EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
(interpretation) This year, we are going to be working with the Department of Health and Social Services and Nunavut Arctic College regarding the training program on suicide prevention. (interpretation ends) In the new fiscal year, we will be working closely with the Department of Health and Nunavut Arctic College to establish a comprehensive ASIST training schedule.
With no doubt, implementation of resolutions is quite complicated, but on a topic such as this, it is quite sensitive. I am glad the minister is able to raise awareness with the departmental staff, and as well as other agencies.
Mr. Speaker, for the record, I want to ask: can the minister update this House on how many staff have received the ASIST training during the current school year, and how does this number compare with previous school years?
I don’t have that information in front of me at this time, but I will be very pleased to give you the information at a later date.
There have been some individual training programs in previous years, but they weren’t able to go ahead with the training program.
It’s very important to make sure that they’re trained in these fields.
It is obvious that the majority of Nunavummiut have been impacted by suicide, and it is clear that many of our residents in Nunavut have all felt that impact and this issue is important to our fellow residents.
Although the minister partially responded to my earlier question, I wanted the answer stated while all Nunavummiut are listening into the televised sessions.
I wanted to ask this further question, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Can the minister update this House on how many staff will receive training during the current school year?
If she does not know the answer now, will she be able to provide it?
Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Aupaluktuq. Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Minister Aariak.
Yes, I do not have the information in front of me, but we have given all school staff the opportunity to take the training program if they would like to do so.
I do not have the numbers in front of me, but I will keep the House updated on this training program.
(interpretation ends) Our first focus will be on providing ASIST training to any high school staff who wishes to take the training. Nunavut Arctic College has added ASIST training to Nunavut Teacher Education Program and nursing curriculum.
This means that all new teachers and nurses will have ASIST training when they begin their careers.
We will create an ASIST training registry so that we have current information on which communities have education staff/residents who have taken ASIST training and if the number of trained individuals has changed.
This registry will help us determine when communities need to have the ASIST training workshop delivered. (interpretation) I know that it is going to be very helpful in the future if we know who has been trained on the ASIST program.
I would also encourage the minister to advise the various levels of training to also include support staff at various levels in the schools, and as well as the delivery programs.
Mr. Speaker, the GN suicide prevention efforts are coordinated in partnership with NTI, Embrace Life Council, and the RCMP.
Is the minister aware of any concerns brought forward by these entities with respect to the level of ASIST training being provided to school staff and other Nunavummiut?
Question 587 – 3(3): Status of New Structure at the Baffin Correctional Centre (Rumbolt)
Mr. Rumbolt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Justice. I want to follow up today with the minister on the issue of the new facility at the Baffin Correctional Centre.
The Legislative Assembly has now approved just over $14 million for this project.
Although the budget requests that have gone before the Legislative Assembly for approval described this as a “temporary” structure, the Minister of Finance indicated yesterday that, and I quote, “It will be more of a permanent-type facility as opposed to a temporary facility.”
Can the Minister of Justice clarify whether this structure is intended to be a permanent facility or a temporary facility?
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank my colleagues and the Members of the House for their support in moving forward with such a great endeavour and a critical facility that was much needed in the territory of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, I think, when this initiative began, there was a title change that was improperly put on this facility and that was the temporary relief structure. That was later changed with discussion with Justice that it should have never been named that way. It is now called the overcrowding relief structure.
I assure the member that this is more than a temporary facility. It is a permanent facility.
We’re going to be using it for the long term until such time that we move forward further with endeavours to have a more entailed facility and we have a bigger facility to house all of our inmates.
Mr. Speaker, this facility has been described in government documents as a “rapid deployment structure” and a “tensioned membrane structure.” Can the minister describe in general terms the design approach for this facility?
I thank Mr. Rumbolt for the question again.
Mr. Speaker, when this initiative began, it began with a great emergency and a need to deal with the situation we have at BCC.
There were several options looked at. I do recall at one point when we were talking about a sprung structure and a design that would be put up quick, more looking like a tent.
This design was looked at and also, CGS Technical Services was greatly involved in this. This was explored.
We did not have enough information on that type of facility and the risk was too high to proceed with that, so we went with more of a traditional structure facility.
It’s going to be a steel structure facility and that is the way we’re moving forward.
Yesterday, the Minister of Justice indicated that the planning and design for the new structure is complete. Will the minister commit to providing copies of the facility’s design to the Members of the Legislative Assembly?
I will commit to do that during the spring sitting of the House.
