EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, when I mentioned first come first served, yes, of course, we will take a look at the applications on a first come first served basis and evaluate and analyze the applications.
Again I’ve got to mention that we’re working with a number of organizations, including NTI and other organizations, not-for-profit organizations.
Hopefully some of these businesses are including the mining companies and I intend to speak with all of them.
I have already indicated that we’re hoping that we can put community freezers into all of the communities for food security.
Of course, that’s one of the major things that we want to do within the poverty reduction file.
We do have to work on that, and food security is front and foremost on this poverty reduction file that we’re working on together.
Question 046 – 3(3): Public Engagement Process (Elliott)
My questions are directed to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation, the Hon. Peter Taptuna.
I wanted to go back and revisit his Minister’s Statement of the other day where he updated us on the public engagement of poverty reduction.
I didn’t want to get into a discussion about the definition of poverty, I got in enough trouble last time, but it’s nice to know that everybody is enjoying that and thinking about coming up with a definition now.
In his Minister’s Statement, he mentions that communities have been asked to collect information that will then be compiled for the Nunavut Anti-Poverty Secretariat.
I was wondering: who specifically is responsible in the community for collecting that information? I know if the GLOs were up and running, it would probably be them, but they are not there yet.
So who in the communities are collecting this information to report back to you?
As I have indicated in my Minister’s Statement, we’re engaging our partners within the communities, the hamlets, the business communities, not for profit, and throughout these public engagements, we will determine the working action plan and get some folks online there.
Of course, everything is going to be coordinated through our Anti-Poverty Secretariat. We do hope that we’re going to be getting partners from the other communities.
Again I want to be actively engaged in this project as well.
If the minister could commit to providing me a list of the people in my three communities of Grise Fiord, Resolute Bay, and Arctic Bay who are providing information to the Nunavut Anti-Poverty Secretariat.
As I indicated, we’re engaging all organizations and we don’t necessarily have an agreement but we do have consensus on who is going to be participating and it’s the hamlets, the hamlet councils, NTI, and also Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and we’re hoping that we will get more participation from the other regions.
I will commit to keeping the member updated on the progress.
We do have upcoming round table discussions, which I indicated in my Minister’s Statement a couple of days ago, and I intend to keep the whole House updated, including Nunavummiut.
Again I applaud the government for the manner in which they are attempting to approach and get as many people in the communities involved, but in terms of the partnerships that are being formed, are there certain specific groups that are actually mandated to carry out and provide the information and make the decisions on this strategy?
There is a joint effort by all of our organizations, the hamlets, and we will set up a committee to implement the action plans that we come up with through the public engagement process.
I am one of the co-chairs, including the vice-president of NTI, for these round table discussions.
Once there is an agreement on which action and how we’re going to implement it is resolved, we do have some indications of which steps we’re going to be taking next and I’ll keep the House informed on that.
It’s my understanding that the first round table is actually happening next month in April. He had mentioned NTI and QIA and he also mentioned hamlets in terms of partners.
With the consultation that has gone on so far, is the approach that the GN is taking in terms of its engagement with the communities being supported by all of its partners?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Mr. Speaker, I don’t believe that the question is very clear.
In the word “supporting,” does he actually mean funding money?
The organizations do support the process that we’re doing with poverty reduction, but specifically for funds, no, not yet at this time.
Question 047 – 3(3): Funding for Meat/Fish Plants (Tapardjuk)
I will also ask my question to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
My question revolves around a matter that he identified in his Minister’s Statement with respect to mining companies. It seems like they will be passing the exploration phase and getting into the development phase. That will bring about a lot of job creation.
However, Mr. Speaker, a lot of Inuit are still dependent on hunting and fishing. It brings about joy and they enjoy this even as a side activity.
Can the minister provide some updates as to the possibility of Hall Beach or Igloolik getting a fish plant? They are envious of the meat plants in Pangnirtung and Rankin Inlet. Can the minister provide some background as to how a community can apply towards getting a meat plant or how they can go about the process of either the HTO in Hall Beach or Igloolik, or if it ought to be a joint venture to try and get a meat plant?
It could provide a lot of economic development.
Mr. Speaker, we do have meat and fish plants in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay.
Mr. Speaker, again, through the application process from a community, we have to evaluate the feasibility of such an endeavour.
Again, if a community does want a meat plant, that depends on exactly what’s available out there. For fisheries, there’s usually a protocol where there’s a five-year exploratory fishery to determine how large a quota it is going to be.
