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These bodies were able to assist in purchasing all of the required equipment and household items.
To date, this new centre is being utilized to the full by the people of Repulse Bay and residents are very grateful that it can be used by both groups in the community.
With that reason in my mind, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Government of Nunavut, along with the Kivalliq Inuit Association, for their meaningful contributions that resulted in the people of Repulse Bay getting a facility that is useful and the groups now have a gathering place.
For that reason, I want to share this piece of good news and to celebrate this event, especially to thank the people who came up with this initiative, particularly the Hamlet Council of Repulse Bay and the residents.
Member’s Statement 140 – 4(2): Lone Graduate in Kimmirut (Joanasie)
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I send my greetings to the people who are listening to the proceedings.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and congratulate the only graduate of grade 12 in Kimmirut: Dustin Joanas.
Mr. Speaker, although the graduation ceremony was held this past summer in June, I want to take this opportunity to extend my congratulation and recognize his accomplishment for graduating high school.
Although it was unfortunate I was unable to attend to his graduation, I take pride in his achievement.
Mr. Speaker, it is very important for people to complete their high school education. Graduation is an important life event and we all know of its importance. Further, as Members of the Legislative Assembly, we encourage the children and youth in our constituencies to pursue their High School Diploma, as we know it is a stepping stone towards pursuing post-secondary education.
Additionally, as per my previous statements in this House, many positions in Nunavut can be held by Nunavummiut who have graduated. This also applies to civil service positions.
One of the goals of our government is to have a representative level in the public sector, and employment is closely tied to having a good education.
Mr. Speaker, join me in congratulating Dustin on his achievement and completion of his high school courses. We are very proud of him and hope he continues to work towards a better future.
Member’s Statement 141 – 4(2): Clarification of Hospital Board Issue (Angnakak)
I rise today to clarify my position on the establishment of a board of management at the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure that many of us are aware that prior to the year 2000, health services across Nunavut, and what was previously the Northwest Territories, were governed by regional health boards.
These regional health boards were made up of representatives from every community across Nunavut.
In March of 2000, during the First Assembly of Nunavut, the Dissolution of Boards of Management Act received assent in this House and the regional health boards were dissolved.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Minister of Health’s commitment to ensuring that communities remain engaged in the process of delivering health services across the territory, even though health services are now delivered directly by the Department of Health.
Mr. Speaker, in bringing forward the issue of establishing a board of management for the Qikiqtani General Hospital, I am not suggesting to reinstating regional health boards.
That is a topic for another day. Mr. Speaker, I wish to make it clear that I am asking the government to consider establishing a hospital board, a board of management for the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
As a board of management, a hospital board would have governance and responsibilities in such areas as financing, policy-making, quality of care, performance evaluation, and strategic planning.
It could also be made up of directors who are carefully selected individuals with various and complementary levels of skill, expertise, and experience.
Earlier this session, I spoke of the merits of having such a board and I hope the government will give this issue serious consideration.
Member’s Statement 142 – 4(2): The Success of Megan Dialla (Hickes)
On May 23 earlier this year, I rose in this House and paid tribute to one of our athletes who were heading out to the North American Indigenous Games.
Mr. Speaker, on that day, I spoke of Megan Dialla, a 13-year-old Iqaluit resident who was invited to participate in badminton.
At that time, I made an error. I had mentioned that Megan had not won any medals and I have been stood corrected, Mr. Speaker.
In 2012, she won a silver medal in a local competition here in Iqaluit; in 2013, a silver medal in a local competition in Iqaluit singles; in 2013, a gold medal in the Arctic Winter Games Territorial Trials Competition in doubles in Iqaluit; in 2013, a silver medal in a local competition here in Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, I am also very proud to say that Megan did participate in the North American Indigenous Games in Regina. At that time, with her parents Andrew and Sheila watching, in the under 16 doubles with her partner Mina Mannuk from Sanikiluaq, they won the silver medal while both of them playing through injuries to defeat the British Colombia team.
Mr. Speaker, they were both great ambassadors of Nunavut, along with the whole Nunavut badminton team, who won a number of medals under the great supervision of coaches Brad Mains and Tina Chen.
Mr. Speaker, Megan is now training to compete in the upcoming territorials in Iqaluit this November for a spot in the Canadian Winter Games in Buffalo, Alberta.
I, and hopefully along with all the members, wish her luck in those games.
I have no more names on my list. (interpretation ends) Item 4. (interpretation) Returns to Oral Questions. (interpretation ends) Item 5.