In October of last year, the Legislative Assembly approved $8,575,000 in the department’s capital estimates for this new facility.
At that time, the minister stated that “The overcrowding relief structure will be utilized in years to come to provide programming to offenders following construction of a new larger facility replacing the present Baffin Correctional Centre.”
Can the minister clarify if the government still plans to construct a full replacement for the BCC and, if so, what is the approximate cost of such a project?
I thank Mr. Rumbolt for the very important question.
Mr. Speaker, I think my vision and the government’s vision is to work toward a facility that will house all of our inmates in Nunavut, the ones that we have in different locations that are territorial inmates that are outside of the territory, also the federal inmates that we have in southern Canada.
This is a long-term vision. There’s ongoing discussion. I’ve had discussion with the public safety minister of Canada.
I’ve had discussion with our MP for Nunavut. I’ve also had discussion with a couple of Senators who are interested in setting up a committee and exploring such an avenue. So we will continue to work towards this.
As for when that would happen in the future, I don’t have any dates on that and what would happen. I think the cost of such a facility, Mr. Speaker, would be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Question 588 – 3(3): Inuit Language Standardization (Tapardjuk)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Languages, whom I call my Annuraaqatik, (interpretation ends) Hon. James Arreak.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, earlier in this sitting, I addressed the need for official Inuit language terms to be established for the names of our government departments.
I fully recognize and appreciate the richness of the various Inuktitut dialects across Nunavut and I respect that those dialects are fully entrenched in family identities and community relations.
However, Mr. Speaker, government services are delivered to all members of the public, regardless of what family or community they are from, and to ensure efficient delivery of those services, there is a need for standardization.
Can the minister clearly explain the plans and timelines for the standardization of the Inuit language across Nunavut?
I thank Mr. Tapardjuk for asking that question regarding the Inuit language that we consider an important matter.
We aren’t focusing on standardizing the Inuktitut language; however the Inuit Language Authority identifies words that aren’t familiar to Inuit or on new words, to come up with a standardized term understood by all regions. This is what they are doing at this time.
Our goal isn’t to standardize the Inuktitut language with one common language used by Nunavummiut, but to ensure that Inuit in all regions understand what the new terms and their definitions are for and that is part of the mandate of this committee. This committee does a lot of work in this area.
On October 30, 2012, the minister tabled Uqausivut, the government’s comprehensive plan pursuant to the Nunavut’s language legislation.
I do note that page 22 of the plan lists a number of 2012 to 2016 priorities with respect to language development and standardization.
However, the plan is very vague with respect to what specific areas of standardization will be addressed and when each of those areas is proposed to be finalized.
Can the minister provide more detail on what specific areas of the Inuit language will be focused on for standardization and what specific time objectives will be set?
During question period last year, I indicated our priorities for this year.
Our first goal is to set up terms regarding health; we have been working on that for a number of years now.
We are compiling terms for body parts and health-related terms.
That is our first priority for this year.
Yes, I understand that. We have been working on the health-related topics; medication, for example, has been on the table for quite some time now.
I understand that one priority area for standardization is in the health field, with medical and pharmacological terminology being a prime focus.
As many of my colleagues will be aware, this has been an ongoing area of language development, even prior to our new language legislation coming into force. Health is indeed one place where clarity in communication is essential.
Can the minister indicate what other aspects of language standardization are seen as priorities?
Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Tapardjuk. Minister of Languages, Minister Arreak.
Yes, I talked about this issue yesterday, and I cannot remember exactly what our priorities are.
It is going to be an ongoing program. I would like to thank my colleague who started these projects before my time.
We are standardizing the language and have come to a consensus, but, again, there are different dialects or different writing systems that we have to factor in.
Once the health-related terms are completed then we will turn our focus onto another area.
I would like to thank the minister for his response. Part two of the Nunavut Inuit Language Protection Act establishes the Inuit Uqausinginnik Taiguusiliuqtiit and gives it the authority to consider and make decisions about Inuit language use development and standardization.
Can the minister describe his working relationship with the Inuit Language Authority and how he provides direction with respect to prioritizing the Inuit Language Authority’s efforts in this area?
As ministers responsible for various portfolios, when we are dealing with directives, much like my ministerial portfolio of the Environment, where I have some authority, the other portfolio I hold is as the Minister of Languages.
I also have some authority on some issues, but the Inuit Language Authority is the main language definition working group, but I do have some flexibility when it comes to Languages. This includes working with the Inuit Language Authority on linguistic issues.
