EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The Minister of Health and Social Services worked on the cessation of the cigarette smoking and there's more and more very specific pictures on the cigarette tops of the covers of the cigarettes and we hope to see the same thing done on family violence.
The reason why I'm asking this question is because I want to see your department take a holistic approach in stopping or preventing family violence.
I want to see both the man and the woman counselled.
And further if the social workers or the counsellors have never been in a conjugal relationship I'm sure they would not be able to deal with those types of crisis situations compared to those that have.
Question 419 - 1(5): Grizzly Bear Compensation Studies
In my Member's Statement, I am going to be asking this question about the grizzly bears that are increasing in population in our area.
To the Minister of Sustainable Development, do you have any plans for the re-sale or usage of the hides of grizzly bears?
Do you have anything planned for the future other than confiscating the hides?
It's been almost 2 hours before I had an opportunity to respond to a question.
In regards to the increasing number of grizzly bears in Nunavut and more nuisance bears, we as a department are starting to work on the issue.
This was a question that was brought up at our last session by one of the members in regards to what kind of plans we will have for grizzly bears.
We are currently working on the issue and we are in the first stage of planning in the Keewatin and the Kitikmeot region.
We are starting to work on it.
When can we anticipate seeing the results of these studies that you have initiated?
We have just started the studies, I will keep the member updated on what is happening, and I will give him results as they come along.
At this stage I see this as a priority before anything happens in the future with regards to grizzly bears.
I will talk with the member on what is happening with the studies that are being done on grizzly bears.
This will be my last question.
In regards to problem bears and their ransacking the caches, sheds and so on.
What kind of compensation will we see for damages done by bears?
We are looking at all species of bears be it polar bears or brown bears or black bears.
We will have to do a thorough study first of all.
I think there is a blanket policy to cover damage to property.
This would be same thing that would apply to brown bears as it does to polar bears.
Question 420 - 1(5): Training for Social Workers in Holistic Treatment
And thank you for the opportunity at the end of question period.
The government members are making responses without any regard to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
It is something that I do not tolerate.
The minister stated earlier that the social workers and counsellors are fully trained but they just follow their rulebook.
They are not properly trained or they are not fully experienced.
The only thing that they rely on is the policies and the regulations of the department.
My colleague Mr. Nutarak was asking if there could be some policies or training provided for those people.
For example, Mr. Nutarak used an example of using both the right and the left hand, which is Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
I hope that is clear. I hope you take your holistic approach.
Hon. Ed. Picco: Thank you.
First of all Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, there are statutory obligations when you are investigating situations regarding spousal assault.
That is a crime.
So of course any social worker, case worker, family violence counsellor has to follow those types of regulations.
At the same time Mr. Speaker, in many cases common sense prevails.
Common sense being Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit or any other traditional practice that you put in place.
Mr. Speaker, the member is aware and I am sure the members in this House are aware of different cases of counselling or family violence situations where a social worker or it could be a community counsellor in the member's community of Clyde River for example.
I know at the family resource centre they told us of some of the work that they have been doing proactively incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit on where their concerns are.
But there are other regulations and rules the members have to follow.
And I agree with what the Member from Pond Inlet said earlier.
You need to be able to use the right hand as well as left hand and common sense when you are dealing with issues like that but you also have to do the regulatory and the statutory.
Is your department making plans to integrate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into these regulations and statutory requirements?
We’re in the process Mr. Speaker, of bringing together a comprehensive mental health strategy that includes issues around family violence.
I haven’t seen anything and I didn’t see any of the comprehensive things you are putting together.
Are you putting anything forward on this soon?
Mr. Speaker, the comprehensive mental health strategy has been discussed in the past at the Standing Committee of Health and Mr. Speaker, it’s one of the new initiatives that we’re trying to bring forward in this new budget year.
The budget has not been presented, it was one of the new proposals that we have, that we would like bring forward.
