EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like the minister to table such a report, if there is one, before too long so that people diagnosed with mental health or psychiatric needs ... how they’re really treated because I don’t think we should ignore them anymore.
There are a number of initiatives that the department provides for mental health patients and mental health services.
First of all, in every community we have mental health workers that provide service to the communities.
In Nunavut we have a few facilities that house 24/7 care to mental health patients.
In cases where we don’t have the facilities in the north to provide that, we have to go out-of-territory for providing that kind of service.
We also provide contributions to all the municipalities in providing not just mental health but addictions counselling services on a municipal level through contribution, that information is provided.
At the same time, the department has also initiated last year, and we’re expecting the graduates this year, is to train our own people in the north to be in the field of mental health programming, which is offered in Iqaluit at the Arctic College. Those individuals will be recruited to fill vacant positions in the communities to provide some support.
There’s also, within the department, a crisis intervention team that deals with mental health situations in times of crisis in various communities in the north. We are in the process of hiring a director of mental health and addictions person to focus more on those types of services in the north.
I can also table the document that was tabled in the House I believe in 2002; it’s the Nunavut Addictions to Mental Health Strategy. That’s the document that we’ve been working with in trying to address mental health.
And, I will provide that information to the House and to give more information to the members on some of the initiatives that we’re undertaking.
I would like to thank Mr. Curley for asking that question.
Branch Summary. Treatments Program.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $106,701,000.
Chairman: Thank you, very much. Page H-4.
Total Operations and Maintenance. $225,622,000.
Are you agreed the Department of Health and Social Services is concluded?
I would like to thank the minister and her staff.
Do you have closing remarks, minister? Go ahead.
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq (interpretation): Thank you. I thank the members for asking questions. (interpretation ends) I would also like to thank my staff, Shirley, David, and Ron who is sitting in the Gallery today.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister and your staff. Thank you.
We will take a five-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 18:39 and resumed at 18:54
We’re going to be dealing with the Department of Environment. (interpretation ends) I would now like to ask Minister Netser of Environment to make his opening remarks. Mr. Netser.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2007-08 – Consideration in Committee – Environment
I am pleased to appear before the Committee of the Whole to present our department’s main estimates and business plan for the 2007-08 fiscal year.
With me tonight are Mr. Simon Awa, Deputy Minister, and Ms. Jane Cooper who is the Assistant Deputy Minister.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Environment’s proposed main estimate budget for 2007-08 is $17,261,000.
My department has identified a budget and business plans for fiscal year 2007-08 that focuses on two issues.
One is delivering on our mandated obligations and responsibilities including our obligations under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and supporting partnerships within strategic core areas of our operations.
The Department of Environment has a number of specific obligations in areas of responsibility under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement that are directly related to the management of Nunavut’s resources as well as a number of other national and international legal obligations and responsibilities which include: ongoing responsibilities for the core management of all terrestrial wildlife in Nunavut; Land Use Planning; Environmental Protection and regulatory functions including contaminated site inventory and drum crushing and the responsibility for the implementation of the Umbrella Territorial Parks Inuit Impacts and Benefits Agreement.
You will see a significant portion of our overall budget goes to ensuring that we meet those obligations.
As part of the Departmental Inuit Employment Plan, we introduced a field officer training program in the 2005-06 fiscal year. Three Inuit beneficiaries, one from each region in Nunavut have been recruited to the training program.
The trainees are located in Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet, and Kugluktuk. This multiyear training program encourages recruitment of Inuit wildlife officers through a modern training program which combines ongoing professional development within the system of training and mentoring.
Mr. Chairman, if resources permit us, we plan to continue this training program so that in time we will be able to further increase the percentage of conservation officers who are Inuit.
One of our goals is to have two conservation officers in each community, especially in the larger communities.
This would provide the officers with more security and support and to ensure communities continue to be served when an officer goes on leave or if a position becomes vacant.
Throughout our budget and planning for 2007-08 fiscal year, we have endeavoured to capitalize on partnership opportunities as the most cost-effective and efficient approach to getting things accomplished.
By partnering with other organizations and institutions, in both private and public sectors, the department will maximize the impact of its resources to increase or supplement our internal capacity.
Often a relatively small investment from the department will support a much needed service in Nunavut for Nunavummiut.
For example, in 2007-08 we plan to contribute $946,000 as grants and contributions to our partnering organizations such as the hunter and trapper organizations, the regional wildlife boards and other partners.
For the coming fiscal year we will continue to deliver our harvester support programming ourselves but we are working diligently with Nunavut Tunngavik to reduce duplications in our respective programs and to bring improvements and efficiency in the way that we deliver them.
