EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The federal government has their own discretion if they want to be part of this initiative, but we doubt that they would be able to fund that many positions into Nunavut to liaise with our communities. (interpretation ends) It’s up to the federal government to deploy the number of Service Canada workers into all the communities.
As the GLO offices are open in communities, they are there to help communicate between the Government of Nunavut and the communities.
Sometimes they are also taking the responsibility of addressing some of the correspondences that are received from the federal government, such as social insurance number applications and other things.
It is important that there are proper services to all the communities from all levels of government, and this is something that I can bring forward to my counterparts.
Hopefully, with my final question, I can make my thoughts definitely clear.
The point that I’m trying to make is that we are given money from the federal government and we’re constantly told that we need to provide services to all our communities.
Service Canada has funding and they’re supposed to provide service as a federal entity to our communities and they can’t do it.
So now, we’re just rolling over and having it dumped on us, and we’re going to say we’re going to do it because it has to be done.
I think the message that I’m trying to get across, especially in the High Arctic, is we have to get by with whatever we’re given.
We don’t have the luxury that people have in Ottawa and whatnot.
My constituents in the High Arctic have often expressed their frustrations with federal decisions and policies that are made thousands of kilometres away in Ottawa and which do not take into account the realities of our circumstances.
Although they strongly believe that the federal government needs to live up to its responsibilities, it is important that we consider every option to make life better for my constituents.
For Canadian residents outside of Canada applying for a social insurance number from another country, it is allowed to have it mailed in, yet within our own country, we’re not allowed to mail it in.
My final question to the minister is: will the minister commit today to writing a letter to our federal Member of Parliament asking for an exemption which will allow the mailing of social insurance applications through our Canadian, federally regulated postal carrier, Canada Post?
As you noted earlier, I explained that there is a dialogue going on with what kind of arrangement can be made to accommodate some of the services that are provided by the federal government, and this is part of the answer to the member’s question.
Of course, after finding the situation that the communities are experiencing, as the member illustrated, I certainly will commit to writing the correspondence and find out exactly how and when the initiatives will be carried out.
Question 490 – 3(3): Complaints Procedure for the Department of Health and Social Services (Curley)
As the minister will recall, a motion was passed last year by the Committee of the Whole calling on the department to review its patient/client complaints procedure.
Concerns were raised by a number of my colleagues regarding the need for a clear procedure by which Nunavutmiut can formally raise concerns regarding their treatment by departmental personnel.
What has the minister done to respond to this motion?
Mr. Speaker, there’s no Member of this House or this government who would like to see this patient relations position processed and approved.
On a good day or a bad day, depending on how you look at it, I get five to six complaints from around Nunavut and they’re all serious.
On a slow day, it’s two, and that includes all hours of the day and night.
I know there’s a demand and issues out there.
I forward those concerns to my officials and I know that consumes their time.
There has to be a tracking system.
I am very pleased to say that we’re close. It’s like building a house.
You get 90 percent of it built and there’s that 10 percent you just can’t finish.
We have identified a very well-qualified individual in the Department of Health and Social Services who is going to lead this new process. We have created a three-step process.
It’s got to be the patient first.
We want to set up a system where, if a patient has a concern, they will get results.
I don’t want to put a system in place that’s just going to be one of those processes where everybody gets frustrated and upset.
I think it’s very important that we put the proper process in place so that we can get the results and the patients will know that they’re being heard.
Mr. Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Speaker, our expectations are that the new process will be forthcoming. Although the minister stated that the preparations are underway, it is only after the details have been provided that it will become clear as to whether it can be used in all of Nunavut.
Additionally, I have a question I want to raise based on this reasoning. A number of my constituents have recently raised concerns with me regarding derogatory comments made by a visiting physician in the Kivalliq.
Although I am not going to identify any individuals by name, I believe that a clear message needs to be sent that our residents are entitled to be treated with respect at all times.
Can the minister advise the House if his department has a zero tolerance policy in place regarding unprofessional conduct on the part of the departmental staff and contracted personnel?
Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, our patients come first.
I believe, in Nunavut, we offer a high standard and quality of care.
There are many opportunities for miscommunication between health officials and our patients, and where we receive those concerns and complaints from patients or escorts or whoever represents them, we work very hard to resolve those issues.
Where appropriate, individuals have made apologies.
Our patients come first.
We know, in Nunavut and likely just about anywhere else in Canada, the most important thing to an individual is their health or the health of their family members or their friends.
It’s a very stressful time for them, so we have to be sensitive to their concerns.
