EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
“Although the Department of Education has voluntarily complied with access to information requests for DEAs in the past, the GN is now undergoing the work to formally bring the DEAs under the ATIPP Act, similar to the approach taken with the inclusion of local housing organizations in 2015.”
In its formal response to the standing committee’s November 4, 2015, report, the Government of Nunavut indicated that:
“In 2015-2016, the department began the necessary work to develop health-specific privacy legislation, including conducting a jurisdictional scan.
In 2016-2017, the department will continue work on this file by developing a workplan and a committee to lead the work.”
“I understand that the Department of Health has started to work on health-specific privacy legislation, though I am not convinced that it is one of the department’s priorities.
Work on this legislation is necessary, not only to provide appropriate privacy protections for personal health information, but also to allow the necessary use and disclosure of personal health information within the health system so as to allow for the provision of good health care services and to accommodate the use of an electronic health records management system.”
This issue was revisited during the standing committee’s September 2014 hearings on the Auditor General’s 2014 Follow-up Report on Child and Family Services in Nunavut, September 2014 hearings on the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 annual reports of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut, and the September 2015 hearings of the 2014-2015 annual report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut.
The standing committee provided a comprehensive set of recommendations on this issue in its November 4, 2015, report to the House.
In its June 7, 2016, Final Report on the Department of Family Services’ Current Privacy Safeguards and Next Steps in Drafting the Protocol for Handling Personal Information Provided to Third Parties Under the Adoption Act and the Child and Family Services Act the Department of Family Services indicated that the following consultations had taken place:
“In February 2015, the Department of Family Services sought advice from the Information and Privacy Commissioner regarding the provisions critical to ensuring personal information is adequately protected.
In July 2015, the Commissioner acknowledged the Department’s letter and provided advice surrounding the consultation requirement in the Adoption Act and Child and Family Services Act.
… As such, the Commissioner provided a number of questions to consider in drafting a protocol that protects the privacy of individuals and families, while meeting the requirement for consultation with RIAs. …
In December 2015, the Department met with two of the three RIAs to not only address privacy concerns related to the Adoption Act and Child and Family Services Act, but to also examine the role of RIAs in child protection and adoption proceedings.
Representatives from Qikiqtani Inuit Association and Kivalliq Inuit Association participated in the meeting.
Although representatives from Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) were not present, they provided comment through email regarding their current privacy safeguards.”
In its June 7, 2016, Final Report on the Department of Family Services’ Current Privacy Safeguards and Next Steps in Drafting the Protocol for Handling Personal Information Provided to Third Parties Under the Adoption Act and the Child and Family Services Act the Department of Family Services also indicated that:
“The Department is coordinating further consultation with RIAs via teleconference during May 2016, to discuss current privacy safeguards and determine whether there has been further discussion within their organizations with respect to their role in child protection and adoption proceedings.
… A final consultation with RIAs regarding the Protocol is expected to occur September 2016.”
Finally, in its June 7, 2016, Final Report on the Department of Family Services’ Current Privacy Safeguards and Next Steps in Drafting the Protocol for Handling Personal Information Provided to Third Parties Under the Adoption Act and the Child and Family Services Act the Department of Family Services indicated that:
“The Department will complete the Protocol for tabling during the 2017 Winter Sitting of the Legislative Assembly.
This will allow enough time for the Department to adequately consult with the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and assist RIAs in understanding their involvement and subsequent responsibility in ensuring privacy safeguards are in place.”
The standing committee notes that the government’s Contract Reporting Database provides information on the contracts that are issued on behalf of government departments.
The standing committee applauds the government for making this online resource available to the public.
However, the standing committee notes that the government’s Contract Reporting Database does not provide information on contracts issued on behalf of Crown agencies and territorial corporations.
In its November 4, 2015, report on the review of the 2014-2015 annual report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, the standing committee recommended that:
“… the responsible Ministers of the Government of Nunavut table in the Legislative Assembly, in a timely manner, annual reports on the contracting, procurement and leasing activities for all of the government’s Crown agencies and territorial corporations, which are the:
Nunavut Arctic College.”
On June 7, 2016, the Minister of Finance tabled the 2016-2017 Letters of Expectation to Nunavut Crown Agencies.
