EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
In regard to prioritizing the work that needs to be done within Family Services in regard to the legislative work, the department recently met, I think, and an inventory of legislative work has been developed.
Can you just elaborate here and perhaps give us an idea of what kind of legislation has been prioritized?
We are reviewing the regulations and policies for income support, including the (interpretation ends) Apprenticeship Act. (interpretation) We are reviewing those.
I’m going to go to something totally different here.
I would like to touch on what my colleague touched on in regard to homelessness.
Perhaps what we could do is start off by asking Family Services: what role, what kind of engagement, and what responsibility does the department have when it comes to Nunavummiut who are homeless and who have to be in a shelter because they have nowhere else to go?
For the homeless people’s shelters, the communities develop a society to administer those shelters. Through grants and contributions, we develop an agreement with them. They maintain the homeless shelters through our grants and contributions.
Can the minister explain and perhaps go into a little bit more detail about the interaction between the shelters and the department? In terms of the contribution agreement, what kind of criteria, what kind of targets… ?
What is in that contribution agreement that will help to steer the shelter a little bit more in what we’re looking for?
I’m bringing this up because I was actually working with one of my constituents who unfortunately wasn’t allowed to be in the homeless shelter because of a social problem that she had.
It really opened my eyes to the fact that there are really some people falling between the gaps. It made me think how many more people are suffering like this where they really don’t have anywhere… . I feel like, in a way, we have missed some people.
What I’m trying to get at is: how much say do you have over shelters? When you provide them with contribution dollars of quite considerable amounts, in my mind, I’m thinking you probably have a lot more say than perhaps what you have done so far.
Maybe what needs to happen is to really sit down with the boards of the shelters, because I understand they have individual boards, and to really discuss in reality what are we facing here in Nunavut.
We have a lot of people who are homeless, jobless, and many times, it is because of addictions. Their families don’t want them in their homes. Their friends don’t want them in their homes.
Now the shelters don’t want them in their homes.
They say, “No, we have zero tolerance for anybody under any kind of influence.” These people are really vulnerable. They are still people.
We should still consider them as priorities too, especially because we don’t have the services that can help them get over their addictions. I think this is an area that we all have to work on.
All the homeless shelters are under grants and contributions.
I have instructed the DM and the staff to meet with the boards on what the agreements are and to review the services.
In the national roundtable on murdered and missing women, I talked briefly with the premier (interpretation) in Yellowknife, NWT. There were apparently four areas that have been identified for this study or review.
The shelters are open for the homeless people.
In English, they are called (interpretation ends) wet shelters. (interpretation) We will be also looking at other areas of this issue for Nunavut because we want to ensure we provide the best services possible for the people living in abject poverty.
In the case of homeless people, they can’t get accommodations, employment, income, and there are no employment options. That was what I was trying to clarify here.
The deputy minister will be meeting with the committee overlooking this issue to determine the next course of action. We expect some results. We also sign off the contribution agreements when they request funding.
Ms. Angnakak: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
That is a step in the right direction. I look forward to hearing the results of those discussions. I think we’re going to be more in reality when we start addressing the fact that many people who use the government’s services or shelters have addictions that need to be addressed.
I’m looking at my own list here. I just have one more question and that’s really to do with anti-poverty.
I know that my colleague touched on this a little bit, but you had mentioned that there have been quite a few meetings over the last few years when it comes to addressing poverty in Nunavut and that the strategy is not finalized.
I am wondering if you can tell us, in all the meetings that have happened over the last, I think it’s four years or maybe more, I’m not sure… . What message are you hearing? Poverty has many reasons why it’s in place.
You have your addiction.
You’ve got your homelessness and people are not employed or maybe they’re not educated. What are people from the community actually saying that the government should be doing? What should the government be doing to address… ?
Even though I know that you don’t have your strategy yet and there are some things I think that could come to mind, obviously, what could be done, but I’m just interested in just hearing what you have heard from the meetings coming back.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) From the meetings that I have personally attended, the strong voices were from elders and that parenting and being self-reliant was the number one issue for people to get out of poverty.
In following traditional Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, we were taught right from a young age to take care of ourselves right into adulthood, helping each other.
From that, they picked Inunnguiniq, parenting. That’s the one of the stronger ones that we receive from the round tables.