The minister is well aware of this issue, as I copied him when I sent correspondence about the matter to his deputy minister, which is quite disconcerting.
As an example, during our sessions here, whenever we take pride in a minister’s actions, we are proud of the minister, whether or not they’re an Inuk.
This is common courtesy and I feel that health professionals should also be beholden to those ideals when they are dealing with their clients or visiting clients here in Nunavut.
It is essential that contractors who are hired to work in Nunavut respect our people, our language, and our culture. I believe they ought to be given directives by the Nunavut government to treat Inuit and their culture with the respect they deserve, especially since this principle of respecting Inuit traditions underpins the values of the Nunavut government mandate.
Can the minister clearly explain what training and orientation is provided about the need to respect and accept the unique Nunavut culture? Are new employees and contractors provided training and orientation about these cultural differences before they arrive in the territory?
Mr. Speaker, I can’t speak with certainty, but I believe that many of the nurses and other health professionals and physicians who come to Nunavut have been here several times before over the years.
I believe most of them have or will receive orientation when they either go into the hospital or the health centres in the various communities.
It’s important that they understand their communities and the people who they may treat and provide medical service to.
I believe that is a high priority as well for the department.
I’m alluding to the fact that I did send him a note, as well as the deputy minister.
It appears that there was a bitter statement alluded to by medical personnel that it was really clearly inappropriate to identify a group of people in a derogatory form.
Can the minister outline the process by which his department currently investigates incidents of unacceptable conduct on the part of employees or contractors?
Again, the incident that Mr. Curley is alluding to, I did receive his concern on the comments posted on the social media, Facebook.
I really wish that the individual who had posted those comments would have put their comments in writing in a formal letter either to me or the deputy minister or to the Kivalliq executive director.
That way, we could initiate a follow-up to see what happened. I don’t believe social media is an appropriate outlet to express concerns about medical difficulties or challenges in Nunavut.
I did receive the concern and I instructed my deputy minister or asked if the deputy minister was following up.
I believe there’s follow-up.
It would be appropriate if Mr. Curley could talk to that individual and put it formally in writing, and we will have it on our record and then we can pursue it in more detail.
Members will note that the time allotted for the first question period of 2013 has expired.
Written Question 023 – 3(3): Annual Fuel Purchases by the Government of Nunavut (Rumbolt)
I have a written question today for the Minister of Community and Government Services concerning the issue of fuel purchases. The questions are very detailed, so I ask that they be entered into the record as read.
Expressing the data in the same format as that which the Government of Nunavut provided in Return to Written Question 17 – 3(3), what quantities of fuel were purchased and delivered in 2012?
As of February 26, 2013, what is the current bulk fuel storage capacity in each of Nunavut’s communities?
From January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012, which communities in Nunavut received fuel deliveries by airlift?
What policies and/or procedures does the Government of Nunavut currently follow with respect to the rationing of fuel supplies in communities in circumstances where shortages exist?
Speaker: The member is asking that the question be entered into the record as read.
Speaker: It shall be entered in the record as read.
Written Question 024 – 3(3): Development Partnership Agreement between the Government of Nunavut and the Meadowbank Mining Corporation/Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited (Aupaluktuq)
I have a written question today to the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation concerning the issue of development partnership agreements.
The questions are very detailed, so I ask that they be entered into record as read.
With respect to the Development Partnership Agreement (DPA) between the Government of Nunavut and the Meadowbank Mining Corporation/Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. that was signed on February 17, 2007, what is the current status of the corporation’s compliance with the terms of the DPA in relation to:
Within the meaning of Article 9 of the DPA, what were the contents of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 annual reports that were required to be produced under the agreement?
Do members agree that the question be entered into the record as read?
Speaker: It has been agreed to and it will be entered into the record as read.
Written Question 025 – 3(3): Direct Appointments under Section 18 of the Public Service Act (Enook)
I have a written question today for the Minister of Human Resources concerning the issue of direct appointments we need under the Public Service Act.
Broken down by department, Crown agency, occupational category, gender, and Nunavut Land Claims Agreement beneficiary status, how many direct appointments to the public service were approved by the Executive Council of Nunavut for each of the following fiscal years:
2012-13 (to date)?
Speaker: It shall be, along with the other ones.
Written Question 026 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Responses to Resolutions Adopted at the 2012 Annual General Meeting of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities (Tapardjuk)
I have a written question directed to the Premier, Eva Aariak.
My question is very short, so I’m just going to read it, but the responses will probably be very long.
