EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The internal review is being determined at this time and once that is completed, I will be able to inform my colleague.
Mr. Speaker, it was very clear that the government announced they were conducting a review.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is essential that the government reform two specific areas of contracting: fuel distribution contracts and medical travel.
Will the Premier commit to me that the two reviews will examine these specific areas, yes or no?
This process is just getting started and we just announced it last week. We haven’t even gotten into the details. Once we have been able to complete the details, I will provide more information.
I think Nunavutmiut will not be given just smokescreen information because these are known specific areas of concern to Nunavutmiut.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I have already suggested that one immediate action that the government could undertake would be to agree to specific recommendations of the NNI Contracting Appeals Board. Will the Premier commit to using her authority as Premier to make this happen, yes or no?
This NNI procurement review and the public procurement review will be happening, and the committee will be struck to establish the terms of reference for the procurement portion of their review.
So again, I will have to say that the contents of the terms of reference will determine what will be reviewed and so on, and I will get back to him once I have that information.
Question 306 – 3(3): Implementing the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Violence Strategy (Ugyuk)
In my statement earlier today, I discussed the need to address the issue of family violence so that husbands and wives can become fully reconciled.
Family violence is usually one-sided, with one partner intimidating the other and the other acting as peacemaker.
(interpretation ends) Can the minister update this House on the implementation status of the Ilagiitsiarniq Strategy and whether any staff have been hired to deliver support for the strategy?
When I first became the Minister of Health, I reviewed the strategy and action plan. I was not satisfied with the drafts and I have asked that the draft action plan be reviewed.
I also thank the minister for his adequate response. (interpretation ends) On October 28, 2011, I asked questions on whether funding for family violence programs would be directed towards shelters.
The Minister of Health and Social Services answered that the government would have a plan for healthy families and indicated that churches and church bodies would be involved.
Can the minister clarify whether or not churches and church bodies are involved in the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Violence Prevention Strategy?
Speaker: Thank you, Ms. Ugyuk. Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister Peterson.
As I indicated during the Committee of the Whole last week when Ms. Ugyuk was questioning me on that very issue, I indicated that if we received proposals from any group in the community with respect to safe homes or family violence shelters offering services, we will review them.
He responded to some of my question. (interpretation ends) If community groups are going to be involved in strategies and activities to work towards preventing family violence, it is important that they have the necessary resources to do so.
Can the minister clarify whether or not communities will be given funding under the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Violence Prevention Strategy to work on family violence issues?
Once we develop the action plan and get it approved by cabinet and roll it out, we will determine whether additional funding is required to implement the action plan.
I would like to thank the minister for responding to my question (interpretation ends) Will the minister commit to working with community wellness directors and health committees to implement the Ilagiitsiarniq Family Violence Prevention Strategy?
Mr. Speaker, everybody in the community should be involved in addressing family violence in their communities.
As a government, we promote safe communities, safe families.
So everybody should be involved in providing help to address family violence.
I’m sure, at some point, that that will occur.
Question 307 – 3(3): Marine Infrastructure and Services (Aupaluktuq)
In my Member’s Statement, I spoke about the need for modern marine infrastructure in the community of Baker Lake.
Can the minister indicate to me how often his department works with municipalities and other partners to conduct inventories of the condition of existing marine infrastructure in our communities?
We’re always trying to assist the communities in their needs of small craft harbours and floating docks, and Baker Lake is no exception.
In the past several years, we have spent over $2.5 million assisting at least 15 communities in procuring and assisting them in getting floating docks installed within their communities.
Baker Lake is one that we assisted in the past with $165,000 to assist them with installing their floating dock.
For other permanent infrastructure in Baker Lake, I’m not really aware of what infrastructure they have for marine facilities there.
There may be one that is owned by the mine, but other than that, with the floating dock, we do assist any community that requires assistance.
I would like to thank the hon. member for that information.
It’s nice to know that Nunavut’s small communities, 15 of them, had $2.5 million in small floating docks and Baker Lake, in the past, received $165,000 to assist in that.
Mr. Speaker, as I noted in my Member’s Statement, concerns have been expressed to me by my constituents with respect to the adequacy of Baker Lake’s existing docking facilities.
Can the minister indicate what discussions his department has had with the municipality regarding long-term plans for Baker Lake’s marine infrastructure?
Mr. Speaker, we try and assist the smaller communities in their marine infrastructure needs.
We await some of these proposals that do come in from the smaller communities and we will try and assist in any way possible.
We do have a small amount of available funds that will assist a community in cleaning up and fixing up some of their landing sites for resupply. Baker Lake is no exception. There is a small pot of money.
