EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
When this incident happened, we assumed that the government had changed their policy because this individual had to sign a waiver before being prescribed medication.
So is that the procedure that the nurses follow now?
We would like to get clarification on whether there were any policy changes because I believe that medical patients have the right to receive prescriptions, even if they don’t sign a waiver.
Again, I’m not understanding the member’s question. I’m not aware of the department’s policies and procedures around having to sign for medication.
I do know when we dispense prescription medication that prescription medications are prescribed based on the patient’s needs and are recorded on file when the medication is prescribed to a patient.
The process is recorded on the patient’s chart and at the same time, internally for our inventory purposes. Internally, we monitor what’s dispensed to our patients.
So those are the two processes that I’m aware of.
If anything else is in between that the member is referring to, I’m not aware of it but I can certainly look into it and clarify perhaps exactly what transpired with this individual the member refers to.
I would like to thank the minister. I believe that it needs to be looked into because it seemed as though something was not done properly.
I know we can’t talk about personal medical records and we can’t mention individuals’ names in this House, but I can say that an elder was asked to sign a waiver.
When the elder was seen by someone else, the nurse asked, “Why did you sign that waiver?”
I believe the minister should inform the nurses that they shouldn’t be treating patients like that.
These patients are Canadians and therefore, the nurses should be following procedures for prescribing medication. These patients who are Inuit elders, who cannot speak English, should not be signing these waivers. Is that correct?
I will look into the situation in Rankin Inlet as the member described, then investigate as to what transpired there where an elder was asked to sign some form of waiver and get back to the member.
I’m not aware of us requesting waivers to be signed, so I would need to investigate further before I respond to the member’s full question.
Question 539 – 2(4): Removal of GST on Fuel in Nunavut (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I know I questioned the minister on the impact of the fuel price on the government this year and he didn’t have any information readily available and committed to getting back to me.
All Nunavummiut feel as though they are being held hostage by the high world price of oil, although this is a situation that we have little or no control over.
Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, the Yukon legislature unanimously passed a motion calling on the three territories to work together to lobby the federal government to remove the GST on home heating fuel and the transportation of essential goods.
Can the minister indicate to the House what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Whitehorse and Yellowknife on this initiative?
Community and Government Services is responsible for petroleum products.
I don’t personally know if there was a meeting with the three territories to work together to lobby the federal government. I believe that Community and Government Services is responsible for petroleum products, Mr. Speaker.
I know, as the minister indicated, that Community and Government Services advises you of it, but the motion referred to was removing taxes and that’s something under the Department of Finance.
So I guess I’m just wondering if the minister is not aware of that, can he give us an indication of when they anticipate being able to meet with his other territorial colleagues on developing an action plan to take to the federal government on that issue?
Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs is responsible for that and I want to work with them and discuss this matter further. I would also like to find out how this matter is dealt with by the Governments of Yukon and the Northwest Territories and discuss this matter with them.
I believe that we need to realize that in all of Canada, Nunavummiut are the only ones to purchase bulk fuel once a year.
For that reason, we’re going to encounter problems and we need to discuss this with the federal government. The member’s concern needs to be discussed further with Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Speaker.
I think we all know one of the things we need is good information when looking at things like this.
I asked the minister yesterday and he wasn’t aware of it.
I’m just wondering if he knows today if he is aware of what impact we’re looking at this year would be on the government because of the increased cost of fuel.
I think that would be an important piece of information to include in that argument to the federal government on the impact it will have on our territory.
So does he have any idea of what the impact will be this year?
If we compare last year’s fuel price to this year, there’s going to be a huge difference.
I believe the Minister of Energy will hold an information meeting on Wednesday and will be making a presentation to all the members on the impacts of the price of fuel.
At that time, he will be able to elaborate further on how much of an impact it will have on us.
However, it’s obvious that the price of fuel is going to be a lot higher than that of last year, Mr. Speaker.
