EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
According to the department’s Country Food Distribution Program Policy, the Country Food Distribution Program is intended to promote and support the use of harvesting skills and community-based solutions to enhance access to nutritious food throughout the territory.
On November 3, 2015, the minister stated that this policy had been amended in August of 2015 “because not enough money was being used from that program.”
Can the minister indicate how many communities have applied for funding under her department’s Country Food Distribution Program Policy since August of 2015?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank my colleague for asking that question.
The funding for the Country Food Distribution Program has been set since August 2015. To date, for the 2015-16 fiscal year, close to $452,000 was expended. At the end of next fiscal year, we expect $1.2 million to be expended.
Ever since this program was established, the communities are more aware of the program and are now utilizing it a lot better.
The Department of Economic Development and Transportation is a member of the Nunavut Food Security Coalition, which released its 2014-15 annual report on October 16, 2015.
In this report, the coalition indicates that it has established a “Commercialization of Country Food Working Group.”
Can the minister indicate if her department is represented on this working group and, if so, can she describe what specific initiatives this working group is currently undertaking?
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the member.
The Department of Economic Development staff and the family services department are working together. They did a consultation tour of the communities to hear residents’ position regarding this program.
In its 2014-15 annual report, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition also indicates that the “Guidelines for serving country food in government-funded facilities and community-based programs were finalized on March 31, 2015.
These guidelines are currently a draft for internal review. The Coalition will determine next steps for the project in 2015-16.”
Can the minister indicate if these guidelines have been completed and can she indicate when they will be made publicly available?
I would like to indicate to my colleague that the family services department is responsible for this and I’m sure that that department can respond to those questions.
Question 187 – 4(3): Infrastructure Funding Announcement (Rumbolt)
My second question of the day is for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
Earlier today, the minister participated in a joint infrastructure funding announcement with our Member of Parliament. This announcement indicated that the Department of Community and Government Services will receive funding from the New Building Canada Plan’s Small Communities Fund to upgrade community arenas across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, the announcement indicated that a total of $19,918,400 will be spent on upgrading community arenas.
Can the minister clarify how much of this total will be provided by the federal government and how much will be provided by the Government of Nunavut?
The Small Communities Fund project is funded 75 percent by the federal government and 25 percent by the GN. The federal government’s share for the arena upgrades will be just short of $15 million.
It will be $14,938,800.
Mr. Speaker, upgrades could mean anything from installing thermosiphon technology to repainting the bleachers.
Can the minister clarify what specific types of upgrades will be eligible under this announcement?
The member is correct in saying those two upgrades that he mentioned. It could be any number of upgrades. One I would think that would be used quite a bit would be to put LED lighting in the arenas because they get brighter.
The light is softer on the eyes. The main benefit is it’s cheaper to operate the lights in the arena. We all know that of the operating costs of the arena, the power bill is high, so that’s one of the upgrades that would probably be there.
It’s whatever upgrades each community would put in there. It doesn’t mean that they will get it, but any and all submissions will be looked at to see if they qualify for the upgrades.
Can the minister clarify how the government will determine which specific arenas will receive the upgrades?
There will be different criteria to determine which projects will go ahead. The biggest criteria would be safety. If there are any safety issues within that arena, then that would be addressed first, and then there would be efficiencies and aesthetics.
It would roughly be in that order.
Question 188 – 4(3): Canada Transportation Act Review Report (Mikkungwak)
Late last week, the federal Minister of Transport released the government’s long-awaited final report on the Canada Transportation Act review.
One of the recommendations in the report was that the federal government should, and I quote, provide “targeted financial support for runway extensions and surfacing…as well as for 24-hour automated weather systems and modern landing and approach systems in applicable communities in the territories.”
Mr. Speaker, as the minister is well aware, I have been pushing for exactly these improvements to be made to Baker Lake’s airport.
Will she commit to formally requesting the federal department of transportation to include Baker Lake in its list of airports that will receive these improvements?
The Canada Transportation Act review was just recently tabled on February 25 and initial action is to move forward on new and modern visions for transportation in Canada and addressing specific northern transportation issues.
