EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
If they need a treatment program Mr. Speaker, where we need to take them out of the community, and put them in a detox centre for example, Mr. Speaker, that is provided to them and we have those referrals available.
Mr. Speaker, the great majority, 90 some percent, 95% of the people in Nunavut who we are dealing with right now do not need that referral.
Mr. Speaker, we need to be able to deal with some of the things that we talked about before.
We have issues Mr. Speaker, of residential school abuse, Mr. Speaker, and we are finding that people who went to residential schools for example and are now 40 or 45 years old have had problems with substance abuse because of the pain that they have suffered.
So you need to be able to deal with those issues.
In some cases, Mr. Speaker, the abuse, the substance abuse is a signal of a deeper problem that the person is experiencing.
That's why Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health & Social Services Nunavut is trying to put the resources at the community level so that we can deal with the person and their family and the things that they are going through at that local level.
We are not asking our Health Committees to deliver those programs, in most communities, Mr. Speaker, we have community drug and alcohol program workers.
Mr. Speaker, in some communities we have gone forward now and we have put psychiatric nurses in place to also add to the professional help for the client at the community level.
Mr. Speaker, I guess again, I would like to thank the minister for the answer that he gave and I take it that question I asked is do we send people out and I believe that he said that 95% of the people that they deal with don't require treatment in centres.
So if we just deal with that 5%, how many people has the Department of Health & Social Services or this government referred out to treatment centres in the south that aren't available in the north.
Mr. Speaker, again I will try to keep my answer short.
Mr. Speaker, the number of people being sent out is on an ongoing basis which is on the medical, clinical or other referral basis necessary.
I don't have that number available with me right now about how many people have been sent out, but what I can do Mr. Speaker, is get that information and provide it to the member.
After saying that Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to note that the Nunavut Government has been operational for sixteen months.
We inherited all the programs and services that were delivered by the Government of the Northwest Territories.
What we are trying to do under the Government of Nunavut is put a more Nunavut based response in place.
The Premier and I for example, Mr. Speaker, just attended a workshop graduation where we had several of our community counsellors, alcohol and drug counsellors, family counsellors, Mr. Speaker, graduate from a program from the Glasser Institute in Ontario, dealing with reality therapy and base therapy so they could actually use those skills in counselling people at the community level.
So that’s what we are trying to do. Mr. Speaker, the actual question on the numbers, I could provide, I can get the information and provide that to the member.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate the fact that the Minister is saying a lot of the problems that we are facing and that we have inherited over time and I’m not any way shape or form indicating the result or the lack of work on behalf of the department, I know the department is doing everything it can, to try and help keep people healthy in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, in light of the minister's comments on the fact that the programs that were in place that got shut down, it indicated that they are not relevant and that they weren’t working.
I guess what I’d like to get at in light of some of the earlier questions that members raised on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, is the department going to take a look at developing a made in Nunavut program, a treatment program that would incorporate the youth, elders and expertise that we do have at the community level.
Also Mr. Speaker, I would ask if the minister is going to look at the numbers on how many people are being sent out, if you could also include the cost.
Speaker (interpretation): I’d just like to inform the members to make their comments short and if you are going to speak, speak slower so the interpreters could keep up.
Thank you, Mr. Picco.
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, that’s excellent advice.
Mr. Speaker, quickly, we can make that available.
When the apex treatment centre was opened as an example, in a five and half year period, a hundred and nineteen people had actually gone through treatment program.
The success rate we believe was about ten percent and the cost was three quarters of a million dollars a year, seven hundred and fifty thousand I believe, Mr. Speaker, I don’t have the figures in front of me, but this is going from memory.
Mr. Speaker as I tried to say earlier, if someone needs treatment, to go to a treatment centre for a physical or substance problem, we do that Mr. Speaker, we do that through clinical or whatever type of referral is necessary at that time clinical or medical referral.
After saying that Mr. Speaker, the Nunavut Government has taken the stand as most medical professionals in departments of health have, that alcohol as an example is a disease and needs to be treated as a disease.
So with that Mr. Speaker I will get the information for the member on the number of people and also the cost of setting people up.
Which is minimal to trying to operate a program in a central location.
Question 065 – 1(4): Assistant Deputy Minister for Culture, Language, Elders & Youth
I’d like to direct my question to the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.
Mr. Speaker, under his department does the minister have an Assistant Deputy Minister under him.
Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. Mr. Kattuk.
No, presently we are working on getting an ADM. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Why does he not have an Assistant Deputy Minister.
Before I got into this position the Assistant Deputy Minister had resigned and we have not replaced the Assistant Deputy Minister to date.
