EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
I met with the Federal Finance Minister Paul Martin and I spoke to him stating that Nunavut is different, that it is special and that Nunavut should have special status.
I gave an example, if you do not have a house, how will you survive in the North?
In some way it’s a little bit different and must be taken into consideration.
In respect to the Minister of Finance, we discussed that matter, what kind of policy we would look at and whether we would establish a committee to look into these issues and how this process would be undertaken, but at this point in time, we still haven’t appointed a committee because with the Government of Nunavut, we have both government houses and social housing and we're trying to look at that.
We're conducting a review and once we complete that, I will be able to report further and I would like to work together with MLAs' in the House, in respect to community housing because this is a very large, complex issue.
Do you have any further questions Mr. Kattuk?  Mr. Kattuk: I do not have any more questions, I just appreciate his answer Mr. Speaker.
Question 55 - 1 (2): House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
Mr. Speaker, just a follow up with the member from Hudson Bay’s question to the minister responsible for housing.
Mr. Speaker yesterday I tabled documents in the house, the Interim report from the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.
The issues it dealt with specifically was a lack, the need for better housing in Northern Isolated communities one of those issues.
Mr. Speaker I was wondering, the Minister indicated that he had been speaking to his Cabinet Colleagues at the federal level and I’m wondering, Mr. Speaker if the Minister can indicate whether he would have any of his staff try and approach this House of Commons Standing Committee to be able to present our concerns and issues to them in regards to housing.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Tootoo.
Yes thank you. We have received that report. We appreciate the work of this committee, because they're working on our behalf.
As the Nunavut Government and my Department is responsible for housing, we will do everything we can to bring Nunavut up to par in terms of the need for housing.
We appreciate the work of the Federal Committee in the work that they have done on housing and since it’s our responsibility I’ll be having an ongoing discussion with the Members of that Committee and different Ministers of Housing and the Ministry of health.
We’ll also involve other Cabinet Ministers.
I’ve been thinking about how we can get the most housing because overcrowding is an issue in all communities in Nunavut. What we're looking at right now is how to help people get housing and own their own homes and we have to consider how much it costs to build a house.
I’d like to tell the Member for Iqaluit Centre, I will be soliciting your support and trying to get new housing programs.
Mr. Speaker I look forward to offering any support I can on that issue, it is a very important issue to the people of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, in his reply the Minister stated that the Department was concentrating on homeownership.
Mr. Speaker I believe that from my past experience, there is a huge need in the area of Social housing, Public Housing which is something that the Federal Government got out of six years ago and I’m wondering if the Minister plans on pursuing that issue further at all levels for federal funds and also within this territorial government.
I’m sorry, it probably got lost in the translation, we're very concerned about people who currently don’t have housing and those people who are unable to afford to get their own housing.
We're also concerned about future needs for the younger generation and we're also looking at other ways like what they're trying to do in Taloyoak, they're concentrating on homeownership.
That’s just one area, we are supporting that too for those people who can own their own homes, but we're also most concerned about people who are currently homeless and trying to get a program going for those who cannot afford their own housing right now.
Question 57 - 1 (2): High Cost of Living in Nunavut
Mr. Alakannuark: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Perhaps I will address this question to the Minister of Transportation.
The goods available in Nunavut right now are very costly, are you looking for ways to cut down the cost of living especially in the area of food?
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Alakannuark. Minister Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Yes, thank you, the cost of living, housing, food, clothing, and heavier goods that have to be flown to the north are too expensive.
When I was the Member of Parliament, we had a discussion with the people who provide subsidies, such as DIAND, on how we can address this cost of freight to different areas in the North and also in Southern Canada and to Northern Manitoba.
The Federal Government provides subsidies that are worth about $15 million dollars and part of that subsidy goes to Nunavut and we had some discussions with DIAND, on how we should be spending the subsidy.
We have not finished those discussions, we have not finished reviewing that, so we’ll be looking at these subsidies further and how much more we need to get apart from that subsidy to Nunavut, because this is only provided for food mail, but it can also be applied to areas other than food.
Because the member is asking about all areas of the cost of living, I can only assure the member that we’ll be reviewing this further and looking at how more programs can be subsidized.
Speaker: (interpretation): Second question Mr. Alakannuark.
Mr. Alakannuark (interpretation): Still on the same subject and I’m talking daily needs of the children, that’s mostly I was concerned about and not everybody has ready cash all the time for their children and I understand your answer to that.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Alakannuark.
Mr. McLean Oral Questions.
Question 58 - 1 (2): Request for Proposals - Ublivik Contract
My question is to the Minister of Health regarding the awarding of the Ublivik Contract.
Can the Minister tell me how many companies had proposals.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. McLean.
Mr. Speaker, I believe there were 4 companies.
Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Picco.
Mr. McLean
My question again to the Minister.
Mr. Minister, if the lowest price was not the deciding factor in the awarding of the RFP on the Ublivik contract, can you please briefly tell me what were the deciding factors on this contract.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.  Speaker: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. McLean.
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker cost was one of the factors as explained earlier in the oral question to Mr. O’Brien.
The RFP was put out by the Keewatin Regional Health and Social Services Board.
There are other factors that were looked into and I had mentioned some of them, Article 24 for an example, the quality of service with the proposal itself.
I guess it’s safe to say that the contract after it was reviewed again by PWS with the Department of Health and Social Services and Justice, the contract award seemed to serve the people of Nunavut and Keewatin Region.
As well, the proposal was sound and I think the fact is that, other than prices, was the quality of the service, of facilities, the people involved to deliver the service.
The other factors are in RFP which are public knowledge because those were requested in the ad.
Mr. Minister, the company that had the contract provided service to the residents of Keewatin for over 20 years, was that in any way at all taken into account, by whoever awarded this contract.
Mr. Speaker, if you would like to answer the question, I could no, no.
Mr. Speaker, I think the Government of Nunavut, the people of Nunavut recognize that Mrs. Penner for several years has done a very good job and dedicated herself to taking care of the residents of the Keewatin Region.
I can understand why there would be some disappointment that another contractor has been selected.
I think it’s fair also to say however that the Government of Nunavut and the Keewatin Regional Health and Social Services have the responsibility, Mr. Speaker, have the responsibility to the people of Nunavut to ensure the contractor with the best value is selected.
This is done through an RFP, as I explained, I went through the process which the Keewatin Health and Social Services Board undertook which they did thoroughly and fairly and I’m confident of that proposal.
So I understand the experience and the dedication of Mrs. Penner.
I think it’s just when the RFP came forward, the criteria was set out and everyone was on an equal footing.
The Keewatin Regional Health and Social Services Board picked the contractor, that the final contract was awarded to based on the criteria that was in place.
It was a fair, sound process and I understand there would be disappointment from the person who had run the contract for several years.
As I explained earlier, the contract was holdover since 1995, it was a verbal commitment.
The Keewatin Health and Social Services Board had some concerns with the way the contract had been handled and indeed the proponent, Mrs. Penner had the same kind of concerns, so they went to a competitive RFP and Mrs. Penner was not successful in that bid.
Can the Minister tell me who finally signed off this contract.
Speaker: Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, the Keewatin Regional Health and Social Services Board would sign off the contract.
Those people who have not yet asked a question will be given first priority to ask questions.
Question 59 - 1 (2): Vacant Head Nurse Position in Igloolik
Mr. Irqittuq: (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker this is directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services, regarding the head nurse in Igloolik, when is that nurse going to be in that position?
Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I had an opportunity to go to the Health Centre in Igloolik and speak to quite a few of the staff that were there.
When the Head Nurse would be instated and be put in place at the facility in Igloolik, I don’t have that information in front of me, I would commit to find out the information and get in back to the Members as soon as possible.
Speaker: Oral questions, oral questions.
Question 60 - 1 (2): Outpost Camps Eligibility for Income Support
I want to address the Minister of Health & Social Services.
How does the department of Health & Social Services, service their smaller communities?
I want clarification on that Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Health & Social Services Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker I believe that income support is under the Minister for Education, maybe the question could be redirected towards the Minister of Education.
Speaker: Mr. Picco, I believe the question was about Social Workers, which is under your department.
If you could answer that question.
Mr. Speaker, then maybe if the member could just clarify whether Mr. Iqaqrialu is talking about income support delivery or the actual social workers in the community.
If you could clarify Mr. Iqaqrialu.
My question is regarding the funding that is given to the Department of Health & Social Services to be used towards outpost camps.
I want a clarification as to how the funding is spent on outpost camps.
I am not sure as to how much funding they receive.
Are you asking how much funding they receive?
If you are asking a question pertaining to figures, I don't have those figures written down.
Mr. Iqaqrialu, second question.
What we want clarified is whether these outpost camps receive assistance or not.
Yes those who require assistance do get assistance, but there are those who are able to support themselves who do not receive assistance.
Yes, but those who do require assistance get it.
Question 61 - 1 (2): Capital Project Priorities, Town of Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker my question is directed to the Minister responsible for Community Government, Housing & Transportation.
Mr. Speaker I gave a rather nice story on the condition of the roads in Iqaluit.
I would like to ask the Minister if he has had an opportunity, either him or his staff, to meet with officials from the Town of Iqaluit with regards to their concerns and priorities over the selection of capital projects allocated to the Town of Iqaluit.
