EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I would like to thank Mr. Tom Sammurtok and Alex Sammurtok, both MLAs from Rankin, for attending those meetings that I believe were very productive and informative.
The whole Hudson Bay roundtable passed a resolution on the recommendation from the roundtable energy working group and the resolution read, “That the Hudson Bay regional roundtable direct the Energy Options Working Group to access the required federal funding to undertake the next phase of the transmission line project between Manitoba and Nunavut.”
In short, it means that they would like to pursue federal funding to fund a proper feasibility study because the scoping study that was done was like a class “X” estimate and they want to get a more finely detailed study with costs tied down more.
Everyone was in support of it and discussions were informative, like I said, and productive.
I think the minister sort of read my mind on my first supplementary question here.
Last fall, a scoping study on the hydroelectric transmission project was prepared in partnership between the Kivalliq Inuit Association and the governments of Nunavut and Manitoba.
When will the minister be tabling a copy of the scoping study in this House?
That scoping study was not a government study. It was done for and through the Kivalliq Inuit Association, so I am sure that the member can get copies of it from there.
If the member feels like he should table it, then he is so welcome.
It is not a study that was done for the GN. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is obvious that a nation-building project of this magnitude will require significant federal investment to make it into a reality.
Yesterday, the House was informed by the Minister of Finance that the government is seeking a quarter of a billion dollars from Ottawa for energy investments.
Can the minister indicate whether funding for the Manitoba-Kivalliq hydroelectric project is a part of this request?
I can’t speak on behalf of the finance minister, but as the resolution was made by the Hudson Bay roundtable, they will be asking the federal government for funding for a feasibility study.
Question 166 – 4(3): Baffin Island Caribou Tags (Enook)
I also have questions for the Minister of Environment.
Mr. Speaker, I just want more information on a question I had about Baffin Island caribou.
I don’t want to stay on the same topic, but I want to clearly understand and I also want the people of the Baffin to clearly understand.
I am not sure the last question I had was responded to properly.
Maybe he responded to it properly and maybe I just didn’t understand it.
Let me say that I know that in Pond Inlet, we have depleted our caribou tags.
Due to that, I would like to ask this question.
Now, more than once, the minister has stated that in July, there will be 250 new tags. He has stated that more than once.
I would like to ask this question: even if the 250 tags are not all caught and there are some left over after July 1 and then you add 250 new tags, will the old tags just be erased and no longer usable? I hope that is clearer.
So I understand that even if there are tags left over in the Baffin region, those leftover tags will just be forgotten. They will be gone and the Baffin region will get 250 new tags and those communities that have depleted their tags will have to wait until July 1 to get new ones.
In the Baffin region, there are two communities that have harvested 30 male caribou.
This is what I said earlier. As the government, we didn’t handle how many tags each community gets.
That was the Qikiqtani Wildlife Management Board.
Those two communities that have taken 30 tags can request more from the Qikiqtani Wildlife Management Board because it is their responsibility. I trust that they can handle this matter on their own.
It’s just the two communities that have caught 30 caribou and all the other communities have not done that.
This will be my final question for the time being.
I would like to say to the minister that on July 1, 250 new tags will be given to the Baffin region.
That’s very good to hear and we will have good expectations for it.
What I would like to ask is: are we going to keep on doing this now or has the Department of Environment made any other plans with its caribou management partners to see how they will fix this up or change it?
Is this the way we expect life to be for the time being?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): The decision that was made that would allow 250 caribou to be caught in the Baffin region will stay like that for now.
Looking at the various studies that have been completed and the studies that will be done, it will take a number of months, perhaps a year.
Right now, in the Baffin region, we will stay with the system until a new law has been introduced.
We will change it, but I cannot say when I can expect any changes to that as the Minister of Environment.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Oral Questions. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, Ms. Angnakak.
Question 167 – 4(3): Water Delivery Services in Iqaluit (Angnakak)
Ms. Angnakak: Once again, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
During its recent fall 2015 sitting, the Legislative Assembly approved $3.4 million in capital funding to be allocated to the City of Iqaluit under its contribution agreement with the Government of Nunavut.
On October 27, 2015 during the Committee of the Whole’s consideration of the department’s 2016-17 capital estimates, I asked a number of questions concerning this contribution agreement.
In response, officials indicated that the department meets with the City of Iqaluit on a quarterly basis and they meet to discuss priorities and needs in relation to infrastructure planning.
