EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
However we can maximize the awareness needed, whether it would be radio, whether it would be through the health committees, and certainly our health representatives will be there to help distribute and play a part in disseminating the information.
Question 216 – 3(3): Inuit Language Employment Criteria (Enook)
Good afternoon to the residents of Pond Inlet and my fellow Nunavummiut.
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Minister Arreak.
Mr. Speaker, certain jobs within the Government of Nunavut require, as part of the qualifications for employment, a level of Inuit language proficiency.
The Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, with its inherent responsibilities towards the preservation and promotion of the Inuit language, has a significant number of positions where this qualification is necessary.
Can the minister confirm that all positions within his department which require a level of Inuit language proficiency are indeed filled with individuals who are able to speak in the Inuit language?
With respect to the Department of CLEY positions, which I suppose he is asking about, I’m not exactly sure which are required to be bilingual.
Mr. Speaker, yes, Inuktitut language specialists, the interpreters, and those who translate documents are all working in the Department of CLEY.
Furthermore, these employees all have to be fluent in Inuktitut as part of their positions.
Mr. Enook: Qujannamiik, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Certain jobs within the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth not only require Inuit language proficiency but include responsibilities relating to Inuit culture and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Can the minister update this House on what steps are taken to ensure that individuals employed in these types of positions have the appropriate knowledge and understanding of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Enook. Minister responsible for Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, Minister Arreak.
All positions that are advertised spell out the required qualifications.
You must have the ability to carry out certain tasks and that includes being able to work in Inuktitut.
Perhaps if the member identified a specific position that he seems to be concerned about, I could provide more information and details.
I was trying to raise this question.
Perhaps I’ll rephrase it in this manner.
Mr. Speaker, throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to study alongside Qallunaat, work with Qallunaat, and enjoy the company and traditions of Qallunaat.
Even so, I could never claim to be an expert in Qallunaat Qaujimajatuqangit because I did not grow up in that culture, but I can say I know a bit of the culture.
Would the minister agree that jobs in the field of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit must be filled by individuals who have been raised within that tradition?
As I stated, whenever a position is advertised where being fluent in Inuktitut is a requirement, it is incorporated into the job description.
Currently our employees are all Inuit who are working within Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Overall, Inuit employment at CLEY is at about 70 percent.
Those employees who require an intimate knowledge of the culture and language, especially under the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee, are all bilingual.
Can the minister confirm that the individuals who are in positions within the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth which require knowledge of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, such as the director of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit or the director of Piqqusilirivvik, do indeed have the necessary qualifications and background in the area of Inuit culture and tradition?
We are quite satisfied with our current employees. When they require more expertise, they try to gather information from people who are better qualified in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
The Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Committee also provides advice as to what is required and what needs to be undertaken.
The committee will be holding another meeting this week to review the next steps required in their mandate. They’re also waiting for ideas.
Even outside of this session or House, we would be happy to hear about these issues, both myself and my departmental staff.
Question 217 – 3(3): Nunavut Emergency Management (Ugyuk)
My questions are for the Minister of CGS.
Mr. Speaker, the hamlets in Nunavut are responsible for carrying out emergency plans for use in emergencies.
I wish to know who in each community has to partake when the community is undertaking emergency planning.
I didn’t understand part of her question because of dialectal difference. Perhaps the member can elaborate further on what she means by “Illuaqhaiqattarniq.” It is not a word we use in our dialect in Rankin Inlet.
Once I know the meaning of the word, I will be able to provide you with a response.
Ms. Ugyuk, could you clarify your question, please. Ms. Ugyuk.
Ms. Ugyuk (interpretation): When we use the term “Illuaqhai,” it means the planning for the community. Hopefully that clarifies the term.
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): Thank you for that clarification.
Emergency management planning is in place in all communities. I think that you’re talking about the community emergency management committee that deals with local emergencies. If this is indeed the topic you brought up, the hamlet councils work with the Department of Community and Government Services on the emergency planning measures with the Emergency Measures Organization.
Most communities are completing their emergency plans and these plans mainly outline what the community will undertake in emergencies.
The details would include a building identified as a facility in case of a community power outage and it should be heated.
These plans identify places where residents can gather during emergency situations and all communities have to identify them. All the communities are being assisted to complete these plans. Most of the communities are in the final stages of their emergency plans.
The hamlets are required to complete their emergency planning. We are working with the municipalities to identify these facilities in each community.
They identify places for emergencies, what kind of communication system will be used to inform their residents, and so on, if that is what the member asked about.
