EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
This concerns me because, as we all know, many elders these days can manage a few words of English which could lead someone to say that they are not technically “unilingual” and therefore not entitled to an escort.
Can the minister clearly explain how medical staff make the determination that an elder is “unilingual” and therefore entitled to an escort?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Before any travel occurs, there is a requirement for a physician to examine the patient. At that time, the discussion takes place whether the person is unilingual or not.
They also review where the person is travelling to. If the person is travelling to a location where there is no interpretation, regardless of the age of the patient, the patient will be permitted an escort to assist in the interpreting for the patient.
Those decisions are made when they are seeing the physician and preparing to travel.
If there is a dispute between the physician and the patient, the matter is referred to the regional director for a determination. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Let me be clear: the issue at stake here is not the language abilities of an elder but the level of support that they may require during their travel.
Would the minister consider a further revision to the Medical Travel Policy which would permit any elder, regardless of their linguistic ability, to request an escort if they so choose?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) The other provision that is in the policy is if a person is requiring assistance because of physical disability or other disabilities, then a patient is required to have an escort.
Those conditions are there already.
The only change we made was for anyone over the age of 65 who has language barriers in terms of travelling anywhere in the territory or outside is permitted to have an escort. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Joanasie: Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important that we show respect and support for our elders and to ensure that they are safe and secure, especially when they have health concerns and medical issues to deal with.
Will the minister commit to once again reviewing his department’s Medical Travel Policy and consider amending it to permit any Nunavut elder to request an escort for medical travel?
Hon. Paul Okalik: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) We permit the physician to make the decision at the time that the travel is being prepared. At the same time, there is also another added check where the regional director will decide upon requests from a patient.
Those opportunities are there for any elder to have an escort. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 481 – 4(2): NHC Homeownership Program (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, as members will recall, last week, we were reminded that the Nunavut Housing Corporation spent $2.52 million on homeownership programs in the 2013-14 fiscal year.
At that time, the minister indicated that there are regional offices and LHOs available to answer questions about housing and homeownership programs that Nunavummiut may have.
Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s business plan indicates that a priority for the 2014-15 fiscal year has been to “Promote homeownership in Nunavut through publicity and promotion as well as through education and counseling.”
It also indicates that all programs have been “updated on its website.”
Mr. Speaker, I believe that all members are aware that not all Nunavummiut have access to the Internet.
Can the minister describe what other methods the Nunavut Housing Corporation is using to promote its homeownership programs?
Mr. Speaker, the local housing organizations or the regional offices in the Baffin, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot are where they have homeownership programs and information on how to access those types of programs.
The individuals who are interested can go see our district offices or their local housing organizations to get more information on homeownership programs or other types of programs under the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
I recognize that the Nunavut Housing Corporation has regional offices to assist Nunavummiut seeking information or assistance in applying for homeownership programs. I also recognize that, where applicable, LHOs serve this function.
However, a significant number of homeownership programs require “NHC-approved inspectors” for inspections prior to the approval of applications, the purchasing of homes, or the start of renovations.
Mr. Speaker, my question is: how many “NHC-approved inspectors” are currently resident to Baker Lake?
As I stated earlier about the homeownership programs within the Nunavut Housing Corporation, if there are any questions or anybody who would like to get further information about the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s homeownership programs, they can go to the regional offices.
If I understood the member’s question correctly, the Kivalliq regional office is in Arviat. They can either contact the program officer or bilingual people. Our (interpretation ends) District Manager, Jimmy Main, (interpretation) can be approached if they have any questions regarding the homeownership programs.
If they don’t know where to go, they can approach the regional offices or the district office in Arviat where Jimmy Main is our (interpretation ends) District Manager (interpretation) and people can approach him.
As my colleague from Gjoa Haven indicated recently in the House, not every community has the luxury of simply making an appointment with a local carpenter, plumber, or contractor for home construction or repair needs.
Can the minister explain what recent changes have been made to homeownership programs to address this issue?
Mr. Speaker, as I stated a few days ago, if homeowners need repair, they lack local contractors or carpenters in some communities, especially in the smaller communities. When there aren’t any contractors, a matter which we discussed amongst our colleagues, we try to resolve the situation.
For those communities that lack contractors, the Nunavut Housing Corporation will be able to provide assistance.
If the community does not have a contractor, they can try and get the contractor from outside of the community.