The report that is being put together, is there somebody that will be working on incorporating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit to it.
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier the strategies they’re working on are comprehensive and include input from different groups, organizations.
Indeed some people in the member’s community and other members’ communities in this House.
So Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit is a major part of this.
At the same time as the other member from Pond said in his statements, common sense prevails when you’re dealing with issues like this and at the end of the day, Mr. Speaker, that’s what we want to make sure of.
That we have in place the best counselling as we are able to fix family violence for the victim as well as for the person who is the abuser.
You want to be accountable to the man and the woman and that’s part of the strategy that we’re bringing forward.
A reminder to the members and a caution that the question period time is now up.
We still have members who haven’t asked the first question yet and that’s primarily due to preambles upon preambles, upon a preamble, upon a preamble.
So that members keep to their questions, the preamble short on the first question, more direct and ask ministers to try and be more precise in the answers.
Furthermore, I see some members looking up and shaking their fist that they didn’t get the first question or the sixth or the seventh. Just to let the members know that there can only be one person at a time and not everybody can be the first or second to ask a question but hopefully you’ll all get a question in.
Tabled Document 076 - 1(5): Workers’ Compensation Legislative Review Panel Report
I wish to table the following document, the Workers’ Compensation Legislative Review Panel Report titled "Act Now".
Tabled Document 077 - 1(5): Letter from Minister Picco to Mr. Tootoo Regarding Agency Nurses
Mr. Speaker as members know, during the last sitting the Minister of Health and Social Services committed to providing me with some information based on my questions that I had asked.
I'd like to thank him for the letter I received with that information and in order for it to be referenced in the House and for all members to be able to have that information as well I'd like to table the document regarding the salaries and breakdown of costs for agency nurses.
Motion 019 - 1(5): Changes to the Membership of the Special Committee to Review the Official Languages Act - Notice
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on February 25, 2002 I will move the following motion;
I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay, that the Honourable Jack Anawak be appointed as a member on the Special Committee to Review the Official Languages Act and the appointment of the Honourable Peter Kattuk be revoked.
Speaker: Item 14. Notices of Motions.
Motion 020 - 1(5): Changes to Terms of Reference to the Standing Committees - Notice
Whereas the terms of reference for the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit and Government Operations and Services were approved by Motion 014-1(1);
Whereas there was the requirement to add to the terms of reference the review of the annual report of the Languages Commissioner and the annual report of the Information and Privacy Commissioners to the standing committee;
Therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Cambridge Bay that the annual report for the Languages Commissioner be referred to Ajauqtiit and the Information and Privacy Commissioner be referred to Government Operations and Services. Koanaqutit Uqaqti.
Bill 19 - Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2001/2002 - Notice
Bill 20 - Interim Appropriation Act, April 1 – June 30, 2002 - Notice
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, February 25, 2002 I shall move that Bill 19, Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 3, 2001/2002 and Bill 20 Interim Appropriation Act 2002/2003 be read for the first time.
Before I proceed with further, I note that we have an item in the Committee of the Whole, I'd like to ask Mr. Tootoo if he would prefer to proceed with this today.
Notwithstanding Rule 27 (2), do members now agree to proceed to Item 20?
Orders of the Day for Friday February 22, 2002 at 10 o'clock.
Tabled Document 67-1(5)
Speaker: Thank you. Before we adjourn, just to remind the members that cell phones, radios, TVs, fax machines are not permitted in the Chamber.
This House will adjourn until February 22, 2002 at 10:00.
And we’d like to invite the NTI delegation into the lounge for coffee.
>>House adjourned at 15.26 p.m.