Question 589 – 3(3): Status of Peary Caribou Management Plan (Elliott)
As the minister will recall from questions to him earlier in the sitting concerning development in High Arctic, the issue of protecting the Peary caribou is a concern for the communities that I represent.
The Department of Environment’s business plan indicates that one of its priorities for the coming fiscal year is to continue working to develop a Peary caribou management plan. Can the minister update the House today on the status of this work?
Hon. James Arreak (interpretation): Mr. Speaker.
I wish to apologize, as at this time I haven’t been briefed in any details with respect to the matter the member brought up, at least to date.
I will have to take the question as notice at this time, and once I have that information, I will be able to provide a response.
Minister Arreak, are you taking the question as notice? Okay.
Question 590 – 3(3): Application of Client Escort Policy to Breastfeeding Mothers (Oshutapik)
My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services, (interpretation ends) Hon. Keith Peterson.
Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s Statement today, I raised concerns about the way that the department’s client escort policy is being applied to breastfeeding mothers.
Can the minister clarify if breastfeeding mothers are allowed to bring their babies with them when they are escorting other children to medical appointments outside of their community?
Mr. Speaker, I believe there may be an issue with the airlines. I believe it is one adult, one child. It would be difficult for a mother or father to look after two children while they’re travelling in the event of an emergency.
As the minister is aware, this issue has been raised before by Members of the Legislative Assembly. Can the minister indicate if this issue has been reviewed by his department?
I am not sure if I understand Mr. Oshutapik’s question. We are always reviewing the policy to ensure that we are providing good service to our clients.
The department’s current client escort approval process does not clearly address this issue.
Will the minister commit to producing a more clear set of guidelines in this area?
If there is some uncertainty with our clients or with our staff interpreting the Client Travel Policy, I will ensure that my officials clarify it for them.
Will the minister commit to reporting back to the Legislative Assembly at its spring sitting on what his department has done to address this issue?
I thank Mr. Oshutapik again for the question.
I cannot commit to reporting back. If the members wish to continue asking questions about the Client Travel Policy, as he has done or any other MLA has, it is entirely up to them. I am prepared to answer questions on that policy at any time.
Question 591 – 3(3): Collaboration against Cancer (Curley)
My questions are for the Minister of Health.
Since the issue is really quite profound and serious I would like to read my question in English.
The issue of fighting cancer has been raised by many members of the Legislative Assembly during this sitting.
It is well known that hundreds of millions of dollars, and actually billions in North America and Canada on an annual basis to conduct cancer research.
Can the minister indicate how his department collaborates with such organizations as the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in the fight against cancer?
There’s no doubt that cancer is one of the most deadly killers, many forms of cancer that can make a person ill or take their lives.
We have many people in Nunavut who raise funds for cancer research. In my riding alone, we have a number of individuals who have raised money for breast cancer research.
There was “Women in Action” last year that raised over $100,000 for cancer research.  There is the Movember for prostate cancer research.
Mr. Speaker, we send individuals down south to many facilities, universities, hospitals, and cancer institutes.
I cannot tell Mr. Curley specifically which organizations we have partnerships with.
As Minister of Health, I have been encouraging our department to forge partnerships with many institutions down south and avail ourselves in their research work; that can be a benefit to Nunavut.
There have also been a number of very extensive reports, as of two days ago National Post had a very extensive coverage on research, and it that the expert was quoted saying that the same tools that were applied to treat cancer over 40 years ago are still used today.
According to Institute of Cancer Research, which is part of federal Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the incidence of this disease in Canada, and I quote, “Has not significantly declined in the last 20 years.”
However, the institute also indicates that “by early detection and new research leading to tailored service many cancers are managed effectively.”
Can the minister indicate what input his department has into national cancer research initiatives so that Nunavutmiut who generously donate to cancer charities can rest assured that money is spent where it can do the most good?
I do a lot of reading and I can read pretty fast, but I have not had a chance to read that particular report yet, even though the other stuff I have been reading in the last three weeks, late in the day… .
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Curley has to trust that the money that Nunavummiut are raising for cancer research is being put to good use.
I know many of my constituents in my riding of Cambridge Bay go to facilities down south and they get very good care.
I have talked to them and they are very positive and pleased with the care that they receive down south to the extent that they participated in fundraising activities to raise funds for research to help future Nunavummiut to benefit from the facilities that they attend down south.
I share the minister’s concern with cancer research.
Cancer is not unique to a nation; research conducted by any nation is shared by all nations, all citizens, and therefore, what we are looking for is most cost-effective where our attention should be.
