EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
As for the mining companies, I assume they have their own fire departments there that take care of their fires and their inspections, but they do fall under us too and probably fall under the Mines Act too.
There are probably many pieces of legislation that would cover fire protection in the mines.
I can’t tell the member how often they go there. If they’re asked to come, I assume they would go there. As for exactly how many times mining camps are visited, I don’t have that information with me.
Question 556 – 4(3): Management of the Public Service (Okalik)
Mr. Speaker, we are told that the government has a healthy workplace.
I have three very simple questions for the minister.
Can the minister tell us today approximately how many employees of the Government of Nunavut are currently away from their jobs on some form of long-term sick leave or disability leave?
Last week I asked Mr. Okalik to table some information on the Public Service Commission of the Yukon. I was expecting a bit more information than a downloaded document that I could have easily got myself.
It could have assisted me with the work I have to do with the public service.
As Mr. Okalik knows, most ministers don’t carry those detailed level of stats in the House, but I can assure Mr. Okalik that any employee who is away on long-term disability is afforded many benefits. They receive treatment and there is workplace accommodation when they return to work.
I can assure Mr. Okalik that the Government of Nunavut is no different than most other governments and most other employers in Nunavut and around Canada. We have a number of many positive policies and directives to assist our employees.
As we have question period, I wanted to find out how many employees are currently away from their jobs on some form of long-term sick leave or disability leave.
I would like to ask the minister: can he tell us today approximately how much it is costing the government on an annual basis to temporarily staff positions with casual employees or contractors in circumstances where the positions’ full-time employees are away on sick leave or disability leave?
As Mr. Okalik knows, my office is always open.
He has been the Premier and minister for many years. He knows that if he wants that detailed level of information, he can come and ask the minister and we can bring our staff. We do it regularly.
I do it all the time with my other colleagues and I’m quite sure I can do it with Mr. Okalik if he requires that information. We also have the opportunity during Committee of the Whole. We can bring all the information and all those statistics to the House and to standing committees.
Again I assure Mr. Okalik that the Government of Nunavut values their employees. We have a full range of programs; sick leave, medical leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, and all kinds of benefits for the government employees that we make available to them.
As I said, we value our employees highly and we continue to develop policies and programs to assist our employees.
I am sure that I won’t get an answer right now, but perhaps he will respond at later date.
I would appreciate it if the minister can tell us approximately how many formal investigations into allegations of harassment or bullying in the workplace are currently being undertaken.
Minister Finance, Mr. Peterson.
As Mr. Okalik and all Members of this House would know, we introduced the ethics officer in the House here last year. He is an individual who investigates workplace harassment cases. He received a number he investigated.
He found that only one was valid and the rest were cases where the individuals could have dealt with it through their supervisors or deputy ministers.
The deputy ministers understand that when a workplace harassment complaint comes to them, they have to deal with them. They can’t ignore it. They deal with it and they do.
I have reminded my colleagues on this side to stress, if that happens, that if there are any workplace harassment complaints out there from GN employees, make sure you deal with it through the proper steps.
Go to your supervisor or manager.
If that doesn’t work, go to your deputy and if that doesn’t work, go to another deputy. Of course I’m always available to deal with them.
To remind GN employees, frivolous complaints are not necessarily workplace harassment. An employee being asked to come to work on time or do their job is more performance management than workplace harassment.
Question 557 – 4(3): Language Teaching in Schools (Qirngnuq)
Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My questions are for the Minister of Education.
The importance of preserving, promoting, and passing on the Inuit language to the next generation of Inuit was raised in two of the formal resolutions that were passed by both elders and youth at the recent annual general meeting of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
Mr. Speaker, I recognize that our education system is designed to graduate bilingual students and I recognize that our students need to be bilingual to function in the modern world. However, I believe that much more must be done to teach the Inuit language in our schools.
Can the minister tell us today approximately how many Inuit language teachers are currently working in our public schools?
I agree with you wholeheartedly that the Inuit language should be taught in the schools.
Of course that is our practice to date as we live in Nunavut and it is the first language of most Nunavummiut.
I can’t give you a number, but I can tell you that the NTEP program has produced approximately 500 graduates since its inception.
This year there are approximately 80 students who are currently taking the NTEP program in eight different communities and here in Iqaluit.
I can’t give you any numbers, but I can tell you that all Nunavut schools have Inuit language teachers. If you can recall, we also use Inuit elders who are recognized by the DEAs.
We have elders who are instructing in the schools.
With proper support, they teach students how to read and write syllabics. We also have elders who are counsellors in all of our schools.
