EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
What’s the process that they are to follow? Who do they report it to, and once a management person becomes aware of some kind of a situation, whatever it is, do they have an obligation to follow forward on that?
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): There are three types of problem areas.
For example, if something arises from the policy and an employee had a problem, that can be reviewed.
Or, if something arises with management, what we call group grievances where more than one employee comes across the same problem, that is something we can review.
However, if there was a problem among employees, and there are a variety of scenarios that may arise, there are procedures in place for the Nunavut Employees’ Union and the teachers’ union members.
In that event, the employee would make the grievance first with the immediate supervisor.
If that person doesn’t have authority then it is usually given out to the departments.
They can also be reviewed.
They are all in place but we are also tied under the Nunavut Employees' Union, the collective agreement that came into place.
In the agreement that we had agreed to, we have to abide by the union employees regarding their rules and policies under the collective agreement.
The Minister indicated that they review and screen them, and it gets reported to the manager or supervisor.
What if, in a case, it is the manager or supervisor or someone that works above the individual that witnesses or wants to lodge a complaint that is involved in it?
Who do they go to?
Where do they turn?
In some cases they are excluded employees that aren’t members of the union.
Who do these people turn to if they feel that there is a wrongdoing or whatever has gone on within the department or that they know of?
Who do they report it to?
Is there an obligation for a manager to follow up on such a complaint?
It is well defined and they are identified in each of the departments: Health and Social Services; Education; Environment. They usually deal with these problems under Human Resources.
It is our role to provide support for them, whether it is under appeals; it is all laid out in the procedures, if it is the minister, that minister also has the deputy minister, the deputy minister also has assistants. So, it all goes down the hierarchy.
If you were to follow all these employee categories, because you are going to be following them, you would be able to go up the hierarchy to one manager or supervisor.
In each of the departments, if there is a complaint or any type of problem arising from the employees it is our role to provide them with full support.
It is all laid out in the human resources procedures and policies; it is written about when it is the manager or supervisor.
The Minister indicated that it is all laid out in the human resources policy.
Does it say in there who you have to get a hold of?
Also, the Minister mentioned earlier, as did I, that we know from their business plans that the department is working on developing or revising a number of policies including the policies on conflict of interest, anti-harassment, code of conduct, and language incentive policy.
My question is this, when will the department develop a clear policy to protect departmental whistleblowers who try and report wrongdoings, and that is basically the integrity of their positions, of the public’s trust in them to manage and spend the public money properly.
I can’t tell you exactly when they are going to be completed at this time, but we are currently reviewing the policies.
I am not sure how I can say whistleblower in Inuktitut.
We are reviewing the policies but we have to take a holistic approach.
It has to be Nunavut-made because we are looking at regulations that are geared towards the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I can’t tell you exactly when those are going to be reviewed, when they are going to be implemented.
Once we get everything organized and finished, we will inform you.
It will probably be after this session.
The Member for Cambridge Bay.
Question 350 – 2(2): Cambridge Bay Health Centre
The existing community health centre in Cambridge Bay has been evacuated twice this year, most recently less than two weeks ago.
The residents are asking me, as their MLA, when the new Kitikmeot health facility will be opened.
The new health facility includes a public health facility.
My question for the Minister is, can she give me a firm date for the opening of the new facility that I can actually communicate to my constituents?
Speaker (interpretation): The Minister of Health. Ms. Brown.
I would also like to thank the Member for bringing this issue up.
I have been informed that the Cambridge Bay health centre will be open and operational by this summer, in 2005.
Speaker (interpretation): Your first supplementary. Mr. Peterson.
I thank the Minister for that response.
I had heard July or August; I am not sure, but the Minister said this summer.
I will follow up on that detail.
Mr. Speaker, there have also been varying reports that the new facility will be fully operational within nine months and other reports that it might take as long as three years to become fully operational.
Can the Minister tell me when the new health facility will be fully operational in delivering all the programs and services for which it’s being designed?
In regard to the new health centre, the new facility will be opening this summer, in 2005.
His question was when it was going to be fully operational.
I understand your question, but from what I have heard it is going to be phased in from year one, and then year two, the birthing centre will probably be opened.
I don’t have the information in front of me but it is going to become operational in phases.
It will probably take two or three years before it is fully operational.
There is the birthing centre and the other phases that will be following after the opening of the facility.
In light of the Minister’s response I am wondering, can the Minister commit her staff, whether it is headquarters staff or regional staff, to undertake a regional tour, meet with hamlet councils and the general public to provide them with information about the new facility and answer their questions in terms of the programs and services that will be delivered; how it will be phased in, whether they will still have to go to Yellowknife and Edmonton, how the medical ambulances will work, and other such things that affect people in the Kitikmeot.