Definitely, we will be relaying to the minister the priorities and potential actions that we require for many northern and Nunavut issues such as that.
Another one of the recommendations in the Canada Transportation Act review report was that the federal government should either augment its existing Airports Capital Assistance Program or create a new “Northern Airports Capital Assistance Program.”
Mr. Speaker, this issue was addressed during our recent televised hearings with the three airlines on their codeshare agreements.
Can the minister confirm what the Government of Nunavut’s position is on the issue of establishing a new and northern-specific airports capital assistance program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
We are looking into a formal response back to the federal Minister of Transportation on the findings that we have currently of the recommendations and we will be submitting that in the near future.
The final report on the Canada Transportation Act review indicates that the economic development and transportation department made a presentation to the federal review on June 23 of last year.
This presentation noted that, and I quote, “Many of Nunavut’s airports could benefit from the installation of GPS systems to reduce flight cancellations or missed approaches that have significant cost [impacts] to both passengers and airlines.”
Will the minister commit to tabling a copy in the Legislative Assembly of the full presentation that her department made concerning the Canada Transportation Act review?
Mr. Speaker, the Northern Airports Usability Study 2014 found that a majority of the published instrument approach procedures used by pilots to arrive at airports in Nunavut are substandard compared to those in southern Canada.
Substandard instrument approach procedures result in a negative impact to Nunavut’s economy and safety.
Mr. Speaker, the report that he is referring to is probably technical in nature and I’m not sure if it would be useful at this time to table that.
Question 189 – 4(3): Response to the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Joanasie)
I would like to direct one of my questions to the Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister is aware, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report on December 15, 2015.
In volume 6 of this report, the commission made a total of 94 calls to action that were directed at a number of governments and organizations, including Canada’s territorial governments.
These calls to action were made in order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.
Calls to action were made in a number of areas, including child welfare, education, health, and justice.
Will the minister commit to providing a formal response to those calls to action that are related to justice and that have been addressed to the territorial governments?
As our Premier indicated earlier, we will be making a response.
There are various directions given to our government. With the departments of Health and Education, we’re working together as ministers and we will be providing responses.
Again, on January 21, 2016, the federal Department of Justice issued a news release with information on the most recent federal provincial/territorial meeting of ministers of justice and public safety.
The news release indicates that “Ministers discussed the issue of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Address and agreed on the need to address related issues, such as First Nations Policing.”
I would like to ask the minister if he can confirm that he took part in those discussions and, if so, what were the specific outcomes of these discussions.
The federal government is primarily responsible in this area and I was pleased to see that they took the initiative.
We are going to be working very closely wherever we can with the federal government in the issues that we discussed.
There was strong consensus among my fellow ministers. We’re looking at how we can resolve past wrongs, especially the issue of reconciliation.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) One of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action is the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to “ensure that lawyers receive appropriate cultural competency training...” that “…will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.”
Can the minister indicate if individuals that are hired to work in the Government of Nunavut’s legal services currently receive any cultural competency training and, if so, what specific training do these individuals receive?
Yes, it involves not only the lawyers, but various positions serving as frontline workers with residents. Based on the information I have, we will provide training to them specific to learning about Inuit culture and cultural practices that can be incorporated.
Replies to Opening Addresses.
Item 13: Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters*
Committee Report 010 – 4(3): Report on the Review of the 2013-2014 Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut and the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 Annual Reports of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit (Angnakak)
I rise today to present the report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Public Accounts on its review of the 2013-14 annual report of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut and the 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 annual reports of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit.
The 2013-14 annual report of the Languages Commissioner was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on November 9, 2015.
The 2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15 annual reports of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit were tabled in the Legislative Assembly on November 5, 2015.
In June of 2015, the standing committee announced its plans to hold televised hearings in the fall of 2015 on the most recent annual reports of the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit and the Languages Commissioner.
The November 24 to 25, 2015 appearances of witnesses from the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit and the Office of the Languages Commissioner before the standing committee took place in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly.
*See Appendix for full text of Committee Report 10 – 4(3).
