EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
But my final question just so everyone else can start asking more questions is: will the minister commit to contacting the community of Arctic Bay at his earlier possible convenience to explain and discuss the current situation with the nursing staff there, please?
I understand the question, but I believe the nurses are very busy with patients and I’m not exactly sure how they are involved in the construction of a health centre.
But the official on my left deals with those types of things and she can explain it a bit more than I can.
One of Rosemary’s first tasks is looking at the functional program, how it’s going to be situated in the community. We discuss that with nurses and doctors in the communities.
However, if there are concerns about the safety or the inhabitability of a facility, we don’t go to the nurses, we talk to the technical staff at CGS and they have been addressing these types of concerns.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Curley. (interpretation ends) Mr. Elliott, I understood you as asking a final question.
Are you asking for an extension?
Well, it was intended to be my last question, but I just wanted to clarify because from what I understand from what the minister is saying, he’s saying, no, he will not.
I just wanted a yes or no, not anything else.
Is he actually saying no, he will not contact the health centre?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) Mr. Chairman, as I stated, we have already consulted with them. For instance, I talk to my wife on a daily basis and I do so similarly with the nurses.
We have already spoken to them about whether the building to be purchased will be adequate.
Madam Brown has told us that she has already completed the functional programming.
For technical stuff, if it’s anything to do with the safety of the facility, we talk to CGS. We do that with all aging facilities, not only the ones in Arctic Bay.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Minister Curley. (interpretation ends) Mr. Elliott, is that it?
Mr. Ningark: Thank you kindly, Mr. Chairman.
Before I ask a question to the witness table, in this case, Health and Social Services, I would like to recognize a friend. If you may apply it, I have my privilege to recognize someone in the public Gallery, Steve Mapsalak and Remi Krikort from Kugaaruk.
Page H-3 talks about monitoring health and disease surveillance. I also recognize the previous speaker for speaking for me, asking questions about the Repulse Bay Health Centre.
As we know, diabetes is growing in Nunavut, although we have the lowest one in the country according to my understanding. So I think people that need treatment need to go through a dialysis treatment and they have to travel south, like Winnipeg, Ottawa or Edmonton, from Nunavut. My question is: is there any plan to have dialysis treatment in Nunavut?
Again, I would like to remind members that we’re trying to deal with capital items this afternoon.
Any questions of that nature ought to be asked in the O&M sitting, however, to be fair to Mr. Ningark, Minister Curley, if you would like to answer that.
I thank the member for that very straightforward question.
Some patients with liver disease go through hardship when they’re treated with dialysis machines.
When you’re talking about diabetes, I can tell you that people who have had diabetes weren’t diagnosed for a long time. Nowadays, we have a better understanding and awareness of diabetes.
The federal government has assisted greatly in this, especially through aboriginal health programs, where they provide funding for aboriginal people to tackle diabetes.
Those programs provide huge support at the local level and they’re administered by community health workers. This program will continue and I don’t believe it will expire.
Mr. Chairman, I would like Alex Campbell to elaborate further in regard to patients that need to travel in order to be treated with a dialysis machine. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
First of all, I would like to say that we do appreciate and support the question.
The issue that’s being raised is a serious issue for the department to grapple with over the next several years.
Of course, our plans are to do preventative and promotional initiatives in the department as well as in the communities to try and prevent these chronic diseases.
However, we do have the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program that we administer and manage on behalf of the federal government, and it’s through those negotiations that we’re trying to sensitize the federal government. There are instances where families are being displaced.
As an example, a family from Chesterfield Inlet being displaced and practically, they have to relocate to Winnipeg for one of our patients to get a dialysis treatment.
Our plan, again, this is all depending on financial resources, is to try and move at least some of that by purchasing equipment and moving some of those services to the regional centre in Rankin Inlet.
That would be our first step in that exercise.
In the meantime, we don’t have that issue addressed, but it’s on our radar to address with Health Canada and we are sensitive to that issue.
As more and more of our people are diagnosed with diabetes, there’s a need for us to regionalize or localize some of these services and that’s the plan of the department.
My understanding is that the dialysis machine is a fixed asset. Therefore, it’s very costly to acquire and it would pass as a capital.
That was my understanding, but anyway, I thank the minister and the panel at the table for their answer.
I realize your point, but again, I was just trying to go on the basis of concentrating on the detail of capital on H-4 for this time.
At the Second Legislative Assembly, Taloyoak’s health centre was on the capital plan for 2008-09 and was set as a priority, I repeat, priority.
My constituents from Taloyoak were very happy to see this coming to them.
Now, it just disappeared out of the capital plan for 2009-2010.
