EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Chairman, the standing committee continues to be of the view that the department’s capital planning process should take a more proactive stance in preparing for impending needs in the areas of elder care, long-term care, respite and palliative care.
For example, in past years, the possibility of including long-term care beds in newly constructed health centres had been addressed in the department’s capital planning documents.
Members look forward to reviewing the department’s assessment of elder care needs across Nunavut when it is completed.
Members would support the development of a long-term infrastructure plan for providing care for our elders within Nunavut alongside programs such as home care and the operation of assisted living facilities.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Health’s 2015-16 capital plan included a project to renovate what was formerly a children’s group home in Rankin Inlet into a mental health transition house.
Members have expressed some concern regarding the viability of this project and look forward to an update on its current status.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Health’s capital budget includes blocks of funding for small capital projects and for ongoing lifecycle projects in its 2016-17 capital estimates.
Members appreciated receiving details on proposed expenditures under these projects and look forward to further information once equipment needs have been assessed and prioritized.
Members support those initiatives for purchasing specialized diagnostic equipment so that medical clients are not always required to travel far away from home to other jurisdictions in order to receive health services.
During the minister’s appearance before the standing committee, members again raised concerns with respect to the policies regarding local transportation services for individuals receiving health care.
While it appears that in certain communities health centre vehicles could be accessible for transporting patients, this is not the case in other communities.
Members would appreciate further clarification of the department’s policies in this area, particularly regarding the availability of vehicles, liability and insurance coverage, as well as the provision of specialized transportation for clients who face limited mobility issues.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2016-17 Capital Estimates of the Department of Health.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Joanasie. (interpretation ends) Well read. (interpretation) Members, let me remind you that the contents of Minister Okalik’s opening comments are covered under the different branches of the department. If you have detailed questions, please ask them under the appropriate branches.
Let’s go to page H-3. Health. Branch Summary.
Directorate. Mr. Rumbolt.
I know it’s a fairly small budget and I just want to talk for maybe even only one question about what’s not in the budget at this time.
I think it was in 2014-15 when the Department of Community and Government [Services] did a bunch of preplanning studies. One of the preplanning studies they did was for the new health centre in Sanikiluaq.
In February of this year, I wrote a letter to the department asking for clarification on the preplanning studies, especially on the Sanikiluaq Health Centre.
In his reply that I received in March of 2015, and I will quote from the Minister of CGS’ letter, it says that “The Sanikiluaq Health Centre business case development has been deferred until the department’s first priority, the Cape Dorset Health Centre, is approved for design funds.”
Today, in the minister’s opening comments, he stated that the department is requesting $1.5 million in capital funding for the design phase of the Cape Dorset project for the preplanning and design.
With that being said, would it be reasonable to anticipate that a year from today, we will see money allocated to the budget for planning and design for a new health centre in Sanikiluaq?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) As it is now, it is slated right after Cape Dorset, so that would commence, yes.
Mr. Rumbolt: It’s just a comment, Mr. Chairman.
I would like to move to approve the budget right now and move on.
Chairman: Agreed?
Not quite, eh?
(interpretation) You seem to be done.
Earlier we were talking about common design being used as a cost-saving measure.
The documentation from the Arctic Bay Health Centre indicates that some design features were removed in order to contain what was caused by this cost-creep.
I’m just wondering if the minister can describe what details were removed from the design, and will this impact on service out of that facility.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I must say that the biggest part was the removal of the staff housing within the health facility. The main change for that is savings.
Whenever you add housing to the facility, you have to meet the health specifications when constructing the staff housing, so that adds a lot of cost.
We separated it from the Arctic Bay project.
That will save us money and reduce code requirements. That’s the main change there.
The project also removed the morgue as a cost-saving measure.
We’re reconsidering that at this point in light of the recommendations of NAM. The cost savings are minimal, about $60,000.
At this point, we will reopen the discussions on that with the communities involved and we will make them happen where they’re warranted.
The other one was post-disaster specifications and those are minimal.
Those were the three main changes, I believe, that were put in place from Taloyoak to Arctic Bay. (interpretation) Thank you.
I’m going to step into Iqaluit here.
The Baffin Regional Hospital renovations have been delayed a number of times for a number of different reasons.
I’m wondering if the minister can just update us on the current status of the renovations of the Baffin Regional Hospital.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We have had good cooperation with other departments, primarily Education, using the dining room at the high school for the hospital.
With those cooperative efforts, we are on schedule and we hope to move into the old/new part by December or January of next year. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I would be remiss for not bringing this up.