Once an application comes in from a community, we will certainly look at it and support the folks who are trying to come up with the plan and the feasibility study for the meat plant.
I want to speak about fisheries research, as they conducted a lot of research on these lakes.
Just last week, the minister stated in his Minister’s Statement that they were going to try to establish more commercial fisheries.
Igloolik was mentioned as one of the possible communities that could sustain a fishery.
With further mine developments planned at Mary River, the lakes surrounding that area hold a lot of char with potential commercial stocks. It could conceivably become a commercial operation in Igloolik and Hall Beach.
I would like to ask this question to the minister. They may have problems incorporating the commercial fishery with the mine because the mining company wants to develop the road and the railway.
With respect to this issue, Mr. Speaker, can the minister inform us whether we deal with conservation officers in this case?
Perhaps I should direct that to the Department of Environment. My question is: how can we provide HTOs with more support when they are looking at providing income via the commercial fisheries?
I’ll try and answer the first question before I get onto the second one.
Mr. Speaker, the regulatory process goes through NIRB and the communities. I appreciate the member’s concern on the effects of the mining at Mary River on his communities.
The process does go through a regulatory system, the Nunavut Water Board and the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
Some of these concerns that are brought up by the communities have to be mitigated to a situation where both parties agree to a certain topic.
Mr. Speaker, throughout the regulatory process, the community, the proponent, and most participants who are registered as interveners for a project do have to mitigate and discuss solutions and options for such an endeavour. Otherwise, there is no project certificate given by NIRB to a proponent, a developer.
Most of the concerns that a community has, has to be mitigated to a certain extent where the proponent and the regulators are satisfied.
Indeed, these are two separate items. I was talking about a meat and fish plant.
Perhaps if I were to write it up, then it could be more understandable.
It’s quite obvious that we have to follow federal regulations that relate to commercial fisheries.
Our community has often deliberated on whether they should have plants specifically for fermenting walrus meat as there is demand for this food.
There are a lot of initiatives that Inuit could undertake, but if I were to say that, maybe the minister would be too grossed out to look at this matter.
I thank the member for that question and comment.
Mr. Speaker, the other question that I wanted to answer before was that I’ll speak to my colleague on whether he can supply more assistance for the wildlife offices in Pond Inlet and Igloolik.
But, Mr. Speaker, a letter of his concerns and an application forwarded to the department, I would really appreciate that and our department would appreciate that, including his comments on whether it’s going to be a meat plant or a fish plant, whether it’s going to be a commercial activity or inter-settlement. We’ve got to determine whether it’s going to be commercial or just for inter-settlement trade.
That makes a big difference. For sure with a commercial activity, you do have to get the federal inspectors involved, but for inter-settlement trade, that’s not really necessary.
Question period is now over, although you can still ask written questions. (interpretation ends) Item 7. (interpretation) Written Questions.
Written Question 003 – 3(3): Municipal Governance and Financial Management (Aupaluktuq)
Mr. Aupaluktuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Nunavummiut have called for accountability and transparency at all levels.
I hold myself accountable. As promised, I swore an oath to Nunavut and most importantly, those who elected me, the people of Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Community and Government Services told the House yesterday that the government does not go through the financial records of municipalities.
That may be so, but under subsection 144(4) of the Hamlets Act and the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, municipal financial statements are required by law to be submitted to the minister not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year.
Accordingly, I have some written questions for the minister today. I am hopeful that the government’s responses will help to clarify the issues that I raised yesterday in the House. They are quite detailed, so I ask that they be entered into the record as read.
Within the meaning of subsection 144(4) of the Hamlets Act and subsection 144(4) of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, what were the contents of the financial statements for the Municipality of Baker Lake for the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-2010 fiscal years?
Within the meaning of subsection 144(4) of the Hamlets Act and subsection 144(4) of the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, what information concerning the procurement, contracting and leasing activities of municipal corporations is provided to the minister?
What were the procurement, contracting and leasing activities of the Municipality of Baker Lake for the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-2010 fiscal years?
Within the meaning of the Government of Nunavut’s response to Recommendation #4 of the 2010 Report of the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts on the Review of the 2009-2010 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut, what is the status of the Government of Nunavut’s consultations with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities regarding the application of access to information and protection of privacy legislation to municipal governments in Nunavut?