Friday February 22, 2002
2505 – 2534
Opening Prayer 2505
Ministers’ Statements 2505
Members' Statements 2508
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2514
Oral Questions 2515
Orders of the Day 2533
Friday February 22, 2002 2505
146 - 1(5): Decentralized Communities Tour (Kattuk) 2505
147 - 1(5): Establishment of Nunavut Arctic College Headquarters – Arviat (Kilabuk) 2506
148 - 1(5): Child and Family Services Statutory Workshop (Picco) 2506
149 - 1(5): Solar Wall Project (Akesuk) 2507
415 - 1(5): Social Issues and Incorporation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (Iqaqrialu) 2508
416 - 1(5): Suicide and Effects on Parents (Irqittuq) 2509
417 - 1(5): Need for Increase in Youth Programs Funding (Puqiqnak) 2509
418 - 1(5): Personal Accident While Working (Alakannuark) 2510
419 - 1(5): Recognition of Ancestors Life Style Changes; Religion (Anawak) 2511
420 - 1(5): Infrastructure Needs for Non-Decentralized Communities (Williams) 2511
421 – 1(5): NTI President’s Dinner (Thompson) 2512
422 – 1(5): Niqinik Nuatsivik Benefit Dinner (Tootoo) 2512
423 – 1(5): Sanikiluaq Feast (Kattuk) 2513
424 – 1(5): Bingo at Elks – Speaker (Picco) 2513
421 – 1(5): Responses to After Hours Calls (Irqittuq) 2515
422 – 1(5): Training Opportunities for Youth in the Mining Sector (Havioyak) 2515
423 – 1(5): Traditional Knowledge & Studies of Fish Stocks (Iqaqrialu) 2517
424 – 1(5): Capital Planning – Airport Terminal Buildings (Puqiqnak) 2519
425 – 1(5): Economic Development Plan Update (Williams) 2520
426 – 1(5): Cost Factor of RFP for Kivalliq Boarding Home (McLean) 2522
427 – 1(5): Contract Employees in Health and Social Services (Tootoo) 2524
428 – 1(5): Plans for Repulse Bay Health Centre Update (Alakannuark) 2526
429 – 1(5): Programs/Plans to Reduce Need for Shelters (Nutarak) 2527
430 – 1(5): Plans – Arctic College Building in Baker Lake (McLean) 2530
431 – 1(5): Reason for Not Meeting Iqaluit DEA and Iqaluit MLAs (Tootoo) 2531
Friday February 22, 2002  Nunavut Hansard
Speaker (Mr. O'Brien): I would ask Mr. Iqaqrialu to say the prayer.
Speaker: Good morning members. Orders of the Day. Item 2.
Minister's Statement 146 - 1(5): Decentralized Communities Tour
Good morning colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today, since becoming Minister of Public Works & Services in December I have had the opportunity to visit five decentralized communities, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Baker Lake and Pond Inlet.
I met with Public Works & Services’ staff in the regional offices in Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet and Pond Inlet to familiarize myself with the department’s operations and to establish strong communications between myself and the department staff.
(interpretation ends) I was also glad to meet with local contractors on tender processes under the NNI Policy.
Decentralization and community empowerment have worked very well for these communities in creating jobs at the community level.
It is a very exciting time to be the Minister of Public Works & Services, and I look forward to working closely with departmental staff to ensure all communities include high levels of public services and the same high level of comfort and communication with Public Works & Services staff.
I would like to thank the MLAs for welcoming me to the communities and I hope that discussions will continue on the interests of Nunavummiut.
Minister's Statement 147 - 1(5): Establishment of Nunavut Arctic College Headquarters - Arviat
I would like to report to my colleagues on the progress of the establishment of the head office of Nunavut Arctic College.
Mr. Speaker, it is the policy of the Government of Nunavut to ensure that as many Nunavummiut as possible share the benefits of our new territory.
As a result, the government decided to decentralize certain operations to communities outside of Iqaluit.
One such action was the move of the head office operations of Nunavut Arctic College to the community of Arviat.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that, as of February 10, the move of the College head office is complete.
All College staff, which were housed in temporary accommodations in Arviat, have moved into the new facility.
All remaining materials from the Iqaluit office have also been transported to the new location.
