EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
If there are some deficiencies, what steps to take next, or if it’s recommended to go forward.
Another question Mr. O’Brien.
Mr. Speaker, can the minister tell me who is picking up the cost for all this planning and design work.
I understand just from an article in the paper yesterday that the design work for these facilities is already completed and there was an article in the newspaper about it.
Who is actually paying for this?
Mr. Speaker, there has been an agreement between the GNWT and the three birthright development corporations prior to April 1, 1999, in which the preliminary design work for the three facilities was undertaken by the three birthright development corporations with an agreement that if the facilities were not to go ahead for construction for whatever reasons or as a result of the decisions of a future government, the Nunavut Government that came into existence, they would be reimbursed for those costs.
So, that’s the work that’s been undertaken to date.
What will happen now as I indicated, after the functional program and business case review takes place, a decision will be made on whether to proceed or not proceed and what steps need to take place prior to those facilities proceeding.
At that time, as I indicated, there’ll be decisions made through the Financial Management Board on what avenues to pursue to make these projects proceed or not to proceed.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Third supplementary, Mr. O’Brien.
Thank you minister for that clarification.
The question to the minister would be, once this work is completed will it go through and be passed with the Standing Committee on Health for review?
The second point, the functional review that you are speaking of and the preliminary design, will this work come through the Standing Committee on Health so they can review this?
And this functional review does it take into account the difficulty in trying to recruit nurses and doctors and specialists to Nunavut.
Two questions, final questions, Minister of Finance, Mr. Ng.
Mr. Speaker, if a decision is made we would undertake consultations with the appropriate committees.
In respect to the question about the staffing recruitment levels, that’s kind of a separate issue.
In respect to the functional review, which has to do with what programs are going to be delivered out of the facilities, the staffing issues surrounding that, although they are related, they are more appropriately answered by the Minister of Health.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Oral questions, Mr. McLean.
Question 16 - 1(3): Mineral Accord
My question is to the minister responsible for the mineral accord.
As we know, mining is on a bubble right now in Nunavut.
In the throne speech it said things in regards to having to attain self-reliance and self-sufficiency.
To this date I don’t know where this government stands with the mineral accord.
Can the minister responsible advise this House if they’re in any kind of stages of negotiating the mineral accord with their federal counterparts and when we can expect to see this accord before we start losing royalties to the federal government.
Minister responsible for Sustainable Development, sorry, I think this is deferred to Minister of Finance, Mr. Ng.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: That’s what happens when you answer one question, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, we have done just very preliminary discussions at the officials level and at the political level.
I have had some initial discussions with Minister Martin when I had an opportunity to first meet him and there are some plans right now as well for some discussions with other ministers and particularly, Minister Nault, the Minister of DIAND, who has a significant role in the whole devolution issue.
Mr. McLean: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The minister answered the first part of my question but is there going to be a timeline on when we can probably see this mineral accord and when it can be signed, because I think we all recognize that the sooner we sign it the more benefits are going to stay in our territory once the mining industry is in the stages of development and producing.
Mr. Speaker, obviously the sooner the better, I would say but realistically intergovernmental agreements, particularly for transfers, I mean we’re realistic, we’re probably looking at anywhere from two to three years, I would say.
But certainly it would be the goal of this government as soon as possible and before the end of our mandate.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. McLean.
I don’t like to feel like I’m pressuring the minister on this mineral accord, but it would certainly appeal to me and probably to other members of the House if this accord could be signed off or could be finished before the mandate of the federal government is over which might not be too long from now.
I didn’t hear a question.
Mr. Ng if you would like to respond.
I appreciate the comments and the advice from the honourable member and I would think that once the current mandate of the Liberal government expires that it would be renewed to have another mandate.
>>Laughter and Applause
Question 17 - 1(3): Staffing for Medical Facilities
Mr. O’Brien: Thank you Mr Speaker.
Mr. Speaker this is a question that was posed by Mr. Ng for Mr. Picco.
My question is directed to the Minister of Health.
Mr. Picco, have you been involved with your department in looking at the staffing needs for these new facilities that we are speaking of that are in pre-design now and discussions, as to the difficulty that there may be in attracting professionals like doctors and specialists and medical staff?