Apparently, Mr. Speaker, a regular member had questions to the minister at the time on the plan for Taloyoak’s new health centre.
Now, it seems the minister and the capital plan just disappeared.
Since it was rated a priority, can the minister tell me and my constituents what the current status is and commit to putting the Taloyoak Health Centre back on the capital plan for 2010-11?
Yes, I understand where the member is coming from and I would like to thank him for asking that question.
Starting last year, it was set as a priority and the design had to be drawn up first.
That design phase is not yet complete.
As I mentioned earlier, it should be in the final stages this coming month.
I want to note that if you look at the past six months, our Department of Health has had three different ministers.
On top of that, there was a Cabinet shuffle.
If we were to go ahead with everything, we would have had to incur a lot of debt.
For that reason, when the ministerial posts were just filled this fall, it was decided that if we were to go ahead with all of the buildings, we would not be able to do it because of costs involved.
So we set the design phase as a priority for the time being.
We are in the process of reviewing what we need to prioritize and once we know what costs are involved, we will be in a better position to determine which projects should go ahead.
That’s why it has occurred that way to this date, Mr. Chairman.
My question is: can the minister make a commitment to putting the Taloyoak Health Centre back on the capital plan for 2010-11?
And if he could do that, would he let my constituents in Taloyoak know what his intents are for the capital?
I understand your question and I’m sure the residents of Taloyoak are listening to the proceedings.
We are in the planning stages for the Taloyoak Health Centre. I can tell you that it will be constructed and the plans will be completed shortly.
As minister, I cannot make a decision on my own.
I have to go to Cabinet with that proposal for consideration and yes, I can inform the residents of Taloyoak on the results of that.
Mr. Pauloosie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
This will be my last question. The Taloyoak Health Centre was set as a priority in the capital plan, but it hasn’t been constructed.
I know it was expensive to draft the plans and the design, but it’s not included in the capital plan anymore.
I’m urging the minister to go to Cabinet and have this considered because Taloyoak residents have been expecting to get a new health centre ever since they heard it would be constructed.
Looking at this and seeing what has happened, it’s quite disappointing.
On behalf of my constituents, I will work hard to obtain what their needs are.
My question to the minister and the Cabinet is: can they consider putting the health centre back in the 2010-11 capital plan?
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) I didn’t quite hear the question, but I understand exactly where the Member for Nattilik is coming from. I think my ministerial colleagues hear and understand his question as well. I believe you asked us collectively, me included.
Yes, we will consider your comments and that’s the only response I can give at this time.
I don’t want to sound like a cry baby or anything, but my question is in regard to the health centre in Cape Dorset.
Originally, it was put forward in 2005-06 and then taken off the proposal and it’s not in the five-year plan.
If you look at the age of it, it’s the oldest health centre that’s around now that hasn’t been renovated and it’s even older than the three health centres that you’re proposing over the next three or four years.
Apparently, CG&S is going to go over there and do an assessment on the condition of the health centre some time in April.
My question is: if you find out that the health centre is in the greatest need of any health centre, what is the minister going to do in order to replace it?
I understand the member’s question. The Cabinet had their retreat in Cape Dorset and we toured the health centre.
I spoke with the staff at the health centre there and they told me that the residents of Cape Dorset have a lot of patience.
Their health centre is filled to capacity and public health officials don’t even have computers due to lack of space.
I understand that and I would like to say that the Cape Dorset Health Centre should be set as a priority.
Also, Mr. Chairman, our capital planner is responsible for the renovation of buildings, so I would like to ask Rosemary Brown to make a supplementary response.
The three health centres that we have been recently talking about in Taloyoak, Repulse Bay, and Arctic Bay have been on the books for a long time.
CGS has been keeping them together so we can proceed. These are the three that we think are the priority at this time to be done and on the way. We have a common design that will suit those three health centres for size.
Regarding Cape Dorset, we are aware that it is now starting to get old and tired, and that’s why we initially had put it in the capital plan, like the three health centres currently outside of the capital plan, but it is the department’s intention to re-request its placement in the capital plan, as well as the other three.
You asked about the technical assessment of CGS.
It may indicate that parts of the health centre would need some upgrading prior to complete replacement.
In talking with CGS last year, they indeed indicated that some things needed upgrades, but they did not give me the recommendation that it was imminent that they have to close in terms of priority.
But yes, the information from CGS and the recommendations would come to the department and would be acted upon as required.
I’m not going to carry this on any longer because it’s been dragging out long enough here.
I appreciate the response and all I’m hoping is that they’re going to take a serious look at it and get it done as soon as possible. I realize there are money restraints and everything can’t be built overnight, but I just want them to take a second look at it and hopefully get it replaced sooner than later.