Item 6. (interpretation) Oral Questions.
Question 216 – 4(2): Affordable Prices and Food Security in Nunavut (Akoak)
Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, Inuit and Uqhuqtuurmiut.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Family Services.
On March 20, 2014, the Commissioner of Nunavut stated that it is essential for our government to continue to advocate for policy and legislation that support access to nutritious foods at affordable prices.
The results of the 2014 Nunavut Food Price survey indicate that the average cost of chicken in Nunavut is $16 per kilogram.
For the rest of Canada, the average cost of chicken is approximately $7.
Similarly, the average cost of apples in Nunavut is $7 per kilogram. For the rest of Canada, the average cost is of apples is $4 per kilogram.
I recognize that the minister’s department is currently involved with the Nunavut Food Coalition, which has released its Nunavut Food Security Strategy and 2013-16 action plan.
Can the minister indicate what additional actions her department is taking to advocate for affordable prices for food within Nunavut?
The department is progressing in the study of Nunavut food prices.
As we received that information, we compiled it in August. This information is now available on the website.
It affects the efforts to provide food, and I am sure that this program will help.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your first supplementary, Mr. Akoak.
Mr. Akoak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the minister will recall, I asked her a number of questions in relation to food security during our previous spring sitting.
On June 10, 2014, the minister indicated that the Nunavut Food Security Coalition would be making a five-year plan to address hunger in the short term.
Can the minister describe what other specific issues this five-year plan will address, and when members can expect the plan to be tabled in the House?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for requesting clarification on food prices.
The program is going ahead and we’re trying to see what causes the high cost of food. The program is still under review.
We now know the food prices because they have been documented properly after the study. Now we’re trying to find out what causes the high cost of food.
We still need to clarify that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Your final supplementary, Mr. Akoak.
Maybe I’ll try a different one.
In its 2014-16 action plan, the Nunavut Food Security Coalition indicates that one of its actions will be to “Utilize the results of the pilot Nunavut Food Price Survey…to help align income assistance food allowances with the cost of living in Nunavut.”
Can the minister describe what specific actions her department is taking to align the current Income Assistance Program to the cost of living in Nunavut?
When the Department of Family Services conducted the homelessness survey, they met with various bodies, such as the bureau of statistics, the Department of CG&S, the Department of EIA, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, as well as with NTI.
Due to holding these interagency meetings, we haven’t reached the point where we have finalized our plans and action items in a written format.
I want my colleague to understand the point that next month, another meeting is being held here in Iqaluit and this will further our guidance on what needs to be undertaken.
That is all I can respond with at this time to my colleague.
Question 217 – 4(2): Environmental Health Officers (Hickes)
This past Friday, I had some questions for the Minister of Health, Hon. Minister Ell.
Mr. Speaker, in my line of questioning on that day, I was questioning on the ability of her department to carry out inspections of retail food sales.
At that time, the minister had mentioned that she had to look into some further information.
Has the minister had a chance to look into that further information and could she respond today?
Speaker: Minister of Family Services. (interpretation) I sincerely apologize to the members, as my hearing isn’t what it used to be and my earpiece isn’t working, so I couldn’t hear what was said.
(interpretation ends) Minister of Health, Hon. Minister Ms. Ell.
I thank the hon. [member] for the question.
I would like further clarification. I think he asked me one question this week and it might be on the environmental health officers. If he can clarify his question.
Please clarify your question. Mr. Hickes.
My apologies for not being clear for the minister.
Mr. Speaker, on Friday, the minister had mentioned that the Canada Food Inspection Agency had some responsibility here in Nunavut on looking at retail stores on outdated food, expiry and best-before dates.
I have been led to believe that the minister has received further information regarding that line of questioning.
The Canada Food Inspection Agency only deals with manufacturers and when certain foods need to be expired or have a best-before date.
Our environmental health officers are the ones in the communities that actually can go and look at the retail stores and outlets after a concern might have been raised by a community member asking something to be inspected.
Once they have that conversation, they can go to certain retail outlets and/or other places to go take a look and investigate.
Mr. Hickes: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The environmental health officers who participate in these inspections, are there health officers located in every community within Nunavut?
I’m sorry for standing up before you gave me permission to speak.
We have only five environmental health officer staff.
There is one in Cambridge Bay, one in Rankin Inlet, one in Pangnirtung, and two in Iqaluit. That is three in the Baffin region.