I ask that question in relationship to the fact that we have so much difficulty in even recruiting nurses and keeping them and also social services workers.
Have you been involved with discussions in reference to this particular issue?
Before I ask Mr. Picco to respond, I would like to advise the members not to mention the names of the ministers.
It has to go through the Speaker.
Hon. Ed Picco: Thank you, Mr. Speaker that was a good ruling.
Mr. Speaker, no we haven’t looked at the actual staffing needs because the program functional review hasn’t been completed.
As Mr. Ng stated earlier, the program functional review will look at what programs and services will be delivered out of the buildings.
After that is done then you can look at the staffing complement that would suit that building or that piece of infrastructure that we’ll have on the ground.
So, Mr. Speaker I guess the short answer is no we haven’t reviewed it because the program functional review hasn’t been completed.
More questions. Second supplementary Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker, my question is again directed to the minister responsible for health.
Given our past experience in recruiting and maintaining our medical staff, does the minister anticipate any problem in trying to recruit staff?
For example, to operate the proposed new hospital for Iqaluit.
Mr. Speaker, that’s indeed an excellent question because as the member knows, the health facility, the hospital for Iqaluit, we’re looking at maybe three, four, five years down the road by the time we move through the program functional review, get the architectural design, the drawings, do the site work, and so on.
At that time Mr. Speaker, we’ll be graduating our first Nunavut nurses, the first Nunavut Nursing Program on the ground in Nunavut, and I think the members of this House ought to pat themselves on the back for their support of education and health in delivering that program.
It’s hard for me, Mr. Speaker, to look into the future and say what the requirements and staffing needs are going to be and am I going to have difficulty, the economic situation changes as I just said and we are going to be bringing on our own Nunavut nurses.
So all these issues, all these points, and all these circumstances, all these logistics will be in place and it’s difficult for me at this time to answer the question by saying that we may or may not have a problem four years down the road in recruitment and retention for a new facility.
Please try and ask appropriate questions, you can try and ask questions that relate to the scenario.
No other questions.
If you would like to ask your final question Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Speaker, my question of course, again, is for the minister responsible for health.
You spoke of the hospital in Iqaluit being four or five years down the road, assuming that it is approved and funded.
What is the timing on the smaller centres that are being proposed, the smaller hospitals.
And if the minister could address the problem with the recruitment and retention of staff.
If these potential hospitals are only a year or so down the road or is that too far into the future for the minister to try and predict.
Minister responsible for health, Mr. Picco.
Mr. Speaker, I heard two questions in there, no, three was it, and I’m more than happy to try and answer those questions.
One, there’s some really exciting news that the members will be getting briefed on this afternoon after the House sits, in the Health and Social Services Department up-date on recruitment and retention issues. I think that a lot of the information the member is asking for now will be provided at that time.
Suffice it to say Mr. Speaker, we can’t look at when and where, it’s hypothetical to say what the problems are going to be, if there’s going to be a problem two years down the road for recruitment.
We don’t know what program functional plans will be in place for those facilities. Indeed the government hasn’t yet decided if it’s going to move forward and the government hasn’t even completed the program functional review.
So, how can I hypothetically say if it’s going to be a problem to staff something that hasn’t even been approved or constructed or is even in place?
So, I tried explaining that.
Two, on recruitment and retention Mr. Speaker, I’d love to sit here and answer questions on recruitment and retention.
We’ve got a person who is dedicated right now to recruitment and retention, we have created within the department an internal working group on recruitment and retention issues working with our colleague Mr. Ng and other issues surrounding pay and benefits.
The Nunavut Employee’s Union is moving towards a collective agreement process with our government now that may address some of the concerns that we have in salaries and salary dollars.
If the member would allow, later on this afternoon with the full caucus, in the briefing on Health and Social Services we could get into more detail on recruitment and retention issues.
I would like to make another ruling.
The second time Mr. O'Brien, you asked two questions on your final supplementary.
In respect to your colleagues, I would like to keep the rules of the House in order and I will not allow five questions in our next sitting.