Is that position going to be posted or advertized.
The position will be advertized or rather it is presently being advertized.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, minister.
Question 066 - 1(4): Grise Fiord Water Shortage
My question should perhaps be directed to the Minister of Community Government and Transportation but I will direct it to the Premier.
We heard on the news that the people of Grise Fiord have to conserve their water and may be short of water this winter.
I would like to ask the minister what the situation is.
I was recently in Grise Fiord.
They are working on putting another tank for water in Grise Fiord.
I have not got an update on how it is going but I will look into this.
The Premier will look into this.
Orders of the day. Oral questions.
Question 067 - 1(4): Gates Foundation visit to Nunavut
Uqaqti my question today is to the Minister responsible for Education.
A number of months ago I was in one of the fortunate communities to have the Gates Foundation show up in my community.
I had a meeting with their organization, a brief meeting.
They were in the community for two hours.
Not very many Hamlet Councillors or the DEA were aware that these people were going to our community and I know donations are accepted in most communities and this organization is pegged as one of the richest organizations in the world.
Bill Gates as everyone knows is the richest man in the world.
He came to Nunavut bearing gifts according to that newspaper article that I tabled twice in the House and finally got around to getting a few questions in about.
I was appalled at the way these people were treated, bearing gifts.
Especially in most communities I would say 75% or 80% of our communities do not have Internet access and I think they were willing to help set up Internet access.
I know in my community we do not have it and we have been trying to get it.
Can the Minister of Education let me know if we are going invite the Gates Foundation back to Nunavut.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. McLean.
Yes, I fully agree with the member that we can not refuse, we can not afford to lose any contribution that any foundation may want to contribute to our operations in our schools.
No specific amount of contribution was discussed.
Exploratory talks were taking place with the foundation.
Those discussions are ongoing.
The same newspaper article outlined some of the challenges that we face that are quite unique to other jurisdictions. For instance, we don't have any fibre optics such as the foundation is used to in other jurisdictions. We are solely satellite based Internet connections.
So those are some of the unique challenges that we face as a jurisdiction in trying to resolve the ongoing technological problems that we face in our territory.
So those discussions are ongoing and we appreciate the effort made by the foundation for recognizing the unique challenges that we face.
Mr. McLean: That is reassuring to know.
On that note, sometimes we let certain people be the lead people in communities and sometimes the community doesn't know about it.
The next time the Gates Foundation comes into one of our communities, would the minister responsible make sure that the Hamlet Councils and the DEAs are aware of these visitors so that they can make presentations and maybe present them with a gift of a wall hanging or a piece of art or something like that.
That's my question to the minister.
If the Gates Foundation representatives do come back to our communities that they are not just brought in by a few Government of Nunavut employees, that the Hamlet Councils and the DEAs are aware of their visit so that they can be acknowledged and talked to.
A Member: Good answer.
Speaker (interpretation): Ma'na Premier.
Question 068 – 1(4): NDAP Client List Discrepancy
Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to hear the minister make a statement on the work that the Task Force did and the recommendations that were made.
In light of that the NDAP announcement that she made as well.
I was looking at the minister's statement on NDAP that she made and I was looking at the numbers last night and just reading it over.
The minister indicated that there were 21 people on the list that either have received funding or were pending funding.
Then looking at the chart it shows that there are 23 on there.
I just wanted to know if two of those numbers were found not to be eligible for funding or was it just a typo, that there is a difference there.
It may be just a typo.
But I can find that out for the member.
I can get it before the end of today.
The minister is going to take this as notice and get back to you.
I did not take it as notice because that would take a little bit longer for this.
I can deliver it to the member by the end of today.
That's all I am saying.
Speaker (interpretation): Yes, she will get back to you.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the minister as well, and I am very happy to see that there is 50% success through the process that they hope to achieve in providing assistance for home ownership.
I am wondering Mr. Speaker, if she could indicate whether there were more applicants that were not eligible.
I believe the minister stated and I questioned her the other day, that there was a limit of 125 thousand I believe as the income ceiling. I am just wondering, based on my past experience with that I know we used to get a lot of applications so I was just wondering if there were a number more that were not eligible.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Ms. Thompson.
I am pretty sure there was.
For any funding that the government gives out not everybody can be pleased with it or can qualify for funding. So I am pretty sure there was but I do not know how many did not qualify for this program.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Speaker, in light of the fact that we hope to continue to evaluate and review our delivery of programs and services, I am wondering if the minister could commit to taking a look at applications that were not approved to determine whether they were strictly income related or whether there were other factors.
