EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We as individuals and not as a government, we as individuals and as community members possibly through the use of our hamlets should do something about it.
Take ownership, work together so we can resolve this problem.
We can't just rely on the government and the Department of Health & Social Services for example, we have to take ownership and work on these problems at the community level.
I know that we are not going to completely eradicate suicide, there are always going to be some but we do have to work together.
Even here in Iqaluit from April 1, 1999 to October 2000, there have been 12 completed suicides just in Iqaluit alone.
So it has a huge impact on the community and on the individuals and we are not even shocked any more when we hear the news about a suicide.
So I think that we all have to work together as a government, as the municipal governments and as individuals we should all work together on the issue of suicide.
Member's Statement 442 – 1(3): Spelling of Names
I would like to touch on some of the issues that were brought up on TVNC or on APTN and on the local radio station.
There were names that will have to be spelled properly.
When you don't have birth certificates you usually cannot get a Social Insurance Number if you don't have the proper ID that is required to get one.
I will ask the appropriate minister if they could help in getting birth certificates so they can have access to the Federal programs that are out there.
Speaker: Members' statements.
Speaker: Just before I call on Mr. Picco, I would like to recognize our Commissioner Mr. Irniq and also Elisapee Karetak from my home community of Arviat.
I would like to welcome to the gallery a good friend of mine, he took me down the bay several times this summer, wanted to leave me there butunfortunately for you he brought me back, Mr. David Ell.
He’s also the secretary treasurer for the Amarok HTA, and sitting next to David is the well known Nunavut resident Mr. Sytukie Joamie, Sytukie is also the office administrator for the Amarok HTA, based here in Iqaluit.
I would like to recognize two visitors to our Capital and our territory, I’d like to recognize Mr. Jim Moane of Arctic Insurance Brokers in Edmonton and Mr. Garth Potter, also of Arctic Insurance Brokers for Yellowknife here in the gallery today. I would like to welcome them here.
I would like to recognize a former colleague of some of us in this house, a former member of the NWT Legislature who represented the Nattilik riding, Mr. John Ningark.
Speaker: Welcome Mr. Ningark.
I would also like to recognize Mr. John Ningark who is my constituency assistant and who has also worked for the hamlet as the Senior Administrative Officer.
As was mentioned earlier he used to be my representative in the NWT Legislature.
I would also like to recognize, in one of the interpreter’s booths, she has an adopted daughter named Piugak named after my mother, she’s from Rankin Inlet, Miss Jeanne Kusugak.
As you know I rarely get to recognize visitors in the gallery, but this time there’s a person from Sanikiluaq, teacher John Steward.
Moving on to item 6.
Before I proceed with question period, I’ve been asked by some of the members to remind the ministers to try to keep their preamble down to answering the questions as it does take away from the time that regular members have to put questions forth and in their case every minute counts. We certainly don't want to get the members on this side of the House upset.
Question 601 - 1(3): Time Zone Survey Details
Mr. Havioyak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, My question is for the Minister of Community Government and Transportation. Yesterday, the minister indicated there were 472 people polled on this issue of a single time zone.
My question is how many respondents lived in Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay and other communities.
How many of those people responded to the questionnaire from Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay and Kitikmeot.
Hon. Jack Anawak: Mr. Speaker, thank you.
I don't have the numbers from Kugluktuk or Cambridge Bay but I can tell you that when the survey was done it indicated that the people in the Keewatin Region, 86% of the respondents were in favour of the single time zone.
People in the Baffin Region were 59% of the respondents were in favour of the time zone and the Kitikmeot Region was in between at 72.9%.
You said 72% of that 472, or maybe I would ask for some clarification please.
Speaker: Mr. Anawak would you care to respond.
Hon. Jack Anawak: What I said is that of the people that were asked in the Kitikmeot Region, 72% of those people in the Kitikmeot Region asked, favoured a single time zone.
I thank you for answering that question.
My next question to the minister on the time zone, you mentioned a questionnaire on this survey.
So I would like to know what the questions were that were asked and what responses did you get from the survey.
What were the questions and what responses did you get from the survey.
When the time comes in this afternoon's session, I will table the appropriate piece of paper.
Mr. Havioyak (interpretation): Thank you.
I appreciate that you will be tabling the document.
The third supplement regarding the single time zone.
Yesterday you mentioned...(interpretation ends)…the minister said that it would take a while for transportation improvements in the Kitikmeot to occur.
The question would be, why didn't the government wait until these transportation improvements occurred.
Why didn't you wait until we had a better idea what would happen and if it would have a positive or negative impact on transportation from the time change.
As a government under the recommendations of the…how soon we forget Mr. Speaker, I am sorry, under the recommendations of Footprints 2, I think it was, it was suggested that the government should be decentralized to communities all over Nunavut.
