.
We have identified the fact that this needs resolution.
Perhaps after I meet with them, I expect to get more information on what kinds of challenges we face. We know that they need to be improved, but we will try to continue our improvements. We will be informed later on this summer after this meeting, but we are fully cognizant of these challenges faced by disabled people.
I would like to thank the minister for his response and for being receptive to my question.
It won’t be too costly and I believe we all know that because not too many need wheelchairs and not too many people are disabled.
If it’s impossible, or the federal government doesn’t want to support this, or if NTI does not want to acknowledge the fact, could the minister consider, as the Government of Nunavut on their own, to improve the services for disabled people who are in wheelchairs?
Hon. Tagak Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member.
When we were in the High Arctic, we realized the hardships that disabled people experience.
When I was up there and saw directly what they have to go through, at that time, I stated to my staff that we will have to help these individuals using their own funds.
We can consider this, but we will have to see how much it would cost for the upcoming years and what type of program we can set up.
We will think about this and we will have discussions with my cabinet colleagues. I will make a response to your question some time in the future.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister. Your final supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.
We know that the people who use wheelchairs are not all elders.
Some are young and mentally capable, are able to work, and the only setback they have is that they require wheelchairs and that is their only disability.
Is it possible for the minister to consider looking at the costs of this prior to the capital projects review and report to the committee at our September sitting?
Yes, we can look at that not only in the committee.
My officials are aware that we have to conduct some background research after we get the report on the current situation and the challenges faced by these individuals, most of whom aren’t even aware of the types of support services available from the government.
We now we need to make immediate improvements and review our O&M budgets. Perhaps even prior to that, we can conduct a feasibility study. We also need further discussions with the federal government.
Following the criteria for non-insured health benefits, such as wheelchairs, we will inform the federal government about it.
The federal government tends to compare equipment as it they were a Chevrolet and a Cadillac. Based on the criteria, the federal government will always give the cheapest version of a wheelchair since they state that they cannot provide a Cadillac version.
I have seen some wheelchairs that are sturdier than the ones that we get from the non-insured health benefits, operated with batteries, and they are being used in Rankin Inlet.
We will review the whole issue and its extenuating factors and I will provide a report on this.
Perhaps even this fall, it would be good to get an elder in a wheelchair to personally account the hardships they have undergone.
I believe that the elder is listening in and hopefully, they will accept that request.
That person has stated that they are amenable to attend to the next session. I’m sure that we can see first-hand what the problems are.
Question 428 – 3(2): Human Resource Practices of QEC (Okalik)
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Yesterday, I tabled documents in this House concerning a job competition that the Qulliq Energy Corporation recently undertook.
From my review of these items, it appears clear that the Qulliq Energy Corporation changed the qualifications required of applicants after the competition had been initiated by suddenly requiring applicants to possess a degree in business administration, which obviously had nothing to do with the actual position.
To me, this is a clear-cut case of trying to exclude a certain applicant from applying for a position.
Will the minister commit to directing the corporation to restarting a competition process with the original job description and requirements, yes or no?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Okalik. Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation, Hon. Hunter Tootoo.
As the member knows, the whole human resource and recruitment process is something that there are processes in place.
Mr. Speaker, this particular situation that the member brings forward is something that there are still potential avenues for the individual to go through as far as grievances or appeals on that.
So as a result of that, I don’t think I can comment on it until due process has been followed on that because there are still avenues open to any individual who feels that they were not treated fairly in a competition. My understanding is that there a 21-day period and we’re still within that time period, so I don’t think it would be inappropriate that that be discussed.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) This does definitely raise a red flag on the hiring practices of this corporation.
This government is required to eliminate artificial barriers that prevent Inuit from obtaining employment in the public sector.
As an example, when you’re applying to be a nurse, you’re required to have nursing qualifications, but you don’t need a law degree. If you’re going to manage a department, you’re not required to have a business degree.
In this case, the Qulliq Energy Corporation suddenly decided that a requirement for a prevention maintenance planner is to have a business degree or certificate.
My question to the minister is simple: will the Qulliq Energy Corporation stop trying to undermine the Inuit employment goals of our territory, yes or no?
The Qulliq Energy Corporation is and continues to be a dedicated employer of Inuit.
It follows the priority hiring policy where beneficiaries who meet all of the qualifications of a vacancy are given priority.