For example, individuals not being able to receive authorization from a bank for a mortgage or find out why people were not eligible and to see if there is a need there for us to take a look at other options other than the program.
Yes, we can look at the program but I would just like to say that if you are making over 125 thousand you should be able to make a down payment on a house but we will revisit this.
Your last supplementary Mr. Tootoo.
Mr. Tootoo: Mr. Chairman, I was not just referring to… I understand and recognize the need to have a cap on the income for that.
Mr. Speaker I am just wondering, a lot of the programs and services that we hear about and I remember the task force heard as well, none of the programs took into consideration the size of the family or the cost of living in those communities.
I guess the cost of living in those communities was taken into consideration but the family size was not and in a lot of instances across Nunavut you may have that income, the income earners where they are supporting more than just their immediate dependants.
There is also extended family and I am just wondering if there is a way that that could be worked into the formula as well.
We all know that the people that buy the home have to be able to afford the house.
That is one of the considerations we should look into and also I will be going to the standing committee that I go to with the Housing Corporation and I am pretty sure the standing committee will have some recommendations. We will look into those other options if we need to.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minister.
Item 6 on our orders of the day.
Question 069 - 1(4): Clarification on NDAP
I will be directing my question to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
I think some mortgage holders get their mortgage through the bank and some go through the programs with the Housing Corporation.
Perhaps the minister can elaborate on this to me because I do not fully understand how it works.
Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. Ms. Thompson.
Yes, we have various programs that come under the Housing Corporation.
There was another program where they could get their house within 5 years and now it is a 15 year mortgage.
If you would like to get a mortgage you need an approval from the bank for your mortgage and once your loan is approved by the bank you can get assistance of 15 thousand dollars from the Housing Corporation.
Sometimes other people go through the bank to get their mortgage.
If you want to purchase a house you would have to get a mortgage through the bank and get a loan in order to purchase the house.
Mr. Speaker, anybody in the communities who want to purchase a house can ask officials of the Housing Corporation.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Madame Minister.
I have a supplementary question.
According to criteria you have under the department, some homeowners can get a 15 year mortgage.
What would happen in a case where they can not afford to pay for their mortgage, it appears they can be ousted from their home and they cannot get into housing association units when this occurs.
So how is your department going to be resolving this issue so as to accommodate the clients.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Madame Minister.
For those people who would like to get their own home their mortgage follows the salary they make.
If I was making a lot of money in my salary but I could not afford my mortgage I can go to the bank and ask them if they can lower my mortgage rate or do re-financing.
Yes, as a Housing Corporation we do try to assist all the people who need our assistance and provide counselling and they do look at options as to what else we can do.
Because we do not want to just kick people out.
Yes, people have to pay for their loans and mortgages especially if you want to own your own home.
We have to consider all these aspects in order to keep up with mortgage payments then that is how the criteria is set.
Mr. Speaker, I am very glad that the minister is responding according to my questions.
I am little bit afraid if I make a mistake and I am sure if I do I will be corrected.
Since the fuel prices increased, the subsidy program for the homeowners which is 15 thousand dollars, does that consider also the fuel price increase.
Ms. Thompson.  Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is not the same as that.
Speaker (interpretation): Your last supplementary Mr. Iqaqrialu.
What is different.
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): This 15 thousand dollar assistance program does not reflect the fuel pricing increase.
This 15 thousand is a down payment assistance program for the people who would like to get their own home according to Manitok’s traditional knowledge.
Speaker (interpretation): At this time question period is over.
We are a little bit over the question period.
Mr. Speaker, I seek and ask for unanimous consent to go back to Item 5 on the orders of the day.
Speaker (interpretation): The member is asking unanimous consent to go back to Item 5.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize someone that is very near and dear to me.
She just drew me a little picture that says number one dad.
Today is, I heard on the radio at lunch time, National Take Your Child to Work With You Day today so I would like to thank my father Mr. Tootoo for bringing my daughter Eden in here to watch the proceedings this afternoon and I would also like to acknowledge a cousin of mine Michael Aklunark.
For all elders or young people that are here, welcome to our Assembly.
I do not recognize too many people but Michael Aklunark is also my cousin’s son.
Mr. Tootoo and I are related and I did not know.
Speaker (interpretation): I acknowledge that you are relatives.
To the orders of the day. Item 7.
Written Question 004 - 1(4): Housing Issues
Mr. Speaker, my written question is to the Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation.
Within Nunavut the population is growing and there is a shortage of housing.
My question is to the minister.
How many people are on the waiting list in Nunavut and are there a number of old units which have never been renovated in Nunavut.
