EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I recognize that medical travel and accommodation are only two of the benefits provided for under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program. The NIHB program also covers certain dental services, pharmaceuticals, and vision care.
Can the minister clearly explain who decides what dental services, pharmaceuticals, and types of vision care are going to be covered under the NIHB program and who decides how much the program will pay for each of those items or services?
That’s a very good question. When we negotiate a lot of our agreements in general with Health Canada, but specifically to NIHB, they still have control over the rates of what we receive from the services that we act on their behalf.
An example, escort travel is not covered through NIHB.
That turns out to be a government Department of Health expense.
When we’re talking about prescription drugs of what makes the list, those are discussions that occur with Health Canada on what specific pharmaceuticals would be covered.
It’s a collaborative effort, but at the same time it is a federal program that we administer on their behalf.
Like I had mentioned, there are a number of discussions that happen ongoing, but at the end of the day it is a federal program that the Government of Nunavut administers on behalf of the federal government.
The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program is coordinated under the federal government’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, as the minister stated, and it appears that the benefits are identical for First Nations and Inuit clients.
However, it is well known that the costs for products and services are much higher in Nunavut than in the south.
Can the minister describe how the benefit amounts for products and services under NIHB are reviewed and calculated? How is it taken into account when we have higher costs here in Nunavut?
The member is preaching to the choir.
That is my exact argument and the argument that the department continuously puts forward to Health Canada to acknowledge the higher costs associated with providing health care in Nunavut all across the board, not just under the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, but in addition to all the services.
We do have agreements with other jurisdictions on reciprocal billing where rates are established and set for procedures to be accessed in other jurisdictions.
I can’t speak to what benefits First Nations get on specifics.
All I know is that the agreement that we have with Health Canada, like I had said, it’s a continual adventure, I’m going to call it, of educating our federal counterparts in acknowledging the level of care that we need to provide, considering the limitations that we have geographically and economically.
It is an argument that I make every opportunity I get to any of my counterparts across the country, not just the federal side of things.
We rely upon NWT, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario to provide health care for our residents out of our different regions.
There’s continual dialogue and there’s a lot of support that I’ve had verbally and in any correspondence I’ve had with my other counterparts in other jurisdictions.
It is an ongoing effort to make sure that other people recognize the high level of costs.
The more statistics and more data that gets gathered, the more information that we’re gathering through our own department help lend credence to our argument to move forward in sustainable, appropriate funding for health care.
Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Mikkungwak. The time for question period has expired.
Motion 046 – 4(3): Extension of Question Period (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Rule 39(7), I move, seconded by the Member for (interpretation) Gjoa Haven, (interpretation ends) that the time allotted for oral questions be extended.
The motion is in order and is not subject to debate.
Question 709 – 4(3): Need for More Elders Facilities in Nunavut (Qirngnuq)
Mr. Speaker, during our recent fall sitting my colleague, the Member for Gjoa Haven, tabled the resolutions from the 2016 Annual General Meeting of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
In these resolutions the Kitikmeot elders delegation expressed their need for “funding opportunities for infrastructure, operation and maintenance funding for elders’ buildings in the Kitikmeot.”
Mr. Speaker, these types of buildings include designated spaces for elders to meet with one another and other members of their communities to discuss important issues, such as cultural development and community crime prevention initiatives.
Mr. Speaker, according to its current 2016-19 business plan the Department of Culture and Heritage has allocated $405,000 to its Elders Support Program which “supports community-based Elder initiatives throughout Nunavut.”
Can the minister clarify if his department’s Elders Support Program can provide funding for the development or maintenance of elders buildings in Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, I understand his question on the communities having a meeting place for elders and youth.
The communities can put in proposals for that. If there was a building in the community to renovate it for the elders and youth to meet at and if there’s a request for such a proposal, the Department of Culture and Heritage can provide them funding for the renovation. If the community can identify a building that can be used, for instance, to his question, we have funding available for renovations for that building in the community.
He didn’t quite answer my question, so I’ll ask him again.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, our elders need a designated space where they can meet with youth to discuss ways to reduce crime and violence in their communities.
Can the minister clearly explain how his department’s Elders Support Program ensures that each community has this type of designated space?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Minister of Culture and Heritage, Hon. George Kuksuk.
As I said earlier, maybe the Inuktitut, because of our dialects, maybe he didn’t quite understand what I said.
Mr. Speaker, what I’m saying is our department has funds available where any community that wish to renovate or fix up a building in the community that they wish to use towards our elders and our youth to use to do whatever activities they would like to do in the community.
I cannot say which communities that are not being used but could be fixed up to be used to have groups like my hon. friend is mentioning, elders and youth to use it for meetings and whatever.