I can’t give my colleague an approximate number of how many Inuit language teachers there are, but we do have Inuit language instructors, support staff, and elder counsellors available in all of our schools.
Mr. Qirngnuq (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Can the minister indicate approximately how much the government spends each year on training programs to develop new Inuit language teachers?
I also thank my colleague for asking those questions as it is important to me.
Although we haven’t done this every year, last year we had what are called (interpretation ends) learning coaches. (interpretation) We have 43 learning coaches who teach reading in the schools.
Most Nunavut schools all have learning coaches.
I can’t tell him exactly how much has been spent to date, but we would like to see more Inuit language instructors in the adult learning centres. If my colleague can recall, we’re looking into the types of courses through NTEP and working together with Arctic College.
We’re looking at how we can provide instruction effectively in both Inuktitut and English.
We’re currently having that review done with the Department of Education and Arctic College.
I can’t provide a number, but that’s what we’re doing with the Inuit language of instruction at Arctic College and at the Department of Education.
Although he didn’t respond to my first question, I’ll ask the minister my final question and I’m sure he will be able to respond as to how much it will cost.
(interpretation ends) Our elders play a vital role in preserving our language.
Can the minister tell me how many elders are currently working in our schools to teach our language?
That’s a very good question, especially as it relates to the elders.
To date we have been asking the DEAs to provide additional names of elders so that they can work with students in the schools.
Each of the community DEAs can submit names to me and we do want to see more elders being involved.
Since the Inuit language is very important, we are looking for people who are truly bilingual in Inuktitut and English, and they don’t necessarily have to be an elder.
We do have funding for Inuit language and I can give you the details.
We receive funding from Culture and Heritage for Inuit language and cultural programs.
In 2016-17 we received $1 million from the Inuit Language Implementation Fund.
We receive the funding from that department and allocate the funding annually to be used by our schools.
Question 558 – 4(3): Fuel Rebates and Subsidies (Mikkungwak)
The government’s 2017 budget and main estimates will be introduced in the Legislative Assembly in February or March of next year.
I do recognize that the world price of oil has dropped over the past two years, but it is still not cheap to heat our homes in the Arctic.
Can the minister indicate what criteria he will use to determine whether or not to offer a fuel rebate program for private homeowners in Nunavut as part of his next budget?
As Mr. Mikkungwak knows, that was a rebate. Yes, I’m looking for the word “rebate,” to rebate some fuel.
It is not a program; it’s a one-off depending on the year.
Right now based on what I know with the weather, it doesn’t look like we’re going to have a very cold winter.
During the 2013-14 fiscal year the government provided $897,000 to Nunavut homeowners under its Fuel Rebate Program.
If my pocket calculator’s batteries still have any power left in them, it works out to approximately 1,795 homeowners receiving a $500 grant.
I do recognize that very high income homeowners may not need a fuel rebate grant from the government, but many homeowners in Nunavut, including constituents of mine in Baker Lake, live from paycheque to paycheque.
Would the minister be open to considering a modified fuel rebate program that provides more support to lower income homeowners?
I thank Mr. Mikkungwak for lobbying on behalf of his constituents.
I, too, am a homeowner and I know how much it costs for fuel.
Mr. Speaker, as I alluded to in this House last week, the Government of Nunavut is facing some very challenging times coming up.
We lost $40 million in TFF funding over three years and we had to finance internally the Cape Dorset high school. That’s $40 million.
We’re ratifying the collective agreement. We have negotiations coming up with the Qulliq Energy Corporation and the Nunavut Teachers Association next year.
There are many pressing demands.
I don’t know if I could get that amount of money for rebates into our budget.
We’re already working well into our budget that we have to provide to the standing committee in the next month or so.
Last week the minister tabled the government’s most recent annual report on grants and contributions, which I have started to review with care.
I was very pleased to note that $315,000 was provided to seniors during the 2015-16 fiscal year under the government’s Senior Fuel Subsidy Program, which is administered by the Department of Family Services.
Can the Minister of Finance indicate the extent to which the Department of Finance works with other departments to design such programs as the Senior Fuel Subsidy Program?
The Department of Finance works very closely with all departments, whether it’s Family Services or the Department of Justice, my other department.
They do come forward to us for advice and help on programs and services that we provide to Nunavummiut.
On that particular program, I just don’t have all the specifics, but through the Premier’s Office, we do support the elders and seniors in Nunavut, particularly those who have homes.
I do know that in Cambridge Bay we have some seniors who own homes and it is very difficult for them, especially when they finish working and they’re retired.
I know we do work very closely with all departments.
It’s not like the department just goes and starts up a program or service. It has to go through a rigorous analysis.