As of October 24, 2016, the most recent annual reports to have been tabled in the Legislative Assembly on the contracting, procurement and leasing activities of Crown agencies and territorial corporations were as follows:
Nunavut Business Credit Corporation: 2015-2016 report tabled on October 21, 2016
Nunavut Development Corporation: 2014-2015 report tabled on October 21, 2016
Nunavut Housing Corporation: 2014-2015 report tabled on March 16, 2016
Qulliq Energy Corporation: 2013-2014 report tabled on May 28, 2015
Issue: Ability of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to Appeal a  Decision Made by a Head of a Public Body Under Section 36 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act to the Nunavut Court of Justice
“… I would like that power, to take something to court, because when I make a recommendation, it’s because that’s what I believe the Act says and if it’s not followed, there are some instances.
“… committed to the continual review of practices, procedures and legislation to ensure the access and privacy rights of Nunavummiut are protected.
Our next consultation with the Information and Privacy Commissioner will include the right of the Commissioner to appeal a decision to the Nunavut Court of Justice.”
“I can say that since I was last here, the Newfoundland and Labrador legislation has come into effect and I kind of like the way they do things there.
I like the fact that the government is the one that has to take things to court if they don’t like the recommendations made.
That wasn’t something I had thought of at the time.”
Members engaged in a broad dialogue with the Information and Privacy Commissioner concerning the advantages and disadvantages of Newfoundland and Labrador’s newly amended access to information legislation.
The standing committee notes that amendments to Newfoundland and Labrador’s Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act came into force in June of 2015.
This legislation provides that the province’s Information and Privacy Commissioner may make a number of recommendations to a public body concerning access to information.
This legislation also provides that, upon receipt of such a recommendation from the province’s commissioner, a public body must make an application to the province’s court if it decides not to comply with the recommendation.
“… committed to the inclusion of this provision in the next revision of the ATIPP Act.
Until the amendment has been completed, the GN will continue to accept reviews initiated by the Information and Privacy Commissioner that are received after the designated time period.”
In 2015, the Information and Privacy Commissioner discontinued her private law practice in order to allow her to focus on her work as Information and Privacy Commissioner for both Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
In her 2014-2015 annual report to the Legislative Assembly, the Information and Privacy Commissioner noted that she had plans to:
“…begin to lay the groundwork for a full review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act with a view to modernizing the legislation and making it more responsive to today’s business realities.”
The Information and Privacy Commissioner’s 2014-2015 annual report also highlighted a number of thematic areas that she believes to be worthy of consideration during the review of the legislation:
In her 2015-2016 annual report to the Legislative Assembly, the Information and Privacy Commissioner indicates that:
“As noted, I will be preparing my own recommendations in this regard by the end of fiscal 2016-2017 and am happy to assist in any way I can with completing a full government review and the drafting of necessary comprehensive amendments.”
“Another important task given to me by this Committee last year was to undertake a comprehensive review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and to provide my comments and recommendations for appropriate amendments.
As noted in my annual report, this recommendation was both timely and welcome.
The Act is now some 20 years old and the way government does business has changed dramatically during that time.
Most Canadian jurisdictions, in fact, have been going through a similar review in recent years.
It is important to me, being given the opportunity, that my review be comprehensive, thorough, and complete.
As a result, while the project is well underway, I simply could not get it done by September 1, which was the date suggested by this Committee.
My goal is to have it completed before the end of this fiscal year.
My actual goal is really the end of this calendar year, but I’m also trying to be realistic and not promise beyond my means.”
In its November 4, 2015, report, the standing committee recommended that the Information and Privacy Commissioner meet with the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in order to exchange perspectives on issues related to access to information and protection of privacy.
“The Committee has also suggested that I meet in person with representatives from the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit at least once during the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
By the time I received the Committee’s report, it was late in the fiscal year and I was not able to follow up.
I have, however, since reached out to the group and am hoping, in the next few months, to be able to arrange such a meeting.”
Standing Committee Recommendation #12:
The Standing Committee reiterates its recommendation that the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Nunavut meet in person with representatives from the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit in order to exchange perspectives on issues related to access to information and protection of privacy at the earliest practicable opportunity.  The Standing Committee further recommends that the Information and Privacy Commissioner include in her respective annual report to the Legislative Assembly, a detailed account of her discussions with the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Katimajiit.
The Standing Committee reaffirms its support for ensuring that a review of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act includes consultation with the Information and Privacy Commissioner and looks forward to reviewing the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s comprehensive and specific recommendations for possible amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The Standing Committee reiterates its recommendation that the Government of Nunavut in its response to this report include a detailed timeline by which it plans to introduce amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act that would address the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s recommendations concerning her ability to exercise discretion to extend the time for requesting a review under the Act in certain circumstances.
The Standing Committee reiterates its recommendation that the Government of Nunavut in its response to this report include a detailed timeline by which it plans to introduce amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act that would permit the Information and Privacy Commissioner to appeal a decision made by a head of a public body under section 36 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act to the Nunavut Court of Justice.