I can tell the member that we have funds available for such buildings where they can renovate it and get it fixed so that they can use that building to have their meetings and whatever in the community.
He answered the question I was going to ask, so I don’t need to ask it anymore.
Question 710 – 4(3): Dust Control Initiatives (Mikkungwak)
Earlier during this sitting my colleague, the Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, asked the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation a number of questions concerning dust control in Nunavut.
In her response, the minister stated that “$2.5 million will be used for dust suppressants.
Since it’s going to be a feasibility study, we are going to be including different types of dust suppressants.”
Can the Minister of Community and Government Services clarify if his department will still be responsible for dust control initiatives in Nunavut’s communities and, if so, can he clarify how exactly his department will be sharing this role with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation?
Just to clarify first that I can’t speak for the Department of Economic Development’s budget and their intended use of their budget, but I can speak to dust control in my department.
We fund the municipalities for dust control and we will still continue to do that.
As the minister is aware, I have raised concerns regarding the need for more effective dust suppressants in Baker Lake on many occasions in this House.
In my community we are unable to apply calcium chloride on our airport road due to its proximity to the community’s runway, resulting in large amounts of dust rising and moving through the community during summer months.
Mr. Speaker, this is a significant issue for residents in my community, as it negatively affects air quality and individuals with respiratory problems.
Can the minister indicate if his department has conducted any research to determine what other types of dust suppressants could be used on Baker Lake’s airport road and, if not, why not?
The member is correct in terms of calcium chloride being a corrosive.
Mr. Speaker, last year we had a pilot project to test a different dust suppressant product called Dustop.
There are certain conditions that have to be met for it to be fully functional.
At that time the results for Iqaluit were inconclusive due to weather conditions.
In Arviat they cancelled the test pilot altogether because it was raining and it was too cold in the fall.
This summer they will be testing it there and this product can be put on airport roads.
Depending on the outcome of this product, we may or may not use it for other communities to come because it is four or five times more expensive than calcium chloride, but if it lasts longer and if it’s cost-effective, we will look into it.
We will look at any other products that might help the dust problem in Nunavut because the member is concerned about dust in Baker Lake, but I have heard from almost all the MLAs. It is a concern in all the communities and we would like to come up with a viable solution.
Currently we use calcium chloride because, when laid down properly, it is effective and it’s the most economical means that we have right now to try to suppress drugs in Nunavut…dust.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, the ultimate solution to dust control in our communities would be to pave the roads, but I recognize that paving all of Nunavut’s roads is not feasible at this time.
However, there is an alternative method which involves applying a solution to gravel roads, which binds the gravel and dust together with a solution that forms a pavement-like foundation. This method is often referred to as a “poor man’s pavement.”
Can the minister clarify if his department has looked into the feasibility of using this approach on Nunavut’s roads?
We’re always looking at other options and we have read up on other options. We have not tried any other options in Nunavut. We have read up on a few; we have not tried them.
We just take one product at a time. We will see how this Dustop product works and if it works well, then that’s what we might go with.
If it doesn’t work out well, then we will look at the next step.
This Dustop sounds good, but there has to be no rain, it has to be above 5 degrees, and traffic cannot go on it for 24 hours. It has limitations on where it can be, but we will check this product first, just one step at a time. If this product is not viable, then we will take the next step and try another product.
We fully want to take the dust problem head-on, but we’ve got to do it economically.
Oral Questions. I have no more names on my list. Moving on.
Written Questions. (interpretation ends) Hon. Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. Tony Akoak.
Hon. Member for (interpretation) Baker Lake, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak.
Written Question 022 – 4(3): Annual Fuel Purchases by the Government of Nunavut and Fuel Distribution Service Contracts (Mikkungwak)
My written questions today are for the Minister of Community and Government Services and they concern the subject of annual fuel purchases by the Government of Nunavut and fuel distribution service contracts.
Expressing the information in the same format as that which the Government of Nunavut provided in Return to Written Question 10 – 4(3), what quantities of fuel were purchased and delivered during the 2016 calendar year?
Expressing the information in the same format as that which the Government of Nunavut provided in Return to Written Question 16 – 3(3), with which entities has the Petroleum Products Division of the Department of Community and Government Services entered into a local delivery contract for the delivery of fuel products?
Hon. Member for Tununiq, Mr. Joe Enook.
Written Question 023 – 4(3): Promotion Decisions under Section 15 of the Education Act (Enook)
My written questions today are for the Minister of Education and they deal with the subject of promotion decisions under section 15 of the Education Act.