The department will also be working closely with the Nunavut hamlets in addressing and managing the contaminated sites inventory, drum crushing and recycling projects.
Respecting territorial parks, with community support we will continue our feasibility studies and development plans for potential parks in our non-decentralized communities.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I would like to point out that the Department of Environment’s Main Estimates for 2007-08 are well balanced and clearly support the obligations and priorities of the Government of Nunavut as well as the needs of Nunavummiut. The department will continue to efficiently make use of its allocated resources and also leverage on third party support to meet our mandate.
Sergeant-at-Arms, would you please assist the minister’s staff.
Thank you. (interpretation ends) For the record, minister, please introduce your witnesses.
Hon. Patterk Netser: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is Jane Cooper, who is the Assistant Deputy Minister and to my right is Mr. Simon Awa, who is the Deputy Minister.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister. (interpretation) Welcome minister and your officials.
Does the Chair of the Committee Ajauqtiit have any comments?
I am pleased to provide the committee’s opening remarks as we begin consideration of the 2007-08 Main Estimates and Business Plan of the Department of Environment.
Later on, members will have an opportunity to make comments and ask questions regarding these estimates.
The Standing Committee Ajauqtiit has had the opportunity to meet with the Minister and his officials.
The minister was able to provide an update on his department’s proposed expenditures for the coming fiscal year.
The standing committee notes that the department has received a significant budget increase from its 2006-07 main estimates.
The standing committee looks forward to the minister keeping the House fully informed of the specific projects for which this increased funding will be used.
Members continue to be concerned about the polar bear issue.
The United States government is still considering adding the polar bear to its listing of endangered species.
This could significantly harm a number of our smaller communities, where sport hunting is a major source of economic activity and employment.
Members are aware that there is much evidence to indicate that polar bear populations in Nunavut are, in fact, healthy.
Members support the minister in his lobbying efforts to ensure that Nunavut’s position is clearly presented.
As all members know, our colleague from Sanikiluaq has been a strong representative of his community with respect to environmental issues affecting Hudson Bay, including major hydroelectric projects in Quebec.
Members are pleased that the department is planning to support a major conference in 2009, the Hudson Bay Summit, which has the potential of helping to ensure that our concerns receive attention.
Members are pleased that the department is making efforts to increase the number of Inuit conservation officers.
Members note that the department has hired three trainees and that the department has produced a recruitment video, targeted at Inuit youth, to encourage them to pursue careers as conservation officers.
Members are aware that the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board continues its work with respect to the review of new regulations made under the Wildlife Act.
Members continue to receive concerns from their communities on such matters as the total allowable harvest for certain species.
Members have been given to understand that the majority of the outstanding areas of disagreement between the GN and NTI are being resolved. Members will continue to monitor this issue.
Members continue to be concerned with respect to the status of contaminated sites in Nunavut, including Old Clyde River and Cape Christian.
The need for the GN to account for environmental liabilities has, in fact, been noted in the Auditor General’s reports to the Legislative Assembly. The standing committee encourages the department to continue its work with Indian and Northern Affairs and other organizations to achieve progress in identifying funds and moving forward with actual clean-ups.
As all Nunavummiut are aware, the issue of global warming is of extreme importance. Members noted with disappointment that the Nunavut Climate Change Strategy has not been implemented due to lack of funding.
Members recognize that a global problem requires global solutions. As MLAs, we all have a responsibility to ensure that this issue remains on the agenda, and support the minister in his efforts to work with his counterparts from across the country.
It was recently announced that an umbrella IIBA for conservation areas has been concluded.
It takes many years to complete such negotiations and members are pleased that progress has been achieved.
Members were also pleased that the Coppermine Heritage River Management Plan is being completed.
This concludes my opening remarks. I anticipate that individual members will raise their own comments and concerns on the department’s 2007-08 main estimates and business plan.
Before we proceed I would like to remind members of the following: according to Rule 77(1), you have ten minutes to speak, and according to Rule 77(2), subject to the discretion of the Chair, a member may speak more than once to a matter under discussion but not until every member wishing to speak has spoken.
When we talk about environment, I feel very happy about that because it’s the Inuit have to deal with the environment, especially the hunters.
There is too much legislation and too many wildlife that are classified as endangered.
There’s a lot of wildlife that had been classed as declining but looking at that, because we live here, we know it isn’t so.