Speaker: Question Period is over. (interpretation) Going back to the Orders of the Day.
Item 9, Replies to Opening Address. Replies to Opening Address.
Item 11, Standing and Special Committees. Reports of Standing and Special Committees.
Tabled Document 01 - 1(3): Report of the Chief Electoral Officer
Speaker (interpretation): Today I would like to table, according to section 164(2), the publication of the First Nunavut Legislature Election. (interpretation ends) The Report of the Chief Electoral Officer, entitled, “The Election of the First Nunavut Legislative Assembly 1999”.
This document is published in Inuktitut, English and French and covers all the aspects of the election process.
Tabled Document 02 - 1(3): Annual Report of the Worker’s Compensation Board
It is my pleasure to table in this Assembly today the Annual Report of the Worker’s Compensation Board for 1998.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. Picco.
Tabled Document 03 - 1(3): Nunavut Capital Commission Report
It gives me great pleasure today to table in this House the “Nunavut Capital Commission Report”.
Mr. Speaker this paper has been prompted by a desire to find a vehicle beyond everyday community evolution to guide and provide vision for capital development here in Iqaluit.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Picco. Tabling of Documents.
Item 14: Notice of Motions
I give notice today that on October 25th, I will move the following motion.
I move seconded by the honourable member for Cambridge Bay that tabled document 1 – 1 (3), the report of the Chief Electoral Officer, titled, “Election of the First Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, 1999, A New Beginning”, will be referred to the Standing Committee of Ajauqtiit for detailed consideration, and further, that the standing committee report its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Assembly during its spring sitting of next year.
Notices of Motion. Notices of Motion.
Number 15, Notices of Motions for First Readings of Bills.
Item 16, sorry.
Sorry Mr. Ng, Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Item 16: Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two day notice requirement for first reading of Bill 1, Loan Authorization Act, 1999/2000.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills.
Sorry, I apologize.
Mr. Ng is asking for unanimous consent to waive 48 hour notice so that Bill 1 can be read for the first time on Friday, October 22, 1999.
Mr. Minister you have consent to have the first reading of Bill 1 for tomorrow, Friday, October the 22nd.
Bill 1 - Loan Authorization Act 99/2000 - Notice
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Thank you, Mr. Speaker for that.
With that consent I give notice that on Friday October 22nd, 1999, I shall move that Bill 1 – Loan Authorization Act 99/2000 be read for the first time.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, I request consent once again of this Assembly to waive the two day notice requirement for the first reading of Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the Worker’s Compensation Act.
Speaker: The minister is seeking unanimous consent to waive 48 hours notice for Bill 2, so it can be read for the first time on Friday, October 22nd.
Mr. Minister you have consent for first reading of Bill 2, for tomorrow, October 22nd, 1999.
Notices of Motions for First Reading of Bills.
Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the Worker’s Compensation Act - Notice
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker with this consent I give notice that on Friday, October 22nd, 1999, I will ask that Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the Worker’s Compensation Act be read for the first time.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Ng. Notice of Motion for First Reading of Bills.
Hon. Jack Anawak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I request the consent of this Assembly to waive the two day notice requirement for first reading of Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act.
Mr. Anawak is requesting unanimous consent to waive 48 hour notice to read Bill 3 for the first time on October 22nd.
There are no nays, Mr. Anawak, you have consent.
Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act - Notice
Hon. Jack Anawak: With this consent I give notice that on Friday, October 22nd, 1999, I shall move that Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act be read for the first time.
Notice of Motion for First Reading of Bills.
I request consent of this Assembly to waive the two day notice requirement for first reading of Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Anawak has asked for unanimous consent to waive the 48 hours notice requirement for first reading of Bill 4 on October 22, 1999.
There are no nays, Mr. Anawak you have consent.
Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act - Notice
Hon. Jack Anawak: With this consent I give notice that on Friday, October 22nd, 1999 I shall move that Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act be read for the first time.
Hon. Kelvin Ng: Mr. Speaker, still under item 15.
I request the consent of this Assembly to waive the two day notice requirement for first reading of Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act for 1999/2000.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. Ng is requesting consent to waive the 48 hour ruling for Bill 5.