Within the meaning of section 5 of the territorial Conflict of Interest Act, on how many occasions since April 1, 1999 has an application to the Nunavut Court of Justice been made for a determination of the question of whether or not a member has contravened subsection 2(1) or (2) of the Act?
Within the meaning of section 5 of the territorial Conflict of Interest Act, what assistance is available to voters from departments, boards, or agencies of the Government of Nunavut in obtaining legal counsel to assist in making an application to the Nunavut Court of Justice?
There are no more hands up. (interpretation ends) Item 8. (interpretation) Returns to Written Questions. (interpretation ends) Item 9. (interpretation) Replies to Opening Address. (interpretation ends) Item 10. (interpretation) Replies to Budget Address. (interpretation ends) Item 11. (interpretation) Petitions. (interpretation ends) Item 12. (interpretation) Responses to Petitions. (interpretation ends) Item 13. (interpretation) Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters. (interpretation ends) Item 14. (interpretation) Tabling of Documents.
Tabled Document 017 – 3(3): Elders Program Strategy 2010-2014 (Aariak)
It’s unfortunate that my colleague, Minister Arreak, is not here. On behalf of Minister Arreak, I rise today to table the Elders Program Strategy 2010-2014.
The Department of CLEY has been guided by Nunavut elders to establish priorities in programming for the next four years.
I am happy to share this document with my colleagues.
There are no more hands up. (interpretation ends) Item 15. (interpretation) Notices of Motions. (interpretation ends) Item 16. (interpretation) Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. (interpretation ends) Item 17. (interpretation) Motions. (interpretation ends) Item 18. (interpretation) First Reading of Bills. (interpretation ends) Item 19. (interpretation) Second Reading of Bills.
Bill 02 – An Act to Amend the Scientists Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet North, that Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Scientists Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Scientists Act to provide clear authority to appoint the science advisor and science administrator. The bill also updates terminology used in the Act.
Bill 2 can now be referred to a standing committee for review.
Bill 03 – An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Income Tax Act to i) update the amount of tax payable; ii) reflect amendments made in the federal Act respecting deductions on account of foreign taxes paid; iii) simplify the incorporation of changes made in the federal Act respecting payment of the child tax benefit; iv) adopt general anti-avoidance rules; and v) clarify certain provisions.
The motion for Bill 3 is carried and is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for review.
(interpretation ends) Item 19. (interpretation) Second Reading of Bills.
Bill 04 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 4, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in certain Acts of Nunavut, corrects references relating to the Northwest Territories Statutes, and repeals provisions that have ceased to have effect.
I seek unanimous consent of the House to waive Rule 67(2) and have Bill 4 moved into the Committee of the Whole.
The minister is asking for unanimous consent to have Bill 4 immediately moved into the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 4 can now be moved into the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 05 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 2 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that Bill 5, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, No. 2, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill corrects errors in the French version of certain enactments of Nunavut.
I seek unanimous consent of the House to waive Rule 67(2) and have Bill 5 moved into the Committee of the Whole.
The minister is asking for unanimous consent to have Bill 5 immediately moved into the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 5 can now be moved into the Committee of the Whole.
Looking at our orders of the day, (interpretation ends) Item 20. (interpretation) Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters.
Bills 1, 4, and 5 with Mr. Schell in the Chair.
We will take a 20-minute break and the Committee of the Whole will begin after the break.
>>House recessed at 14:50 and Committee resumed at 15:18
In the Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 1, 4, and 5.
We wish to continue with the review of Bill 1 and the Department of Health and Social Services, followed by the Department of Education. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Are we in agreement to continue with the O&M budget for the Department of Health and Social Services?
Chairman: Are we in agreement that Minister Curley and his staff go to the witness table?
Chairman: Sergeant-at-Arms, could you please escort the minister and his officials down to the witness table.
Minister Curley, could you please introduce your witnesses.
I will introduce my staff.
On my right is the Assistant Deputy Minister, Raj Downe, and to my left is our Finance Officer, Ms. Debora Voth.
Yesterday, we were on page H-6. Any more questions on H-6, Public Health?
Okay, if not, we will go to Health and Social Services. Branch Summary. Public Health.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $17,193,000.
Chairman: We will move on to H-7.
My question to the Hon. Minister of Health and Social Services and his witnesses is to do with staffing at the community health centres. The staffing level at our community health centre has not changed for a number of years and the budget has not changed since 2010-11. What plans are in place to review the staffing requirements at our community health centres?