For discussions on major infrastructure needs on marine, we haven’t heard anything from the community.
We have no discussions with the community on that, but we’re looking forward to any kinds of proposals or recommendations that do come in from the community.
Again, Mr. Speaker, if we do receive those, we’re willing to assist in any way possible.
I’m glad it’s a reminder to all Nunavummiut as well as Baker Lake that communities must apply or formally request infrastructure needs.
I look forward to working with my community, hamlet, and municipality to ensure that these are formally requested based on the needs and concerns of the people of Baker Lake.
Mr. Speaker, as I noted in my Member’s Statement, there is support for expanded port facilities in the community of Baker Lake. Can the minister update me and the House today on the status of his ongoing efforts to obtain additional federal support for marine infrastructure in Nunavut?
Hon. Peter Taptuna: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again thank you for that question.
Mr. Speaker, we do have a small craft harbour report which was jointly prepared by my department, Economic Development and Transportation, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which identified seven communities as priorities for fishing harbours.
At this time, Baker Lake was not included as a priority.
We’re constantly trying to lobby the federal government on how to best address some of these infrastructure needs.
For a fact, Mr. Speaker, we do not have any marine infrastructure that the rest of the country has taken for granted. There are over 300 docking facilities on the Atlantic coast.
Here in one of the biggest coast lines in Canada, we have only one. Of course, that is being completed in Pangnirtung. We constantly try and enforce that message that we do need marine infrastructure in Nunavut.
In further detail, I will pursue the matters with the government and federal government, as well as the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Mr. Speaker, this is in relation to my Member’s Statement. I noted that the residents of Baker Lake have spoken to me about their desire to see an enhanced Coast Guard presence in the community.
This is in regard to search and rescue as well as safety regarding all the traffic of shipping going for mining and exploration companies.
Mr. Speaker, my question is: can the minister indicate if he has held discussions with the federal government concerning the level of Coast Guard service that is provided in Nunavut?
When it comes to the discussion of Coast Guard and Coast Guard auxiliary, I would rather defer that to the department responsible for that initiative.
Question 308 – 3(3): Physician Services in the High Arctic (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, up until a couple of years ago, the community of Pond Inlet was fortunate enough to have a doctor resident in the community.
I am confident that you will agree that it is very reassuring for community residents as well as the nurses to have a doctor nearby who can be called on for difficult health situations.
The doctor left a couple of years ago and the position has not yet been filled. Can the Minister of Health and Social Services update this House on what steps have been taken to fill the doctor position which was based in Pond Inlet?
Mr. Speaker, as everybody in this House knows and most people across Canada know, physicians are in very short supply in Canada. It’s very difficult to attract qualified physicians to Nunavut. We’re making every effort to work with the University of Newfoundland, in fact, under the NunaFam project, to train physicians who we hope will remain here in Nunavut in time.
In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I can’t tell Mr. Enook what the plan is to replace that physician position.
I know that at the Qikiqtani hospital, physicians there do provide locum support to nurses in the communities in the Baffin region.
Since the position was based in the High Arctic, the doctor in Pond Inlet was able to travel around and provide services to other communities as well.
Can the minister confirm that having a physician based in the High Arctic helped to achieve important cost savings for the department?
Every community would like to have a physician, I’m sure. There are 24 communities outside of Iqaluit and they would all like to have physicians.
I certainly know that in Cambridge Bay, with the locums, the doctors do provide excellent service to us. At this time, I can’t confirm that positioning a physician in Pond Inlet and the High Arctic would result in savings.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Your second supplementary, Mr. Enook.
Will the minister commit to filling the vacant doctor position in Pond Inlet as soon as possible?
I thank Mr. Enook for his question.
Mr. Speaker, I will ask my officials to look into why the position is vacant and whether it is a position that is required to be re-staffed with a physician.
Question 309 – 3(3): Global Warming and its Effect on Homeowners (Ningark)
During my Member’s Statement, I spoke about private homeowners in Nunavut.
According to my belief, they are being impacted by global warming, specifically with the permafrost that is melting underneath homes.
Also, this fall in Kugaaruk, our water lake was overrun by salt water and it has now impacted a lot of the houses’ piping and water.
If we were to look at the two communities of Kugaaruk and Repulse Bay, they have been seriously affected.
In Canada, there are scientists studying the planet, the environment, plants, and salt. There are our homeowners who need assistance. I would like to ask the minister through you, Mr. Speaker: does the housing corporation have a plan in place to try to deal with the impact climate change will have and whether this is being studied?