In regard to your question, I can direct my staff to do so.
We can also use the staff that are working in the communities to provide information in regard to the number of beds that will be available.
There will be a kitchen centre, a laboratory, an X-ray room, and a birthing centre.
There is also going to be a rehabilitation service available in that facility.
I can direct my staff to hold public meetings in Cambridge Bay and in the Kitikmeot region.
Again, I thank the Minister for those reassuring comments.
I know it is going to probably provide many benefits to the Kitikmeot, but people would like to know about it.
They’d like to talk to your senior officials so they could understand it better.
My final supplementary, I would like to ask the Minister what her plans are, what the departments plans are for the old health facility.
The reason I ask that is because the hamlet council in Cambridge Bay is interested in that facility.
Of course we would like to know what is going to be happening with that facility, and the public out there would also like to know what is going to be happening with the old building and what services and programs will be available in the new facility.
To add to my previous answer, there will still be some patients that will be sent out to Yellowknife or to Edmonton.
Those services are going to be available but the new facility will be a benefit, not only to Cambridge Bay but also to the whole Kitikmeot region.
I am sure that there is going to be a huge improvement and I am sure that it will increase the number of employment opportunities that are available in that region.
In response to your question, if this facility is not going to be used by the Department of Health, it will be turned over to the Government of Nunavut, as it is a Government of Nunavut facility.
The Member for Uqqurmmiut, Mr. Arreak.
Question 351 – 2(2): Wildlife Act Regulations
I have a question for the Minister of Environment.
In the Minister’s Statement, he stated that they are going to be drafting resolutions to the new Wildlife Act.
When are the translated copies going to be made available?
Speaker (interpretation): The Minister of Environment. Minister Akesuk.
The Inuktitut copies will be completed this week.
Once they are completed we will make them available.
They are almost completed with the translations.
As the Minister stated, the Inuktitut copies will be completed this week.
We only have two months before the implementation, is there going to be enough time to consult the communities and also the affected parties?
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk (interpretation): We’ll do all that we can to complete the regulations and also to consult with the people of Nunavut about their ideas and concerns for this Act.
We have until July 9 to complete the whole process.
We will work closely with the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the RWOs, and other stakeholders.
We’ll do all that we can to make sure that we consult with the people of Nunavut.
I can’t say whether two month is long enough but the process is going very well and we will make sure that the information goes out there.
If we don’t have enough time, then we will do all that we can to complete a lot of the work before July 9.
Speaker (interpretation): Your second supplementary. Mr. Arreak.
I can tell you right away that two months is going to be too short if you are going to do a complete the consultation process.
Now that the translations are almost completed, why is it that it took so long and gave us such a short time to consult with the people?
Is it possible to postpone the completion process to ensure that the people of Nunavut are aware of the regulations?
As I stated earlier, maybe I didn’t make myself clear, if we are not able to consult properly with the people of Nunavut, the stakeholders and the birthright organizations, then we will then decide at that point if we have to extend the consulting process.
We’d like to complete the whole process and make sure the information goes out there before consultations.
If we need to, we’ll change the plan so we’ll be able to do this process.
The Member for Nanulik. Mr. Netser.
Question 352 – 2(2): Chesterfield Inlet Docking Facility
When the government is drafting regulations they have to make sure that there is enough time for a proper consultation process with the people of Nunavut.
I agree completely with my colleague that July 9 is way too short.
My question is to the Minister of Transportation is, at our meeting in March I asked a question regarding Chesterfield Inlet that they are requesting a docking facility be built.
We would like a status report on that.
The Minister for Transportation. Minister Simailak.
I have not had a response yet from Fisheries and Oceans in regards to the monies that we have requested.
I will be meeting with the Minister and I will be asking this question directly.
I will probably have this information for you by tomorrow.
Speaker (interpretation): Your first supplementary. Mr. Netser.
Can I attend the meeting?
I will have to deny your request at this time.
Speaker (interpretation): Your second supplementary. Mr. Netser.
Mr. Netser (interpretation): I would like to be in your presence when you’re meeting with the federal minister as Chesterfield Inlet has been waiting patiently for their request for a proper docking facility.
Speaker (interpretation): I didn’t hear a question.
The Member for Rankin Inlet North. Mr. Curley.
Question 353 – 2(2): Plastic Surgeons’ Certificates or Qualifications
I would like to pose a question.
An increasing number of people in the Kivalliq are reaching old age, although some are not quite there yet.