Is the minister indicating that, right now, he doesn’t know a number or whatever that we’re looking at with the increases?
Is that what he’s indicating? If he does know what it is, it would be nice to know what it is.
Hon. Louis Tapardjuk (interpretation): We are monitoring the price of fuel and we believe it’s going to cost an additional $70 million to $85 million from what we paid last year for this year’s resupply.
We will have to consider how we will deal with this issue.
So that’s our estimate on how much of an impact it will have.
We will have to start purchasing fuel in July and the price of fuel probably won’t decrease by that time, Mr. Speaker.
Question 540 – 2(4): Status of Fuel Purchase for 2008-09 (Curley)
I would like ask a question on the same issue to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Can the minister tell us now whether the Department of CG&S has purchased the fuel that will be delivered this summer? If you did not purchase any fuel, are you at the negotiation stage? Have you purchased part or all of the fuel that will be delivered to Nunavut in the summer?
I would also like to thank my colleague for his question with regards to purchasing fuel because we are heavily dependent on fuel and we will continue to use it.
From what I understand, we have purchased some fuel from Churchill and I will be able to respond adequately once I find out what type of fuel it is.
There are three different kinds of fuel that we purchase - aviation fuel, home heating fuel, and automotive fuel.
I believe there are five types of fuel.
I know that we purchased fuel from Churchill but I don’t know how much.
It’s not a huge bulk, so it won’t be distributed throughout Nunavut.
It is May now and June is coming shortly, so we will have to start the process of purchasing bulk fuel within these two months.
Perhaps we will start the process of purchasing fuel this month and in June.
I’m sure the fuel that was purchased in Churchill was delivered by train to Manitoba.
For that reason, would the minister be able to provide information on the quantity of fuel and at what cost? I think there is more than one type of fuel that will be purchased, so will you be able to table detailed information during our session?
Of course I will and I’m willing to provide that information. When it’s in written form, it provides for more accurate estimates.
I will ask my officials to start working on that, so I agree to the member’s request.
Since the minister is going to be tabling that information on the fuel purchased in Manitoba and delivered to Churchill, we are very interested in hearing how many communities will be using that fuel, or if it’s going to be used only for the Keewatin region, or if it’s going to be distributed to other regions as well.
We would like to know, Mr. Speaker, what the price was at the time that fuel was purchased, so I would like you to include that figure when you table that information.
Yes, I will provide all the information that you have requested. I believe we will have a Full Caucus meeting on Wednesday and we will be briefed as members to ascertain if we agree unanimously on the petroleum products issue.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister another question. Comparing the cost of fuel price two days ago to last year, there has been a 55 percent increase.
Can the minister tell us if the cost of fuel will increase after it has been purchased?
The issue of petroleum products has been an unceasing one and we have been dealing with this issue on a daily basis.
PPD and the Department of Finance have been working together to deal with the fuel issue.
As I stated earlier, we will start the process of purchasing fuel and looking at the price of fuel, if we purchase fuel today, we would know how much it would cost. However, we wouldn’t know how much it would cost if they purchase fuel next month.
It was $135 per barrel recently.
I don’t know how much it will cost at the time when we start purchasing fuel.
Nunavummiut have already started telling and approaching me, expecting the cost of fuel to increase.
I’m sure that the increase in the cost of fuel is going to have an impact on us.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the escalating prices in fuel oil is forever escalating and there seems to be no ending in sight.
For certain, there are some constituents out there who are already speculating that there’s going to be a price increase and for certain, I can’t say that it’s going to go down because we’re already seeing the price of $135 a barrel as of yesterday’s news.
So today, I don’t know what it is but tomorrow, I don’t know what it is either. I can’t predict.
I think it’s fair to say that we can predict, coming from the government’s side, that there will be an increase.
Question 541 – 2(4): GN Strategy to Deal with Increase in Fuel Price (Tootoo)
Again, my question is for the Minister of Finance but I wish to thank him and appreciate his candidness on what they’re expecting as the increase in the cost of fuel is between $70 million and $85 million this year.