The standing committee’s hearings were televised live across the territory and were open to the public and news media to observe from the Visitor’s Gallery.
Transcripts from the standing committee’s hearings will be available on the Legislative Assembly’s website.
I would like to take a moment to highlight the thematic areas that the standing committee has addressed in this report:
The extent to which the Languages Commissioner has monitored municipal and territorial programs and policies concerning the implementation of the territory’s language legislation.
The adequacy and transparency of the government’s plans and procedures to coordinate the implementation, monitoring, management, and evaluation of language obligations, policies, programs, and services by its departments and public agencies.
The extent to which the current reporting practices of the government, Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit, and the Languages Commissioner meet each entity’s statutory requirements under the territory’s language legislation.
The extent to which the government, the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit, and the Languages Commissioner coordinate and publicize their respective roles and areas of shared responsibility concerning the implementation of Nunavut’s language legislation.
Tabled Document 079 – 4(3): Excerpts from the Canada Transportation Act Review Report (Mikkungwak)
I am pleased to table today excerpts from the Canada Transportation Act review report, which was released late last week by the federal Minister of Transport.
These excerpts concern transportation in Canada’s North and I encourage all members to review them with care.
Mr. Alexander Sammurtok.
Tabled Document 080 – 4(3): Support Letter for a 24-Hour Palliative Care Facility and Elders Facility (Sammurtok, A)
I would like to table a copy of the letter which I have received from the Kivalliq Inuit Association supporting the establishment of a 24-hour palliative care elders facility in the community of Rankin Inlet.
Bill 15 – An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act – Notice
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, that Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Land Titles Act, be read for the first time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Nunavummiut watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast, welcome to your committee.
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 10, 11, 12, and 13 and Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), 140 – 4(2), 149 – 4(2), and 70 – 4(3).
We wish to continue with the review of the 2016-17 Main Estimates of the Department of Health, followed by the Department of Community and Government Services.
Are we in agreement that we continue with our review of the main estimates for the Department of Health?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. Do you agree to let the minister’s officials go to the witness table?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you and good afternoon, Mr. Chairman.
With me again today to my right is someone you know, my Deputy Minister, Colleen Stockley, and to my left is Assistant Deputy Minister Rosemary Keenainak.
I’ll follow the list of names I had when we last met. If you have questions on the page we’re on, please raise your hand ahead of time and your names will be written down.
Following my list of names, Mr. Shooyook, you had a question and you can now ask it.
I basically grasped the response and I don’t want to reiterate a previous question.
Nevertheless, I want clarification on this item.
On the Inuktitut version, is the page we are on Si-6?
Yes, I have a concern on this matter related to added amendments.
I am now asking the minister: is that for strengthening the legislation? I believe your department is referring to the Act in the language as to lower the numbers.
Is that the purpose for the language related to addictions of tobacco?
Is that why the language says that it is being strengthened, as worded in your report? Is that the purpose?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Shooyook. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, Minister Okalik, (interpretation) if you want to respond to that, we’re not on that page yet, but we want to hear the response and if you wanted to respond to that now as it will be asked anyway, Minister Okalik.
The proposed bill is still not under review as it isn’t tabled yet.
It is almost completed and I expect to table it during this session.
Once the bill is tabled, what our purposes are will become much clearer.
However, the general purpose is no longer relevant to our current practices and operations, so we will try to realign the language to that.
That is all I can respond with at this time, as the details or innards are what we will see once it is tabled.
Thank you for that response, but I do want it clarified in my mind.
As well, within your business plan, there is language about training counsellors as part of this.
To me, that is good to hear, as many people today live with addictions and mental health issues.
Within your business plan, is there language related to including Inuit Qaujimanirijangat or traditional counselling practices that would be incorporated into the counsellor training? Will this be included when they start dealing with counselling issues? Are they included in your plans?
Yes, I have mentioned that before and this is the path that we want to take. I visited the Clyde River counselling centre that provides training in Inuktitut and they are trying to use Inuit traditional knowledge.