My question is: who exactly is requested to attend for emergency planning processes and which body coordinates it? Who is involved in the emergency committee if a community experiences an emergency?
I understand that they need to have an emergency plan, but who is invited to partake in these meetings? This is what my constituents would like to hear about and that’s why I’m asking the question.
Invited participants are generally asked to attend the meeting, such as the hamlet, a representative from the health centre, a representative from the RCMP, and there has to be an employee who deals with emergencies in their hamlet.
Based on what I can recall, when I used to meet with those groups, there were also representatives from the schools, including the search and rescue committee, either the chairperson or a representative of that organization.
There are generally other representatives, such as ambulance services. They would send a representative, as well as the firefighters group, and there would be a social services worker.
Generally, the leadership of the community from various organizations would be a part of that working group and this includes the private sector. Where the private sector has a business bureau, whichever organization that may have an impact or could provide assistance, they are usually included in those types of emergency planning for their communities.
In Taloyoak, is the housing association included in the emergency planning meetings? They are also responsible for many units in their communities.
I don’t believe there’s any organization stipulated that have to take part or ones that are not included, but whichever organization is in the community that can contribute or where an individual has expertise in a particular area, they’re invited to attend these meetings.
Whoever is preparing the emergency plans for their community, I imagine they would be very grateful for any kind of assistance, but even if people didn’t get requested, I don’t think that would stop the committee from inviting them in the future. So if they want to be involved, they are welcome.
Oral Questions. Member for Amittuq, Mr. Tapardjuk.
Question 218 – 3(3): Complaints Process for Medical Misconduct (Tapardjuk)
Mr. Speaker, we’re all aware that those of us who live in the north depend very heavily on the nurses and medical personnel and they are our foundation whenever we have health issues.
Mr. Speaker, the question I want to raise is: if many people are not satisfied with a nurse, what options do they have to resolve the issue?
Is there a place where they can register their complaints? In what manner or how can they deal with that?
I believe you understand my question. Maybe if I get a response from the Minister of Health, I’ll be able to ask another question.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. Minister responsible for the Department of Health and Social Services, Minister Curley.
Yes, I believe I understood your question regarding complaints about a practitioner. I don’t think there’s an actual formal process. However, with respect to the rules and procedures and the human resources policies, if there’s any kind of complaint, you have to launch it with their supervisor.
In the Baffin region, if we were to say the regional director for health is located in Pangnirtung, they should be the first to get these complaints.
If that’s impossible, they can pass that information along to our office or write a letter outlining the complaint.
Some of these issues require investigation to determine the cause of the complaint. Furthermore, we have to follow the human resources policies and people have to ensure that these processes are undertaken.
So the first place you go to would be the regional director and each local health centre generally has a supervisor, so those are the two top positions that they should approach.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the minister.
If somebody assumes a teacher had abused a student, there is generally a body that identifies a place where you lodge that complaint.
If anyone has any kind of suspicion or feeling that a nurse mistreated a person, then who can you complain to?
The health professionals are supposed to be professional in their conduct.
Sometimes if a person passes away or if a person who otherwise would not have become ill due to being prescribed the wrong medicine, they would start blaming that health practitioner.
I think that’s a mistake and I think there should be a place or an actual identified body to which people can lodge their complaints.
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Curley.
When you’re speaking in Inuktitut, the terminology varies slightly.
I believe you’re referring to medical misconduct. Yes, there’s a body within the government and they investigate complaints.
First of all, you can call the regional office. Once the complaint has been lodged, it will not be swept under the rug. If there is any kind of medical misconduct, then they have to look into it.
If there’s a complaint about a specific health professional, you have to be very careful and follow the proper process. This information has to be treated as confidential.
In government, we have to follow standards, especially in the health care system.
With respect to my previous line of questioning to the minister about the hamlet’s committees and health committee, can the minister provide more information or clarification on how communities can deal with complaints?
Can the minister agree that these committees, namely, health committees, are trained to deal with those issues?
I believe the minister knows that as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, a lot of your constituents come and approach you about issues and sometimes you’re not exactly sure about the appropriate process, especially with health professionals.
Can the minister commit to that, Mr. Speaker?
Yes, I can agree to that but with this caveat: some of these matters may be outside of our mandate, such as medical malpractice, if that was the term you used, where an employee is not properly fulfilling their duties.
First of all, I would state that if you feel this is indeed the case or if a community wants information on a certain matter, it would be best if the local council formally writes a request.