Can the minister indicate if his department has discussed the capacity and lifecycles of the city’s water delivery equipment during these meetings?
I don’t know if they had discussions recently.
I’m not aware of it, but I’m sure they have because CGS and the city work together and closely together. The city is different than the hamlets.
They’re more independent and they’re more on their own and their funding sources are different than the hamlets.
The hamlets get their funding directly from Community and Government Services and the city gets some funding from the government, but a lot of their funding is generated by their tax base. I can’t tell you about any meetings that have occurred lately about their water infrastructure.
I noticed that when RFPs and that are issued, very often, the City of Iqaluit is not included. That’s a concern for me and I think it should be looked at.
On October 27, 2015, I also asked a number of questions concerning the issue of water delivery services in the City of Iqaluit. In response, officials stated that the department had “undertaken a comprehensive review, which should be finished by the end of this fiscal year, to take a look at the water, waste, and sewage programs right across the territory.”
Can the minister indicate if this review has been completed as of today and can he indicate when he will be tabling the results of this review in the Legislative Assembly?
The water/sewage review program is still ongoing and we’re anticipating it to be done by the end of the fiscal year.
It is Nunavut-wide based.
It’s just to see if the funding is not only adequate but whether the funding is being spent properly and prudently because, in the end, the government does pay for all of the services for the hamlets.
We would like that money spent in a prudent manner, but we also don’t want the hamlets to go into debt in order to provide a necessity of water and sewage.
The study is ongoing and it should be done by the end of this fiscal year.
I think the minister has been hanging around the finance minister a lot. I heard very similar words, “prudent,” so… .
As the minister is aware, the issue of water delivery services has been an ongoing concern for residents in Iqaluit for a number of years.
Specifically, residents are concerned that the city may not have the capacity to meet its current demand for water delivery services.
Will the minister commit to working with the City of Iqaluit to determine its current and future water delivery needs and to determine solutions that will allow the city to meet these needs?
Yes, CGS works with all the municipalities, including the City of Iqaluit, to make sure water is available and safe, but each municipality is their own government and they provide their services how they see fit as long as safety is not an issue and people are getting water.
It’s a municipal issue, but if there are safety issues, then the regulatory [bodies] will get involved.
We will work with any municipality to make sure that the water and sewage is run properly, but in the end, each municipality, including the City of Iqaluit, runs their program the way they see fit how to run it for their people.
Written Questions. (interpretation ends) Item 9. Returns to Written Questions. Item 10.
Tabled Document 072 – 4(3): Resolutions Adopted by the Hudson Bay Neighbours Regional Roundtable (Mikkungwak)
I am pleased today to table a collection of formal resolutions that were adopted at the most recent meeting of the Hudson Bay Neighbours Regional Roundtable.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage all members to review these important documents with care.
Tabling of Documents. I have some documents to table.
Tabled Document 073 – 4(3): 2016-2019 Business Plan of the Office of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 074 – 4(3): 2016-2019 Business Plan of the Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut (Speaker)
Tabled Document 075 – 4(3): 2016-2019 Business Plan of the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth (Speaker)
Tabled Document 076 – 4(3): Election under Section 7 of the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act (Speaker)
Tabled Document 077 – 4(3): Pension Administration Report for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2015 (Speaker)
The first document is the 2016-2019 Business Plan of the Office of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
The second document is the 2016-2019 Business Plan of the Office of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut.
The third document is the 2016-2019 Business Plan of the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth.
The fourth document, as required under subsection 20-1 of the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, is a copy of an election made under section 7 of the Act.
The final document, as required by the Legislative Assembly’s Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act, is the Pension Administration Report for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2015. (interpretation) Thank you.
Motion 019 – 4(3): Referral of Tabled Document 70 – 4(3) to the Committee of the Whole – Notice (Angnakak)
I give notice that on Monday, February 29, 2016, I will move the following motion:
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Tununiq, that Tabled Document 70 – 4(3) be referred to the Committee of the Whole for concurrent consideration with Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), and 140 – 4(2).
There are none. Please proceed, Madam Angnakak.
Motion 019 – 4(3): Referral of Tabled Document 70 – 4(3) to the Committee of the Whole (Angnakak)
WHEREAS Motion 8 – 4(3) was moved, considered, and adopted by the Legislative Assembly at its sitting of November 5, 2015;
AND WHEREAS this motion provided for Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), and 140 – 4(2) to be referred to the Committee of the Whole for concurrent consideration;
AND WHEREAS the 2014-15 Public Service Annual Report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on February 24, 2016;
Bill 10 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2015-2016 – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member of Aggu, that Bill 10, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 4, 2015-2016, be read for the first time.