Mr. Speaker, I think the minister will know, last year, I think it was a $10 million increase in the cost of fuel because of the increased prices and the government did what it could to help Nunavummiut on the impact of that cost by subsidizing half of it so it only passed on half of that increase to the consumer.
So $70 million to $85 million is substantially more than $10 million, so I guess my question to the Minister of Finance is: has the department looked at any preliminary work on how to address that increase and how they will spread out the impact, and where the money is going to come from for that?
The question that the member has is a concern to everyone. We are looking at the options available to us, especially if we were to add all increases in the cost of petroleum products it is going to have a severe impact on the people of Nunavut.
What we’re trying to do right now is to try to think of how we can assist the people of Nunavut. We are looking at options to see the best way to support or to assist Nunavummiut when we have our next session.
We will have to go to Financial Management Board and to Cabinet to work with them and to make recommendations to assist the people of Nunavut.
We are dealing with the issue.
Not only are we working with the Finance Department but we are also working with other departments because we know that there will be no choice but to increase the price of petroleum products, Mr. Speaker.
When they say between a $70 million and $85 million increase this year, I mean that’s pretty close to an entire year’s capital budget.
The minister had indicated that they’re look at ways to help or lessen the impact for Nunavummiut. We all know the biggest consumer and the biggest body that’s affected by these increases is this government itself.
So from that perspective, have they done any work at looking where the money is going to cost the government as a result of this increase it’s going to come from?
As I stated earlier, there will be an increase of $70 million to $85 million.
I don’t think he can hear me.
Looking at the price of petroleum products today, it would be a $70 to $85 million increase, but it might change again next week. I’m not sure whether it’s going to be on the decline or on the increase.
What we’re doing is looking at options as to how we can assist the people of Nunavut.
We will have to meet with the Cabinet and the FMB and the CG&S as to the best ways of assisting the people of Nunavut, but I’m sure there will be an increase.
I don’t really want to guess what the price might be without the proper estimates, Mr. Speaker.
I know, as the minister indicated, right now, based on the prices of between $70 million and $85 million and it’s not all purchased yet, it could be more than that.
Everyone knows there’s going to be an increase.
My question was... from the government’s perspective as the largest consumer, the biggest impact that that cost increase is going to have is going to be on the government. I’m wondering if they have done any preliminary work to look at where that money is going to come from to cover off that increased cost to the government.
We have thought about the best ways of assisting the people of Nunavut, but at this point, we are only guessing.
Once we have better estimates, we will be able to give a better briefing on Wednesday concerning energy as well as fuel prices.
A number of things will be impacted, so we want to have a comprehensive briefing to fellow members on the impact of petroleum products and other things on Nunavummiut next week.
I would like to again thank the minister for that response and I look forward to their briefing next Wednesday.
Mr. Speaker, between $70 million and $85 million, potentially more and potentially maybe a little less, it’s still a significant amount of money. Like I said, the biggest hit is going to be born by the government.
I would like to ask the minister if he can confirm that all the Members of this Assembly will have a say in how that is determined because it could potentially have impacts on programs and services offered by the government. I think that that’s something that all the Members of this House should have an opportunity to have some input in.
So will the minister commit, prior to making any final decision on the government, that because of the significant amount involved here and the potential impact on the programs and services of the government, that all members have an opportunity to debate the issue prior to that?
We will be very interested to hear from our fellow members their thoughts and how we can lessen the impact.
For that reason, we will be holding a meeting with them and ask for their input. Once we have held this meeting, we will be better equipped to make our decision.
We very much welcome your input and we want to work together because all Nunavummiut will be affected.
Tabled Document 230 – 2(4): The Akitsiraq Law Program: Lawyer-making in the Arctic (Okalik)
Tabled Document 231 – 2(4): Minimum Wage Annual Report 2007 (Okalik)
I have two items to table in the House: the Akitsiraq Law School Program Final Report and also the Minimum Wage Annual Report July 2007.