Standing Committee Recommendation #8:  The standing committee recommends that the responsible Ministers of the Government of Nunavut table in the Legislative Assembly, in a timely manner, annual reports on the contracting, procurement and leasing activities for all of the government’s Crown agencies and territorial corporations, which are the:
Nunavut Business Credit Corporation;  Nunavut Development Corporation;
The standing committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut, as part of its ongoing review of procurement, contracting and leasing practices, work to develop a method that will allow it to clearly differentiate between the approved “maximum values” of contracts and the actual expenditures undertaken pursuant to such contracts.
The standing committee recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report provide a detailed update on specific work that has been completed to date in relation to the development of health-specific privacy legislation in Nunavut.
The standing committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report include a copy of the workplan by which it plans to develop health-specific privacy legislation in Nunavut.
The standing committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report provide a detailed account of activities of the committee that has been formed to lead the government’s work to develop health-specific privacy legislation in Nunavut, including the following information:
Committee membership;
Frequency of committee meetings;
Any specific outcomes and planned actions resulting from committee meetings; and,
Any specific recommendations that have been made by the committee.
The Standing Committee reiterates its recommendation that the Government of Nunavut formally consult with the Information and Privacy Commissioner concerning a practicable timetable for having the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act apply to District Education Authorities.  The Standing Committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut formally consult with District Education Authorities as it works to determine a method by which the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act may apply to District Education Authorities.
The Standing Committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report provide a detailed timetable by which it plans to complete consultations with each District Education Authority on this matter.
The standing committee reaffirms its support for ensuring that appropriate legislative frameworks concerning access to information and protection of privacy apply to the federal, territorial and municipal levels of government in Nunavut.  The standing committee reiterates its recommendation that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report provide a detailed update on its progress to date in working with the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, the Municipal Training Organization and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to review the issue of access to information and protection of privacy at the municipal level in Nunavut.
The standing committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report provide specific details on the dates, attendance and outcomes of meetings that it has held to date with municipalities and the Nunavut Association of Municipalities.
The standing committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report provide a detailed update on its collaborative training initiatives involving municipal employees, Government Liaison Officers, the Municipal Training Organization and other parties, including:  The number of training initiatives involving municipal employees; and
The attendance of each training initiative.
The standing committee further recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report provide a list of the specific options that the government is currently considering with respect to how it plans to apply the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act to municipalities.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Government of Nunavut’s response to this report include a detailed account of how its employee orientation and training programs provide information on the requirements to report material breaches of privacy under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
The Standing Committee reaffirms its support for ensuring that the Government of Nunavut protects the privacy of individuals to the greatest extent possible.  The Standing Committee strongly urges the Government of Nunavut’s departments, Crown agencies and territorial corporations to demonstrate a clear commitment to openness, co-operation and transparency with respect to the work of all independent officers of the Legislative Assembly whose statutory mandates are to ensure government compliance with the provisions of such statutes as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Official Languages Act, the Inuit Language Protection Act and the Representative for Children and Youth Act.
The Standing Committee looks forward to reviewing the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s final report on her office’s privacy audit of the Qikiqtani General Hospital.
The Standing Committee recommends that the Government of Nunavut begin the practice of including in its annual report on the administration of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act a detailed account of the extent to which public bodies have implemented the recommendations that were made by the Information and Privacy Commissioner during the fiscal year covered by the annual report.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Pages 2480 – 2547
Opening Prayer 2480
Ministers’ Statements 2480
Members’ Statements 2484