The position in Rankin Inlet and the one based in Pangnirtung are vacant, and competitions have gone out to advertise for environmental health officers.
I guess that leads partially to my next question.
Recently, the caucus had a retreat that was held in the community of Whale Cove, I believe it was, and a number of discussion topics came out of that.
While we’re all awaiting with bated breath, I might say, Mr. Speaker, on the OAG’s report on the Nutrition North program, would the minister be able to inform us of any discussions that were held at the cabinet retreat that focus on helping to provide healthy and nutritious food for all Nunavummiut?
I’m not sure what his question is, whether it’s to me or to the Premier.
I’m not aware that this is a government priority, looking into having more environmental health officers in each of the communities.
Currently, our environmental health officers inspect facilities regularly and visit each community at least twice annually.
As I said earlier, other inspections can occur if they are requested to do so.
They normally inspect reservoirs, water sources, pumphouses, treatment and distribution of drinking water, water trucks and their operation.
They also inspect sewage lagoons and landfill sites.
Question 218 – 4(2): Supports for Social Workers (Angnakak)
Mr. Speaker, after our hearings with the Auditor General of Canada to discuss the delivery of child and family services across Nunavut, it was clear that there are a number of gaps in service delivery.
Can the minister clarify whether her department will be allocating any additional funding or resources to implement the Child and Family Services Act?
I thank my fellow MLA for requesting more understanding on the delivery of child and family services in relation to the Auditor General of Canada into social services activities.
We are trying to address this issue on a priority basis.
We have basically not been given specific instructions as to what activities to correct.
I recognize that there are challenges in hiring skilled and trained social workers in the Nunavut communities.
Can the minister provide an update on what efforts are being made in the area?
This coming month, the employees will be having a workshop and a meeting.
The issues in question will be addressed in terms of the skill level of the community workers because we have acceded to what the concerns of the Auditor General of Canada have been in relation to the delivery of family services.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I realize that the minister just said that there’s going to be a workshop and some training opportunities coming up in the near future, but I’m wondering if you can describe what kind of training opportunities you have now within the department and whether or not you’re going to be allocating any additional resources to ensure that more training opportunities are made available on a consistent basis.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Family Services, Hon. Minister Ms. Ell.
(interpretation) My apologies.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk: …(inaudible)… Today is a good day. That’s all I could say.
(interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I kind of forgot the question a bit.
Mr. Speaker, in the coming months, in the workshop that I mentioned, there will be a training session. The staff will be trained in the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit of the communities and Nunavut.
They will be able to learn more about their responsibilities and which kinds of systems could be most appropriate in addressing their responsibilities.
We will be having discussions with the deputy minister in terms of how their training modules will be arranged. These are important functions of the community staff.
I apologize for being a little giggly today.
It was my mistake that led to this.
Question 219 – 4(2): Adequate Numbers of Health Care Service Providers (Joanasie)
Mr. Speaker, it is widely known that the Department of Health faces challenges in maintaining the staffing levels necessary to provide stable medical services to Nunavummiut in their communities, whether the staff are nurses, doctors, or administrators.
The department’s challenge is compounded by their mandate as they juggle in trying to meet the needs of medical patients, proper diagnosis, and medical treatment and in arranging follow-up appointments for emergency cases and for ongoing medical treatment.
Can the minister tell us which communities currently have a full-time physician or physicians on staff?
With respect to the question, I am not exactly sure which documents contain that information, as I don’t have the documents containing that information about which communities have physicians.
However, what I can provide is the number of doctors in the Baffin region and there are 16 doctors. In the Kivalliq region, we have seven doctors, including a half-time casual position.
In the Kitikmeot region, we have two doctors with another half-time position.
We also have one anaesthesiologist here in Iqaluit, including a surgeon on call on a casual basis. We have 1.5 positions for this area.
Also here in Iqaluit, we have a paediatrician who generally travels to the outlying communities.
It’s common practice of the department to have a travelling physician or physicians make visits to the communities on a periodic basis when there is no full-time doctor.
Can the minister identify what are the current scheduling arrangements for this upcoming year, 2015, for doctors to make community visits?
To reiterate, I don’t have that information handy nor is it amongst the documents I have today. Since I don’t have that information, I don’t know the physicians’ schedule for visiting the outlying communities.
However, with respect to hiring doctors, ever since 2003, we have increased the number of doctors. In reviewing the last 11 years to date, reaching 2013-14, the number of days doctors must attend to their duties has increased commensurately, roughly a threefold increase.