If they were renovated, they would be used for a longer period because they are very expensive to build.
They could be used for a long time in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk.
In the year 2001 will there be any renovations to houses.
Written Question 005 – 1(4): Funding for Small Businesses in the Kitikmeot
Mr. Speaker, the MLA from Nattilik asked the Minister responsible for Sustainable Development on October 26, under oral questions…(interpretation ends)…how much funding has been allocated for all the small business ventures in the Kitikmeot region and the minister said that he would get back to him.
Mr. Speaker, the minister has still not responded to him.
I am therefore submitting this written question in an effort to get the answers I am looking for.
This written question asks how much funding has been allocated by Sustainable Development for all the small business ventures in the Kitikmeot.
Written Question 006 – 1(4): Government of Nunavut Air Charters
Mr. Speaker, I have a written question with six parts for the Minister responsible for Public Works and Services.
Mr. Speaker:
What is the time line for the review and approval of a new air charter policy for the Government of Nunavut.
How many elected or appointed officials in the Government of Nunavut can presently authorize the expenditure of funds on air charters.
What mechanisms are presently in place to determine whether the guidelines in the financial administration manual on air charter travel are being followed by the departments.
How many air charters have been purchased with Government of Nunavut funds in the first two quarters of the fiscal year to date.
What was the purpose and itinerary for each air charter.
Who were the passengers on each air charter.
Petition 003 – 1(4): Nattilik Residents Against Fuel Price Increases
I have a petition from Nattilingmiut residents that states…(interpretation ends)…We the Nattilik residents do not agree with the increase of gas prices. (interpretation) There are 139 signatures.
Petition 004 – 1(4): Addition to Hall Beach School
I have a petition stating that there is a definite need for an addition to our school.
There are 128 signatures.
Tabling of documents. Mr. Premier.
Tabled Document 018 - 1(4): Day Care Funding Final Report
As I stated earlier I am pleased to be tabling the Day Care Final Report.
Tabled Document 019 - 1(4): Members’ Indemnities & Expenses to March 31, 2000
Pursuant to Section 34.1 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I am tabling the report on members’ indemnities and expenses for the year ending March 31, 2000.
Tabled Document 020 - 1(4): Hall Beach School Architectural Design
I wish to table a document prepared by the GNWT on the architectural engineering design that was done for the Hall Beach school.
Item 13. Tabling of documents. Tabling of documents.
I give notice that on November 2, 2000 I will move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting days and hours as the Speaker deems fit to assist the business before the House.
I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with my motion today.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Okalik.
Mr. Speaker, my motion is on an appointment.
Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Friday November 3, 2000, I will move the following motion.
Whereas, Section 55(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act requires that there shall be an Executive Council of Nunavut; and
Whereas, Members of the Executive Council of Nunavut are appointed by the Commissioner on recommendation of the Legislative Assembly;
Now, therefore, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Amittuq, that this Assembly recommends to the Commissioner of Nunavut that Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Member for Baffin South, be appointed to the Executive Council.
We will proceed. Notices of motions.
Motion 009 – 1(4): Extended Hours and Days
Honourable members I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit East that the Speaker be authorized to set such sitting days and hours as the Speaker deems fit to assist the business before the House.
The original seconder on the handout was the Member for Kugluktuk and because he is not present, the Member for Iqaluit East has seconded the motion.
If there are no objections from the members, he is the seconder and we will deal with the motion today.
We are on motions.
Looking at the orders of the day.
Consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters; Bill 1, Ministers' Statements 006-1(4), 007-1(4), 008-1(4), Bill 7.
Mr. Iqaqrialu will be chairing.
Before we go into the committee of the whole we will have an 18 minute break.
>>House recessed at 3.47 p.m. and resumed at 4.13 p.m.
Chairperson (interpretation): Thank you we can get back to business.
Yesterday we did not conclude under consideration in committee of the whole, Ministers’ Statements 006- 1(4), 007- 1(4), 008-1(4) and bill 7.
We would like to start off with Minister's Statement 7-1(4), Fuel Price Increases for Nunavut and once we have concluded that we will go on to bill 7.
Does the committee agree.
We will now deal with Minister's Statement 7-1(4), Fuel Price Increases for Nunavut.
Madame Minister if you could also ask your witnesses to come to the witness table and introduce them.
I don’t have any comments.
We have been dealing with this item for a few days now.
On my right is the Deputy Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Ross Mrazek.
Roy Green our finance administrator is unable to be here with us today, so I will be here with Mr. Mrazek.
Any comments from the members.
Mr. Chairman, just a few questions that I would like to ask.