EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Of course, I don’t know the details about some of the levels of questioning, but a minister or the officials should be able to provide the answers to your questions. When you’re in Committee of the Whole, they should be able to as well. Let’s say, for example, if someone got funding for a business plan, you wouldn’t want to provide detailed information that a competitor would like to have.
Again, through the grants and contributions program, there are funding agreements that every department and deputy head are responsible for, but the officials should monitor them through your questions in the House.
We do have our annual business plans looking forward three years. You can look at the business plan.
You can ask the ministers exactly what kind of detailed results… . They always have their officials with them as witnesses.
If the ministers don’t have the information, because we’re not responsible for the day-to-day operations of a department, our officials certainly would have that information. If they don’t have it at their fingertips, then they should be able to get it to you.
As an MLA, you have a lot of power to compel the government to provide information subject to confidentiality issues.
I can’t imagine what other reasons why ministers would say that’s confidential.
I think, as regular MLAs, we have been frustrated to some extent over this and we have all been pushing a comprehensive review of programs and services to take place. I understand that there was an RFP recently issued.
Can the minister tell us when he expects this review to be completed?
You’re planting a seed in my brain there about the… .
I am working with the Premier’s department, Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, and our officials are. There was an RFP that went out. I’m not sure of the closing date, but we’re hoping that there will be a number of good proposals that will be reviewed.
The general plan is to review in two phases. There will be a phase this year and we hope we will get some results back by this fall in time to incorporate some changes into the 2016-17 business plans. There will be a second phase that would take place after this fall that would go forward another year with more detail.
It is a very comprehensive review plan and I think the Premier will probably be able to speak to it in more detail at a future date.
Question 335 – 4(2): Baffin Island Caribou Management (Shooyook)
With respect to the moratorium on caribou hunter being enacted, especially for the seven communities in the Baffin region, based on the population dwindling and the estimates numbered, it has caused a lot of concern as to how the process will be laid out with respect to this plan.
What have you prepared and what timeframe do you have for the caribou management plan?
I am pleased that the member has raised that question regarding the management plan for Baffin Island caribou and the process.
I am pleased that a Baffin MLA has finally provided that question ever since the issue was brought up into question and that it came from our esteemed elder here in this Legislative Assembly.
I am grateful he raised that question.
With regard to the caribou management plan for the Baffin region, it has been a long process and we involved the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board.
It was brought up as a concern by that organization and I wanted to lay some background in order to speak to that issue.
It was brought up as a concern primarily by the hunters and it moved up from that level.
To date, in the Baffin region in particular, starting from 2013 to 2014, caribou discussions were quite hectic and there were population estimates, research, and a lot of meetings regarding the caribou management amongst the HTOs, the wildlife boards, NTI, and other Inuit organizations that worked towards developing a plan.
At this current time, the moratorium is now in place and again, it was given to me to make a decision on. I was pleased to deal with that particular management decision submitted by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, which was supported by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
Currently, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board has proposed a public hearing for the Baffin region regarding caribou management. Prior to the goal being established, they wanted a moratorium on caribou hunting.
This was supported by many of the HTO representatives, especially on the basis of the caribou becoming a concern.
After the public hearing process has played out, I will be provided with a list of recommendations from various wildlife organizations and at that time, we will be deliberating on these issues.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for clarifying and for providing this information. Thank you.
I would like to raise this other question. I know it’s a cumbersome process; it’s quite complicated.
With respect to the caribou hunting moratorium, what timeframe will it extend to? Will it extend to the spring? Will it extend to a couple of years?
What timeframe are we looking at? Have you made any decision as to what kind of timeframe you will be enacting that moratorium? Will you speak to that after the management process has been played out?
Do you have any information on that?
As I stated previously, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board has to have a public hearing on this issue. After this process has played out, we will have a better idea. This process will take a couple of months.
While we are deliberating on this management issue related to this hunting moratorium, the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board hasn’t identified the actual month when they will be holding the public hearing.
I had expected some time in the spring when they would identify a date. I imagine it could be early spring or the spring.
Those are my expectations. I believe there will be a public hearing on caribou next month.
After that public hearing process is completed, they will be submitting recommendations for my decision.
I also wanted to speak to this issue to clarify it.
There was a Baffin caribou management working group and they identified a lot of issues, particularly related to Baffin hunters, through various avenues and modes of meetings.