The company can go to that community and the Nunavut Housing Corporation would pay for the maintenance worker to go to that community. On top of that, the Nunavut Housing Corporation would provide funding if there aren’t any contractors in the small communities. We will provide that assistance.
Item…I’m sorry.
I would like to go back to Item 5, Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is seeking unanimous consent to go back to Item 5. Are there any nays?
I didn’t hear any nays. Mr. Savikataaq.
I thank my colleagues for letting me go back to Item 5.
I would like to recognize a constituent of mine, Leo Ikakhik. He’s from Arviat and he just happened to be in town. I just happened to see him behind me.
Hon. Minister of Workers’ Safety and Compensation, Mr. Peterson.
Tabled Document 139 – 4(2): Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission’s 2015 Corporate Plan (Peterson)
I am pleased to table the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission’s 2015 Corporate Plan.
Tabled Document 140 – 4(2): Public Service Annual Report 2013-2014 (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the Public Service Annual Report for 2013-14.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. I have one.
Tabled Document 141 – 4(2): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker)
Thank you, Members. I wish to table today a list of outstanding statutory tabling requirements.
This list is current as of today’s tabling. (interpretation) Thank you.
(interpretation ends) Item 14. Notices of Motions.
Item 15. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills. (interpretation) Item 16.
Bills 1 and 13 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 15:11 and Committee resumed at 15:38
We can now proceed with our committee meeting.
Today, we have the following items to deal with: Bills 1 and 13.
We wish to do a clause-by-clause review of Bill 13, followed by Bill 1.
Does the committee agree that we first deal with Bill 13?
Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act – Consideration in Committee
Minister Okalik, I think you are ready.
I would first like to ask if you have officials that you would like to bring to the table.
Yes, I do, if it’s possible.
Do members agree to bring in the minister’s officials?
With me this afternoon on my right is Colleen Stockley, Deputy Minister, and on my left is Thomas Ahlfors, who is our Legislative Counsel.
Ms. Stockley and Mr. Ahlfors, welcome to the Chambers.
We can now proceed. Minister Okalik, if you have any opening comments, I now give you the opportunity to make them.
I am pleased to appear before the Standing Committee on Legislation to discuss Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act.
The Vital Statistics Act enables the collection of key statistics and records of birth, death, and marriage, which are essential for individuals to obtain pieces of identification.
Bill 13 is meant to ensure that Nunavummiut have access to a modern vital statistics system. Among other things, Bill 13 will allow the registrar of vital statistics to digitize records and to maintain an electronic data base instead of depending on paper versions.
The bill codifies numerous court decisions by setting out the process for a person to change their sex designated on his or her birth certificate.
Bill 13 also lays out the duties of the coroner for the issuance of a death registration when a body is not recovered or when it is destroyed or removed from Nunavut.
Additionally, the bill before the committee will ensure that Nunavummiut can add the parental information after the initial registration and that a last name can be changed or corrected following the initial registration.
Those are my opening comments on the bill.
If the Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation has any comments, I now give you the opportunity to make them.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make some brief opening comments as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act.
Mr. Chairman, this bill will modernize our vital statistics legislation in order that records and statistics collected in Nunavut will meet national standards.
Members recognize that many of these amendments are necessary to comply with federal court rulings as well as to allow for the more modern electronic storage of records.
Mr. Chairman, it is important to note that for every Nunavummiuq born before 1999, even if they were born in the territory that is now Nunavut, their birth records are still held by the Northwest Territories’ Vital Statistics Bureau in Inuvik.
Other Nunavummiut who were born in other jurisdictions must still apply to those other jurisdictions for their birth certificates.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 13 to all members.
You will have a chance to make comments or ask questions during the clause-by-clause review.
The bills are in your legislation binder. Please refer to Bill 13. We will begin the clause-by-clause review of the bill.
I think you all have a copy of Bill 13.
We will now deal with the bill.
Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 4. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 8. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 9. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 10. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 11. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 12. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 13. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 14. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 15. Do you agree?
Do members agree to Bill 13 as a whole?
Pursuant to Rule 62(2), do members agree that Bill 13 can be placed on orders of the day for third reading?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Members.
Minister Okalik, we are now done with the bill.
If you have any closing remarks, I now give you the floor. Minister Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank the former minister, Minister Ell, who started this. I thank my colleagues.