I thank the minister for her response, but I would like to ask another question on medical travel patients, as there are usually many patients from my constituency.
Can the minister provide clarification on whether or not physician visits to the communities can be lengthened or the number of visits increased, especially to my two constituency communities?
As an example, the doctors, family physicians, and other clinicians who travel to the communities provided over 5,000 days of service across our territory. That’s per year.
I’ll give his concern to my officials and take a look at the physician travel into the communities.
Question 220 – 4(2): Incorporating Inuit Societal Values (Shooyook)
I am very pleased and happy today because it’s an enjoyable day.
Mr. Speaker, I am concerned that the Government of Nunavut is not truly incorporating Inuit societal values in the way it delivers services to the people of Nunavut.
On March 6, 2014, the minister tabled the report “Incorporating Inuit Societal Values,” which provides an overview of the Government of Nunavut’s activities and legislation which reflect Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Inuit societal values.
What is the minister doing to make sure that the legislated requirements in the areas of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Inuit societal values are being met by the Government of Nunavut?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Minister of Culture and Heritage, Hon. Minister Mr. Okalik.
I would like to thank the member for that question. It’s a very good question.
I was very pleased to table the information on the progress of the Department of Culture and Heritage. We work with each government department and we try to provide support. When the other departments want to know more about Inuit societal values, they can contact us.
We do have an elders committee and the language authority committee, and we also use them when we have to consider this.
The Child and Family Services Act is one of the laws passed by this government which includes a section requiring that Inuit societal values are incorporated into the social services system.
However, it is clear that the traditional values of Inuit with respect to families and children are not being respected.
There are very few Inuit social workers and the actions of social workers do not follow Inuit societal values.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that this law is implemented in the true spirit of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit?
As I stated before, I work closely with my colleagues, my counterparts, and we also work with the departments.
The legislative authority, for example, is the jurisdiction of each department.
We are not responsible for their regulations in regard to Inuit societal values.
We do have the opportunity, but I can’t answer for the other departments.
I didn’t get an answer to my question on Inuit societal values, and I believe that it is urgent now that we utilize Inuit traditional knowledge.
Could you take the lead to make sure that Inuit societal values are incorporated as soon as possible?
I would like to get a response since I didn’t receive a response to my question when I asked if you will incorporate Inuit societal values into the law. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As I stated before, I’m not the minister responsible for his questions. The Department of Family Services has their own legislation to incorporate Inuit societal values. Our department provides support to the other departments when they try to incorporate Inuit societal values.
Question 221 – 4(2): Full-time Dentist for Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, in May, I asked the minister about having a full-time dentist in Rankin Inlet.
At the time, the minister indicated that there would be a full-time dentist residing in Rankin Inlet by this summer.
Summer is gone and winter is definitely here.
To date, dental services are still being provided by a visiting dentist for three to four weeks at a time.
Will the minister confirm that her department is still committed to having a full-time dentist in Rankin Inlet?
Hon. Monica Ell (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my colleague for that question. I haven’t looked into this further.
I know that we need to have a full-time dentist at this time in Rankin Inlet. I will look into this to see what the problem is because there is supposed to be a full-time dentist in Rankin Inlet.
Question 222 – 4(2): Suicide Intervention Training for Social Workers (Savikataaq)
Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, social workers across Nunavut are often involved in some very stressful situations. They provide support and assistance to families, children, and parents who are going through some difficult times.
I am certain that on occasion, they face individuals who are despairing, without hope and suicidal.
Can the minister clearly explain why social workers across Nunavut are not required to take the ASIST suicide intervention training?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleague for asking for clarification.
The regional directors are now setting up this suicide intervention training.
The regional directors are now setting the plans for ASIST, the suicide intervention training program, for social service workers this coming fall.
Can the minister just clarify if the ASIST training is going to be part of the seven areas of competencies that are required before a social worker can get their appointment?
I thank my colleague for requesting clarification on that.
Your previous question was erroneous, as I didn’t say that, as candidates must first take this training prior to being appointed as social services workers.
What I was trying to state was that (interpretation ends) the regional directors (interpretation) make the arrangements for this training for their regional social service workers in applied suicide intervention skills.
The Minister of Education has indicated that even custodial workers within his department get ASIST training. Custodial workers do not face the same kind of stressful interactions that social workers do, yet they are provided with the training to recognize and address suicidal behaviour.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that all social workers across Nunavut are given ASIST suicide intervention training as soon as possible?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The member, I think, is giving the impression that the social workers don’t take ASIST training.