In this case, in the Baffin region after the selection for the capital, communities selected outside of Iqaluit included Kinngait, Pangnirtung, Igloolik, Mittimatilik, and in the Keewatin, Arviat, Rankin and Baker Lake.
In the Kitikmeot region, Gjoa Haven, Cambridge Bay and Kugluktuk.
In those cases a number of people have gone or will be going into the decentralization process.
They will be going into those communities to work as Government of Nunavut employees.
We have to keep in mind the most effective government and that the government should be working together.
I pointed out yesterday that if there were a one hour time difference every day there would be a loss of three hours.
I would like to correct that mistake, it is four hours.
Because every morning we would start an hour early over here that would mean an hour loss for the other regions that would be one hour behind.
While we go to lunch over here, they will still be at work and when we come back from lunch those people will go to lunch.
By the end of the day, we would finish here and they would still have one hour.
To us it is in the best interests of the people of Nunavut to have a government that is working together as well as it can under the circumstances.
That was your final supplementary Mr. Havioyak.
We will allow one more since one of your questions was a clarification on what Mr. Anawak gave.
Mr. Havioyak: Thank you.
I am sorry I did not hear the answer to the question that I asked in regards to the transportation improvements. Why did they not take this into consideration as to why they plan to change the time now when they should have waited until after they get these transportation improvements in the Kitikmeot.
I did not hear the answer.
We will note that this is your final, final supplementary.
I stated earlier on that Nunavut now is a single territory.
We are not broken into regions now.
As an individual Inuk, you do not go by the three regions although we might have traditional regional areas like Amittuq and Nattilik for example.
But we are one Territory.
When we began, we wanted to treat Nunavut as a whole so that we can have a positive impact on the residents of Nunavut.
We worked last year to have one time zone for Nunavut.
How are we going to be treating Nunavut, are we going to be working with other places for only 4 hours a day.
How will we be working with other communities of Nunavut with 4 hours a day gone.
As I have stated before in regards to the transportation issue it will not happen right away but we expect the process will start to improve transportation in a significant way and that it will be evident that we can work together with a single time zone.
I know it has an impact on that.
We should work together with the single time zone and work with residents.
That is our focus.
Question 602 – 1(3): Healing Facilities
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked a question and I have received a letter from yesterday's question period in regards to suicide issues.
I know that the government is working on it and I am very proud of that but I do have another question.
As I have stated before in our community we have a healing facility, but not all the communities of Nunavut have that kind of facility.
Not all those communities have a healing facility.
One of the other communities besides Qikiqtarjuaq, which I represent, does not have a healing facility.
So perhaps I will ask a question to the Minister of Education.
Can we use the Adult Education facility for healing programs.
The Minister responsible for Education.
Yes, we are open and we are glad that a couple of weeks ago in his riding they completed a healing program, a training course.
We are so proud of them and I know that we are working on it.
This is just in the initial stage.
I know that we have been working with the Department of Health on this and I would like to say that again.
Have you already identified a potential facility that could be used in the communities.
Some of the communities of Nunavut do not have a healing facility for healing programs.
Have you identified a healing facility that could be used in the communities.
When we deal with the Department of Education, we deal with education issues.
Perhaps the Minister for Health can respond to the question.
Speaker: Would the Minister of Health & Social Services care to respond to the question.
Mr. Speaker, earlier on I had some comments and questions from the members and I promised to keep my answers short and my preamble to the point.
Mr. Speaker, with the community health committees that we have set up now in 25 out of 26 of our communities, recommendations can come forward from those committees suggesting inter-co-operation between education or other facilities that may be available for those types of community based healing projects at the community level.
So we would be open to that.
I did not quite understand.
Have you identified facilities or units that could be used for healing programs.
Mr. Speaker, it depends on the community.
For example, here in this community there is a wellness centre where healing projects are carried out.
In the member's community of Clyde River, there is a designated facility because there is an independent society that holds healing workshops and so on for the community of Clyde River.
In other communities, Mr. Speaker, meetings are held using the Health Centre in the evenings, in some cases Mr. Speaker, the government offices are used, in some cases, Mr. Speaker, the Adult Education Centres are used.
The Department of Health & Social Services work with the Health Committee at the community level to identify a facility.
Mr. Speaker, as of today no community health committee has come forward and said we need a facility to run a wellness program per se.
Those types of monies are funded under Brighter Futures money as well as our Community Wellness money.
Question 603 – 1(3): Additional Health Funding
Last month we heard the news that additional federal dollars will be allocated to health care in Nunavut.
I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Health & Social Services.
The federal transfer will amount to an additional 2.5 million dollars for this upcoming fiscal year.
Can the minister tell us what priority areas of Nunavut's health care programs will benefit from these new dollars.