Broken down by community and school, how many students in grades 9 to 12 were promoted within the meaning of section 15 of the Education Act during each of the following school years:
Broken down by community and school, how many students in grades 9 to 12 were denied promotion within the meaning of section 15 of the Education Act during each of the following school years:
Broken down by community and school, how many students in grades 9 to 12 were denied promotion within the meaning of section 15 of the Education Act on the grounds of academic achievement during each of the following school years:
Written Question 024 – 4(3): Administration of Human Resources Manual Directive 206: Preferential Treatment (Okalik)
My written questions are for the Minister of Finance and they concern the administration of Human Resources Manual Directive No. 206, which deals with the issue of preferential treatment and nepotism in the public service.
Broken down by department, territorial corporation, and Crown agency, how many approvals were granted within the meaning of section No. 6 of the Human Resources Manual Directive 206: Preferential Treatment during the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 (to date) fiscal years?
Broken down by department, territorial corporation, and Crown agency, how many approvals were granted within the meaning of section No. 7 of the Human Resources Manual Directive 206: Preferential Treatment during the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 (to date) fiscal years?
Broken down by department, territorial corporation, and Crown agency, how many disclosures were made within the meaning of section No. 8 of the Human Resources Manual Directive 206: Preferential Treatment during the 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 (to date) fiscal years?
The Hon. Member for Gjoa Haven, Mr. Tony Akoak.
Written Question 025 – 4(3): Strategic Investments Program (Akoak)
I just had to go get some documents.
Thank you for recognizing me again.
My written questions today are for the Minister of Economic Development and Transportation and they concern the subject of the department’s Strategic Investments Program.
Expressing the information in a comparable format to that which was provided in Return to Written Question 13 – 4(3), what were the Department of Economic Development and Transportation’s activities and expenditures under its Strategic Investments Program during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 (to date) fiscal years?
Written Question 026 – 4(3): Status of Decentralization (Enook)
My written questions today are for the Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs and they deal with the subject of decentralization.
Expressing the information in a comparable format to that which was provided in Return to Written Question 12 – 4(2), what is the status of the Government of Nunavut’s decentralization initiative as of March 1, 2017?
As of March 1, 2017, what is the status of the implementation of the “Key Actions,” “Key Recommendations,” and “Timelines” contained in the Government of Nunavut’s Decentralization Action Plan, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on June 5, 2012?
Item 13. (interpretation) Tabling of Documents. (interpretation ends) Hon. Premier of Nunavut, Mr. Taptuna.
Tabled Document 295 – 4(3): Letter to David Joanasie, Chair of Standing Committee on Government Estimates and Operations Regarding Revision to 2017-2020 Business Plan Content (Taptuna)
Tabled Document 296 – 4(3): Report Respecting Benefits Paid to Ministers under the Ministerial Benefits Policies for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2016 (Taptuna)
Tabled Document 297 – 4(3): Letter to Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. Regarding the Carbon Tax (Taptuna)
I have three tabling documents today; the letter addressed to Mr. David Joanasie, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Government Estimates and Operations regarding revisions to the 2017-2020 business plan content.
Mr. Speaker, today I am tabling the Report Respecting Benefits Paid to Ministers under the Ministerial Benefits Policies for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2016.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table today the response letter to Louise Grondin, Vice-president, Environmental, Sustainable Development and People, and also to Dominique Girard, Vice-president, Nunavut Operations from Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. regarding the Government of Canada proposed carbon tax and potential impacts to the company’s Nunavut growth strategy.
Tabled Document 298 – 4(3): Fuel Tax Rebate Program Summary Report for 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 (Peterson)
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I am now tabling the Fuel Tax Rebate Program Summary Report for 2014-15 and 2015-16.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. The Hon. Minister of Justice, Hon. Keith Peterson.
Tabled Document 299 – 4(3): Department of Justice 2016 Minimum Wage Rate Annual Report (Peterson)
Tabled Document 300 – 4(3): Nunavut Victim Services Annual Report 2015-2016 Community Justice Division (Peterson)
Tabled Document 301 – 4(3): Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal 2015-2016 Annual Report (Peterson)
Tabled Document 302 – 4(3): Nunavut Crime Prevention Strategy March 2017 (Peterson)
I have four documents I would like to table, one for my colleague, Ms. Angnakak.
I’m tabling the Department of Justice’s 2016 Minimum Wage Rate Annual Report.
Mr. Speaker, I’m tabling the Nunavut Victim Services Annual Report for 2015-16.
Mr. Speaker, I’m tabling the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal’s 2015-16 Annual Report.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am tabling the Nunavut Crime Prevention Five-year Strategy, March 2017.
Tabled Document 303 – 4(3): Minister of Languages Annual Report 2012-2013 (Kuksuk)
Tabled Document 304 – 4(3): Minister of Languages Annual Report 2013-2014 (Kuksuk)
I am pleased to table today two documents in the House.