What were the Government of Nunavut’s responses to the resolutions adopted at the 2012 Annual General Meeting of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities?
Written Question 027 – 3(3): Correctional Facilities, Recidivism Rates, and Rehabilitation Programs (Elliott)
I have a written question today for the Minister of Justice concerning the issue of correctional facilities and other matters.
As of February 26, 2013, how many adult and young offenders are serving sentences in territorial custody at the Baffin Correctional Centre, the Rankin Inlet Healing Facility, the Ilavut Healing Centre, and the Iqaluit Young Offenders’ Centre?
As of February 26, 2013, how many individuals are incarcerated in territorial correctional facilities awaiting trial?
As of February 26, 2013, what is the average period of time before an individual on remand in territorial custody goes to trial?
As of February 26, 2013, what is the rate of recidivism for male adult offenders in territorial custody?
As of February 26, 2013, what is the rate of recidivism for male young offenders in territorial custody?
As of February 26, 2013, what is the rate of recidivism for female adult offenders in territorial custody?
As of February 26, 2013, what is the rate of recidivism for female young offenders in territorial custody?
As of February 26, 2013, what rehabilitation, counselling, and education programs are offered to adult offenders in territorial custody?
As of February 26, 2013, what rehabilitation, counselling, and education programs are offered to young offenders in territorial custody?
As of February 26, 2013, how does the Department of Justice measure the effectiveness of its rehabilitation, counselling, and education programs for adult offenders?
As of February 26, 2013, how does the Department of Justice measure the effectiveness of its rehabilitation, counselling, and education programs for young offenders?
From April 1, 2012 to February 26, 2013, what percentage of adult offenders in territorial custody participated in rehabilitation, counselling, and education programs?
From April 1, 2012 to February 26, 2013, what percentage of young offenders in territorial custody participated in rehabilitation, counselling, and education programs?
As of February 26, 2013, what rehabilitation, counselling, and education programs are offered to former adult offenders who have completed sentences in territorial correctional facilities?
As of February 26, 2013, what rehabilitation, counselling, and education programs are offered to former young offenders who have completed sentences in territorial correctional facilities?
It’s agreed to.
A lot of entering today.
Return to Written Question 019 – 3(3): NAC Courses to Support Early Childhood Education (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 020 – 3(3): Government of Nunavut Staff Housing and Public Housing Units Equipped with Hurricane Strapping (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 021 – 3(3): Status of Decentralization (Clerk)
Return to Written Question 022 – 3(3): Allocation of Conservation Officers (Clerk)
I am tabling the returns to written questions 19, 20, 21, and 22 that were asked during the fall 2012 sitting of the House.
Tabled Document 299 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Public Accounts (Peterson)
I am pleased to table the 2011-12 Public Accounts.
*See Appendix for full text of Returns to Written Questions 19 – 3(3), 20 – 3(3), 21 – 3(3), and 22 – 3(3) filed with the Clerk.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to note that this is the second year in a row that we have tabled the public accounts on time.
Tabled Document 300 – 3(3): Letters of Support Concerning Bill 46, Donation of Food Act (Elliott)
I wish to table today copies of the letters of support that I have received concerning Bill 46, the proposed Donation of Food Act.
I am pleased to note that letters of support have been provided by “Feeding My Family Nunavut,” the Skills Nunavut/Skills Canada Cooking Club, the Qayuqtuvik Society, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the Frobisher Inn, the North West Company, and Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.
Tabled Document 301 – 3(3): Department of Education Annual Report 2009-2010 (Aariak)
I am very pleased to table the 2009-2010 Annual Report of the Department of Education.
Tabled Document 302 – 3(3): Correspondence Concerning Relocation of Graves in Hall Beach (Tapardjuk)
I wish to table a collection of recent correspondence concerning the longstanding and unresolved issue of the relocation of graves in Hall Beach. To date, nothing has been resolved.
Tabled Document 303 – 3(3): Community Justice Annual Report on Victims Assistance Committee April 1, 2011 - March 31, 2012 (Shewchuk)
I am pleased to table the 2011-12 Annual Report on Community Justice Victims Assistance Committee.
Tabled Document 304 – 3(3): Baker Lake Municipal Council Resolution Concerning Community Infrastructure (Aupaluktuq)
I have the honour today of tabling a recent resolution passed by the municipal council of Baker Lake concerning the community’s infrastructure requirements.
I encourage all members to review the document with care. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 305 – 3(3): Transportation of Dangerous Goods Annual Report 2011-2012 (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the 2011-12 Annual Report for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods.