With respect to the caribou population research study that was reviewed by the representative, they identified that the research study of caribou was managed properly and that it was exactly how it was reported.
With respect to further decisions regarding caribou, there have been some decisions concurred to by the communities with respect to caribou management.
There were some decisions on how to deal with these particular issues.
Due to these many factors, it resulted in a hunting moratorium on caribou, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister for his response.
How would this moratorium on hunting caribou… ? I have continued to raise that question.
We are not allowed to hunt caribou at this time in the Baffin region. We have no idea as to what timeframe that moratorium will extend to.
If you understand that that particular mainland has a lot of caribou, some of our caribou have probably migrated to that area as well.
Those of us who are residents in Arctic Bay are actually closer to the mainland.
Has the department discussed this issue with the other regions as to whether residents of Baffin Island can go caribou hunting in their region if they wish to or will this result in other management difficulties?
What ideas or issues have you discussed in trying to allow Inuit from this region to be able to hunt caribou? I wonder whether or not we will have the opportunity to go to other regions to hunt or if we have that freedom.
Only the Baffin region has that moratorium in place. There is no other discussion item about other caribou in other regions. It’s just speaking about the Baffin region.
It doesn’t stop any Inuk from going to the Kivalliq region or near Repulse Bay. They have that freedom to go hunting caribou in those regions.
I know for a fact that people from Igloolik and Hall Beach have quite a few frostbites on their cheeks, probably because they have gone long distances to go caribou hunting.
I wanted to raise this issue that the Government of Nunavut has a position on caribou with respect to Baffin Island. They were provided a list of recommendations by the HTOs. The issue of having the HTOs manage caribou harvesting was deliberated and discussed during this meeting.
There was never any movement to the HTOs managing their local hunters. It raised a lot of local concerns and this was brought up.
Instead of making any decision on these issues, we ended up enacting the hunting moratorium.
Although that may be the case, there has been that option to allow the communities to conduct the management of their local hunters, but as of today, we have yet to receive any kind of proposal.
I have also heard on the local radio that the government just wants to control everything.
That wasn’t our position, but that end decision was not made lightly, along with the wildlife management boards. It continues to be a community decision.
At this time, I have yet to hear of any HTO grabbing that mandate to handle their local hunters.
Question 336 – 4(2): Dust Control in Nunavut Communities (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Mr. Speaker, during yesterday’s proceedings, my colleagues asked the minister of number of questions concerning dust control in the communities.
In his response, the minister stated that his department was looking at the possibility of using another chemical that, and I quote, “when you mix it with the sand, it can be used also for paving.”
Can the minister provide us with more details on this new dust suppressant product?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I thought I had dusted it all off yesterday.
I used that as an example yesterday to indicate that as a department, we are looking at other options. That may be one of the viable options that we end up working with. However, as I indicated yesterday, we are exploring other options other than what is currently being used now, which is calcium chloride.
We are exploring ways to see whether these other options are even viable in the cold weather that we have here.
Dusting in communities is not easily dusted off.
Can the minister indicate what research his department has completed to date to determine the effectiveness of this new substance in northern climates?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) As I indicated, this is one option that we are exploring.
However, we haven’t actually done anything to test it in this cold weather.
Eventually, as I mentioned yesterday and now, as an option, this is one of the things that we are exploring and we hope to eventually get the results at some point. (interpretation) Thank you.
I wonder if the minister can indicate when or if his department has any plans in the near future to test any new substances in Nunavut for dust control.
As I stated yesterday, (interpretation ends) we have provided USB flash to all the municipalities, which gives you different options on what different chemicals that a community may want to use.
Our intention is that this coming summer, we will be going into communities that request training on the application of dust control chemicals and provide training to the municipalities so that proper application of these chemicals, whether it be calcium chloride or maybe another chemical, can be done.
I know that in a lot of communities, calcium chloride is applied. However, when it’s not applied properly, it only lasts maybe two or three days. However, I understand that with proper application, it can last for up to about two weeks at least. (interpretation) Thank you.
Question 337 – 4(2): Medical Boarding Home Contracts (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Welcome to the visitors in the gallery.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my questions to the Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, the services at medical boarding homes in various city centres, such as Iqaluit, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Yellowknife, are delivered under contracts with the Department of Health.