Staffing is now under way to fill the remaining five positions.
It is hoped that this will be completed in the near future.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that, in addition to relocating its head office operations, college staff have taken the opportunity to examine College systems and processes in order that they might provide more efficient and better quality service to Nunavummiut.
Changes have been integrated into the new operation and I anticipate that I will be before you shortly with additional announcements.
Minister's Statement 148 - 1(5): Child and Family Services Statutory Workshop
Hon. Ed Picco: Good morning, Uqaqti.
Ullaakkut.
Uqaqti, we have no greater asset than our children.
Unfortunately in some situations we have to engage the services of Child Protection workers, a dedicated group of professionals who devote their careers to ensure the well-being and safety of our children who are at risk of harm or neglect.
Mr. Speaker, that is why the department has made it a priority to fill numerous positions for community Social Workers throughout Nunavut.
Also Mr. Speaker, eleven of these workers, nine of them recently hired, attended a statutory training workshop in Pangnirtung earlier this month.
Community Social Workers from Hall Beach, Clyde River, Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset, Igloolik, Qikiqtarjuaq, Cambridge Bay and Kugaaruk completed the training.
The ten day workshop, held from February 5 until the 14th in Pangnirtung, was the first of a series of Child and Family Services statutory workshops to be held in various regions of Nunavut throughout the upcoming year.
Mr. Speaker, my department is committed to ensuring that all newly hired community Social Workers have the necessary training to enable them to carry out their mandated responsibilities under the Nunavut Child and Family Services Act.
Minister's Statement 149 - 1(5): Solar Wall Project
Good morning colleagues. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, fossil fuels like gas, diesel and aviation fuel provide Nunavummiut with electricity, warm houses and transportation and all are imported from the south.
We all share a common concern about the increasing costs of these products as they put financial strain on people, businesses, community governments and the Government of Nunavut.
More money spent on different types of fuel means less money for everyone.
But at a time when we face many other priorities like improving health care, education and employment, our dependence on fossil fuels are also effecting our environment by contributing to air pollution and some of these air pollutants are contributing to global climate change.
Nunavummiut are already observing and experiencing climate change and its impacts.
In an effort to reduce the amount of imported fossil fuels we are using, Nunavut will require improved energy management and start pursuing additional energy alternative supply systems such as using the wind, sun or water.
Many renewable technologies are available and have been used globally to supply energy and heat.
Most of these are however, unproven in Arctic conditions.
I would like to take this opportunity to inform you about a renewable energy project that is currently being installed in Rankin Inlet.
A solar wall is currently being installed that will preheat fresh air before it is drawn into the building’s heating system.
This means that less energy will be needed to heat the incoming air, fresh air and the building.
The Department of Sustainable Development in partnership with Public Works and Services and Education and Natural Resources Canada is sponsoring this demonstration project.
The installation is at the Alaituq School and I would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and students and the community of Rankin Inlet for supporting this important project.
This project will be tested for about three years to determine whether this type of renewable energy system is suitable for use in Nunavut.
It is estimated that this installation will collect a significant amount of solar energy and will reduce the amount of fuel needed to heat the school.
It is projected that this installation may reduce fuel consumption by as much as 12 thousand litres per year, which will result in an annual savings of about 10 thousand dollars.
Environmentally, using less fuel in the school means less emission of air pollutants, particularly those attributed to causing climate change.
It is appropriate that this technology be installed at the school since our children and youth represent the future and an application of technology such as this will contribute to their future.
Member's Statement 415 - 1(5): Social Issues and Incorporation of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
I rise today to talk about the state of the Government of Nunavut.
Today the government is not changing.
I believed the Acts that we have passed in this Assembly are different from the Acts from the previous government.
We still haven't implemented many of the principles of the Bathurst Mandate, Mr. Speaker.
If we pay close attention to all these principles we can make them relevant to Nunavut.
If we don't resolve some of our social problems, it is not going to get better.