Many of them have to have surgery performed on their hands.
In the south, this condition is believed to be caused from typing too much, but in the North, Inuit tend to do a lot of sewing, and so when they experience problems with their hands, they have to be operated on.
There were two charters out of the Kivalliq this past winter to Churchill.
Much of the surgery is done by plastic surgeons.
Perhaps the Minister can investigate this matter.
Some cannot even close their hands after the nerves in their hands have been cut.
A few are actually in their thirties.
Can the Minister find out whether the surgeons’ certifications are adequate when they have such an impact on the nerves in the patients’ hands?
I would be really pleased to hear from the Minister on this.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister responsible for Health. Ms. Brown.
Thank you also to my colleague, for raising this issue.
I can consult with the Chief Medical Officer who is here and have him provide a report with respect to the qualifications of the surgeons in question.
I will get back to the member on this once I have received the information he is asking for.
Speaker (interpretation): First supplementary. Mr. Curley.
I just wanted to add further that many of these patients experience a great deal of pain. A local anaesthetic is used to freeze the area to be operated on; they are then operated on with a lot of pain.
I would like to urge the Minister that once the surgeons have been reviewed… . I believe a large group of patients are to be sent out this month, on April 29.
I have been told by more than one individual, as well as through correspondence, so I want to urge the Minister to check into this issue as quickly as possible.
Many of these people are very scared to undergo such an operation and many feel they have no other choice available to them. People in the Kivalliq have no choice now but to turn to you, the Minister, for help on this.
Hon. Levinia Brown (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, my colleague, for expressing his sincerest concern on this issue.
I will inquire into this right away and make some phone calls, as the date the patients are set to travel is close at hand.
I will try to follow up on this as diligently as I can.
Question 354 – 2(2): RCMP Response Time
I would like to ask a question regarding the RCMP, which my colleague mentioned earlier to the Minister of Justice.
This is an issue that is often raised in my constituency.
People are talking about a worst-case scenario where a person might get killed before they get an appropriate response.
The RCMP response time is too long and I have raised this question a number of times. Why are they taking so long to respond to an emergency?
Speaker (interpretation): The Minister of Justice. Minister Okalik.
I would like to first welcome my constituents.
Yes, when they receive a call, they have to respond right away. I have been told that they need a bilingual person to answer the phone.
What I request is that if they don’t reach a bilingual person, then I want them to inform me.
I would appreciate it if you can let me know if they are not following what they are supposed to be following.
We want to go through that system because we don’t want to endanger anyone, they have to investigate.
The hamlet councils in the communities try to make improvements on this as well.
I would like to hear more suggestions on this.
Speaker (interpretation): Your first supplementary. Mr. Kattuk.
For us older people, we know that we have to try and get along in our communities, but with people who are coming to the community, visitors, there are a lot of confrontations or disagreements among people.
The minister mentioned that he would like to hear the concerns.
Ever since the creation of the Nunavut Legislative Assembly this has been brought up over and over again.
We don’t know how else to say it.
I would like to ask the minister about the RCMP policy. I wonder if the minister can table what the procedures are for the RCMP so we will have an idea what procedure they have to follow when they receive a call from a community.
What kind of policies or procedures does the RCMP have?
I would like to see that policy or procedure before I can respond correctly to my constituents, especially to the people who don’t know English enough to communicate understandably, and when they do speak in Inuktitut, the response they get is in English.
So, that is why I am asking if the minister can produce a policy or regulation that the RCMP have to follow.
I can produce the procedures and the policies that they have to follow, if they are available.
Yes, I will be able to table them this week.
I agree that this has been a concern for quite some time.
I believe that there are four Inuit who can speak Inuktitut who usually respond to the calls, for a few years now.
The Member for Iqaluit Centre.
Question 355 – 2(2): Contaminated Gravel Pit in Iqaluit
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister responsible for Environment.
Earlier this year, I asked a question to the Minister of Community and Government Services in relation to the gravel pit here in Iqaluit.
Contractors were worried that they would not be able to take out gravel and fill from that site due to the contaminated ground.
I understand that recently the city put out a memo to the business community, the contractors, in regard to that. And since then, there has been a meeting at which I understand the Minister’s staff were in attendance.
There were commitments made for the city that, for this year, they would be able to extract gravel and pit-run, and that’s out of the site this year.
But I understand that has just been a commitment.
Talking to a number of contractors in the city, if projects are not going to go ahead, many contractors have a significant investment to make in supplies and materials to come up on the sea lift for those projects, and if they are not going to go ahead, all that stuff is going to be sitting there for a year.