I have brought up the fact that I think long-term care and palliative care need to be provided closer to home.
Has any consideration been given to having long-term care beds or palliative care beds in the Qikiqtani General Hospital or in either of the other regional facilities?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) There is palliative care at the current facility now, so we have met that requirement so far. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I’m just looking at the project scope for the ongoing lifecycle. In health centres across Nunavut, it speaks to some security upgrades for staff who work alone or after hours.
It talks about the project’s scope. Does it give a timeline on how fast this project could be implemented to keep our health care workers safe in their work environment?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) There is no set timeline at this point as those discussions are still ongoing and need more focus as we go. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
This is just a curiosity.
In Chesterfield Inlet, it talks about building cold porches on the backdoors of each staff housing apartment. I would assume that this would be a Nunavut Housing Corporation responsibility.
I’m just questioning why this would be part of Department of Health’s capital.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) That actual project is attached to the health centre, so that’s why it’s part of the design feature for Chesterfield Inlet. If it were Arctic Bay, it would be a housing corporation project, but as it is attached to a health centre in Chesterfield Inlet, it’s on the project description. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Again, in the small capital part, it talks to a secondary defibrillator being purchased for Rankin Inlet.
It leads my question to: does every health centre in Nunavut currently have at least one defibrillator?
It makes me feel a lot more comfortable.
Within that same budget line in small capital, it’s got the diagnostic imaging of an ultrasound system.
Right now, it says the current situation is two technologists and only one machine and the oldest unit is at the end of its life.
I guess my question would be, if you’re saying only one machine, it makes it sound like the need is there for more than one machine. Why are we only purchasing one?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We are trying it and seeing how it goes and if we need more, we will ask for more as we go.
We’re trying it out and seeing how it will function and how it will be used in the community. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We are on page H-3.
I don’t have too many questions, perhaps one, and that’s mainly around the issue of morgues.
This issue has been brought up to me several times and I’m not sure if it’s your department that is the one wholly responsible. CGS might even have a role.
I did note in the substantiation sheet for the Arctic Bay Health Centre that one of the changes was that you took away the morgue that was going to be there. I’m just wondering how the department will address the fact that more and more communities are asking for this kind of service to be put in place.
As a department, how are you responding to that?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Morgues have been the responsibility of hamlets in the past.
We added it on as a feature in Taloyoak and it appears to be okay. The cost is nominal.
In light of the request from NAM, we are more than open to adding it on as a feature for new health facilities.
If we work with the community and they want it in the health centre, then we will put it in. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Angnakak: I think that’s very good to hear.
It’s encouraging.
Just as Education, I understand from the minister, they automatically put it in schools where they have a daycare automatically put in the design. Maybe that’s something that the department can look at.
When you talk about if the community wants it, what does the community have to do to ensure that you know that?
If there is a new health centre being built in their community or if you’re making an addition, what are the steps they need to do to ensure that you are aware of that need?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We work with the community and look at the layout of the community and work with CG&S and the hamlet.
We will continue to work on that basis and make the appropriate changes as the community wishes.
We try and stick to the original plan as much as we can for saving costs on the actual design costs. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Moving along, Mr. Mikkungwak.
I see that the budget is not very substantial, so I’ll get right into my questions.
As the minister is aware, when it comes to health centres, it’s a very touchy thing for me also within my community.
Will the minister or his officials do a feasibility study visit to the community of Baker Lake to possibly consider a new health centre in Baker Lake?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We prioritize the age and the condition of each of the health facilities in Nunavut.
So far, Baker Lake is number five on the list. Baker Lake is on the radar.
We will try and complete as much as we can as we go. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I don’t see this, whether it be small capital or large capital. Where do ambulances fit in the picture?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Ambulances are provided by the hamlets and the city.
What we have done is buy vehicles for emergency purposes, the larger vehicles that can accommodate stretchers where there are no ambulances in the hamlets.
We are providing that service on an emergency basis to transport those in need. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
On small capital, I know that some health centres, I believe, last year, were to receive new X-ray equipment and other equipment that are used by the nurses or the visiting doctors.
Will that be applicable to all communities, and will they all receive new X-ray equipment by this fiscal year?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, we are moving in that direction.
Digital X-rays are far more efficient and quicker for health purposes.
We have put one in place in Taloyoak with the new health centre there and we are planning to go on RFP for the rest of the communities in Nunavut. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
As you remember in 2014-15, there was $1.5 million set aside for the Department of Health for the children’s group home in Rankin Inlet.