Are there any nays? There are no nays.
Mr. Ng, you have consent.
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 1999/2000 - Notice
Hon. Kelvin Ng: With this consent I give notice that on Friday, October 22nd, 1999, I shall move that Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 1999/2000 be read for the first time.
Hon. Paul Okalik: Mr. Speaker I seek unanimous consent to move back to Item 13, Tabled Documents.
Speaker: The Premier is asking unanimous consent to go back to Item 13, Tabling of Documents.
Mr. Premier you have consent.
Tabled Document 04 - 1(3): Bathurst Mandate Document
Hon. Paul Okalik: Mr. Speaker, I would like to table the Bathurst Inlet Cabinet document that I mentioned earlier in my Minister’s Statement.
Number 14, Notices of Motion.
Item 18, Second Reading of Bills. Second Reading of Bills.
Items 22: Orders of the Day
Mr. Quirke: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Meeting of all members in committee board room Nanuq, for a presentation by Hon. Ed Picco, at 4 o’clock.
Tomorrow morning at half past 8 in committee board room Nanuq, a meeting with elders, all members are invited to attend.
Orders of the Day for Friday, October 22nd, 1999.
Item 11, Reports of Standing and Special Committees.
Bill 1 – Loan Authorization Act
Bill 2 – An Act to Amend the WCB Act
Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act
Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriations Act, No. 1, 1999/00
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Clerk (interpretation) the House stands adjourned until Friday October 22, at 10 o’clock in the morning.
Sergeant-at-Arms
>> House adjourned at 3.35 p.m
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1999
Pages 48 - 75
Opening Prayer 48
Ministers' Statements 48
Members' Statements 53
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 58
Oral Questions 58
Tabling of Documents 73
First Reading of Bills 73
Orders of the Day 74
Friday, October 22, 1999 48
06 - 1(3): Overview of Health and Social Services Initiatives (Picco) 48
07 - 1(3): Inuit RCMP Graduates (Anawak) 50
08 - 1(3): An Education Act for Nunavut (Arvaluk) 51
09 - 1(3): Sport Nunavut Division (Anawak) 52
10 - 1(3): Compensation for Losses at Floe Edge (Nutarak) 53
11 - 1(3): Recognition of Search and Rescue Team (Puqiqnak) 53
12 - 1(3):Year of the Elder Person (McLean) 54
13 - 1(3): Recognition of Fund Raising to Attend Funerals (Alakannuark) 54
14 - 1(3):Changes to Justice System (Kattuk) 54
15 - 1(3): Education a Priority (Tootoo) 55
16 - 1(3): Appreciation to Assembly Staff (Akesuk) 55
17 - 1(3): Importance of Elders (Anawak) 55
18 - 1(3): Elders and Youth (Iqaqrialu) 56
19 - 1(3): Meeting with Elders (Arvaluk) 56
20 - 1(3): Opening of Aqsarniit Middle School (Picco) 57
21 - 1(3): Open to Constituents (Kilabuk) 57
22 - 1(3): Appreciation to Kugluktuk Search and Rescue (Havioyak) 58
18 - 1(3): Inuit Customs in the Justice System (Kattuk) 58
19 - 1(3): Airline Schedules (Iqaqrialu) 60
20 - 1(3): Cost of Merchandise (Alakannuark) 60
21 - 1(3): Funding for Classroom Supplies (Tootoo) 61
22 - 1(3): Administrative Support for Elders Societies (Nutarak) 63
23 - 1(3): Rent Supplement Program (McLean) 64
24 - 1(3): Oil Tank Upgrade Project (Kattuk) 65
25 - 1(3):Elders Living Below Poverty Line (O'Brien) 66
26 - 1(3): Lack of Job Opportunities for Youth (Puqiqnak) 67
27 - 1(3): Education Act Review (Nutarak) 67
28 - 1(3): Changes to School Funding (Tootoo) 68
29 - 1(3): Public Housing Repairs (Alakannuark) 70
30 - 1(3): Status of Clyde River Hamlet Funding (Iqaqrialu) 70
05 - 1(3): Candidates Election Returns and Declarations (Clerk) 73
Bill 1 – Loan Authorization Act 99/2000 73
Bill 2 - An Act to Amend the Worker’s Compensation Act 73
Bill 3 – An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act 73
Bill 4 – An Act to Amend the Legal Services Act 74
Bill 5 – Supplementary Appropriation Act No. 1, 99/2000 74  Friday, October 22, 1999
Friday, October 22, 1999
Mr. Ovide Alakannuark, Mr. Olayuk Akesuk, Honourable Jack Anawak, Honourable James Arvaluk, Honourable Levi Barnabas, Honourable Donald Havioyak, Mr. David Iqaqrialu, Mr. Enoki Irqittuq, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Glen McLean, Honourable Kelvin Ng, Mr. Jobie Nutarak, Mr. Kevin O’Brien, Honourable Paul Okalik, Honourable Ed Picco, Mr. Uriash Puqiqnak, Honourable Manitok Thompson, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (interpretation): At this time I would like to ask David Iqaqrialu to say the opening prayer.