Our recruitment process is designed to comply with the Public Service Act, with Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, human rights legislation, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and anything else that is out there, the collective agreements.
Mr. Speaker, as far as the corporation is concerned, they are a strong proponent of trying to hire Inuit and promote Inuit within the corporation.
Again, dealing with the particular situation that the member is talking about, I can’t comment on that.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I have gone over the job description, the title, the position and requirements.
The individual applied on April 12 for a preventative/predictive maintenance planner on May 12.
After he had applied, he got a reply on April 16 that the ad is going to be pulled.
A few days later, a new job description for the same position with a different title was posted, with the same requirements, except the applicant’s qualifications could no longer meet the business administration degree or certificate which was added after the original application.
This appears to be a case where you were trying to exclude an Inuk applicant from being able to qualify for the position that was originally posted.
So can the minister perhaps commit to reviewing these types of practices so that these unfortunate situations don’t arise for this corporation?
Again, I think the member indicated that the individual was interviewed, so he wasn’t excluded from the process.
Again, Mr. Speaker, I can’t comment.
There are still avenues open within the 21-day period where any applicant can request a follow-up with Human Resources regarding the outcome of any competition.
If any individual or any employee believes that they have been treated unfairly during a job competition, that is what unions are out there for and due process is out there for.
I would encourage anyone who feels that way to follow due process and I would await the outcome of that due process to be followed before making any comment on it.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am just asking the minister to commit to reviewing this sort of exercise so that we don’t see it in the future for this corporation. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Hunter Tootoo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Giving due process would truly identify whether that is something that actually happened or not. Right now, it’s the member’s interpretation of the information that he has been provided.
Again, I can’t comment on whether something is happening or is not happening until due process is followed.
Once that happens, whatever comes out of that, I would be more than happy to look into it and go from there, Mr. Speaker.
Again, I cannot comment one way or the other on it until due process has been followed and then we get accurate information provided to us to review as far as what happens as a result of a review, if that takes place.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister. (interpretation) Question period is now over, but I would like to remind you all that with a request for extension of time, you could do so for an additional 30 minutes.
Written Question 020 – 3(2): Spousal Violence in Nunavut and Traditional Counselling Under the Family Abuse Intervention Act (Ugyuk)
As I indicated in my Member’s Statement, I have a written question for the Minister of Justice concerning spousal violence in Nunavut.
Statistics Canada defines spousal violence as “violence committed by legally married, common-law, separated and divorced partners.”
According to data presented in the publication Family Violence in Canada: A statistical profile, 2009 (Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 85-224-X), Nunavut has the highest rate of spousal violence in Canada.
According to data released by the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics on January 15, 2010, there were a total of 11,575 police-reported Criminal Code incidents in 2008.
For each of the years between 2000 and 2009, broken down by Nunavut community, what percentage of violent incidents reported to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police involved spousal violence?
For each of the years between 2000 and 2009, broken down by Nunavut community, what percentage of criminal charges involved spousal violence?
Within the meaning of subsection 17(2)(a) of the Family Abuse Intervention Act, on how many occasions since the coming into force of the legislation have community intervention orders included a provision directing that the applicant and the respondent attend traditional Inuit counselling with a specified traditional counsellor?
Written Question 021 – 3(2): Apprenticeship Programs Under the Nunavut Housing Trust (Elliott)
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a written question for the Minister responsible for Nunavut Housing Trust concerning apprenticeship programs under the Nunavut Housing Trust.
From January 1, 2006 to June 1, 2010, broken down by Nunavut community, how many individuals participated in apprenticeship programs funded under the Nunavut Housing Trust?
From January 1, 2006 to June 1, 2010, broken down by Nunavut community, what specific apprenticeship programs were funded under the Nunavut Housing Trust?
As of June 1, 2010, what were the total numbers of hours of work accumulated by participants in apprenticeship programs funded under the Nunavut Housing Trust?
As of June 1, 2010, broken down by Nunavut community and broken down by specific trades certification, how many participants in apprenticeship programs funded under the Nunavut Housing Trust have become certified tradespeople?
Between January 1, 2006 and June 1, 2010, how many meetings were held by the Government of Nunavut’s Interdepartmental Nunavut Housing Trust Senior Officials Working Group?
Between January 1, 2006 and June 1, 2010, what specific activities were undertaken by the Government of Nunavut’s Interdepartmental Nunavut Housing Trust Senior Officials Working Group?