It is not me that is just asking the minister.
A 2009 publication issued by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami on the subject of Inuit and cancer indicates that “lung cancer rates for Inuit men and women in Canada are the highest in the world and these rates are rising.”
Can the minister indicate if his department supports a focus on research into this form of cancer?
As I mentioned to Mr. Aupaluktuq yesterday, lung cancer is the No. 1 preventative cancer in Nunavut and Canada, and nationally, if people were educated about the dangers of smoking.
In Nunavut, 60 percent of our population above the age of 15 smoke.
As Mr. Curley is aware, the Department of Health has undertaken the Tobacco Reduction and Cessation Strategy where we are promoting the dangers of smoking and being addicted to cigarettes.
It’s not always a teenager; the big tobacco companies engineer their cigarettes to addict people to a lifetime of smoking. If we could get them to not smoke or prevent them from being addicted, that is the No. 1 preventative method of avoiding cancer.
As I indicated in another answer yesterday to Mr. Aupaluktuq and again to Mr. Curley, early diagnoses are possible if the individuals will go to the health centres or the hospital and tell the doctors and nurses their conditions. We have ways to send people down south.
Of course, we know that. The specialized equipment and diagnostic equipment is down south that we don’t have in Nunavut. I encourage all Nunavummiut, if they smoke for any length of time, to ensure that their health practitioners take a good look at them during their Well Men or Well Women clinics.
Speaker: Thank you, Minister Peterson. Your final supplementary, Mr. Curley.
Mr. Speaker, I think many Nunavutmiut surely support the minister to prevent any further incidence of cancer, particularly by dealing with tobacco issues and so on. I am convinced too, like many Nunavutmiut, that that is one area where cutting tobacco will surely benefit Nunavutmiut.
It’s also a fact, Mr. Speaker, that in North America, particularly the United States, research that has been conducted for the last 40 years in excess of $100 billion worth of research on cancer is still standing as it was 40 years ago, and in Canada, Canada has spent over $500 million worth up to 2009.
So what we’re looking for is whether or not the minister would support charities and should be focused on areas where Nunavutmiut are most benefiting from. Would the minister be prepared to indicate that he supports focused research to prevent cancer-related incidence in Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, I will support any type of research anywhere that would help us address the issue of cancer in Nunavut or elsewhere in Canada. It’s very important that we do research. Cancer doesn’t distinguish people in the north or the south.
It’s important that you do that kind of research or else any kind of research that is done by anybody or any organization.
Question 592 – 3(3): Support for District Education Authorities (Enook)
Good afternoon to my fellow Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education, (interpretation ends) Hon. Eva Aariak.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, as the minister is well aware, an important component of our education program focuses on language and culture.
Mr. Speaker, most schools across Nunavut have programs to take students out on the land during the spring to teach various aspects of culture and the environment.
Can the minister clarify what kinds of funding supports are provided to district education authorities to fund on-the-land programs for the school children in our communities and how that funding is delivered?
I also thank my colleague for asking the question.
We know that most of the schools, if not all schools, will be thinking about going out on the land soon.
These district education authorities are funded differently, but for going out on the land program I do not have a breakdown of those programs but once I get that information I will take that question as notice.
The Pond Inlet DEA has found out that every time they submit an application for funding for the regional school division, it takes at least two months before they receive a reply.
Can the minister explain why her department officials take so long to respond to a relatively straightforward request?
Minister responsible for Department of Education, Minister Aariak.
I also thank you for the question.
As a government we try to put different programs which are run by the government, I have not heard any complaints for someone waiting for a long period of time and it probably has come up and I will check into it and see what happened.
We will be expecting an answer.
With many funding agreements the Pond Inlet DEA have found that they are required to apply for funding before the end of the fiscal year and the money has to be spent by March 31 of the same fiscal year.
However, up in Pond Inlet it is still much to cold in March to take groups of young children out on the land.
If the DEA waits until April 1 to submit their funding application, the answer takes two months to arrive by which time it is too late to conduct on the land trips.
Can the minister explain why her department cannot provide better assistance and ensuring that DEA receive funding in a timely manner in order to be able to deliver this important component of the educational program?
If there are any problems, if the DEA has to be consulted along with the Department of Education, they can help out to see how they can better operate this program or the timing.
We also know that the funds end March 31.
For that reason, we will have to work together to find a common ground to see what we can do to fix this difference in timing.
Clearly, the government’s fiscal year does not mesh very well with the school calendar year.