I feel that the hunters in Nunavut try to tell the public out there that there’s a lot of wildlife out there and they should be ... (interpretation ends) ... you just need tools. Well then give me tools. And our proof is we live in Nunavut all our lives.
(interpretation) It’s very maddening when others tell you they believe in the scientists, or they believe in the biologists, but they don’t live in Nunavut, and the federal government believes in them.
I think this has to stop.
We have to voice our concerns and use Inuit Qaujimanituqangit when you’re doing research on wildlife in Nunavut and tell the federal government that this is the way we want to do things. We’d like to be able to use our own people.
I would like to encourage the minister; he should be using Inuit Qaujimanituqangit and whenever there is wildlife that is in the process of being considered at risk, I would like the minister to try to tell the people that it isn’t so. We have to have the power to tell them that this is not happening.
That is just a comment that I wanted to make.
I would like to welcome you Mr. Minister and your officials.
Please feel welcome to the Chambers.
I, too, am representing the High Arctic communities. I am representing the polar bear pass area and also marine mammals such as narwhal and belugas that migrate through the High Arctic in the spring time.
We need to monitor wildlife activists when they go up to the High Artic.
They pretend to be doing something else, yet they are taking photographs. I know they need permission to take photographs.
That should be clarified by your department that they should seek permission from the individuals if they’re going to be photographing these hunters.
I don’t think animal rights activists should be taking photographs without the permission of the hunters.
We are not depleting the number of wildlife. The market for sealskin declined but it’s not Inuit who were at fault.
Back in 1976 the price of sealskins declined. The prices are coming back up thanks to your department, and you are providing support to the hunters.
With regards to the environment, we are going to feel the impacts of climate change.
For individuals working on climate change, I would urge your department to monitor the scientists doing the research during International Polar Year because we are the ones that are going to feel the first impacts up here.
Sometimes I think that the reason why we see so many Inuit with cancer is because our environment causes it. They will eventually find out through research done during the International Polar Year.
I would like to thank your department for increasing the numbers of conservation officers because they really provide support to regular Inuit on the street.
For example, when they are selling their sealskins, or when the non-Inuit are applying for a permit. When you don’t have a conservation officer, it’s not very good when you’re trying to get something from Iqaluit, when we need to take care of our environment.
I also have a concern with them. When the scientists came up to our community they tagged the narwhals, or asked questions like how many narwhals were harvested.
As Inuit people we know how many narwhals we’ve landed, or how many narwhals we’ve netted because we were there actually hunting the narwhals.
We also know how many we had lost.
We know exactly where they’re going, even though there are some scientists doing their research on them. Perhaps the scientists don’t believe us Inuit people.
We have seen satellite pictures of whales.
We as Inuit people are not hurting our wildlife.
It’s the biologist and the scientists when they put in those tags they are interfering with the wildlife.
When they interfere with the wildlife they change their behaviour.
I am sure if they put a satellite radio on the scientist, he wouldn’t want to wear that. It’s evident. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to wear that.
Likewise, with wildlife, they have feelings like us.
I don’t know if they’re going to do another form of survey. Perhaps inform, or consult with the Inuit hunters before they do their research, or before they start tagging them. If they don’t want to get permission from the Inuit at least don’t come up and don’t do research.
One of the things that I’ve observed, and I believe they should be monitored, are the filmmakers. Sometimes they hire Inuit people in the springtime.
At least the Inuit people can see summer jobs thanks to them but these filmmakers show their film internationally.
The HTOs in the communities are asked for permission, and they’re used to get permission.
The HTOs may approve the request, and don’t provide a supporting letter or agreement stating that these individuals could be charged.
I am talking about the HTO board.
The HTO boards are responsible for our environment and they are to manage our wildlife.
Sometimes they even have more authority than the municipality because they are responsible for our environment.
If the HTO is going to be used to get permission from the biologists, it’s not appropriate.
Having said that, HTO boards never have appropriate space; no matter what community you go to, they lack office space and they are the ones guarding the environment.
They meet with the federal government, and they meet with the community members, and they meet with various members of the communities.
They deal and make decisions on polar bear management because they are responsible for taking care of the environment and to make sure that the community is safe.
The question I was posing, I want to stress further that the hunters and trappers organization boards require offices.
The hunters and trappers organizations are used more than conservation officers, and they work together very closely.
When they set up the renewable resource offices, perhaps they could provide space for the hunters and trappers organizations to have offices at the same location.
They do need adequate space and offices.
When they start making decisions on environment, if they meet with anyone, like the federal government, or if they meet with proponents that apply for permits, when they have to work with all those individuals, it’s inappropriate for them to have inadequate offices.