They have to come to Finance and introduce it to Finance. Possibly they discuss it at the Deputy Ministers’ Committee or a Central Accountability Committee meeting.
There are so many committees in the government, but there are committees that work these things up internally in the government to give to the Department of Finance for final analysis, and then it goes forward to the Financial Management Board.
That’s where it would get consideration to go in a budget or through the main estimates process or through a supplementary appropriation during the year.
There is a lot work, thought, and consideration that go into all our programs and services to provide to Nunavummiut.
Committee Report 017 – 4(3): Bill 21, Write-Off of Assets Act, 2015-2016 (Sammurtok, T)
Mr. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I wish to report that Bill 21, Write-Off of Assets Act, 2015-2016, has been reviewed by the Standing Committee on Legislation and that the bill is ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 21 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
Speaker: The member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 68(6) and have Bill 21 immediately moved into Committee of the Whole.
Speaker: It is agreed and Bill 21 has been moved into Committee of the Whole.
Tabled Document 224 – 4(3): 2015-2016 Annual Report on the Tobacco Control Act (Hickes)
I am pleased to table the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s 2015-16 Tobacco Control Act Annual Report.
Tabled Document 225– 4(3): 2015-2016 Public Accounts (Peterson)
Today I am tabling the Public Accounts for 2015-16.
Tabled Document 226 – 4(3): QEC 2014-2015 Contracting, Procurement and Leasing Activity Report (Mike)
Hon. Johnny Mike: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to table the contracting, procurement and leasing activities for the fiscal year 2014-15. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Tabled Document 227 – 4(3): 2016 Schedule for the Student Loan Fund for the year ending March 31, 2016 (Mike)
I am pleased to table the Schedule for the Student Loan Fund for the year ending March 31, 2016.
Tabled Document 228 – 4(3): 2016 Council of the Federation Summer Meeting in Whitehorse, Yukon, July 21 to 22, 2016 (Taptuna)
I am pleased to table the 2016 Council of the Federation Summer Meeting in Whitehorse, Yukon, July 21 to 22, 2016.
Motion 037 – 4(3): Extension of Review Period for Bill 19, Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act (Sammurtok, T)
WHEREAS Bill 19, the proposed Unlawful Property Forfeiture Act, received second reading on June 8, 2016;
AND WHEREAS Bill 19 has been referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation for consideration;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the Hon. Member for Iqaluit-Niaqunnguu, that the period of time for the standing committee to report Bill 19 back to the House be extended by a further 120 days.
Motions. (interpretation ends) The Hon. Member for Baker Lake, Mr. Simeon Mikkungwak.
Motion 038 – 4(3): Extended Adjournment (Mikkungwak)
Bill 29 – An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act – First Reading
Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Aggu, that Bill 29, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 30 – An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act – First Reading
I had a question regarding fire today, so therefore I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Cambridge Bay, that Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act, be read for the first time.
Bill 31 – An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act – First Reading
I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Arviat South, that Bill 31, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act, be read for the first time.
Bills 14, 16, and 21 with Mr. Akoak in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 16:10 and Committee resumed at16:36
Chairman (Mr. Akoak): Good afternoon, Inuit, members, and Nunavummiut watching the proceedings on TV and listening to the radio.
Yes, I have two officials I would like to join me, please.
Chairman: My apologies, Minister Hickes.
In Committee of the Whole we have the follow items to deal with: Bills 14, 16, and 21.
Mr. Chairman, we wish to continue with the review of Bill 14, followed by the review of Bills 16 and 21.
Chairman: Thank you. Are we in agreement that we first deal with Bill 14?
Now Minister Hickes, I would like to ask the Minister of Health if he has officials that he would like to appear before the committee.
To my left, your right, I have Mr. Jonathan Paradis, a policy analyst with Department of Health, and to my right, Colleen Stockley, the Deputy Minister of Health.
With the Chairman’s indulgence, I do have some further information from some of the questions on Friday when you will allow me to respond.
Before we open up the floor for the members, Minister Hickes.
I had committed to the committee to bring some further details back from some of the responses I made on Friday and I would like to follow up with that commitment.
Just to confirm, there are five environmental health officer positions that are currently filled.
Those positions are located in Iqaluit, Pangnirtung, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay.
In addition to that, there are two environmental health specialists based in Iqaluit to offer support to the environmental health officers.
There was a question regarding the number of inspections and sites visited.
Currently for the communities that don’t have any physician visits occurring regularly, since April of 2015 all communities have had at least two visits and many have had more.