Minister of Community Government, Housing & Transportation, Mr. Anawak.
Hon. Jack Anawak (interpretation): Thank you.
We haven't met with the Town Council yet, but we are planning to meet with the Mayor and the Town Council and also the MLA's representing east, west and Iqaluit centre.
We will be meeting with those representatives to discuss the concerns that have been raised at this sitting.
Question 62 - 1 (2): Sanikiluaq Interpreters for Assembly
I wanted to ask the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, Mr. Havioyak.
The first year that we were here; perhaps I should make a comment first.
I don't want to lose my own dialect or my language and to make everybody understand what I am saying, I will be using a dialect that is not my own.
I value my own dialect.
I spoke to the Minister earlier this year that perhaps we should hire an interpreter from Sanikiluaq once in a while.
I am going to have to borrow dialects to be understood here, I know that if I used my own dialect, that Minister would not understand what I am trying to say.
I wonder if you have been told about that before, that we need to have the Sanikiluaq dialect interpreted here at the House?
This is one of the responsibilities of the Legislative Assembly, so I will have a talk with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly about that.
Question 63 - 1 (2): Status of Positions with Education Boards
My question is to the Minister of Education, Mr. Arvaluk.
In regards to the phasing out of the Education Boards and the news release the boards will be phased out during the next year and no jobs are expected.
Mr. Minister, could you please give me details where the 12 people employed in the board office in Baker Lake will be employed next year?
Hon. James Arvaluk: Yes, the policy objective, which we achieved through the Cabinet, is a no lay-off policy.
When the transitional period is taking place, how these positions will be placed or replaced, or where they will be moved for example, I cannot answer about Baker Lake directly, but there is a plan to move Baffin Divisional Board to Pangnirtung, then there will be invitations to these staff members to move with that office and the same policy will apply across the board.
If a divisional board office is in Baker Lake then the employees will be in Baker Lake.
There is no plan for Kitikmeot and Kivalliq to move there headquarters, regional offices somewhere else, only in the Baffin is the regional office to be relocated to Pangnirtung.
Everywhere else, we have no plans to relocate the staff, if the relocation isn't necessary.
However, I would like to add for the member, that because of the divisional boards elimination plan, we will probably require less administration and financial personnel.
The Premier has indicated that as soon as possible we will start placing some of these unnecessary positions, after July 1, 2000, we will start placing them immediately elsewhere within the government.
That may not be required after July 1, 2000.
In this case if you have excess in the area of administration and finance sections of the divisional boards in Baker Lake, then they will be invited to seek similar positions within the Nunavut Government.
My question again for the Minister.
Could the Minister give me a time line as to when these employees can be advised of their options?
They are all long term residents of Baker Lake and have families and mortgages to deal with.
Hon. James Arvaluk: Mr. Speaker, we are in the process, I hope sometime this week or next week, I will be able to announce the implementation co-ordinator.
As soon as that is done we will certainly be talking to him about our priorities and our concerns respecting the members' concerns and naturally the employees' concerns of those divisional boards, who may not be required in that particular organization after July 1, 2000.
As soon as we get those organized, hopefully within a month, we will be able to advise the staff as to the most suitable, or best way to deal with it.
Question 64 - 1 (2): Vacant Decentralization Infrastructure
Mr. Speaker, my question concerns decentralization.
Since we don't have a Minister in charge of decentralization, I will pose my question to the Minister of Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services.
Mr. Speaker, we spent millions and millions of dollars in some of our communities constructing office buildings and accommodations.
In some cases houses have been completed and boarded up for the winter.
These buildings have been heated but empty.
In my case, in my home community of Arviat, in reference to our office complex, it is my understanding that it is completed, I am now sure if it is turned over or not, I understand that it is but can't confirm that.
We have a number of people, I believe there are seven people at least, that have been hired and waiting to take up office accommodations, unfortunately the building's not available.
We are also told that there are no phones available, Northwestel is not able to hook the phones up until August.
My question Mr. Speaker, is when can we expect to get some solid confirmation as to when these buildings can be used so we can get on with the business of decentralization and running this government.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister Thompson.
Hon. Manitok Thompson: This is a question to the Finance Minister.
My department is on track with the buildings, we are just a service department, so I will refer that question to the Finance Minister who is more involved in the decentralized model of the government.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you Mr. Speaker and I thank my colleague for referring the question to me.
I think in yesterday's committee debates on the departments of Finance & Administration, and Human Resources that issue came up.
Several members had questioned the timing and availability of staff housing and office space in their communities to accommodate some of these decentralized positions.
I had undertaken at that time that we will try to find out exactly what the status is, right now it is not within our jurisdiction, as I had indicated, the Nunavut Construction Company is providing the construction of facilities for the Federal Government which will be transferred.