Nunavummiut, especially elderly people or those with physical disabilities, who travel for medical reasons require special and appropriate care during their commute and while staying at these facilities which are designated for health care clients and their escorts.
I want to ask the minister if he can describe what measures his department has put in place to ensure that the contractors who operate medical boarding homes are providing a level of service that meets quality assurance standards.
Yes, there is one boarding home I have been able to tour and that’s the one in Ottawa. Staff has researched whether or not people with disabilities can be accommodated and whether they can access their rooms. I know that these services are available based on the information I have been provided.
I haven’t been able to tour any other boarding homes, so I can’t really speak to those facilities.
As far as I know, inspections are required and it has been done here in Iqaluit at this boarding home.
Just recently, the fire marshal conducted an inspection of the facility in September and his report highlighted specific areas requiring repairs. Apparently, there were 26 code deficiencies identified, which were dealt with.
As far as I know, those are the types of inspections required of these facilities to see whether they are up to code and in compliance with legislation.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The minister just stated that the Office of the Fire Marshal has to conduct inspections.
I want to ask the minister if he can clarify whether the medical boarding home contracts permit officials from the minister’s department, such as (interpretation ends) environmental health officers, (interpretation) I am not sure of the exact title in Inuktitut, or officials from other government departments to perform spot checks or inspections of boarding home facility operations.
Yes, they are subject to the contract obligations as well as the legislation that governs the facilities, and they check to see if the contractors are in compliance with the requirements. I also stated earlier that inspections are conducted on these facilities, especially compliance with the legal requirements, and improvements are sometimes required.
That is how it is managed currently.
Lastly, I want to ask the minister if he can identify whether contractors who operate medical boarding homes are required, under their contracts, to provide their frontline workers with the appropriate training in hospitality or customer service practices prior to working at these facilities.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Finance… (interpretation) I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) …Health, Mr. Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A change of title was unexpected.
Darn! I almost had the portfolio handed to me.
Yes, Mr. Speaker, there are quite a few contractors and they have different types of employees.
Some have in-house nurses while some have in-house interpreters. There is a whole variety of positions and it is obvious that they follow their requirements for each position, but the question didn’t identify an actual position. If the member can provide more detail in the future, I can look into the matter and provide further information.
Question 338 – 4(2): Status of Standing Offer Agreement for Government of Nunavut Medical and Duty Travel (Enook)
In 2011, the government issued a request for proposals, No. 2011-22, for a standing offer agreement for medical travel and duty travel on scheduled airlines.
The RFP indicated that the term of the agreement would be “for a period of three years with the possibility of three one-year extensions.”
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister if he can update the House today on the status of the government’s standing offer agreement for medical travel and duty travel.
With respect to the question raised by the member, at this time, I will have to research the issue and provide more information later on. Perhaps at this time, with respect to the member’s question, I don’t have it here, so I will take it as notice. That is unfortunate.
Did you have a supplementary?
I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) The minister has taken the question as notice. I will proceed to the next… .
Question 339 – 4(2): Baffin Island Caribou Management (Keyootak)
I would first like to ask a question to the Minister of Environment.
Part of this question was already raised, but I wish to ask another question related to caribou management and harvesting.
Confusion has reigned as people have different opinions, particularly amongst my constituents and communities.
I would like to first ask this question, Mr. Speaker: has the caribou moratorium already taken effect?
The public has two viewpoints that they feel is valid.
I would like to ask the minister if the caribou harvest moratorium is, indeed, in place.
Yes, the moratorium was announced as being effective January 1.
The harvest was closed on that date, so the caribou harvest moratorium is in effect at this time.
I apologize as my voice is quite hoarse and ragged.
Mr. Speaker, has the department provided a written announcement to all communities of this moratorium? Of particular significance is the fact that our community doesn’t have a wildlife officer presently and with no written confirmation and only radio announcements, some hunters don’t believe that a moratorium is in effect, quite a number of them anyways.
Without a public announcement stating the length of the moratorium, people don’t believe it.
Although I have spoken with the local HTO about this issue, they informed me that they hadn’t received any correspondence announcing the caribou moratorium and outlining the boundaries of the moratorium area.
The HTO stated that they have yet to receive written correspondence.
I wonder why the Minister of Environment didn’t confirm that notice was provided to every community.