I appreciate the officials who were here with me. Thank you and have a good day.
We are now ready to go right into the next item.
We will be dealing with Bill 1.
Minister Sammurtok will be making his opening comments.
I would first like to ask Minister Sammurtok if he has any witnesses that he would like to bring to the table.
Bill 01 – Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act – Consideration in Committee
Minister Sammurtok, for the record, please introduce your witnesses.
To my right is my Deputy Minister, Roy Green, and Assistant Deputy Minister Darren Flynn.
Mr. Green and Mr. Flynn, welcome to the Chambers.
We can now proceed. Minister Sammurtok, if you have any opening comments on Bill 1, I now give you the opportunity to make them.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Thank you for the invitation and opportunity to address you today. I appreciate the efforts made by the Standing Committee on Legislation to work with the government to improve the legislation.
This legislation will assist municipalities in becoming more self-sufficient, self-reliant, and as a direct result, future municipality sustainability will evolve, therefore fostering the values of Pijitsirniq and Qanuqtuurniq.
I’m sorry, there’s a misspelling here.
In consultation with the [Northern] Employee Benefits Services and the Government of the Northwest Territories, we have 10 motions to the legislation.
I trust the Committee of the Whole will be pleased with our willingness to concur with the final proposed amendments to the NEBS legislation.
I would also like to take this moment to extend a thank you to our counterparts in the GNWT that have worked with us on this mirrored legislation as well as the NEBS and GN staff who worked diligently and collaboratively on this bill. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Please, all the members, just be patient. Ministers are usually long, but this one’s going to be longer than his opening comments.
As Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislation, I am pleased to make opening comments as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of Bill 1, the proposed Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act.
As members will recall, Bill 1 received second reading on March 20, 2014 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for consideration.
Bill 1 establishes a proposed new legislative framework for the continuation of the Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan, which was originally established in 1979 by the Government of the Northwest Territories.
As members will also recall, our counterparts in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories have been considering Bill 12, which mirrors the provisions of Bill 1.
Mr. Chairman, as you are aware, the situation where two different legislatures in two different jurisdictions are considering essentially the same piece of proposed legislation is quite unique in Canada.
Mr. Chairman, the situation with the NEBS Pension Plan is essentially the same. Employers and workers in both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories participate in the plan.
This type of plan is referred to as a “multi-employer public sector pension plan.”
Approximately 115 employers representing approximately 1,700 employees in both territories are currently members of NEBS.
In 1999, NEBS was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation. At that time, the plan was regulated under the federal Pension Benefits Standards Act.
Consequently, work has been underway for a number of years between NEBS and the governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories to develop new legislation for both jurisdictions which would establish a clear framework in which the NEBS Pension Plan will operate into the future.
The product of this work is the two bills which have been under consideration by both legislatures.
Mr. Chairman, as you will recall, motions were passed in both legislatures last fall to extend the period of time for the standing committees in both legislatures to consider Bill 1 and Bill 12.
As I noted at that time, all stakeholders have agreed throughout this process on the necessity of establishing a clear legislative framework for the NEBS Pension Plan.
However, as I also noted at that time, concerns had been raised by a number of northern organizations concerning specific elements contained in the two bills.
The passage of the motions in both legislatures allowed our standing committees to work very closely together in developing a joint package of amendments to Bills 1 and 12 for the consideration of the sponsoring ministers in both governments.
Given the shared nature of the pension plan between two jurisdictions, it is essential that the two bills which emerge from the two legislatures be as harmonized as possible.
Mr. Chairman, the cooperation between our legislatures has achieved that goal.
Mr. Chairman, during the minister’s recent appearance before the standing committee on the occasion of its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 1, a total of 10 motions were moved to amend the bill.
I am pleased to note that the sponsoring minister formally concurred with each motion.
For the benefit of Nunavummiut who are following our proceedings today, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the major amendments to Bill 1, which have also been made to Bill 12 in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
Clause 2 of Bill 1 has been amended to explicitly clarify and confirm that the NEBS Pension Plan is to be operated and interpreted as a “defined benefit” plan.
This will provide clarity and comfort to plan members.
Clause 7 of Bill 1 has been amended to explicitly preclude the use of governmental agreements to waive statutory requirements.
This amendment [enshrines] the principle that administrative mechanisms, such as governmental agreements, should not be used to circumvent requirements or obligations established by legislation.