Depending on the nature of their request, they would receive information or the officials could visit the community.
At least that is how I would like to see it, Mr. Speaker.
Yes, that would be a very good suggestion.
I believe this is one issue about health centres and medical personnel that many people have the greatest difficulty understanding because they’re very unhappy with the service that they receive and they often don’t know who to turn to.
What I can tell the minister, Mr. Speaker, is that I don’t think they would just send you a letter; it might be better if they would actually invite you to pay a visit. That would make my constituents in Igloolik much more satisfied.
I think that was just a comment. Minister Curley, if you wish to respond, you can go ahead.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) If a complaint is going to be made or if you feel an employee has not fulfilled their duties, you need to have a real reason.
You cannot just base that complaint on hearsay.
If I was asked to visit any community, I am available, but I would need more detailed information.
If you wish to be provided more information about this process, I imagine that the government has that information, but it may not be available from my department if you are talking about this issue.
It just seems to be fear mongering, at least based on the comments, which is why I prefer a written request that our department could undertake.
Question 219 – 3(3): Number of Active Cases of TB in Nunavut (Elliott)
My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services and are based around a return to an oral question. It was Question No. 179 – 3(3).
It was a question that I asked the minister regarding tuberculosis in Nunavut.
In the reply, the minister informed the House that as of October 25, 2011, there were 62 cases of tuberculosis diagnosed in Nunavut since January 1, 2011, and that 98 percent of the cases diagnosed this year have been in the Baffin region.
The response actually answers part of my question in terms of my understanding of the answer. He gave us the number of cases that were diagnosed from January 1 until October 25.
So my question again is: can the minister provide an update on how many cases of active tuberculosis we have in Nunavut?
I will take that question as notice; it would require a detailed response.
Question 220 – 3(3): Translation Bureau Independent of GN (Tapardjuk)
The minister tabled a report on June 9, 2011 titled “Uqausivut,” which is a proposed strategy for 2011-14.
I would like to ask the minister this question which is highlighted in this report. It speaks about interpreter/translators providing services.
It states here that they may have to hire an independent translation bureau. Now, is this translation bureau a separate entity in their planning? That’s my question, Mr. Speaker.
I also thank my Annuraaqatik.
This is a very difficult issue when we’re trying to deal with the Inuit language and when you look at all of the official languages recognized in Nunavut.
The report that I tabled in June was the first draft of the strategy.
Since it’s the very first draft, we haven’t implemented it yet.
We’re still waiting for feedback from the general public. I believe we’ve had a little over 30 submissions and there are quite a number of organizations that have asked for a delay in the consultation.
Based on the number of submissions and the updating of the draft strategy, the strategy would be undertaken once the cabinet has approved it.
At the current time, it’s still just a draft and it hasn’t been implemented yet.
In the Inuit Language Protection Act, it states that the government has to develop a strategy. The minister just stated that the strategy has not been approved by cabinet to date.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister provide an update as to when we can expect this strategy to be tabled in the House?
When can we expect this strategy to be completed and tabled in this House?
I can’t give him an exact date because we are collecting the responses.
After we’ve had an opportunity to communicate with the regional Inuit associations, gathered everything, and made updates to this strategy, I would be able to make a response as to where the process is.
At this current time, I can’t even give you a date of when we could expect this strategy to be completed.
The Act clearly identifies action items and once legislation has been undertaken, these action items are laid out along with their timeframe.
Mr. Speaker, I think we’re aware that the implementation of the legislation is behind in producing the strategy.
We would want to see a clearly defined timeframe because we will have another session this winter.
So my question is, Mr. Speaker: will the minister be able to provide this strategy at our winter session?
Some of the provisions of the Inuit Language Protection Act came into force on September 18, 2008 and the minister’s authority has taken effect.
We also want to make sure that we have a proper plan and not rush anything.
I can’t commit to the member about tabling the strategy in the winter session, but we’re going to keep working on the strategy and to ensure that we hear from those we want to consult as we haven’t received input from them as yet.
We want to make sure the strategy is complete.
I cannot commit to the member about having that strategy ready for the winter session, but it will be tabled once it is completed.
You tabled “Uqausivut” on June 9, 2011 and the government stated that the new Official Languages Act has not been implemented yet.
In the Uqausivut report, it states (interpretation ends) “is not currently in force.” (interpretation) This is published by the government.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister inform me of when this legislation will actually be implemented?