I don’t hear a question; however, I think this is being noted quite well.
I would also like to thank the minister for explaining the status of the health centre in my community.
It’s being delayed for approximately one year and we expect to see it open when we receive the furniture in August-September.
The question I have is: what was the reason why they delayed the completion of the health centre?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Komoartok.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) Although I may have responded to you during the standing committee review, I could tell you again that when the contractors are constructing capital projects, they have to abide by the rules and a final inspection has to be conducted by a separate entity once the building has been built completely.
Usually, we have inspections occurring during the construction of a unit and during the final substantial completion inspection, they need to certify the building.
Last fall, they failed the inspection and since it failed, it wasn’t the government’s problem.
I don’t really want to talk about who the contractors are, but the construction didn’t pass the final inspection and they had to go through warranty in order to address the issues that were identified.
Just recently, they passed the final inspection and received the substantial completion, that’s the language of the construction trade that I’m using right now.
We will have to wait until this coming summer to ship the rest of the equipment and furniture. We couldn’t order them all at once because there was no room to house the furniture.
There’s a chance that the government would be liable if something went wrong because those things were in the way.
So we expect to see the furniture and other equipment coming up this coming sealift season.
Otherwise, if it passed the final inspection in the first place, it would have opened next month.
Rosemary Brown can add to that, Mr. Chairman.
As the minister said, we did bring some things into the community last sealift and then we just ran out of places where to store things.
So we made the decision that we would wait until this sealift because we realized the contractor was behind and we didn’t want to store furniture in sea cans and risk any deterioration or damage.
Once the building is ready to have further things done inside it, we will begin to do the other things, install the telephone system, and setup some other things.
The nurses can pre-setup some room, except that they won’t be able to transfer everything over until the new furniture arrives on sealift.
This happens with other buildings, or schools, or the continuing care centres, where a building is completed some time in the winter or spring, but the remaining supplies, the operating supplies, would come on the following summer sealift.
I would like to thank the officials for responding to my questions.
I want to state that Pangnirtung residents have been waiting patiently for the health centre and the health centre we have is getting too small.
The sealift usually arrives between August and October, but we would appreciate it if you could get an earlier sealift to bring in the supplies.
Rosemary Brown could respond to that to see if their supplies could be brought on the first sealift to Pangnirtung. (interpretation ends) Thank you.
Ms. Brown: We certainly can request that. We are also, Mr. Chairman, under the restrictions that manufacturing plants take so much time to pre-build this large amount of equipment and ship them, but we can make that request.
As I don’t have any more names on the list, we will go to page H-3.
Total Capital Expenditures. $4,690,000.
Chairman: Go to H-2.
Chairman: Is the committee agreed that the Department of Health and Social Services is concluded?
Minister Curley, do you have any closing remarks?
I understand exactly what the members’ challenges are.
It’s very challenging and difficult to deal with health centres, especially when we have limited resources.
If we had more adequate funding, we would replace all aging health centres.
I know my colleagues have great patience and my department works with the Department of Community and Government Services in dealing with their issues.
I thank you very much for asking questions.
Mr. Chairman, that’s it for now.
(interpretation ends) Thank you. I would like to ask Minister Shewchuk of the Department of Environment to make his opening remarks.
Bill 01 – Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2009-2010 – Environment – Consideration in Committee
Hon. Daniel Shewchuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) I am pleased to be here today before the Committee of the Whole to present my department’s capital for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Environment’s proposed capital budget for 2009-2010 is $1,685,000.
The capital projects for 2009-2010 focus on two key areas: Parks and Special Places and Wildlife Management.
Mr. Chairman, Nunavut parks play a crucial role in the protection and promotion of Nunavut’s outstanding natural and cultural heritage. They also support positive recreation and tourism experiences that help Nunavut communities. Our parks are developed for the benefit of Nunavummiut and for both national and international visitors.
Through our capital plan, we are continuing to ensure our parks meet the needs of Nunavummiut and visitors to Nunavut.
My department’s 2009-2010 capital budget for the Wildlife Management Division focuses on maintaining and renovating present wildlife offices, replacing some of our aging wildlife mobile equipment, and some other minor capital projects in various communities.
Utilizing our capital resources during the past fiscal year, we completed two new wildlife offices located in Cambridge Bay and Hall Beach.
We have also finished the reconstruction of the Kekerten Historic Park near Pangnirtung and the installation of new interpretative signs and facilities at several parks throughout the territory.
Mr. Chairman, the Department of Environment’s capital plan is focused in areas that clearly support the needs and priorities of the government as well as the needs of the communities throughout Nunavut.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Shewchuk.
Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.