The other one was social assistance. How can we help people who are on social assistance? I think, from the round tables, the voice was how to better manage your money. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I went to one of the meetings and yes, I heard that as well.
I think some people had some very good advice, but when I think about the facts, if a family is hungry right now, which I’m sure there are a lot of families that are hungry, even people that we might be surprised to find out that that family is hungry.
I know that people have their own responsibilities to put food on their table, but for those that really seem to fall in the cracks and not really being able to meet the needs of their family, do you feel or what is the department’s stand on whether or not or how much of an intervention Family Services can do?
I know that you have income support, but is that meeting the needs of some families?
I understand that we have families who could be working and aren’t working, and I understand all of that. I think what I’m really trying to get at is the families that really can’t work. Maybe there is a disability issue or maybe there is a child care issue.
I don’t know what. Those kinds of families, do you feel you can address their needs through the door of income support or through the door of career counselling?
Do you know what I’m trying to get at? I’m trying to get at what more can you do. When someone is really hungry, what kind of intervention does the department do other than income support, if any?
I’m just trying to get an answer.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank my colleague for that question.
The Department of Family Services is working with human resources to work on the income support clientele capacity building related to enhancing their job readiness and preparation. In that manner, the income support clients will be encouraged to take courses related to job readiness training.
If you look at the overall financial picture, income support comprises a large portion of our expenditures. The possible training courses that we have looked at would decrease the amount spent on income support and increase the training funds.
That is our future objective to improve the lives of our residents and to wean them off income support.
Income support isn’t meant to be used solely for provision of foodstuffs, as one can’t survive on the minimum amounts.
As far as I am aware, many clients on income support suffer from food insecurity, our fellow Nunavummiut. That is why with food insecurity abounding in Nunavut, groups like (interpretation ends) Feeding My Family (interpretation) have been created to voice common concerns about the realities we face here in Nunavut.
With the objectives laid out in Sivumut Abluqta, the government wants to lay a better foundation for residents related to food security through gainful employment, just like the Department of Family Services wants to see a future where past clients hold permanent jobs after taking job skills training as part of the income support programming. That is our long-term vision.
I hope I answered the question.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) We are on Family Services.
Branch Summary. Corporate Management. (interpretation) Following my list of names, Mr. Enook.
Mr. Minister, witnesses, and staff, welcome to the proceedings.
I want to start off with page 117 within your business plan. I have a generic question to clarify some of the issues in my own mind.
Yesterday, our esteemed colleague walked out in protestation and I believe we all know his reasons. The reason was due to the government’s unwillingness to incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit in a meaningful manner, and that there aren’t enough plans written to implement them throughout the departments. Many members agreed with that assessment.
If you look at 117 of business plan, there is an objective laid out in the first bullet stating, “To use Inuit Societal Values as guiding principles for operating the department.” (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, (interpretation) can you provide the context or meaning behind this particular objective?
Can you provide one concrete example that illustrates the meaning behind this objective?
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you very much. (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister, Ms. Ugyuk.
The traditional Inuit knowledge or in this case, (interpretation ends) Inuit societal values (interpretation) have been written into the directive aimed at government operations.
I can’t recall how many there are, but these principles are what the Department of Family Services tries to implement, specifically dialogue, harmonious relations, skills training, and there are more, but these are some of the principles we try to follow in Family Services.
Perhaps a friendly reminder to the minister is there are eight guiding principles.
If I can reiterate my question, can you provide an example?
I am aware your past career was in social work, and I know you are very familiar with social services.
Can you provide an example where Inuit societal values are required? For, example, “The outcome that would have resulted has changed due to Inuit Qaujimajangat and values being incorporated.”
Can the minister provide any examples of cases where the departmental policies were changed due to incorporating Inuit societal values?
This is for my own comprehension.
With respect to social services and the member’s request for examples, since there are different areas within this field, they also have separate regulations they have to abide by in fulfilling those duties.
With respect to Inuit traditional knowledge, although the principles are there, they have to follow the legislation applicable to that field of work.
They aren’t written here. When talking about social services, some clients are quite distraught when they approach the social worker. Based on the client’s incident, they have to apply the specific regulations.
We have to follow the legislation and the process to change it, if the member is able to understand my response.
I could possibly understand only if my question is responded to in an understandable way, and I don’t think it was answered at all.