The first one, I am pleased to table the Minister of Languages Annual Report for 2012-13 and the other one, Minister of Languages Annual Report for 2013-14. Those are the documents I am tabling today.
My apologies. Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation, Mr. George Kuksuk.
Tabled Document 305 – 4(3): NHC Contracting and Procurement Activity Report March 31, 2016 (Kuksuk)
Hon. George Kuksuk (interpretation): Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to table today the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s Contracting and Procurement Activity Report for the year ending in March 31, 2016.
Tabled Document 306 – 4(3): Department of Education 2014-2015 Annual Report (Quassa)
I am pleased to table today the Department of Education’s 2014-15 Annual Report.
Tabled Document 307 – 4(3): Inuit Language Loss in Nunavut: Analysis, Forecast, and Recommendations (Joanasie)
I wish to table a research paper that was recently published by Ian Martin from York University titled Inuit Language Loss in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, this paper provides a number of insights into the current situation of the Inuit language in our territory and also includes tidbits on Inuit employment as well as how that relates into our education system.
I am tabling it today for the benefit of our viewing public.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Tabling of Documents. Hon. Member for Rankin Inlet North-Chesterfield Inlet, Mr. Tom Sammurtok.
Tabled Document 308 – 4(3): Photographs of the Qajaq Program in Chesterfield Inlet (Sammurtok, T)
I had the pleasure of making a statement in the House on February 24, 2017 concerning the innovative Qajaq Program in Chesterfield Inlet.
I am very pleased to table today a collection of photographs of the students in action.
Tabled Document 309 – 4(3): Speaker’s List of Outstanding Statutory Tabling Requirements (Speaker)
I wish to table today a list of outstanding statutory tabling requirements. (interpretation) Thank you.
Hon. Minister of Justice, Hon. Keith Peterson.
Bill 39 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2017 – First Reading
Hon. Keith Peterson: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 39, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2017, be read for the first time.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the one-day notice requirement to allow for the second reading of Bill 39, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2017.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) The minister is seeking consent so that Bill 39 can receive second reading today.
Bill 39 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2017 – Second Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 39, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2017, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill corrects inconsistencies and errors in the French version of certain enactments of Nunavut. It harmonizes the English and French translations of family-related terminology.
The motion is carried and Bill 39 is referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation.
Bills 26, 27, 28, 30, 38, 41, and 43 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
Good afternoon to our fellow Nunavummiut who are watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast. Welcome to your committee.
In Committee of the Whole we have the following items to deal with: Bills 26, 27, 28, 30, 38, 41, and 43.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to commence with the clause-by-clause review of the following: Bills 26, 28, 30, 38, 41, and 43.
Are we in agreement that we first deal with Bill 26?
Bill 26 – An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act – Consideration in Committee
Minister Mike, welcome.
Let me first ask, while we review the bill on social assistance, if you would like to have officials with you at the witness table.
Minister Mike would like to have officials with him at the witness table. Do you agree?
Minister Mike, for the record, please introduce your witnesses.
To my right is my Deputy Minister, Rebekah Williams, and Legal Counsel Thomas Ahlfors.
Ms. Williams and Mr. Ahlfors, welcome to the House.
Minister Mike, if you have any opening comments, you have the floor now.
Members of the Committee of the Whole, I am pleased to be here today to speak to the proposed changes to the Social Assistance Act.
The bill to amend the Social Assistance Act is part of the Department of Family Services’ ongoing efforts to review and reform income assistance.
The Income Assistance Program provides assistance to vulnerable Nunavummiut to meet their basic needs and supports individuals and families in moving towards independence and self-reliance through a variety of programs.
(interpretation ends) In Sivumut Abluqta our government committed to help Nunavummiut reduce their dependence on government.
To accomplish this, we are committed to review and reform our Income Assistance Program.
As you know, over the past year my department and the Department of Economic Development and Transportation travelled across Nunavut to hear from Nunavummiut about how our programs can better serve communities.
We heard clearly that we can improve the current system so that it does a better job helping Nunavummiut meet their basic needs and encourages Nunavummiut to work.
Last June we tabled our final report on the review and reform of income assistance and economic development, which outlines a number of proposed reforms to accomplish this goal.
(interpretation) One of these reforms under the category of strengthening internal administration is updating the Social Assistance Act.
The Social Assistance Act provides the legal authority for the Income Assistance Program.
During our preliminary review of the program, we had identified that the Act would benefit from a number of modest updates, such as replacing outdated terms, updating content related to privacy legislation, and shifting some elements to regulations. Specifically the bill to amend the Social Assistance Act includes the following proposed changes:
Changing the name of the Act from Social Assistance Act to Income Assistance Act.