It was going to be repurposed into (interpretation ends) a mental health transition house (interpretation) and to be used for that purpose instead.
To date, there doesn’t seem to be any work being done on it. When is work supposed to start on it?
The estimates were not right for the project.
CGS is looking at this again; they’re looking at the actual cost of it, so the costing is being redone.
The old children’s group home looks very good to repurpose into an elders facility.
We have six Rankin Inlet elders that have to live in other communities. It would be utilized very easily. It would not even cost $1.5 million to repurpose it for that purpose.
Can’t you reconsider your plans along that line?
The plan is for a mental health facility and the plan is not going to be changed.
I have stated that we are turning towards helping the elders. Right now, we want to finish the elders facility in Cambridge Bay first and that would be attached to the health centre.
After that, we will want to move our attention to Rankin Inlet and do planning for the elders in Rankin Inlet afterwards for an elders facility.
There’s a growing need for 24-hour care facilities across Nunavut.
What steps have been taken to address this need and plans for such facilities in the near future?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) As I mentioned, we are repurposing the top floor of the Cambridge Bay facility to accommodate more elders.
That would create more beds and care in our own territory. We’re looking for more opportunities as we go.
As I said, Rankin Inlet is one that we are looking at and we look forward to doing more work in that area and accommodating more elders within our own territory.
That is something we are working with.
Family Services is another department that works with elders, so we’re working as a government to try and accommodate our elders in our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We make comments or statements that we’re supposed to take good care of our elders and support them. It’s what we’re supposed to do.
Why is it that the idea of an elders facility will probably not become a reality for the next five or ten years? That building is there already.
Why is it not being used for the elders right now?
Part of it was answered already, but I’ll have Minister Okalik respond.
The children’s group home has not been used for a long time.
If it’s going to be used for any purpose, it’s going to need a lot of renovation.
We’re going to repurpose that for a mental health facility.
We’re on Health.
Total Capital Expenditures. $16,500,000.
Turn the page. H-2.
Health. Department Summary.
Does the committee agree that the Department of Health is concluded?
Minister Okalik, we have finished with your department.
If you have any closing comments, I now give you the opportunity to make them.
Your comments are very well taken. Thank you for urging us to complete the projects which are incomplete.
I thank the members for their comments because they’re very beneficial to our plans and for our future.
I’ll leave it at that. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and my colleagues.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Okalik. I also thank your officials.
We wish to report progress at this time.
Speaker (interpretation): Report of the Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 3 and the capital estimates, and would like to report progress.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) This House stands adjourned until Thursday, October 29, at 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Pages 393 – 424
Opening Prayer 393
Ministers’ Statements 393
Members’ Statements 397
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 400
Oral Questions 401
Tabling of Documents 416
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills 416
First Reading of Bills 416
Second Reading of Bills 417
Report of the Committee of the Whole 422
Third Reading of Bills 422
Thursday, October 29, 2015 393
024 – 4(3): Mental Health Act Review (Okalik) 393
025 – 4(3): Southampton Island Caribou (Mike) 394
026 – 4(3): Training in Differentiated Instruction (Quassa) 394
027 – 4(3): Update on Nunavut Association of Municipalities (NAM) Meeting (Mike) 395
028 – 4(3): Hivuliqtikhanut Leadership Development Program (Taptuna) 396
068 – 4(3): Festival by the Lake (Mikkungwak) 397
069 – 4(3): Congratulations to Kivalliq Inuit Association Scholarship Recipients (Savikataaq) 398
070 – 4(3): Waste Drop and Swap (Hickes) 398
071 – 4(3): Thankful for Caribou Meat from Greenland (Keyootak) 399
072 – 4(3): The Need for Dialysis Services in Nunavut (Sammurtok, T) 399
073 – 4(3): Happy Birthday to Granddaughter (Enook) 400
086 – 4(3): Inclusive Education Review (Angnakak) 401
087 – 4(3): Inuit Training and Employment Initiatives (Shooyook) 402
088 – 4(3): EU Seal Ban Exemption (Hickes) 404
089 – 4(3): Cancellation of CARS Agreement with NAV CANADA (Sammurtok) 405
090 – 4(3): Feasibility of a University in Nunavut (Savikataaq) 405
091 – 4(3): Tourism Initiatives (Mikkungwak) 408
092 – 4(3): Longstanding Vacancies (Enook) 409
093 – 4(3): Problems with Medical Boarding Home (Keyootak) 411
094 – 4(3): Hivuliqtikhanut Leadership Development Program (Joanasie) 413
095 – 4(3): Income Assistance Review (Hickes) 414
023 – 4(3): Department of Justice’s Response to the Standing Committee: Reviewing the 2015 Auditor General Report on Corrections (Okalik) 416
024 – 4(3): Nunavut Correctional Facilities Strategy, 2012 (Okalik) 416
Bill 07 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) – Notice 416
Bill 07 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) – First Reading 417
Bill 07 – An Act to Amend the Labour Standards Act (Minimum Wage) – Second Reading 417
Bill 08 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act – Consideration in Committee 418
Bill 09 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act and the Plebiscites Act – Consideration in Committee 420
Bill 08 – Legislative Assembly Statutes Amendment Act – Third Reading 422
Bill 09 – An Act to Amend the Nunavut Elections Act and the Plebiscites Act – Third Reading 423
Speaker (interpretation): Good day, my fellow Nunavummiut. Members, ministers, and (interpretation ends) Premier, (interpretation) welcome to the House.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Okalik.