Mr. Speaker, employment rules and policies should change.
Mr. Speaker I am glad we are now making changes to some of the Acts that we do have but Mr. Speaker the social issues at hand are still not improving.
Perhaps the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services is not paying enough attention to social issues.
We have to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit into the social policies.
Our employees cannot make policies on their own.
They have to abide by the policies that they are provided with.
The ways of life or social issues have to be improved so they can be effective and utilized for the North.
When we don’t change the policies for employment, it’s evident that the employees who deal with social issues and health issues will always face challenges.
We have to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and the Department of Health and Social Services must work with the people who have traditional knowledge on social issues.
Member's Statement 416 - 1(5): Suicide and Effects on Parents
Today is Friday and although we are usually more light-hearted on this day there are many serious issues at the community level that need attention.
There was a concern that was given to me and a suggestion was made to me by one of my constituents Mr. Speaker.
I would like to give this idea to the Members of the Legislative Assembly and also for these groups that work on social issues and have been working with the social problems.
As you know, I have been making numerous statements on the issue of suicide.
There are many parents that have lost children to suicide, there are many of them.
They have experiences that may help the rest of the population prevent further suicides.
They have never been gathered in one place to discuss this.
Perhaps it is time for such a gathering.
I don’t know where we can find new dollars for such a meeting but I would like to suggest we try this and also I will be writing a letter in regards to this.
Perhaps the Nunavut Government and NTI could partner on this.
Member's Statement 417 - 1(5): Need for Increase in Youth Programs Funding
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about last fall’s session, where we kept talking about our youth, as to how we can improve the services for the youth and to improve the funding that is allocated for youth issues.
During the fall session, we brought this up a number of times.
As my colleague just stated, he was given advice by his constituents, likewise with me and also to the Minister responsible for Education when we did the community tours to high schools in Taloyoak.
One young lady told us how the government could improve their services to the youth. They don’t have enough youth programs and they don’t have any places to go. We should give further support for this young lady in Taloyoak as she represents the whole youth population of the community.
Although I am concerned about the community of Taloyoak, I’m thinking overall of the communities in Nunavut. I think our youth should be provided with more funding and increase the funding for youth programs and services so that they can start having programs and services at the community level.
One of my constituents has talked about this and I know I won’t forget about it, I know that we won’t forget about the requests from the young people.
Member's Statement 418 - 1(5): Personal Accident While Working
We all work hard each and every day of our lives, I know that we are also working very hard today in this House, I would like to speak on something humorous today, even though we do have serious issues to deal with.
I was working for the Co-op delivering fuel when I was younger.
I never wanted to be late for work and I also maintained the vehicles that the Co-op owned whenever they broke down and delivered the fuel as well.
I was delivering fuel during that day, I think around 1995, when I was doing this.
As I was delivering the fuel I felt like I needed to use the washroom, even though I was pouring fuel.
I was trying very hard not to go and I was on top of the stairs distributing the fuel.
I almost started going in my pants.
I wanted to finish fuelling up the tank, I finished going in my pants, the tank filled at the same time, and I had to put the hose back in the truck.
Then I went inside the truck and I was literally standing up inside the fuel truck, I didn’t even sit down.
We had a two-story house and as I walked into the house the washroom was on the second floor, I didn’t even tell my wife, I just ran straight to the washroom.
As I walked into the washroom I took off my pants, which were full of waste, and it stank, but I took them off anyways.
I never took a shower or bath during working hours but that happened to me.
Speaker: Mr. Alakannuark I think that was on a need to know basis.
Member's Statement 419 - 1(5): Recognition of Ancestors Life Style Changes; Religion
As Inuit we often say that we greatly value our elders and our ancestors.
I think often we don’t take the time to remember what they have done for us.
We live in a harsh climate and our ancestors survived with very few necessities.
When people from the south started moving up north, the missionaries and the RCMP came up and religion was brought into our communities.