Clause 12 of Bill 1 has been amended to provide for balanced representation between representatives of employers and representatives of plan members and retired members on the pension committee that is established by the legislation.
Mr. Chairman, as you will recall, achieving balance in this legislation has been a paramount goal during our two committees’ consideration of Bill 1 and Bill 12.
Clause 15 of Bill 1 has been amended to enshrine the “pension promise” in law by removing the ability to retroactively reduce any earned benefit as a way of dealing with insufficient assets in the plan.
Amendments have also been made to ensure that authority over addressing insufficient assets in the plan is to be vested with the pension committee.
I again note that the amendments to clause 12 of Bill 1 have resulted in a balanced membership of the pension committee.
Mr. Chairman, a new provision has been added to Bill 1 to provide for mandatory participation in the NEBS plan on the part of hamlets, housing associations, and housing authorities.
As members will recall, the goal of ensuring that our territory’s municipal employees enjoy income security in their retirement years has been under discussion since 2009, when the Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Protection Act was considered and passed by the previous Assembly.
Clauses 25 and 27 of Bill 1 have been amended to require that the NEBS pension’s actuarial valuation reports and pension committee’s financial reports are to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly by the responsible minister.
These statutory tabling requirements will ensure that all Members of the Legislative Assembly and the public have access to the reports.
Finally, clause 28 of Bill 1 has been amended to ensure that affected members of the NEBS plan receive notification in the event of planned reductions to ancillary and core benefits.
Mr. Chairman, Bill 1 is a stronger, more balanced piece of legislation today than it was when it was first introduced.
I wish to take this opportunity to pay public tribute to the leadership of Chairperson Michael Nadli and Deputy Chairperson Wendy Bisaro, along with the hard work of their committee colleagues and staff in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.
I also wish to thank Minister Tom Sammurtok and Michael Miltenberger for their hard work in sponsoring Bills 1 and 12 and for working cooperatively with both committees to develop amendments to both bills.
I also wish to express the committee’s appreciation to the individuals and organizations that made the effort and took the time to make formal submissions to the committees in both legislatures.
These include the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, the Nunavut Employees Union, and the Northern Territories Federation of Labour.
Finally, I wish to acknowledge the hard work of the members of the NEBS Board of Directors and their staff in this process. The passage of Bills 1 and 12 in both legislatures is an important milestone for this important pension plan that benefits a significant number of residents in both territories.
The standing committee recommends the passage of Bill 1, as amended and reprinted, to all members.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Savikataaq. (interpretation) We will be dealing with Bill 1.
It is in your legislation binder.
Please refer to it. Once you all have a copy, we will begin our clause-by-clause review of the bill.
I believe everybody has a copy in front of them.
Let us do the clause-by-clause review.
Bill 1, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act.
Chairman (interpretation): Clause 22.1. Do you agree?
Chairman (interpretation): Do members agree to Bill 1 as a whole?
Chairman (interpretation): Do members agree that pursuant to Rule 62(2), that Bill 1 can be placed on the orders of the day for third reading?
We are done with Bill 1. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, (interpretation) if you have any closing remarks, I will give you the opportunity now.
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to my colleagues for fully supporting this.
I also thank the NEBS workers and the CGS staff for working on this.
Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) I thank the staff for all the hard work they have done on this.
This is a good legislation. I think it will provide benefits to our upcoming retirees who are in the municipal fields and housing associations.
I thank the committee for ensuring that this bill has been passed. (interpretation) Thank you.
Considering that we have finished our wish list for today and for this sitting, I would like to report progress, please.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. There is a motion on the floor and the motion is not debatable.
Thank you. The motion was unanimously carried.
Third Reading of Bills. (interpretation) I’m sorry. (interpretation ends) No.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your committee has been considering Bills 1 and 13 and would like to report that Bills 1 and 13 are immediately ready for third reading. Also, Mr. Speaker, I move that the Report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
The motion is in order…the motion is carried.
(interpretation) Thank you. (interpretation ends) Item 21.
Bill 01 – Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act – Third Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Sinaa, that Bill 1, Northern Employee Benefits Services Pension Plan Act, be read for the third time.
Third Reading of Bills. The Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Okalik.
Bill 13 – An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act – Third Reading
Hon. Paul Okalik: (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Manirajak, that Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Vital Statistics Act, be read for the third time. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.