Tabled Document 306 – 3(3): 2010 Annual Report - Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission (Kusugak)
I am pleased to table the 2010 Annual Report for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 307 – 3(3): 2011-2012 Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer - Elections Nunavut (Speaker)
I have one document to table today.
As required by the Nunavut Elections Act, I wish to table the 2011-12 Annual Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Nunavut.
Motion 039 – 3(3): Appointment of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut – Notice (Oshutapik)
Today, I give notice that on February 28, 2013, (interpretation ends) I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of Nunavut that Ms. Sandra Inutiq be appointed as Languages Commissioner of Nunavut, effective this day.
Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time, I will seek unanimous consent to deal with my motion today. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Motion 040 – 3(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments – Notice (Elliott)
I give notice that on Thursday, February 28, 2013, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Nattilik, that Mr. Fred Shell be appointed a member of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development, the Standing Committee on Legislation, and the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts.
Motion 041 – 3(3): Extension of the Review Period for Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act – Notice (Ningeongan)
NOW THEREFRE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Amittuq, that the period of time for the standing committee to report Bill 32 back to the House be extended by a further 120 days.
Motion 042 – 3(3): Extension of the Review Period for Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Justices of the Peace Act – Notice (Ningeongan)
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Amittuq, that the period of time for the standing committee to report Bill 44 back to the House be extended by a further 120 days.
Bill 47 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013 – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, February 28, 2013, that Bill 47, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013, be read for the first time.
Speaker: For the record, we will note that Bill 47 is Supplementary Appropriation (O&M) Act, No. 3, 2012-2013.
I believe you accidentally said “Capital.”
Bill 48 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014 – Notice
I guess we’re having our first day gremlins and hiccups, and I’m sure we will iron the kinks out in the coming days.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 28, 2013, that Bill 48, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2013-2014, be read for the first time.
Bill 51 – An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, February 28, 2013, that Bill 51, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 53 – An Act to Amend the Medical Care Act – Notice
I give notice that on Thursday, February 28, 2013, that Bill 53, An Act to Amend the Medical Care Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 55 – An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act – Notice
Hon. Eva Aariak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I give notice that on Thursday, February 28, 2013, that Bill 55, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, be read for the first time.
Motion 039 – 3(3): Appointment of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (Oshutapik)
WHEREAS section 18 of the Official Languages Act provides that the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut is appointed by the Commissioner of Nunavut on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly to hold office for a term of four years during good behaviour;
AND WHEREAS Ms. Sandra Inutiq has been serving as the Acting Languages Commissioner for Nunavut since January 14, 2013;
AND WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly is prepared to recommend the appointment of this position;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet South and Whale Cove, that the Legislative Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of Nunavut that Ms. Sandra Inutiq be appointed as the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut, effective this day.
Congratulations, Ms. Inutiq.
Motion 040 – 3(3): Legislative Assembly Appointments (Elliott)
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Nattilik, that Mr. Fred Schell be appointed a member of the Standing Committee on Community and Economic Development, the Standing Committee on Legislation, and the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts.
Bill 46 – Donation of Food Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit West, that Bill 46, Donation of Food Act, be read for the first time.
Pursuant to Rule 62(2), I request the consent of this House to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 46, Donation of Food Act.
The member is seeking consent to waive the one-day waiting rule so that Bill 46 can be read for the second time today.
Bill 46 – Donation of Food Act – Second Reading
Mr. Elliott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues.
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit West, that Bill 46, Donation of Food Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill provides that a person who donates food or distributes donated food is not liable for disease, injury, death, or other harm resulting from the consumption of that food unless the person intended to harm the recipient or acted recklessly in donating or distributing the food.
Similar provisions apply to the directors, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers of corporations involved in the donation or distribution of food.
The motion is carried and Bill 46 has had second reading.
Pursuant to Rule 67(2), I request unanimous consent to order Bill 46 into the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
The member is seeking unanimous consent to have Bill 46 ordered into Committee of the Whole.
There are none and hence Bill 46 will be and is referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Bill 46 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:52 and Committee resumed at 16:25
In Committee of the Whole, we have the following item to deal with: Bill 46, Donation of Food Act.
Do members agree to deal with Bill 46?
Bill 46 – Donation of Food Act – Consideration in Committee
I would like the sponsor of Bill 46, Mr. Elliott, to go to the witness table to make comments regarding the bill.
Mr. Elliott, do you have witnesses that you would like to bring to the table?
Mr. Elliott: No, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Elliott, please proceed with your opening comments on Bill 46.