(interpretation ends) I’m just looking for an example where your department would have done something in particular on an issue, but because you have to take into consideration Inuit societal values, you have done it this way. Just give me an example where you use real Inuit societal values in a real situation.
That is all I’m asking. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ll ask my deputy minister to respond to that question.
The practice we use within all government departments, whenever legislation has to be drafted or amended, the request has to go through the (interpretation ends) cabinet (interpretation) for the changes requested.
We submit the request through the Department of Culture and Heritage by enquiring about the Inuktitut language specific to the request and if it is properly written and understandable.
This is just an example. We also are apprised by the department on their recommendations on the language corrections.
Another example I can provide here is the Income Assistance Program. If I went for assistance to buy food and presented myself to the income support worker, they conduct an interview in Inuktitut and provide advice on financial management to preserve funds.
Back in the old days, as I am no longer so young as well, our fathers and grandfathers used to advise us never to destroy anything.
This principle is used by the Department of Family Services.
If we are dealing with children and proper rearing techniques, another example I can use is which of the extended family is able to provide assistance. How can we work with the relatives to resolve the issue?
This is part of consensus building.  I can provide many examples of where Inuit culture is applied within the family services department.
If any person wants to go to a shelter and they have reached the end of their rope, whether it is a man or woman, whether it is physical abuse or mental abuse, whether it is related to alcohol or substance abuse, then the person would receive counselling on the options they may have.
I wanted these to be understandable and I used them as examples of the use of Inuit culture in our operations.
One of the examples she provided requires a response, as it illustrates perfectly the confusion I am faced with in this area.
As an example, if a person were to go the income support worker, they are properly advised to preserve their money and to try to extend it for the month.
Currency has never been part of the traditional Inuit culture, as Inuit had no money of any kind.
It is a global practice to use currency. This is a modern concept that (interpretation ends) every culture (interpretation) pushes for proper financial management. I believe every culture is steeped in proper usage of resources, regardless of whether it is money or some other resource.
That is what confuses the issue in my mind.
Modern Inuit are also very adamant about proper financial management, as Inuit we want our constituents to be fiscally responsible. Nonetheless, I believe the white culture pushes that principle, like the Chinese or Japanese or any other culture.
I don’t think this principle is specific towards Inuit traditional knowledge.
The other example that leads to my confusion requires another response.
She used an example of a spouse who has to go to a shelter. Many times we hear from the spouse left in the community that all of a sudden, their spouse has taken shelter in another community.
Is this an example of using Inuit traditional knowledge? Is it used in these cases?
I personally am not well versed in Inuit Qaujimajangat and have no clue about this knowledge, although I have heard snippets of IQ on occasion.
If you cite these examples, then we have to consider these issues as well.
On a personal level, I don’t believe that to be the case. However, if the government uses these examples, then so be it.
I want to move on, Mr. Chairman. On page 117, on the second bullet from the bottom, mind you I am reading the English wording and apologize for my lack of interpretation skills as I am trying to put them into Inuktitut, but it seems to be stating the following, “To improve the coordination of new and existing services to reduce homelessness in Nunavut.” I want to understand the reasoning behind this.
The (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister (interpretation) has publicly announced that there are only 90 homeless people in Nunavut. Is this wording specific only to the 90 homeless people in Nunavut?
There are shelters used by the homeless here in Iqaluit and the shelters are designed for them. The Iqaluk homeless shelter was (interpretation ends) designated (interpretation) as the recipient of funding locally, which I can use as an example. They are funded to operate the homeless shelter.
With respect to improving the operations, as per my earlier comments, meetings have been set up with the organization on improving operations.
Even with this process here in Iqaluit, we still see people occupying shacks, tents, and other inappropriate shelters. We are deliberating on this issue.
If communities want to create shelters, we would meet with the community and work with them. That is our plan for the future.
Let me clarify my question.
In your study on this subject, your statement was that there are 90 homeless people in Nunavut.
My only follow-up question on that is: this number you have written down is specifically for homeless people, this number of 90, yes or no?
Just to make it simpler.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The study was undertaken and the people who declared themselves homeless were counted. Generally, these are the people who use the shelter less during the spring and summer seasons, so that number may not be static.
The number changes depending on the season. Some people who have lost their units aren’t included.
This figure can certainly increase or decrease and the numbers can change from what we read here as it includes the (interpretation ends) shelters. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I doubt I will ever get an answer on this topic, so let me move to another.