My colleague is correct. The Official Languages Act was grandfathered from the NWT Official Languages Act in 1988 and it is still in force.
The Government of Nunavut is obliged to comply with that legislation and we will have to put together a Nunavut-made strategy. It’s going to be one of the priorities of our government.
We will have to make sure that the French language is included because it’s one of the official languages and it deserves the same rights as Inuktitut and English.
Once that is all done and once it’s approved by the cabinet, we will table it in the House.
Question 221 – 3(3): Inuktitut Not a Requirement for High School (Elliott)
On Wednesday, October 26, the minister in reply to questions from Mr. Ningeongan, there were questions around what courses were required for graduation, and the minister listed a list of core credits that were needed to graduate.
One of the things that sort of jumped out at me: with the Language Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act, why is Inuktitut not a mandatory credit for successful graduation of our grade 12 graduates?
Under the Education Act, once bilingual education is implemented and you reach grade 12, you would have to be proficient in both Inuktitut and English.
In terms of the answer, it means that it’s in the process of being developed and will be happening.
Is there a date as to when this will occur?
Based on the Education Act, it has been undertaken for two years now.
Once it goes up to grade 12 in 2019, graduating students would have to be proficient in both Inuktitut and English.
Just for clarification, in terms of meeting that goal of proficiency in both languages, how many core Inuktitut courses to graduate?
In the list, how many Inuktitut classes will a Nunavut student need to take?
I’m sure that parents would like to get that information.
We definitely have to implement bilingual education as it is in the legislation. We are currently implementing it from kindergarten to grade 5.
I don’t know how this will be gradually implemented as it is being worked on.
Once that is clear, I will be pleased to talk about the level of proficiency in Inuktitut that will be required for the higher grades.
I guess I’m a little confused because I would have thought that since we’re moving backwards… .
We have the Language Act, we have the Inuit Language Protection Act, and then we have the Education Act. You would think we would know those things before we actually start moving forward on it.
Again, I’m still a little confused in terms of core subjects for our grade 12 graduates. In 2019, how many Inuktitut credits will they need to take to actually attain their grade 12 certificate?
As was stated on the 26th, as of today, they do not have to have a single Inuktitut credit to graduate from grade 12.
I’m just curious when that’s going to be changed to reflect what some of the other members have been talking about and the whole idea and principle behind the Language Act and the Inuit Language Protection Act.
As I stated earlier, we haven’t completed everything that is required, but we’re approximately halfway through curriculum development.
Once that has been completed and all the details are worked out, that will be crystal clear. As I indicated, everything would be implemented by 2019.
We have to work with a lot of other affected parties and we have a lot to cover on curriculum development.
It is something that is very important and we have to make sure that it’s planned properly.
Question 222 – 3(3): Update on GLO Positions (Elliott)
My question is directed to the Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Mr. Speaker, for the last two years, we have set aside money to hire government liaison officers in all of our communities. The first year it was $2 million and from the $2 million, it allowed us to hire one individual, and then now this year we have set aside $4 million. I’m just wondering if the minister could give us an update as to what’s happening with the government liaison officers.
I have no doubt that this information will want to be heard and I thank my colleague for asking that question.
To date, we’re trying to fill government liaison officer positions in the non-decentralized communities.
We have filled 9 positions out of the 14 so far in the non-decentralized communities.
Speaker: Thank you, Madam Premier. Your first supplementary, Mr. Elliott.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think another issue that came up in terms of the hiring process was office space in the communities.
I know, in speaking with other MLAs, the idea of and the limited office space in our communities, has that been a problem in terms of hiring the other GLOs that need to be hired?
Yes, that was one of the problems in getting office space. Some communities were able to provide office space right away and EIA was able to negotiate with the hamlet councils about leasing office space.
In Cambridge Bay, Pond Inlet, Hall Beach, Sanikiluaq, and Baker Lake, there is adequate office space now.
We are still working on finding office space in other communities.
In Arctic Bay, Qikiqtarjuaq, Repulse Bay, Chesterfield Inlet, Kugaaruk, and Taloyoak, we have completed work. (interpretation ends) The leases with the hamlets have been concluded in those communities and office furniture, computer equipment, and office supplies are being delivered as these offices are being leased. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker: Thank you, Madam Premier. Your second supplementary, Mr. Elliott.
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I think one of the successes of this program was going to be training for the GLOs that they were going to be given.
To me, that makes a lot of sense because then you would have a standard way of thinking across the territory in terms of what the roles and responsibilities are for a government liaison officer.