So, I really want to urge your department to provide offices for them. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I just want to make brief general comments.
My colleagues know the issue about polar bear management, and they know that I have a concern with that.
I know that the Department of Environment will be the leading department dealing with that.
I have a concern, and I believe that the Department of Environment should work hard on that issue.
Also, with regards to sealing, as Inuit hunters, sealskins are their main source of money. The hunters sell polar bears and seals to make money. I believe you have to work harder on that.
Last summer, I believe it was in August in Sanikiluaq, they were doing a tagging project, and I’m very happy that they did a study on the hydro project in the Hudson Bay area.
I’m very pleased that the researchers were very supportive to us.
But the way Inuit manage wildlife, the hunters were not very pleased.
Last fall, I think it was in November, I announced in Sanikiluaq, from Chesterfield Inlet to Coral Harbour, and back to Sanikiluaq, and to Cambridge Bay, the hunters had a concern about wildlife.
I think that seal was going all over the place when it was tagged.
They believe the seal was quite disturbed by the tag.
Even if the seal was itchy, it couldn’t even scratch itself. I believe that the tag was uncomfortable and that seal was travelling all over the place.
The minister’s statement this morning under Ministers’ Statements, I was very pleased to hear that and my constituency was asking questions in regard to that. So I was very pleased to hear your minister’s statement because our younger generation has a concern in regard to the environment.
In regard to the federal government, they keep making reference to the Clean Air Act and I think that they should take into consideration the colder climate up here and the Inuit. I think that they should consider the north and I think that if this Clean Air Act is going to be implemented, it’s going to have a huge impact on the Inuit and the people who inhabit the north.
I don’t know whether it’s true or not but in reference to the opening comments of the chairperson, we have a very huge concern on the hydro project that they’re proposing. It’s getting warmer in the southern provinces and we see a lot more water flowing in the middle of winter.
Usually, the rivers start flowing in the spring. If it’s going to be getting warmer down there, then there’s going to be less flow of water.
Because of that, the Belcher Islands are going to be negatively impacted as there’s going to be more freshwater flowing into Hudson Bay. As you’re probably well aware, the people of Sanikiluaq rely heavily on the marine mammals for food, and also shellfish.
If there’s going to be more freshwater flowing into our waters, then it’s going to have a negative impact on the mammals. There’s going to be four rivers that are going to be diverted so that it will become one.
A huge amount of freshwater will flow into the Hudson Bay saltwater and it’s going to have a negative impact on the mammals that cannot live in freshwater.
Welcome to the witness table. Don’t fall asleep; I’ll keep it as brief as possible.
It’s very important to deal with animals and their research and everything but we have to look at development.
I am sure that we all know about the fiscal restraint that has been practiced by the government.
But in the community of Arviat we send out a lot of seal pelts and fox furs, we don’t have a lot of trappers but they do get a large amount.
The younger generations are also harvesting those animals and some of these young people are not experienced as they didn’t go out with the hunters since they were small.
There is less and less older generations and it seems like we are not practicing trapping as much.
We are not using the old traps anymore and the newer models are very expensive and it’s preventing people to get into the trapping business.
I think your department has to be reminded of that and we also have to look at the training component of it. I think that it is up to your department to make sure that you get the information out to the schools and also have a career day so that they can think about entering those types of jobs.
Is there money set aside to be used for training in regard to seal pelts and fox furs?
The students or the younger generation don’t know how to go about harvesting those animals.
They don’t know how to dress the furs and the pelts and they don’t know that the furs or pelts tend to spoil if they’re not taken care of right away.
I am sure that there are some people learning and we know that there are people who are selling those products; I think that your department should be looking into this further.
In regard to the conservation officers, if we look back to the end of the 60s we started getting conservation officers and they had equipment like snowmobiles, boats and so on.
It is the same case today but they get very limited money to be used to buy gas and supplies and so on, and they have to go out on to the land to look at the environment and look after the animals.
They also buy seal pelts and they buy a lot.
We hear that all the seal pelts were bought at the auction but I think it’s up to us to look at how we can improve the cost of the pelts.
There is limited room in the freezers and these pelts have to be taken care of properly in places where it is temperature controlled.
We don’t have any facilities to house those pelts and furs.
I wanted to make those comments. There are a lot of people out there who want to work in environment-related jobs but they’re given limited equipment. They’re given limited amounts of money to be used to buy gasoline and grub and so on.
I think that we have to look at this closer as we don’t give them enough financial support.
Mr. Curley (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister, the deputy, and the assistant deputy minister.