With respect to this concern expressed and shared by the hunters and trappers organizations about caribou in this region and after several meetings with Qikiqtaaluk organizations on the decline in our caribou population, they arrived at three options to review. The options were to enact a moratorium or to have a limitation on the number of caribou per community or to allow the hunters to hunt in other areas. These were the options discussed by the organizations.
When the options were brought up, it was through these meetings with the last meeting occurring this fall.
With this now in effect, I held a teleconference with the MLAs and at that time, there was no MLA representing the Uqqummiut Riding during the Christmas season.
I believe the Member for Tununiq was also fielding calls voicing the concerns of Uqqummiut, as he agreed to do that prior to the by-election.
That is how we handled that issue. The HTOs were also consulted prior to the moratorium taking effect and this included QWB representatives who were involved in this process and we informed them of this development.
With respect to correspondence not reaching his community or if one was sent, it is something I will have to look into, Mr. Speaker.
In this day and age, as we all know, nowadays, any news announced won’t be believed unless written correspondence or statement is included. The only way any level of government will acknowledge the average person is when they submit a written application. Government doesn’t put any stock in any oral traditional unless a written component is included.
Today, Inuit are becoming more and more dependent on the written format, particularly the younger generations who grew up solely in a written environment. If there is nothing written publicly about a government position, they don’t accept that anymore and refuse to comply without written limits.
Since no public correspondence was sent to our community announcing the caribou harvest moratorium, many residents refused to believe this development and that no moratorium was in effect since the hunters hadn’t seen any public announcements announcing the moratorium.
With that being the case, my constituents want written confirmation of any limitation, especially a moratorium on harvesting laid out in writing, outlining the rules Inuit have to follow.
I was asked to voice this matter by many Inuit and I hope that the minister, if faced with another moratorium on another species, will provide written announcements that our hunters can read.
Yes, we will take the member’s comments into consideration.
As I stated earlier, prior to the moratorium on caribou harvest, I informed the members via telephone conversations using a map with boundaries attached and it included the various recommendations submitted by the hunters and trappers organizations when QWB held a teleconference on this issue, with involvement from NTI and NWMB to review this decision. This decision wasn’t arrived at posthaste, as every organization has written information outlining these options.
With respect to an actual public announcement about this moratorium, I will have to look into it, as per my earlier statement.
However, with respect to the maps and an options paper, this information was provided to all of the organizations, where the boundary of the moratorium would lie for Baffin Island caribou, and the correspondence providing that information was available to them.
Now, the Member for Uqqummiut will note that I will look into his question about a letter or public announcement and whether it was released. I will be able to provide further information once I have it.
Question 340 – 4(2): Local Volunteer Firefighters (Mapsalak)
Mr. Speaker, most communities have volunteer firefighters, who are unpaid volunteers doing their civic duty, and they deal with emergency situations and stressful work environments.
Mr. Speaker, I would like information from the minister as to which division manages these local fire departments. Is it the hamlet or is it under the government? Which department is responsible for the fire departments in our communities?
The volunteer firefighters serve due to their public sense of civic duty. However, the fire halls and firefighting equipment is managed under the hamlet administrations.
Our department provides the funding for the hamlets to be able to provide a firefighting service locally and we provide operational funding for them.
However, the actual management of the departments lies with the local hamlets.
Now, based on my understanding or how I think I understood it, the volunteer firefighting equipment is managed by the hamlet through contribution agreements. They receive this funding from the government for this service.
The communities or the hamlets have to request further assistance, whether it is conducting training or not, as training is offered every year for our firefighters in the communities. The government provides the trainers and training modules, as they offer various course annually, and that is how we provide assistance to them. We also work with the (interpretation ends) Municipal Training Organization, (interpretation) as they are able to visit communities to train the local firefighters throughout Nunavut.
The reason why I raised this question was due to the comments I heard from the firefighters who requested assistance in their community.
They wanted to change from a volunteer firefighter brigade to a paid firefighting force that would provide this essential service.
Due to their concerns, I have raised this issue with the minister to see if they can receive assistance from the government to change their status, as this is an essential service.
Firefighters are faced with a challenging and difficult job in providing services to their communities. Have the firefighter groups received information about the different types of assistance offered by the government or would that go through their local hamlet? I wonder if firefighters are provided information on the different types of assistance from government specifically towards firefighting groups in the communities.