Minister’s Statement 024 – 4(3): Mental Health Act Review (Okalik)
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity to update the Assembly on the steps the Department of Health is taking in the coming weeks to engage Nunavummiut on the Mental Health Act.
Mr. Speaker, our Act was inherited from the NWT and dates back to 1988.
As part of the Mental Health Act review, Department of Health staff will travel across the territory to hear from Nunavummiut on ways to modernize the Act, reflecting Inuit societal values and the unique challenges of addressing mental illness in Nunavut communities.
Public meetings will be held in the communities of Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, Arviat, Baker Lake, Pangnirtung, Igloolik, Pond Inlet, Clyde River, and Iqaluit.
Nunavummiut in all communities can offer their guidance through paper questionnaires available at hamlet offices.
Mr. Speaker, we encourage clients and families with mental health experience from all communities to participate, whether it be during the public consultations or paper questionnaires.
Responses may also be made by telehealth videoconferencing.
Mr. Speaker, it is of great importance that Nunavummiut contribute to the update of the Act so that it will reflect Inuit societal values and the unique challenges of delivering services across the territory.
Our updated Mental Health Act will be an important tool for ensuring treatment and healing to our residents.
Minister’s Statement 025 – 4(3): Southampton Island Caribou (Mike)
I’ll be making a statement on Southampton Island caribou.
Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to draw your attention to a recent success of our co-management model for wildlife management.
In response to concerns from the Aiviit Hunters and Trappers Organization about low caribou numbers on Southampton Island, in 2012, the GN established a total allowable harvest for the caribou on the island. This total allowable harvest was established with the support of our co-management partners.
In May of this year, we conducted a caribou population survey on Southampton Island.
This new survey indicated that the number of caribou on the island had increased by around 40 percent.
Thanks to this very positive increase, we have worked with the Aiviit Hunters and Trappers Organization to provide a recommendation to the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board to increase the total allowable harvest to 1,600 animals.
Mr. Speaker, this demonstrates yet again the effectiveness of our co-management model, which allows us to respond to concerns on the ground and adapt our management regime in response to changing circumstances.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our co-management partners for helping us to achieve this welcome result for the people and the caribou of Southampton Island.
Minister’s Statement 026 – 4(3): Training in Differentiated Instruction (Quassa)
We are committed to providing each and every student with a high-quality education program.
Providing support and training to school level staff will help ensure a standardized system that promotes achievement and builds capacity and improves retention among staff.
Mr. Speaker, in response to the 2013 report of the Auditor General, we are working with student support teachers, who are school level instructional leaders, to improve teachers’ knowledge and skills in differentiated instruction.
Differentiated instruction means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Teachers are able to differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment.
The use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction.
Mr. Speaker, student support staff from Education headquarters and the regions developed a 24-hour training module that will be delivered over three and a half days this fall to student support teachers at regional conferences in Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, and Iqaluit.
My department is committed to four key priorities to improve education in Nunavut.
These priorities are literacy, support for school staff, equity, and standardization across the territory and [accountability] for student achievement.
Mr. Speaker, working with our instructional leaders to improve teacher knowledge and skill in differentiated instruction is a project that helps us move forward with these priorities. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister’s Statement 027 – 4(3): Update on Nunavut Association of Municipalities (NAM) Meeting (Mike)
I’ll be providing an update on the Nunavut Association of Municipalities meeting.