I will seek some help from my officials on this.
In terms of an introduction, I just want to indicate that unless the community has grown to a particular size, the contingency of the staffing normally remains the same.
If there is a demand for further services, the department normally responds to try and deal with a particular situation that is happening.
We’re doing much the same thing right now in Igloolik, which has some increase in the flu-like symptoms.
Today we sent a doctor to Igloolik to help with the treatment of our clients in Igloolik.
But I shall wait for further questions. (interpretation) That’s it for now. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Mr. Ningark: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I am out of order, I will stand corrected.
One of the most common things when I travel to my communities in the Akulliq riding and living in my two communities is that people complain about the treatment they don’t get.
Earlier in the House, I talked about and I don’t have to remind everyone that people are told that they have this chronic disease when it’s too late.
It is not uncommon, Mr. Chairman, when a mother goes to the health centre and tells the person at the centre that the baby is sick. I believe that the only person who really knows that the baby is sick is the mother. That’s according to the traditional values and understanding.
The traditional values and understanding is recognized by this government through the Tamapta plan.
So quite often, people go home disappointed.
My question again to the hon. minister is: what factors are taken into account when assigning individual nurses to specific community health centres?
It’s connected to my first question, but to determine I need a little more detailed answer.
What we do is we have a government hiring process, we follow the HR process, and if staff is needed in a health centre, we go through the staffing process and we staff the position.
Mr. Ningark: Again, I expect that I will be corrected if I am out of order.
There is a complaints process in the government for medical health, but that never seemed to be used because I get an array of these complaints and I’m reluctant to deal with them because they deal with individual people and cases, and so on.
Through the complaints process of the health and social services department, how often do you receive these complaints?
If there was a little more recognition for the community health committees, perhaps they could deal with those local issues.
In terms of the question itself, we receive a lot of complaints, including complaints as well passed on to us by the MLAs.
In most cases, when there is an evaluation of a particular complaint, we normally respond and we take the complaint seriously.
The nature of the medical services is such that we normally keep these complaints confidential.
As a result of that, it’s really quite, in a way, to try and contain it through the medical profession and authorities, the one that we try to keep in that line.
If we were to try and find another way of non-medical representatives engaged in supervising medical and nursing staff in communities, it is possible that there could be some disruption.
As a result of that, we are very cautious in how best to continue to deal with this thing.
We could do better, no doubt, in communities.
I think also the public eventually has, in some ways, when I use the word, to take ownership of the facilities and health services, as we have done with the school services.
There was quite a good reputation with the school services and school programs.
I believe there is some way that we can improve ways, but it’s going to take a bit of work and we are not ignoring that possibility at all.
I just want to indicate for the record that I recognize that for every story, case, and complaint, there are two sides. I want to indicate that to the House.
As a politician, professional person, and an individual, I recognize that fact, so I just want to say that for the record.
I don’t know if these are repeat complaints, but as I indicated before, I don’t really want to dwell on this issue. I would like to state that I hope your department will give more recognition to the community health centres, to the hamlets in their respective communities.
That concludes it then.
Yes, I think that’s one part of my offer is that eventually communities have to feel that the services provided by health centres belong to the communities.
By and large, the government is paying for the total costs, but actually the health facilities really are the communities’ health services.
As we have accepted, the schools belong to the communities. It’s going to take time.
We take seriously the hamlet councils in most cases, in larger communities, like the RCMP does.
If they are invited, they report to the council.
We always take seriously that if the nurse in charge is invited to appear before the council, they will appear before the council to explain what’s going on, and so on.
So that’s an offer that’s a standing offer.
Not every nurse will appear before the council because they have duties to continue to serve and treat the patients and clients needed, but the nurses in charge have been aware that if they are invited by the council, they are to appear before them and hear and be heard by the council members.
I also wanted to state that some of these cases could be isolated or repeated over and over, but when there is a complaint, I think we also have the obligation to take them seriously in order to try and correct them without having to go outside of the community.
That is why I’m indicating more than once in this House that I wish that the local health committee would be given more responsibility in dealing with the community’s issues under the hamlet council.
In regard to one of the priorities on page 137 in the business plan, it talks about the implementation of the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy and including the partners of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the RCMP, and the Embrace Life Council.
I was wondering if the minister could give us an update as to what’s happening with the actual implementation plan in terms of when it will be tabled in the House and when it will be starting to be implemented into all of the departments.