The question has been entered as read.
Tabled Document 187 – 3(2): Office of the Fire Marshal 2009 Annual Report (Kusugak)
I am pleased to table the following document: Office of the Fire Marshal 2009 Annual Report.
Tabled Document 188 – 3(2): Qulliq Energy Corporation: Corporate Plan 2010-2011 (Tootoo)
I would like to take this opportunity to table something again that I committed to earlier this year. It is the following report: Qulliq Energy Corporation: [Corporate Plan 2010-2011.]
Mr. Speaker, the Inuktitut copy is currently under translation and will be made available as soon as possible.
Tabled Document 189 – 3(2): Minimum Wage Annual Report, 2010 (Peterson)
I am sure this document I’m tabling will give great pleasure to my colleague, Mr. Rumbolt.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following document: Minimum Wage Annual Report, 2010.
Speaker: Thank you. Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 190 – 3(2): Government of Nunavut Responses to Recommendations by the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, 2010 (Peterson)
I would like to table the following document: Government of Nunavut Responses to Recommendations by the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts, 2010.
Tabled Document 191 – 3(2): Public Agencies Council Activities Report, 2009-2010 (Peterson)
I am sure this document would make my other colleague, Mr. Elliott, happy.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the following document: Public Agencies Council Activities Report, 2009-2010.
Tabled Document 192 – 3(2): Legal Services Board of Nunavut Annual Report for 2007-2008 (Peterson)
I would like to table the following document: Legal Services Board of Nunavut Annual Report for 2007-2008.
Tabled Document 193 – 3(2): NBCC Annual Report 2007-2008 (Taptuna)
Tabled Document 194 – 3(2): NBCC Annual Report 2008-2009 (Taptuna)
I would like to table the following documents: the Nunavut Business Corporation’s annual reports for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.
Tabled Document 195 – 3(2): Memorandum of Understanding between Canada, Nunavut, and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association on a study to examine the desirability and feasibility of establishing a National Marine Conservation Area in Lancaster Sound (Shewchuk)
I would like to table the following document: Memorandum of Understanding between Canada, Nunavut, and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association on a study to examine the desirability and feasibility of establishing a National Marine Conservation Area in Lancaster Sound.
Bill 35 – Licensed Practical Nurses Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by Hon. Member for Kugluktuk, that Bill 37, Licensed Practical Nurses Act, be read for the second time.
For the record, did you mean Bill 35? Mr. Curley.
My apologies, that’s Bill 35.
Bill 35 has been read for the second time and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bill 37 – Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 37, Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, be read for the second time.
Bill 37 has been read for the second time and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bills 15, 16, 17, 20, 26, 32, and 36, Tabled Documents 13 – 3(2), 66 – 3(2), 99 – 3(2), and 100 – 3(2) with Mr. Schell in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:25 and Committee resumed at 16:01
Chairman (Mr. Schell): I would like to call the committee meeting to order. In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 15, 16, 17, 20, 26, 32, and 36, Tabled Documents 13 – 3(2), 66 – 3(2), 99 – 3(2), and 100 – 3(2).
We wish to continue with the review of the following: Bills 20, 32, 15, 16, 17, 26, and 36, followed by the review of Tabled Document 13 – 3(2).
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Aupaluktuq. Thank you, Members.
Yesterday, we started on Bill 20 and we will continue with Bill 20. Do members agree that Mr. Tapardjuk and his officials could appear at the witness table?
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses to the table.
Mr. Tapardjuk, could you please introduce your officials.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is my Deputy Minister of Education, Kathy Okpik, and to my right is Brad Chambers, Director of Policy and Planning, Mr. Chairman.
Yesterday, we heard the opening comments. Are there any questions on the opening comments?
I have no members on the list for general comments. We will now proceed to the clause-by-clause review of Bill 20.
Bill 20, An Act to Amend Certain Acts Related to Education.
Chairman: Do members agree to Bill 20 as a whole?
Chairman: Do members agree that pursuant to Rule 62(2) that Bill 20 can immediately be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
Chairman: Mr. Tapardjuk, do you have any closing comments?
I also would like to thank my officials. We will have an amendment to our Education Act and it’s going to make it easier. I would also like to thank my colleagues for approving or passing this bill.
I would like to thank my officials, Kathy Okpik and Brad Chambers, for preparing and working on that.
I’m glad you showed up here for the bill for any comments on the bill and stuff.