Can you bring the documents to the Clerk’s table?
Tabled Document 232 – 2(4): Withdrawal from Nunavut Association of Municipalities – Letter from Baker Lake (Simailak)
Mr. Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish to table today correspondence from the Mayor of Baker Lake. Mr. Speaker, this letter includes a copy of a resolution passed by the hamlet council on April 10, 2008 concerning the hamlet’s membership in the Nunavut Association of Municipalities.
Can you bring the document to the Clerk’s table?
Motion 035 – 2(4): Withdrawal of Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Elections Act – Notice (Curley)
Mr. Curley: I give notice that on Monday, May 26, 2008, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Akulliq, that the Legislative Assembly orders the withdrawal of Bill 5 from the Order Paper.
Motion 036 – 2(4): Banning the Use of the Hakapik – Notice (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Monday, May 26, 2008, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East, that this House calls upon the Government of Canada to ban the use of the hakapik as a sealing tool.
Bill 33 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act – Notice
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Monday, May 26, 2008, that Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act, be read for the first time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
If there are none, Item 16.
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters. (interpretation ends) House Leader, Mr. Picco.
Motion 037 – 2(4): Adjournment for the Day (Picco)
Pursuant to Rule 46, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Quttiktuq, Mr. Barnabas, that this House adjourn for the day.
We will continue on to Item 22.
A reminder that there’s a meeting of the Management Services Board this afternoon at 1:30 in the Tuktu Boardroom and that the meeting tomorrow of the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit is cancelled.
Orders of the Day for May 26:
Motion 33 – 2(4)
Motion 35 – 2(4)
Motion 36 – 2(4)
This House stands adjourned until Monday, May 26, at 1:30 p.m.
>>House adjourned at 11:28
Monday, May 26, 2008
Pages 4107 – 4177
Opening Prayer 4107
Point of Order 4107
Ministers’ Statements 4107
Members’ Statements 4112
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 4125
Oral Questions 4126
Written Questions 4146
Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills 4147
Tabling of Documents 4148
Motions 4149
First Reading of Bills 4159
Second Reading of Bills 4160
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 4160
Report of the Committee of the Whole 4176
Orders of the Day 4176
Monday, May 26, 2008 4107
176 – 2(4): Minister Brown Absent from House (Picco) 4107
177 – 2(4): Nunavut Examines Indigenous Languages on the World Stage (Tapardjuk) 4108
178 – 2(4): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Education Framework for Nunavut Curriculum (Picco) 4109
179 – 2(4): Northern Connections (Netser) 4110
180 – 2(4): DFO Decisions on Nunavut’s Fishery (Akesuk) 4110
430 – 2(4): Pujualussait Inuit Trauma Conference (Arvaluk) 4112
431 – 2(4): Dealing with Addictions in Nunavut (Alagalak) 4113
432 – 2(4): The 2008 Nunavut Quest (Barnabas) 4114
433 – 2(4): Comments on Auditor General’s Report on Housing in Nunavut (Curley) 4115
434 – 2(4): Recent Community Events in Kugluktuk (Evyagotailak) 4116
435 – 2(4): Listing of Polar Bear as a Threatened Species (Kattuk) 4117
436 – 2(4): Thanks to Volunteers Who Found Missing Family from Repulse Bay (Mapsalak) 4119
437 – 2(4): Meeka Nangmalik – Walk for Women from Igloolik to Hall Beach (Tapardjuk) 4120
438 – 2(4): Reflections on Freedom of Speech (Tootoo) 4121
439 – 2(4): Kiilinik High School Trades Shop (Peterson) 4122
440 – 2(4): Story about Falling in Cold Water (Okalik) 4124
542 – 2(4): Status of Inuktitut Curriculum (Curley) 4126
543 – 2(4): Resignation of President of Qulliit Status of Women Council (Peterson) 4130
544 – 2(4): Public Housing Units with Leaking Fuel Tanks in Pond Inlet (Arvaluk) 4132
545 – 2(4): Conditions at Kugluktuk High School (Evyagotailak) 4134
546 – 2(4): Fuel Spill in Iqaluit’s Down Town Core (Tootoo) 4135
547 – 2(4): New School for Sanikiluaq (Kattuk) 4137