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2490
Oral Questions 2496
Reports of Standing and Special Committees on Bills and Other Matters 2513
Tabling of Documents 2517
Second Reading of Bills 2519
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2522
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2546
Orders of the Day 2546
Tuesday, October 25, 2016 2480
170 – 4(3): GN “Climate Change Adaptation for Nunavut Decision Makers” Course (Savikataaq) 2480
171 – 4(3): Training for Ilinniarvimmi Inuusilirijiit (Quassa) 2481
172 – 4(3): ‘Our Land’ Exhibit opened at the Winnipeg Art Gallery (Kuksuk) 2482
173 – 4(3): 2016 Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier Scholarship Recipient (Mike) 2482
174 – 4(3): Baby Boxes (Hickes) 2483
336 – 4(3): The Increasing Use of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles (Shooyook) 2484
337 – 4(3): Energy Audits for Homeowners in Kugluktuk (Taptuna) 2484
338 – 4(3): Strange Sounds in Fury and Hecla Strait (Quassa) 2485
339 – 4(3): Qikiqtarjuaq Port (Keyootak) 2486
340 – 4(3): Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention Conference (Angnakak) 2487
341 – 4(3): Tribute to Rudy Aaluk (Akoak) 2488
342 – 4(3): Language Use in Schools (Joanasie) 2488
343 – 4(3): Successful Bowhead Hunt in Pangnirtung (Mike) 2489
446 – 4(3): Maintaining Dental and Medical Equipment (Sammurtok, A) 2496
447 – 4(3): Language Use in Nunavut Schools (Okalik) 2497
448 – 4(3): Repurposing Taloyoak’s Old Health Centre (Qirngnuq) 2498
449 – 4(3): Service Contracts Outside of Nunavut (Angnakak) 2499
450 – 4(3): Language Use in Nunavut Schools (Joanasie) 2501
451 – 4(3): Search and Rescue Policies (Rumbolt) 2503
452 – 4(3): Nursing Services in Community Health Centres (Mapsalak) 2505
453 – 4(3): Blueprint for Action on Housing (Akoak) 2507
454 – 4(3): Blueprint for Action on Housing (Mikkungwak) 2508
455 – 4(3): Policies on Child Apprehensions (Enook) 2509
456 – 4(3): Abandoned Cabins (Okalik) 2511
Committee Report 014 – 4(3): Report on the Review of the 2014-2015 Annual Report of the Representative for Children and Youth (Angnakak) 2513
192 – 4(3): 2013 Report on the Administration of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1990 (Ell-Kanayuk) 2517
193 – 4(3): 2015-2016 Annual Report of the Nunavut Development Corporation (Ell-Kanayuk) 2518
194 – 4(3): 2015-2016 Annual Report for the Nunavut Housing Corporation (Kuksuk) 2518
195 – 4(3): Proposed New Construction for 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 (Kuksuk) 2518
196 – 4(3): Nanuq Lodge Appraisal Documents and Photographs (Sammurtok, A) 2518
197 – 4(3): Successful Bowhead Whale Hunt in Pangnirtung 2016 (Mike) 2518
010 – 4(3): Deferral of the Consideration of the Proposed 2017-2018 Capital Estimates of the Nunavut Housing Corporation (Rumbolt) 2528
Bill 20 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2015-2016 – Second Reading 2519
Bill 22 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2016-2017 – Second Reading 2519
Bill 23 – Supplementary Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, No. 2, 2016-2017 – Second Reading 2519
Bill 21 – Write-off of Assets Act, 2015-2016 – Second Reading 2520
Bill 25 – An Act to Amend the Consumer Protection Act – Second Reading 2520
Bill 26 – An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act – Second Reading 2520
Bill 27 – Waste Reduction and Diversion Act – Second Reading 2521
Bill 28 – An Act to Amend Certain Acts Respecting Codes and Standards – Second Reading 2521
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Nunavut Housing Corporation – Consideration in Committee 2522
Bill 24 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2017-2018 – Education – Consideration in Committee 2529
Speaker (Hon. George Qulaut) (interpretation): Mr. Mike, can you say the opening prayer, please.
Prior to commencing our session, I would like to make an announcement today.
The Member for Hudson Bay is celebrating his birthday today, so best wishes to you on your birthday.
Ministers’ Statements. (interpretation ends) Minister of Environment, Mr. Joe Savikataaq.
Minister’s Statement 170 – 4(3): GN “Climate Change Adaptation for Nunavut Decision Makers” Course (Savikataaq)
I am very pleased to inform members that last month the department delivered our “Climate Change Adaptation for Nunavut Decision Makers” course for the second time since it was created in 2014.
This course was developed and delivered in-house by the Climate Change section of the Department of Environment.
The course informs government staff of climate change impacts and teaches them how to incorporate adaptation planning into decision-making across all government sectors.
The course was held in Iqaluit on September 7 and 8 of 2016.
Course participants included employees from nearly all GN departments, as well as key decision-makers from Nunavut’s Crown corporations and representatives from Inuit organizations.
The course involved a two-day in-class session on a variety of climate change topics.
These topics include climate change science, impacts of climate change in Nunavut, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit of climate change, and climate change adaptation principles.
The course was developed as part of a series of territorial climate change training courses in partnership with the governments of the Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
It is now being funded by the Government of Nunavut’s Training Fund up until 2019.
Mr. Speaker, Nunavut continues to experience impacts related to climate change, such as declining sea ice opening up new routes to cruise ships or permafrost thaw threatening the stability of infrastructure.
As a result there is more and more demand for all sectors to consider climate adaptation in their policies and initiatives.