We don’t have a quorum.
We will take a ten minute recess and resume in ten minutes.  >>House recessed for ten minutes
Speaker (interpretation): We will resume our agenda.
Item 2, Ministers’ Statements. Ministers’ Statements.
Minister’s Statement 06 - 1(3): Overview of Health and Social Services Initiatives
I appreciated the opportunity to brief the full caucus about some important issues facing the department of Health & Social Services.
During this session, I want to expand on that briefing by updating you and the House on more of the exciting and sometimes difficult initiatives that are underway in my department.
As you know, we have been very busy over the past six months implementing the decision to integrate the Regional Health Boards into one department.
Since April the department has been holding regular integration meetings and conference calls with senior staff from the regional boards.
I am pleased to tell you that we are making significant progress, which I will explain in more detail in later statements.
Mr. Speaker, the process of integration has been a large and challenging task for the boards and for the department and I want to commend all the staff for their hard work and commitment to excellence.
I also want to reinforce this government’s commitment to a “no layoff” policy for those employees affected by integration.
The process of integrating the boards could not have been as productive as it has been if it weren’t for the patience, ideas and support of the Chairs and CEOs of the regional boards.
With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, I would like to publicly thank: Sharon Ehaloak, Chairperson of the Kitikmeot Regional Health & Social Services Board and their CEO, Miss Alice Isnor; Rosie Oolooyuk, Chairperson of the Keewatin Board and CEO Keith Best; and Dennis Patterson, Chairperson of the Baffin Board and CEO Jarvis Hoult.
Mr. Speaker, although the integration of the Health Boards is a major task unto itself, we have also been moving forward on other important issues.
With the support of this House, we were able to create the first Nunavut Nursing Program at Arctic College.
This program is being delivered in conjunction with Dalhousie University in Halifax, and is something that our government can be justifiably proud of and a crucial step towards ensuring quality care and a stable workforce in the long term.
Last week, the Hon. James Arvaluk and I were able to meet these students to congratulate them and wish them the very best in their studies.
The road ahead for these students is a challenging one.
It will take commitment, perseverance, hard work and probably some sleepless nights.
They will need the support of their friends, families and communities.
But they are a part of our future – they have risen to the challenge and will make Nunavut proud.
Educating our own nurses is just one part of a comprehensive recruitment and retention strategy that we are developing.
Mr. Speaker, over the past six months the department and regional staff have set up an internal working group called the Nunavut Illuarsajiit Action Team to identify practical solutions and ideas to improve recruitment and retention of nurses and social workers in Nunavut.
We are also in the process of hiring a Nunavut Workforce Development Officer within the department who will be mainly responsible for working on recruitment and retention issues.
It is expected that more recruitment and retention initiatives will be announced over the coming weeks.
Mr. Speaker, working with the Hon. Kelvin Ng who is responsible for P3 projects in Nunavut, we are moving ahead with the program functional review of the Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit projects.
Arviat’s Health Centre will begin construction in earnest this spring.
I also want to tell you a little about our plans for the future delivery of heath care in Nunavut.