I believe you were directing your question to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Is that correct, Mr. Ningark?
I didn’t want to use my supplementary, so I’m not asking a question at this time.
Speaker: No, that wasn’t a supplementary, but thank you for clearly indicating who your question was directed to, Mr. Ningark.
We’re always looking at different ways of dealing with homeownership programs and unfortunately, we’re limited to the funds that we have.
We have different programs, such as the oil tank replacement, we have an emergency repair fund there, and we are looking at it.
Of course, we all know that global warming is creating a problem for everybody here and it’s something we’re looking at.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for understanding my question.
I would like to direct this other question to the minister.
As the Nunavut Housing Corporation is aware, public units in Kugaaruk had to be repaired because of the impact of the salt water on the freshwater lake and it’s evident that these repairs were paid for by the housing corporation.
Can the minister indicate whether private homeowners’ piping was impacted and if they will be assisted to make these repairs to their homes?
If it was the cause of the salt water that you are explaining there, then we will definitely look at it.
Like I said, there are programs available where homeowners can apply.
Question 310 – 3(3): Donation of Food Legislation (Elliott)
Mr. Speaker, the generosity of Nunavut’s response to the recent tragedy in Iqaluit has been overwhelming. Donations of money and goods from across the territory have helped to meet the immediate needs of victims.
Mr. Speaker, as the minister is likely aware, legislation was recently passed in the Northwest Territories to protect donors of food and distributors of donated food from liability from their actions.
The title of the new law is the Donation of Food Act.
Can the minister tell us if this issue is being considered as part of his department’s development of a new Public Health Act?
Mr. Speaker, I’m aware of the legislation that was passed in the Northwest Territories, but I’m unaware if that is being considered in Nunavut.
The new legislation in the Northwest Territories is very short and straightforward.
Would the minister commit to taking a look at it with a view to introducing a similar bill during either the spring sitting or the fall sitting?
Mr. Speaker, I can’t commit to anything other than I will take a look at it.
I haven’t even had a chance to read it. I have heard about it in the media.
Without actually reading it, considering and thinking about how it could benefit Nunavut, I can’t commit to anything.
Question 311 – 3(3): Assistance for Prospective Home Buyers (Oshutapik)
I also thank you for allowing me to ask a question.
My question will be directed to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Can the minister inform the House about homeownership assistance? This is about the program to encourage private homeownership that has been around for many years now. However, as people start utilizing this program, they run into a lot of obstacles, such as maintenance issues.
There’s a lot of red tape in accessing funds for constructing your own home.
Can the minister identify why it is so difficult to try to apply for these funds as a private homeowner?
I thank Mr. Oshutapik for that question.
Number one, there are limited funds in that program and that’s part of the reason. So there are a lot of applications for it and they’re selected on certain criteria.
I realize that it’s kind of a problem. We are trying to get homeowners into their own home and we are seriously looking at changing that whole program.
In his response, I had expected the minister to say that there is a lack of funding as that is usually the standard answer.
Be that as it may, the funds are severely restricted and limited. I have done work for a private homeowner and have had to scrounge around for material.
With the government having pushed this idea of homeownership, that’s why I brought up all the difficulties in trying to access funding.
The second question I have is: I’m wondering if funding for private homeownership was revisited to determine if more funds can be made available by the minister in the near future.
Yes, we are seriously looking at it. As of last year, we only had 25 approved applications for homeownership, so that will give you an idea as to how limited it is.
We do realize the only way we are going to get more tenants into public housing is by getting some of these people who can afford to get out of public housing into their own homes. We have to give better incentives other than just a down payment on it.
Yes, that is something I would like to see in the future. We have been told in the past that when more Inuit become private homeowners, it will make things a lot easier.
However, it’s actually the opposite.
There are more barriers that we run into. A lot of these issues that are brought up were never spoken of in the past.
I will cite this example about the fuel tank replacement program. If a homeowner doesn’t have insurance, they cannot be eligible for that program.
Some of these people, especially the elders, are a having a very hard time trying to make ends meet and pay their bills.
It is no surprise that when they’re barely able to keep up with bills, they’re not able to pay their insurance. They maintain their homes without insurance with the hopes of being able to pay their insurance bills later.
So when insurance becomes a prerequisite for this program, it means they’re unable to make repairs and become ineligible for the funding.
I am wondering if this could be reviewed to see if this obstacle can be removed.
Minister of the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Minister Schell.
We do have the Oil Tank Replacement Program, which there is up to 100 applications each year up to $5,000 each, and that is going to continue until 2016.