548 – 2(4): Monitoring and Enforcement of the NNI Policy (Curley) 4139
549 – 2(4): Life Cycle of Fuel Tanks (Tootoo) 4141
550 – 2(4): Resignation of the President of the Qulliit Status of Women Council (Peterson) 4143
013 – 2(4): Appeals under the NNI Policy (Curley) 4146
Committee Report on Bills 011 – 2(4): Bill 28, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, No. 3 (Tootoo) 4147
233 – 2(4): Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act – 2007/08 GN Annual Report on the Administration of the Act (Okalik) 4148
234 – 2(4): Electric Power in the Kivalliq (Curley) 4148
235 – 2(4): Nunavut Transportation Strategy – Letter and Recommendations from the Nunavut Economic Forum to the Minister (Curley) 4148
236 – 2(4): Hakapik - Photo (Picco) 4148
237 – 2(4): Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Foundation Documents for Nunavut Schools (Picco) 4148
036 – 2(4): Banning the Use of the Hakapik (Okalik) 4149
033 – 2(4): Withdrawal of Bill 13, Nunavut Energy Efficiency Act (Tootoo) 4157
035 – 2(4): Withdrawal of Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Act (Curley) 4158
Bill 33 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act – First Reading 4159
Bill 33 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act – Second Reading 4160
Bill 29 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee 4161
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Mr. Tagak Curley, Mr. Joe Allen Evyagotailak, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): Good afternoon, Premier, Ministers, and Members.
Before we proceed with the Orders of the Day, I know that there are probably some birthdays, but it’s my wife’s birthday today, so I wish her a Happy Birthday and I send her my regards.
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Mr. Speaker, before we begin, I would like to raise a Point of Order with you.
As it relates to the lines of questions on the medical travel contracts and the quotes in the correspondence that I had received from the Iqaluit Centre MLA, I would just like to state for the record the point I’m making is that those quotes are all made from Blues that are not final, unedited versions of the Hansard and for you to look into the matter.
We will check with your actual statements in the Hansard and get back to you.
Minister’s Statement 176 – 2(4): Minister Brown Absent from House (Picco)
Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I wish to advise to the members that the Honourable Levinia Brown will be absent from the House today.
Ministers’ Statements. Minister of CLEY and Finance, Minister Tapardjuk.
Minister’s Statement 177 – 2(4): Nunavut Examines Indigenous Languages on the World Stage (Tapardjuk)
I wish your wife a Happy Birthday. The individual on my left is also celebrating his birthday.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 2008 is the United Nations International Year of Languages.
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues recently endorsed recommendations of the 2008 International Expert Group Meeting on Indigenous Languages.
The Inuit Circumpolar Conference, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit Broadcasting Corporation and the Government of Nunavut were among those who contributed to the excellent findings and recommendations of the expert group report.
The report has found that erosion of indigenous languages is accelerating throughout the world.
The forum has called on governments to “immediately support indigenous peoples’ language revitalization efforts,” and to “engage with indigenous peoples to develop strategies to implement the recommendations of the Report.”
Mr. Speaker, this recognition by the forum of the alarming situation of indigenous languages and of the responsibilities of governments to take remedial action is very relevant to Canada, given the challenges that Inuit and other aboriginal languages face.
Data from the 2006 census reveal that the Inuit language is one of only three aboriginal languages in Canada that are spoken enough that long-term survival is possible.
But it is at risk.
Its use is in decline in the home, the workplace and the classroom.
Elders feel the impact as they struggle to be served in their language.