We would like to make use of them more to provide different types of training and we will be using them to train our new employees.
I would like to ask the minister once again on H-6 under Fees and Payments. It’s $1.3 million. Can you explain exactly what those fees and payments are for again, please, for me?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) From what I understand, we moved $60 million from that item from last year to Contract Services as a budgeting requirement. We moved those to there and that’s the only change that occurred. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’m certainly not a money person. Since we’re going to be approving this, can you just explain to me what you mean by that, from where to where? The revised estimates for that line item was $62,109 and now it’s $1,335,000.
I would just like you to explain in further detail what that money is going to be used for and why the difference.
You were truthful when you said that you’re not a money person. It is $62 million.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, Mr. Chairman, you are perfectly correct in saying it is $62 million from last year. It is now just over $1 million.
These are various contracts that we have with various operators like from the continuing care centres, services from the Stanton [Territorial] Hospital down to agency nurses to eye contracts.
These are various contracts that we have for health services and we moved those to Contract Services, which was $34 million last year. It’s now at $100 million.
Those are the various contracts that we have. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
See? You proved me right. I’m not a numbers person.
I guess that makes it a lot clearer as to exactly where the money is being spent. You had some contract stuff going into the Fees and Payments.
I wanted to go on a little bit to something else, but sort of relates to payments and contract services, which is the Extended Health Benefits Program. The department was going to go in and do some revising of the program and I haven’t heard anything as to what’s going on with that.
Maybe the minister can tell us an update.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We are in the process of finalizing a new policy and I can commit to a new policy by July 1, as various requirements have to be put in place and will be in place by July 1 of this year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’m just wondering how much consultation was done in regard to the changes to the policy.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) The cluster of those affected are here and Rankin Inlet. There was extensive consultation in those two communities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I’m just going on to something else I spoke of earlier in the House during question period about pharmaceutical costs.
I thought I would save some questions for now.
One of them is in regard to NIHB.
How often do you guys meet? I know NIHB is a federal program, but what kind of interaction does your department and the federal part of NIHB have when you discuss Nunavut pharmaceutical products?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We do have to work with the federal government on this matter for NIHB and we meet quarterly. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I understand there are products that go off and on the approved list.
How do you communicate those changes to Nunavummiut that sometimes think that their medication will be covered and then they find out it’s not? How do you go about doing that?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) That has been an ongoing issue for some time. We have been able to convince Health Canada to provide us with a navigator to assist us in making sure that we are doing the proper procedures and delivering the best products for our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
What happens when NIHB informs you that a certain drug is off the list? What do you do? Do you just accept it?
What’s the process? What kind of processes do you go through?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) They usually communicate that to those patients. They don’t communicate with us.
We just make sure that our clients are getting the proper support. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’m not quite sure how you can represent the client if you don’t even know what’s on or what’s off. If something has been taken off and you don’t know about it, how do you ensure that the Nunavummiutaq is being supported?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) NIHB is a federal program and pharmacy is one area that the federal government determines, so we have no control over that.
They communicate that to the beneficiaries and to those impacted. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It would seem to me that you would be the voice of Nunavummiutait. It’s very hard for one person to fight against NIHB if something has been taken off. That’s the way I would look at it.
That’s the way I would look at your role being that. Is something that you can look at doing going into the future is to be the voice of Nunavummiut?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) That is why we convinced the federal government that there should be a navigator assisting us and the clients on how to communicate these better. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Just so I can get a better understanding because I’m not familiar about the navigator, can you explain to me how that works?
Hon. Paul Okalik: Yes, this is a role that we were able to convince with NTI that we need this to assist our clients, primarily Inuit, on how the list is adjusted unilaterally by the feds and then we have to communicate that to the beneficiaries.
This is something that has been tried elsewhere and we’re going to roll it out this year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Can the minister confirm then that this is not in place currently, that you’re not using the navigator now because you’re going to still roll it out?
Just to go on to something else not totally different, but generic drugs versus brand-name drugs, what kind of oversight do you have with the [pharmacies] when they fill prescriptions?
How do you know what kind of pills they’re filling?