First Reading of Bills. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Finance.
(interpretation) Sorry. (interpretation ends) The motion is in order.
An Hon. Member (interpretation): Question.
Item 19. (interpretation) First Reading of Bills. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson.
Bill 11 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2015-2016 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2015-2016, be read for the first time.
Bill 12 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2016-2017 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that Bill 12, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 1, 2016-2017, be read for the first time.
First Reading of Bills. The Hon. Minister of Finance, Mr. Peterson.
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that Bill 13, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017, be read for the first time.
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that Bill 13, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill authorizes the Government of Nunavut to make operations and maintenance expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.
Bill 13 and Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), 140 – 4(2), 149 – 4(2), and [70] – 4(3) with Mr. Irniq… . (interpretation) I’m sorry.
(interpretation ends) …Mr. Enook in the Chair.
Chairman (Mr. Enook)(interpretation): Good afternoon, my colleagues and Nunavummiut who are listening to the radio broadcast and watching the televised proceedings. Welcome to your committee.
We can now begin our meeting this afternoon. In Committee of the Whole, we have the following items to deal with: Tabled Documents 73 – 4(2), 116 – 4(2), 140 – 4(2), 149 – 4(2), and 70 – 4(3) and Bill 13, Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017.
We wish to commence the review of the 2016-17 main estimates, commencing with the Department of Health.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with the 2016-17 Main Estimates for the Department of Health?
Bill 13 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2016-2017 – Health – Consideration in Committee
I would like to welcome the Minister of Health, Minister Okalik. Welcome.
Let me first ask, as we proceed, if you have witnesses that you would like to bring to the table. Mr. Okalik.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and my colleagues.
Yes, I do want witnesses with me at the table.
As we begin our consideration of the main estimates, we will start with page H-6 so that you will know ahead of time.
At this time, (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, (interpretation) for the record, please introduce your witnesses.
With me this afternoon to my right, whom you know, is my Deputy Minister of Health, Colleen Stockley, and to my left is Assistant Deputy Minister Rosemary Keenainak.
Welcome to the House, Ms. Stockley and Ms. Keenainak.
Minister Okalik, if you have any opening comments, you may now begin.
I am pleased to present the Department of Health’s main estimates for fiscal year 2016-17.
The department requests a budget of $338.22 million. This represents an increase of $22.5 million. It also means the creation of 60.8 new positions.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Health continues to address the commitments in Sivumut Abluqta, specifically healthy communities and good governance.
The main estimates and business plan before you today will ensure clinical expertise and facilities are available to Nunavummiut, expand our mental health and addictions services, and deliver our services in an effective and efficient manner.
The department continues to increase resources in the communities.
The Department of Health presents the second phase of our mental health programming and services, which expands the mental health and addictions services across Nunavut. Specifically, Health is seeking 20 new mental health and addictions workers in 2016-17, positions that will be tailored to the needs of the community.
The intent is to expand and standardize community-based mental health and addiction treatment options, such as detoxification, counselling and day programming, social-emotional learning programming for children and youth, readiness for substance abuse treatment programming, and peer support.
In addition, the department will also be able to offer alternative services by increasing access to psychiatrist sessions via telehealth.
Today, Health is seeking to improve the care and safety of mental health clients at the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
The current practice of using contracted security guards to observe mental health clients is neither appropriate nor providing care in the best interest of the client.
To ensure the right type of care, Health will be replacing contracted security guards with life skills workers capable of providing therapeutic services to clients in a hospital setting.
The department is phasing in more nurse practitioners across Nunavut.
This year, we are asking for four new nurse practitioners for the communities of Arviat, Baker Lake, Coral Harbour, and Naujaat.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Health recognizes that a strong public health program is effective in preventing illness and decreasing demands on community health centres.
Therefore, Health is looking to phase in public health nurses across Nunavut. Health is proposing new public health nurses in Arviat and Gjoa Haven.
In many of our communities, our frontline staff, clerk interpreters, housekeepers, and caretakers have been dedicated in their service to our communities without the benefit of a permanent job.
Additional full-time and part-time indeterminate positions will be created for clerk interpreters, housekeepers, and caretakers in all of the Kivalliq communities as well as Sanikiluaq totalling 12.8 positions.