On page 118 of your business plan, there is a section related to food insecurity and abject poverty that is written here.
I want to ask a question related to one of my colleagues’ question. If I am correct in recalling the member, I believe it was Mr. Mikkungwak. Last fall, I believe he raised the question on the timing of the meetings as he asked, “When will you stop discussing this in meetings and planning?”
When will you start implementing the recommendations that have been raised and stop this continuous round of meetings?
In our eyes, all you are doing is spending money on endless meetings.
My question is: when will the funds be released and available to assist the people experiencing food insecurity or living in poverty and not expend it on meetings?
This spring or this summer is when we have targeted to end these meetings on the Poverty Reduction Strategy. Nonetheless, I want my colleague to know that we have partners such as Nunavut Tunngavik on this issue. If there are contentious issues, we can only resolve them through meetings, but the family services department has identified the summer as the deadline.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On page 120 of your business plan, under Priorities (2016-17), it speaks about homeless people.
Mr. Chairman, I know that the Nunavut government refers to these people as being homeless, yet there is no mention of relatives constantly boarding with family or friends, including people who sleep on floors.
According to the government definition of homeless people, they have homes since they are boarding in someone’s home and therefore not a matter of concern.
The government is so proud of this small number seemingly, as they always spout those numbers from the study conducted, which is 90 homeless people. This is absolutely erroneous to call the other people boarding at homes as being in another category. They are sleeping in porches and the maintenance rooms of these units.
I had tried to ask this question and I’m going to ask it again. Madam Minister, in your eyes, what constitutes people under this term “homelessness”? Is it the same thing as the federal government’s definition of homelessness?
The issue my colleague raises regarding the people who board in other people’s homes have been counted by the Nunavut Housing Corporation and they have that information.
With the federal legislation, there is a definition included and I would ask that Brandon Grant respond to the definition of homelessness.
To answer the member’s question directly, there is no universal definition of homelessness. The study that our department focused on was absolute homelessness.
The federal government provides funding through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy with a housing-first focus as their priority for homelessness through their funding.
As well, the minister stated that through our grants and contributions, we provide funding to homeless shelters here in Nunavut.
I have one more question as my time allowance is ticking away, prior to it running out.
I believe we can talk about employees under this page and new employees especially.
I would like further clarification on this issue, which I imagine is spoken to in your business plan.
In your opening comments, Madam Minister, on page 2 in English, perhaps I skipped over it, but it seems to state that your department will be increasing its staff complement from 196.1 PYs to 205.1 PYs.
I just want further clarification on this or alternatively, if that information is available elsewhere, you can just direct me to the source explaining their roles.
I’ll stop here for now.
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Yes, they are new positions being created and perhaps I can get Brandon Grant to provide the details on this question.
The new positions within the Department and Family Services are two positions within corporate management, which are a manager of financial operations for income assistance as well as a position for a finance officer for income assistance. This is to build capacity within our department to help with the financial oversight of the Income Assistance Program. This is one of the measures.
In children and family services, we have created four new CSSW positions. This again is to create better capacity within our program areas for frontline social workers in the community.
Two will be located in Iqaluit, one in Kugluktuk, and one in Rankin Inlet.
As well, we have put forward a business case for three new positions within the Career Development Branch.
Those positions, again, are to build capacity within this branch by promoting our apprenticeship program.
We have two apprenticeship training officer positions that will be promoting our programs to employers and multiple stakeholders so that people know more about our programs for apprenticeship and recruiting apprentices and employers, as well as one certification and examination specialist position that will work within the apprenticeship unit here in headquarters.
Corporate Management. (interpretation) Following my list of names on page D-4, Mr. Shooyook.
The questions I had prepared have largely been asked by my colleagues, but I want to ask the (interpretation ends) Hon. Minister (interpretation) this question about the Income Assistance Program provided in Nunavut.
When the new fiscal year arrives, let’s say, is the number of recipients trending upwards this year due to the lack of employment opportunities in Nunavut?
I would like to know what your understanding of the numbers is. If you have the information, can you clarify that for my understanding?
Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank my colleague for asking for information about the numbers of recipients.
Yes, income support recipients have continued to increase primarily due to the number of young people reaching the age of eligibility, as that generation is much more numerous than adults.