During their visits, the environmental health officers visit a wide range of sites. Among other things, they inspect drinking water treatment plants, sewage systems, landfills, restaurants, anywhere that sells food such as a grocery store, arenas, schools, health centres, and long-term care centres.
In addition to that, like I had mentioned, they do inspect daycares. One of the things in particular that was brought up with daycares was with regard to the inspection.
They inspect daycares for food safety, bathroom facilities, general sanitation, and how toys are cleaned.
One of the other questions that were raised was “What are some of the most common infractions that are identified?”
Some of them would be ensuring temperatures are appropriate for the handling and storage of food and that appropriate handwashing and dishwashing facilities and protocols are in places. I would like to make a note that operators are very cooperative and those issues are usually fixed immediately.
I hope this information is valuable to the members, and I am pleased to answer any further questions on Bill 14.
We will now continue with the review of Bill 14, the Public Health Act.
Yes, I was absent because I wasn’t able to be here.
I would like to ask questions about the contents, especially clause 25 in the bill dealing with water.
If it’s not from a municipal government, the water supply has to be approved by an environmental health officer in accordance with the regulations.
The river here serves as an important source of drinking water and we deliver it to our elders.
How is that going to be handled in the future?
When we’re talking about potable water, we do testing before and after treatment.
I do realize that most communities have local water sources that they use for either ice or water distribution to elders. Although it’s also recognized that individuals may have personal preferences, it would make it very difficult for the Department of Health to test every body of water in the territory.
That being said, our environmental health officers can provide people a sample kit. If people want to take a sample of their water source just for their own peace of mind, they can bring in samples and we will test them and make sure if there are any concerns, they’re made aware of them.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Perhaps I’ll say it in English.
(interpretation ends) “No person, other than a municipal corporation, shall operate a water supply system for the purpose of supplying water to the public or in an institution or camp unless an environmental health officer has approved the water supply system in accordance with the regulations.”
We sometimes have men’s groups here in our community delivering water to elders.
How would this function with good, well-meaning organizations supplying much needed, desirable water to our elders?
How would this regulatory power function with this group?
There are a couple of different things. The water supply system itself is more intended for municipal water systems or water systems in camps.
That being said, there is a section within this legislation that covers a protection for donation of water.
That is in this legislation.
Mr. Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) It says, “...an environmental health officer has approved the water supply...” The group will have to get that blessing of the environmental health officer at this point.
I would like to know how that will function with the various groups that supply water to our elders here. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Within the protection of donation of water from those sources that are outside in an established camp or municipality, that’s where the protection would lie for those groups within the donation of water aspect of the bill.
Again, like I had mentioned earlier, if they have concerns or if they would like to get samples of that water tested, they’re welcome to provide that to Health and we will test it for them.
There is nothing stopping people from those groups providing water to elders or ice.
Yes, I’m sure we will review this again in the future if there are problems with it.
The minister indicated that anyone can provide them with a sample to be tested.
Can the minister or his staff tell us who or where we bring the samples to?
Who do we call if we have water samples that need to be tested?
If anyone wants to pursue that, they would contact our environmental health officers and they would be able to facilitate that testing.
I didn’t hear a phone number.
Can you provide us with that phone number? I know my fellow residents are concerned about the water that they take. What number should they call?
Like I had mentioned, there are only five environmental health officers currently.
They’re located in Iqaluit, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, and Pangnirtung.
I don’t have the direct contact information with me right now, but I could provide that to the committee.
If necessary, if there’s that much of an interest in it down the road, once this legislation is enacted, we could look at maybe making a public service announcement along those lines.
We have many different environmental health officers, those who monitor food and those who monitor water.
It would be good if my constituents can be given a phone number where they can check for water, meats, and other kinds of food safety concerns.
Minister Hickes, that was just a comment, but if you want to comment on it.
We will provide that contact information to the member and explore ways to make sure the message gets out to the public.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome and good afternoon.
I want to talk a little bit about food safety.
One of the things that we’re seeing more and more with Facebook is that we see people selling food online.
Under food safety, I’m wondering: does that fall under this legislation at all if people are selling cookies or cakes or cooked meals?
Where does that fall under this legislation?
With that, we take a risk-based approach where, when somebody is doing a bake sale or something along those lines, there wouldn’t be actual permitting or an inspection unless concerns were raised.
A full investigation could be ordered if there was a circumstance where people were getting ill from a product, maybe from a bake sale or donated food.
There are protections in place for people that are donating food, but unless there’s a concern, we wouldn’t follow up with it.
Are you saying that unless somebody gets sick, there’s really no enforcement in that area?
You have to be sick before this legislation would be used.