We also have renovations for homeowners first time, up to $65,000, that they can apply to get their houses fixed.
I do realize that it’s an issue with insurance and I know of one example where somebody didn’t have insurance and the house burned down. They were in trouble; they lost everything.
We’re trying to figure out a way possibly of maybe rolling it into the mortgage to make sure that the homeowners do have insurance.
Again just a gentle reminder to members, please indicate who you are asking questions to right off the bat so the minister knows who it is coming to. Also, your follow–up supplementary preambles are not meant to be very long.
Question 312 – 3(3): Government Contracts (Ningark)
As the date of our return trip home is approaching, on the other hand, I am very happy as I can’t wait to go home.
I had raised a question about the Repulse Bay contracts with regard to the local hotels and rental companies being utilized by the construction companies.
I asked if the local hotels and truck rental companies have space and available vehicles, specifically with respect to heavy equipment or even just regular trucks, so that the community can benefit as well from these contracts.
Can the minister provide an update today on the previous question that I brought up last week?
I also thank Mr. Ningark for requesting more clarification.
Yes, we did look into the contracts specific to Repulse Bay and this was in relation to the health centre construction.
The Nunavut government does have a policy, especially where there are major construction projects where they will bring in a lot of outside workers, where they have to utilize the local hotels and businesses.
I have looked into this situation in Repulse Bay. There are 12 workers currently there.
They do stay at the hotel, but they do have their own unit that they’re renting.
At this current time, only the superintendent or foreman is staying at that rental unit and all other workers are currently staying at the hotel and all of them go for meals at that hotel.
With respect to the truck rental issues, Mr. Speaker, we don’t have any rules about having to use local businesses or truck rental companies in the communities.
With respect to that particular issue, the contractors brought their own vehicle to the community because there was no local rental company available to lease these vehicles.
As a matter of fact, we don’t have a policy asking construction companies to rent vehicles from communities.
That’s what I can say to the member and I hope my response was adequate.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): Thank you for my first supplementary question, Mr. Speaker.
As a government, I forget how they state it in English, but if you look at the contracting and procurement issues, I believe the minister is responsible for these contracting and procurement policies in the communities.
Communities do request some assistance to ensure all monies stay in the communities.
Does he support this idea?
Speaker: I think that was just a comment, Mr. Ningark.
With regard to contracting policies, it states that if you’re going to submit a bid, there are certain policies that you have to abide by and it talks about the procedures that are written.
I do support that and I believe in that process.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): I thank the minister for providing that response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Perhaps when we’re dealing with this issue in Committee of the Whole, I will raise this further.
I want to raise this question. Does the Government of Nunavut truly support local economies, especially when smaller communities experience job shortages more than anywhere else in Canada?
When it comes to public funding in contracting, as it pertains to Article 24, is this something the government truly believes in?
I believe I had already responded to that, but yes, the Government of Nunavut has taken the position that any bidders for contracts have to abide by all policies.
I’m not going to change my position.
We want to help all Nunavummiut and businesses should especially be supported by the Government of Nunavut.
Question 313 – 3(3): Hotel Policy on Government Contractors (Curley)
Mr. Curley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) I have a very short question that I will ask in Inuktitut and I will direct it to the Minister of Community and Government Services.
When my colleague was asking questions, what I understood of the minister’s response was there this is a policy that the labourers will have to stay in a hotel.
Can the minister clarify that? I believe you also stated that there was a practice.
Can you table which policy states that they have to utilize local hotels?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): I will have to look into that matter and return with more information.
What you stated in Inuktitut is very understandable. You stated that there is a policy that has to be followed.
Can you table the policy that is in question about contractors having to stay in local hotels?
Hon. Lorne Kusugak (interpretation): As I stated, I will have to look into this matter further and get back to the member.
Written Questions. Mr. Rumbolt.
Written Question 015 – 3(3): Southern Hudson Bay Polar Bear Population Management (Rumbolt)
Currently, there is no formal agreement in place in Quebec concerning the harvesting of the southern Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation. The Department of Environment is a member of the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Management Board.
One of its mandates is to establish a total allowable take of the southern Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation.
My written question relates to the harvesting of the southern Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation and the Department of Environment’s role as a member of the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Management Board. The questions are very detailed, so I ask that they be entered into the record as read.
Currently, there is no formal agreement in place concerning the harvesting of the southern Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation.
The Department of Environment is a member of the Nunavik Marine Region Wildlife Management Board.
Broken down by province or territory, how many polar bears have been harvested in the southern Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation for the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 calendar years?