Mr. Speaker, let me just say that myself and the Premier and the Government of Nunavut are disappointed with the amounts that were put forward under the Canada Health Social Transfer and as you know Mr. Speaker, CHST includes social transfers, monies for education, early childhood education as well as health.
It is not specifically just for health.
Because the funding is based per capita, Mr. Speaker, not based on need, not based on patient costs, when we extrapolate out of the 4.2 billion dollars that was announced at the meeting, and I was there, when we extrapolate those numbers Mr. Speaker, because it is based on per capita, it's approximately 1.8 million dollars for health.
Mr. Speaker, we spend that in a week in the Department of Health & Social Services.
As you know Mr. Speaker, and the members know, our needs are considerable in the Department of Health & Social Services.
That money that comes from the CHST transfer goes automatically under the formula arrangements that are in place, Mr. Speaker, to the total budget for the Government of Nunavut.
So the actual priorities for the new money coming in Mr. Speaker would be used under monies that we are spending at the present time and budgeted that way.
Question 604 – 1(3): Teaching Certificates for Elders
We have to ask questions on behalf of our constituencies.
The question that I will be posing came from my constituency.
If I was to become an Inuktitut instructor or a teacher do I need certification.
Speaker: I assume that question is directed towards the Minister responsible for Education.
Just a reminder to the members that it might be easier once the member starts to ask their question, to start off by identifying which minister they want to direct their question to, so the ministers can have some time to gather their thoughts and get ready to try and prepare to answer.
Minister for Education, Mr. Okalik.
Yes, last year was the first time that elders from Arviat got certification and we would like to see that again some time in the future, where the elders get certification even though they can't speak English.
They are capable of teaching and they have now been certified.
Some time during this year we have begun to use the elders in the schools to teach the school students about the traditional values.
If I wanted to become an Inuktitut teacher, I would be able to get an Inuktitut certificate.
Are the teachers at these schools being informed about being able to receive these certificates.
If they are not informed or they don't know about this, perhaps they should be told.
Because, from what I understand, they're able to receive their certificates as an Inuktitut instructor.
There are programs available yet there was an individual in our community that was confused about the process.
So perhaps to help teachers out in the communities, they should be better informed.
My question is directed to the minister and if he would like to respond I’d appreciate it.
Speaker: Minister responsible for Education, Mr. Okalik.
We are hoping to see a lot of new teachers receiving their certificates.
If you will recall we put aside additional funding for Inuktitut instruction and we have started this process.
We will promote this in the communities because we encourage Inuktitut instruction in the communities.
In the future we’d like to see more people receiving their certificates so Inuktitut will be taught in the schools.
If there are no further supplementaries.
Question 605 – 1(3): Vacant Positions at Nunavut Library
Decentralization, seems to be one of my favourite topics.
Going full steam ahead in my community, I think our ratio of Inuit hires is about 80 – 85% and the government has kept its promise.
Recently we had the distinction of being designated as the headquarters for Nunavut Libraries and my question today is for the Minister of Education, I hope he doesn’t take this as notice.
We now have a Nunavut Library person for the head of all libraries in Nunavut, and there are supposed to be 3 PY's that come with that branch.
To date we have 18 empty staff units and about 5,000 square feet of office space.
I wonder if the Premier could assure me that he'll direct the education staff to start advertising for those 3 positions immediately.
Speaker: Minister responsible for Education and Libraries.
I believe one of the positions has been advertised and we had difficulty trying to fill the position but I will assure the member we will make sure that happens.
Mr. McLean: Mr. Speaker, that’s great news.
Now I wonder if the Minister responsible for Education would look at staffing those positions like the Minister of the Power Corporation did and advertise for trainees.
Because there’s many qualified people in Baker Lake, Inuit people that have their Bachelors of Education, they have 20 years in the education system.
Would it be possible for minister responsible to advertise locally and try to bring in some Inuit trainees.
Minister responsible for Education.
I will have the pleasure of announcing something on training later on during this session, so I can’t divulge that right now, but the member will be notified early next week.
Mr. McLean: As usual the Premier tries to keep his promises to the good people of Baker Lake and to myself.
Just a slight detail that I forgot to mention to the Premier.
When they were establishing the Nunavut Library in Baker Lake for the whole Territory, they forgot to put the building in the budget, and I’m wondering if the Premier could let me know if we’re going to have a building for the territorial library in Baker Lake or are we going to have to delay it.
As you know we are doing, potentially, a big capital project in Baker Lake, so we are going to look into that.
Question 606 – 1(3): Housing Expression of Interest Responses
Mr. Speaker, an expression of interest was closed on July 28 by the Nunavut Housing Corporation that was seeking expressions of interest from parties that may wish to provide private housing units to be used as public housing units for five year lease periods.