For the record, Minister Shewchuk, please introduce your witnesses.
To my right I have Simon Awa, the Deputy Minister of the Department of Environment, and to my left, I have Earle Baddaloo, the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Department of Environment.
Chairman: Thank you, Minister Shewchuk. (interpretation) Welcome. (interpretation ends) Does a member of the Regular Members’ Caucus have opening comments?
I am pleased to provide opening comments on behalf of the Regular Members’ Caucus as the Committee of the Whole begins its consideration of the Department of Environment’s proposed 2009-2010 capital estimates.
Members note that the department’s proposed capital budget for 2009-2010 is $1,685,000.
Its capital budget was $1.7 million in 2008-09 and $2,025,000 in 2007-08.
Mr. Chairman, the department’s 2008-09 capital estimates included $600,000 in funding for the Kugaaruk Park Development project.
A further $100,000 has been allocated for this project in 2009-2010.
While members are supportive of this project, they recognize that a number of issues need to be resolved before park development can continue.
Members have been advised by the minister that further consultations will occur with respect to such issues as land tenure and mineral prospecting in the area.
Mr. Chairman, the department’s 2007-08 capital estimates included funding for the replacement of wildlife offices in Cambridge Bay, Chesterfield Inlet, Hall Beach, and Whale Cove.
The department’s 2009-2010 capital estimates propose $100,000 in funding for renovations and repairs to wildlife offices and research facilities across the territory.
As capital funding becomes available, members encourage the department to plan for the construction of new wildlife offices in those communities whose existing infrastructure is aging.
The department’s 2009-2010 capital estimates include $1,485,000 in funding for small capital projects.
These projects focus on the replacement of mobile equipment and the development of infrastructure in territorial parks.
Members support improvements to Nunavut’s territorial parks and look forward to progress also being made with respect to the development and implementation of management plans for our Heritage Rivers, such as the Thelon and Kazan.
Members also look forward to being kept informed of progress with respect to the Sylvia Grinnell Bridge project.
On February 8, 2008, a federal-territorial announcement indicated that the Government of Canada will invest approximately $1.6 million in this project.
It was announced that “Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will contribute $838,669 as part of the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development initiative, and the Department of National Defence will contribute over $800,000 to design and construct the bridge and manage the project through the Bridges for Canada program.”
Mr. Chairman, on March 6, 2008, the Minister of Environment made a statement in the Legislative Assembly concerning the GN’s plans to establish a recycling program.
The department’s five-year capital plan includes a project to purchase recycling equipment and establish recycling depots.
A total of $900,000 is projected to be spent in 2010-11 and 2011-12.
The Minister’s Statement of March 6, 2008, also indicated that the government will work towards introducing “new legislation to give the GN the authorities it needs for the reduction, reuse, recovery, and recycling of solid waste.”
Members look forward to progress being made in this area and encourage the department to work with businesses and shipping companies to explore the potential of removing material from the territory.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening comments on the proposed 2009-2010 Capital Estimates of the Department of Environment.
I think the minister stated about other minor capital projects in the communities across Nunavut.
In Kugaaruk, although we don’t have a wildlife office, we used to have one. We have a couple of aging boats and outboard motors in the community, and I believe those are the minor capital projects or capital items.
They have bowhead whales and narwhals in the community.
Once you have two well protected animals on your quota, I think they are deciding to monitor or patrol during the summertime.
We have harvested one bowhead and the community is allowed to have a monitoring program. The people in the community are asking, from time to time, over the summer to take samples from bowhead whales so that...
Well, my understanding is that we will need monitoring equipment such as outboard motors and boats.
I’m wondering if the minister has any plans to purchase for the community, in the near future, a boat that is big enough to go into the open ocean to do some patrolling.
Again, I would like to remind members that I’m basically just looking for general comments pertaining to the capital items of Environment.
Your questioning will be able to be provided once we move into the pages that are going to be coming up.
I’m getting ahead myself. So at the appropriate time, when we go page-by-page, I’ll ask questions.
Chairman: I have no more names.
We will now proceed to the page-by-page review of the capital estimates starting on page I-3.
Capital Expenditures. Total Capital Expenditures. $1,685,000.
Here, I would like to ask the Minister of Environment and the witness table.
As I stated in my opening response to the minister’s opening remarks, is there any plan to purchase and replace the aging boats and outboard motors for Kugaaruk?
I would like to thank the hon. member for a very important question.
First of all, I want to reiterate the fact that he’s very right in the fact that we have wildlife officers in every community, and it’s a very important entity and a person to have serve in the community.
And we are working on that for Kugaaruk right at this moment. We are in the process of filling that position and trying to acquire housing, which is difficult to do there right now.