I understand that some assets are in the stage right now of being transferred to the Government of Nunavut.
But it is my understanding that as of today that we don't have any of those units within our jurisdiction but it is in process.
Speaker: Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker it is my understanding, and again I am not sure, but some of these units are actually turned over.
So I would ask the Minister if he could give me a firmer time line, as I have said we have staff that have been hired.
We have people that are waiting to move in, they don't have accommodations.
So if you could at least give me a date when I could tell these people back home when they could move into these accommodations, that we may be paying for even as we speak.
So if you could give me some date that I could bring back home to the people.
Mr. Speaker as I said, I don't know, I don't have the specific details here.
Possibly the Deputy Minister of Public Works, Telecommunications & Technical Services, who was involved in the lease negotiations may have more specific detailed information.
If he doesn't, I will certainly make a point of finding out as soon as possible.
Speaker: Mr. O'Brien.  Mr. O'Brien: One last point Mr. Speaker.
In reference to the concern over phone systems, I would hope that is not the case where we would have to wait for Northwestel until August to hook up the phone systems in our office complex.
This is more a comment, if the Minister could look into that to see if it could be corrected.
Speaker: Mr. Ng. Mr. O'Brien, a comment when you are asking oral questions you have to make sure you are asking the same question, you are changing the question now.
Thank you. Mr. Alakannuark, oral question.
Question 65 - 1 (2): Disease Prevention, Incidence of Illness
My question is directed to the Minister of Health & Social Services.
The communities see a lot more illness nowadays in their communities.
What can be done in Nunavut for the prevention of serious illness?
Minister of Health & Social Services, Mr. Picco.
I wonder if the member could rephrase his question.
Speaker: Mr. Picco, please listen.
This is a question for the Minister of Health.
Mr. Alakannuark, could you please clarify your question?
This is for the Minister of Health.
More and more people are getting serious illnesses in communities.
Maybe the problems are caused by food, contamination in the food chain, or from the environment.
Would it be possible to monitor the reasons why more people are getting sick in the communities.
Minster of Health Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker over the past several weeks now we have heard, for example, the first instances of diabetes are being seen more prevalently.
One of the factors that the medical people are telling us is that with the changing patterns and lifestyles of the people of Nunavut, indeed one main factor would be the diets.
As an example as we have gotten away from eating more country foods and we are now eating more processed foods, we seem to have more instances of heart problems, diabetes as I earlier said.
Indeed, the rates of cancer have increased.
Right now in Nunavut under the department of Health, we really don't have the capacity to track individual diseases and so forth, we are actually contracting back some of these service.
The Department of Health has been monitoring through the regional health boards the different instances and rates of the different diseases.
One of the factors for the changing patterns of health and the new instances of different diseases has been the changes in lifestyle and the changes in consumption of food products as one example.
Speaker (interpretation): Okay question period is over.
Item 7: Written Questions
Written Question 1 - 1 (2): Nunavut Share of Accumulated GNWT Surplus
My question is for the Minister of Finance and Administration Mr. Ng. Minister Ng's counterpart in Yellowknife, Charles Dent, announced in his budget address of April 19 that the GNWT would be receiving 56% of an forecasted 62 million accumulated surplus.
My question is, when will the Government of Nunavut be in a position to know when it will receive our 44% share of this total, which is not reflected in our Main Estimates?
Written question.
Petition 2 - 1 (2): Gloria Penner's Services
Mr. Kattuk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker I would like to present a petition dealing with the matter of the Keewatin Regional Health & Social Services announcement April 14, 1999 regarding Gloria Penner's services.
Mr. Speaker, the petition contains 227 signatures of residents of Sanikiluaq and Mr. Speaker, many people of the land are concerned about losing Gloria's services and would like to see Gloria continue to provide the services at Ublivik.
Petition 3 - 1 (2): Kimmirut Community Arena
I have a petition with 145 signatures from the community of Kimmirut.
Mr. Speaker the petitioners request that the Government of Nunavut allocate funds for the construction of the Kimmirut arena, which has been promised to the community for many years.
Petition 4 - 1 (2): Ublivik Contract
I have a petition that contains 200 signatures of the residents of Arviat that are concerned about Mrs. Penner losing this contract and would like to see her continue on in this contract.
I have a petition in regards to the Hamlet Council funding. 100 and 30 thousand in 1988 and 31 thousand in 1989 have been cut back.
For those two years the amount that has been reduced equals 161 thousand, 8 hundred and seven dollars.
Thank you and God Bless you, this has been sent from the Hamlet of Clyde River and has been signed by Jonathon Palluq.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Iqaqrialu, we are requesting petitions, we cannot accept a petition with only one signature, but perhaps we can deal with your document under Tabling of Documents.