Will the minister provide me with an update where his department is at on it, and will the city get a commitment in writing, from whether it be a joint agreement between INAC and Department of Environment, to allow them to extract gravel out of that pit this year?
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Environment. Mr. Akesuk.
Yes, we have started working on this, as a territorial government, with WCB and INAC and environment agencies in Canada.
I can give the member a response as to what the status is at this time, once I get all the information.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): First supplementary. Mr. Tootoo
Can the minister confirm that there was a commitment made by departmental officials, to the city, to allow them to extract from the pit this year?
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Minister Akesuk.
Hon. Olayuk Akesuk: Once I get the latest information in front of me, I will let the MLA for Iqaluit Centre know whether there was a commitment or not.
I will let him know as soon as I get the information.
Mr. Speaker (interpretation): Second supplementary. Mr. Tootoo.
Maybe while the Minister’s staff is looking into it, it’s also my understanding that the city realizes this is not solely a GN responsibility; it’s also a federal responsibility, which is why INAC is involved.
Their understanding was that there would be a tripartite communication on ways to resolve this issue so that the projects would not be delayed and that they would be able to extract from the pit this year.
Can the Minister also ask the staff to look into and let us know how many meetings have taken place with all three parties involved?
Yes, I will check into this.
I will find out what progress has been made and if there have been any meetings between those three agencies.
As we stated earlier, the GN is not the only one who is responsible, there is also INAC.
Yes, I will keep the member informed as to what has been happening.
I know that from the city council’s point of view, they recognize that there is a contamination problem there; it is an old dump. I was trying to think of a better word for it, but it’s just a dump.
Mr. Speaker, that sight was a federal sight when the US military were here, and the federal government, that was their dump site.
As we are seeing in a lot of the DEW line sites and the clean ups that are going on, it is the federal government that is putting the money into remediation and cleaning up those sites.
In this case, the city is of the view of that they are not willing to spend city of Iqaluit tax dollars, that the residents of the city pay, to clean up someone else’s mess.
Given that, will the minister ensure that the city will not have to use tax payers’ money to clean up this mess that was put there by the federal government and other people beyond the city of Iqaluit?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Akesuk
Yes, I will look into that.
Member for Uqqurmiut. Mr. Arreak
Question 356 – 2(2): Replacement of Qikiqtarjuaq Terminal Building
Mr. Arreak(interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to address the Minister of Transportation; I have raised this question before.
The community of Qikiqtarjuaq is close to the national park, and the terminal is too small for the community.
The size of the airport terminal is about eight by sixteen.
I think that would go against the fire marshal codes, especially when it’s a public place.
When will that terminal be replaced?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Transportation, Minister Simailak
At this time, the federal government has indicated three of those currently being worked on are almost completed, in Pond Inlet, Coral Harbour, and Gjoa Haven.
After they complete those, they don’t want to look at another, but after those are completed we will be requesting funding for other communities to replace their terminals.
Once those are complete, we will be asking the federal government for additional funding.
At this time, we cannot say when that will be.
First, we have to request funding for that work.
Oral Questions. Mr. Curley
Question 357 – 2(2): Relocation of the President’s Office to Iqaluit
I would like to address Minister Ed Picco. (interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I apologize for lack of notice.
The issue of the Arctic College is not a new one, so I’m sure it is quite familiar.
The Footprints report recommended that the Arctic College management staff and the president be located in Arviat.
And as a result, prior to 1999 the Arctic College’s management staff was located in Rankin Inlet, once the recommendations were approved by the first Assembly, Arctic College moved to Arviat.
Now, Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, why has the Minister decided to relocate the president’s office to Iqaluit?
As the member is aware, I believe that this is generally and widely known, and it has been mentioned in this House before; there were issues, logistic as well as administrative and financial issues, at Nunavut Arctic College. And we believed at the time that it would be expedient of the government to bring the president of the college to Iqaluit.
I believe at the time we said it was for ten months, to be able to ascertain what needs to be accomplished.
That follows up on the report that was just recently completed and tabled in the Assembly, the recommendations that have been brought forward by the independent consultant on the external review of the college.
So, those are the reasons for this temporary location of the president’s office to Iqaluit.
We are well aware of the management report prepared by the consultant, but many are appalled that the report had not been submitted to the board of directors.
Would the Minister direct the Arctic College president to distribute that report to the directorate if they have not received it; and if not, the question is, why did the president not distribute that report to the directors, including the chairman of the board?
The report was commissioned by myself along with the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Nunavut Arctic College, Mr. Leonard, and, indeed, Mr. Leonard has been given a copy because I gave him a copy personally.