I would like to ask the minister how many expressions of interest did they receive on that.
Thank you Mr. Tootoo for asking this question.
We have not completed them up to date but on October 23 we should be able to give that information out.
We put out a call for tender on this and I don't have the amounts or how many people were interested in leasing but once I have that information we will probably be able to lease 40 units.
I do not have the numbers of how many people have responded but by October 23, I should be able to respond to your question.
Mr. Speaker, the minister indicated that there was a tender also put out.
I am just wondering if that is a tender that she doesn't have the numbers for that has gone out.
I was asking on the expression of interest that closed way back in July if they had a number of how many people responded to that expression of interest.
It is a request for proposals that I was talking about.
It closed on September 8 and we received the last bit on September 8 but I do not have the list in front of me.
Perhaps there are about 40 units that we will be able to lease, looking at the proposals.
I don't have the number of units that will be leased…(interpretation ends)…that were offered up to be leased right now in detail in front of me.
Mr. Speaker, I was not trying to determine the number of units that were replied to.
What I wanted to find out from the minister was based on the expression of interest that closed on July 28, how many people responded to that expression of interest.
Could it have been one person or 15-20.
I would just like to find out from the minister.
How many people responded to the expression of interest.
Minister responsible for Housing. Ms. Thompson.
I do not have the amount.
I do not have a list of proposals with me.
I understand his question.
But I do not have the numbers in front of me and I will get the numbers for him.
Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the minister's response that she will provide me with that information.
So what I am wondering, Mr. Speaker, will she be looking at the number of people that responded and if she could include the number of units that were submitted on and where they are located.
I will instruct my staff to get me the information.
I do not have it right at hand but I know I will be able to get that information.
However, I do not have them in detail.
So I understand his question and I will get back to him once I have that information with me.
Before we proceed with further oral questions, I would like to welcome the Member of Parliament to the Chamber. Nancy Karetak-Lindell.
Welcome Nancy.
Speaker: Oral Questions. Mr. Irqittuq.
Question 607 – 1(3): Success of Anti Smoking Campaign
Mr. Speaker, I will continue with my question to Health & Social Services.
There is money put aside for smoking cessation.
The money will be used to help people to stop smoking.
Will they be able to identify how many people have quit smoking.
Once that money is spent afterwards will he be able to tell us exactly how many people quit smoking through the use of those funds.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question.
I appreciate the question.
What we announced in the budget in May was a prevention program. To prevent people from smoking was the actual focus of the program.
We were trying to target young people from age 9 to 19 for not smoking, not beginning to smoke.
At the same time Mr. Speaker, we realize that there are people out there who would like to quit smoking.
I guess it would be very difficult to be able to say who successfully quit, who has not quit.
I would not have those numbers available.
That is something that the member has brought up and something that we should be able to look at as a department To see if we can actually track the successful intervention with people who have been smoking and who have stopped.
I said yesterday Mr. Speaker, the national average is only about 40% of smokers successfully quit smoking.
Mr. Speaker. Thank you Mr. Picco.
My question is how many smokers there are in Nunavut presently.
Mr. Speaker, the numbers that we have available to us, indicate that between 70 to 80% of the adult Inuk population in Nunavut smoke.
The alarming number, Mr. Speaker is the number of young people who seem to be taking up the habit of smoking.
That is the direction we would like to go in, to try to prevent that.
What I can do Mr. Speaker is find out the numbers recently.
We have done some work in that area and find out, track, the actual percentage of the population who are actually smokers.
I know it will not be possible to count the number of people that smoke in Nunavut, but perhaps we could have some written material showing what percentage of Nunavut are smokers.
Hon. Ed Picco: Mr. Speaker, that is a good suggestion.
It would form part of the promotional campaign that we are trying to put in place.
I have a note that tells me Mr. Speaker, that starting in the next two months, the members and the people in Nunavut at large will be able to see the first results of our work.
Information on posters and radio and also in our schools will start to get out on our anti- smoking program.
As I said before Mr. Speaker, this is a serious initiative and it has to be a multi-year strategy.
We just cannot do it in one six month period and then just drop it next year like some other types of programs.
This would be over a period of years, a multi-year strategy, I think the suggestion by the member is a good one and we will be able to incorporate that into the strategy.
Question 608 - 1(3): Taloyoak Airstrip
Mr. Speaker, during members’ statements, I stated that there was a community visit to the community of Taloyoak and I mentioned that I would be asking questions.
I think that I will be directing this question to the Premier who was one of the people that went to my community of Taloyoak.
My question is about the airport in Taloyoak adjacent to the sewage facility.
We have three different airlines that come in on a regularly scheduled basis.
There is First Air, Aklak Air and Keewatin Air.