The Qikiqtani General Hospital renovations are nearing completion and the plan is to open the new wing within the coming months. This renovated wing will need additional housekeeping positions to meet the increased demand to maintain standards under infection control protocols.
Six new positions will be required for this activity.
Absent in Baker Lake is a home and community care program. The department is bringing forward a request to create a home and community care program which includes six positions needed to build care plans for clients, improving access to treatment and reducing the workload of health care practitioners.
The safety of our health care workers and our clients is important, and unfortunately, there has been an increased risk, vandalism, and break-ins in health centres across Nunavut.
Health is seeking approval of $2.24 million for improving security measures in 10 communities across Nunavut.
The intent is to contract these services in the following communities: Cape Dorset, Igloolik, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Arviat, Baker Lake, Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, and Kugluktuk.
Territorial Resources
Mr. Chairman, I have highlighted a number of additional resources at the community level. I now turn to capacity at the territorial level.
One of the areas that Health has really focused on the last year is the importance of quality improvement. This area has also been highlighted by the recent Cape Dorset external review.
The department is seeking approval to create a continuous quality improvement program along with three PYs.
The intent of the program is to improve the delivery of quality, cost-effective health care in Nunavut by improving service access and patient experience, as well as reducing mortality, critical incidents, and risks of litigation.
At the territorial level, there is also a need to ensure our medical professionals are providing the right services in support of our clients.
To meet these needs, the department will provide access to needed training and professional credential renewals.
This initiative will also include recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to include sensitivity training that is culturally appropriate.
Nunavut has one of the highest birthrates and the youngest population.
Thus, Health is seeking to increase paediatrician coverage within the territory.
Also, Health currently has midwifery services in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay and capacity being developed in Iqaluit.
The request for two PYs before you today is seeking to increase support to existing service and the expansion of midwifery services in Arviat.
Mr. Chairman, as indicated, a priority for the department is to provide services closer to our homes. The department is continuing to work on long-term care for our aging population.
At this point in time, Nunavut does not have the capacity to care for patients with higher level needs, such as dementia. The department is seeking $420,000 to contract facilities outside of Nunavut that have the capacity, including specialized training. This is an area that I will continue to work on to build capacity in the territory.
The need for access to health care for Nunavummiut may be highly dependent on medical travel outside of their community.
Costs are increasing due to several factors, including population growth, increased airfare, and improved specialist services.
The department has had to request additional funding to address shortfalls that have ranged between $3 million and $8.3 million.
The additional $4.88 million for scheduled and medevac medical travel will solely ensure that existing operations are more appropriately funded.
Nunavut health practitioners require ongoing access to the Ontario Poison Centre for advice on emergent/urgent treatment of intentional and unintentional poisonings. We will continue to use this important service for the next two years while, at the time, evaluating and researching other options.
This has never been funded in the past.
The government’s response to the suicide crisis is well underway, responding to the coroner’s inquest recommendations and planning for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
New resources, new partnerships, and long-term commitment will be needed and plans will be presented to you in the spring sitting.
In closing, our aim is to provide the best possible health care services to the population of Nunavut. We are committed in the development of a well-governed, integrated, collaborative, and quality health care system closer to home. Health envisions a health care system that empowers Nunavummiut to live healthy lives and is supported by a health system that is innovative, collaborative, and incorporates Inuit societal values.
We are committed to a model of health care that serves all Nunavummiut.
This concludes my opening comments, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
Members of the Standing Committee on Social Wellness have reviewed the 2016-17 main estimates and business plan of the Department of Health.
The standing committee notes that the 2016-17 operations and maintenance budget for the Department of Health is approximately $338 million, which represents the largest share of the government’s total operations and maintenance budget for 2016-17.
The costs of delivering quality health care and related services are driven up by the geographical distance between our communities, a reliance on expensive air transportation, and the distinct circumstances of delivering health care in remote and rural settings.
The standing committee notes that the minister and his officials have been carrying out discussions with their federal and provincial counterparts to negotiate the necessary levels of federal funding for health care in Nunavut.
The committee supports the minister in his efforts to access adequate funding to address all aspects of health care and medical service needs across Nunavut.
Despite an increase of over $20 million from the Department of Health’s 2015-16 budget, the standing committee anticipates that costs for health care service delivery in 2016-17 will again exceed approved allocations and that supplementary appropriations for additional funding for the department will be brought forward as they have been in the past.