EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
One of the key recommendations was crime prevention through social development. That would mean, through using our Department of Justice and working with other groups such as Health, possibly Family Services, and working with hamlets, we would focus on helping people develop skills in their communities or through working groups to upgrade or build their confidence levels, education, and just to give them the confidence to go through life in their communities and the territory.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I believe the minister needs to brush up on his Inuktitut skills.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, in its business plan the department also indicates that Ikajuqtigiinniq is a pilot project that will help ten communities to establish “community-specific crime prevention activities and interventions.”
Can the minister provide tell us which ten communities will be receiving support under this pilot project?
The 10 communities that are involved thus far would be:
Cambridge Bay, that’s a parenting program;
Cape Dorset, there’s a community level men’s support group;
Igloolik, there’s a sewing group established for women and girls;
In Pangnirtung we reopened the Pangnirtung Youth Centre;
In Rankin Inlet there’s an action plan still being developed;
In Taloyoak a partnership in support of the Polar Bike Project initiative;
In Baker Lake we will have youth and a chaperone attend the RPAN youth symposium;
In Sanikiluaq the action plan is still in the works, but it focuses on where youth can learn traditional skills;
In Kimmirut, unfortunately due to bad weather, it hampered the crime prevention meetings;
In Pond Inlet an action plan is still being developed, but it seems there will likely be a focus on abuse and food insecurity.
There are some very important initiatives in the 10 communities.
Mr. Joanasie (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The minister identified some of the communities, but can the minister provide us with examples of some “community-specific crime prevention activities or interventions” that may be introduced in those communities?
For example, he indicated that there’s a men’s support group.
What types of programs can the minister suggest that communities can initiate?
Again, in working with the community, it’s important that the community be involved.
We’re not going to tell them what they can and cannot do. If they work with the Department of Justice through our Crime Prevention Division and other departments… .
What works in one community may not work in another community.
If they want to hold meetings, make sure they contact the Crime Prevention Division.
Our focus or target groups are children and youth, the elders, victims of crime, and individuals convicted of crimes.
If projects were to focus on those four target groups, I’m sure that everybody would be very pleased and considerate.
Of course the action plan timeline is one, three and five years.
Just so this Crime Prevention Strategy doesn’t just go sit on the shelf and gather dust and really don’t have any benefits, I have asked that we get quarterly updates to myself or future ministers so we ensure that the strategy is having the results and the benefits that we intend it to have or hope it to have.
Again, the communities have to get engaged.
I would encourage MLAs and mayors listening to engage your community with the crime prevention folks and we will be more than pleased to send people in or set up meetings and engage the community.
Question 750 – 4(3): Meeting the Needs of Nunavut Seniors (Sammurtok, A)
Mr. Alexander Sammurtok: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation) Good morning to the people of Rankin Inlet and Nunavut.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Premier of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, on March 13, 2017 the Premier tabled a document titled Strategic Framework: Addressing the needs of Nunavut Seniors.
This document lists a number of programs and services which are in place for Nunavut seniors and indicates that it will be the framework for a new strategy.
On page 7 of the document it states, and I quote, “Elders establish the backbone of Nunavut culture and language and the Inuit fabric across communities.”
Mr. Speaker, if it is truly the case that elders are the backbone, then can the Premier explain why elders are still being sent out of their communities, away from their families, children and grandchildren, for long-term residential care?
Absolutely it has been one of our goals as MLAs to find ways to decrease the number of seniors being shipped down south for care.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, there are very few facilities here to maintain and take care of our seniors here within Nunavut and within our communities, especially the smaller communities.
Again, there are many different levels of care elders need. There is up to level 5 and these are specialized needs for the care of our elders.
One of the things we have been trying to do is to ensure that we find facilities and find budgeting to ensure that we have the ability to maintain our seniors and elders within their hometowns, within our territory to be taken care of.
That’s one of the things that we had been pushing to try to figure out ways to get more budget on that. There’s a little bit of money set aside by the federal government on that, but it’s very small. Of course that’s one of the things that we have talked about in the past too, that budgeting is very small.
I was very pleased that there are initiatives being made here in Iqaluit and other places. Other MLAs and mayors are trying to find ways to ensure that the government and our partners, the federal government, and the Nunavut government find ways to build facilities to maintain, to ensure that our elders are taken care of in Nunavut, especially in their hometowns.
As I indicated yesterday in my member’s statement, my wife does have an aunt who is 103 years old. The family wishes that she could be at home in Kugluktuk, but we don’t have the facilities there to take care of our seniors like that.
They need specialized care.
Once there are opportunities to put a budget in there for facilities to take care of our elders in many different levels, 1 to 4 or 1 to 5, we will still have to continually ship our elders down south for that specialized care, especially 3, 4, and 5.
Mr. Speaker, the process is set.
There’s a strategy in place to ensure that we find ways to maintain and keep our elders here at home in Nunavut.
The document tabled by the Premier also states that “Priorities include ensuring greater access to long-term care facilities in Nunavut.”
Can the Premier provide an update on what specific steps are currently being taken to establish more long-term care facilities in Nunavut?
Again I thank the member for that question. Mr. Speaker, just recently several months ago a seven-bed facility was opened in Cambridge Bay in a wing of the regional hospital there. That’s one of the things that we did as a government to find facilities and infrastructure where we could actually put space in and beds for the care of our elders.
That’s one of the ways.
Although it’s a small number, seven beds, we do want to increase that and I encourage all members to ensure that their communities and their hamlet mayors write the MLAs and the government to ensure that we stay on top of that.
As you know, there are a couple of initiatives already underway. I don’t know exactly where that sits at.
There’s preplanning for expansion for Igloolik facilities and already a budget allocated for that.
We want to try to maintain our elders within Nunavut, but we do have to ensure that they’re well taken care of and at this point we don’t have the facilities. Again I’ve got to thank the people of Iqaluit and the MLA for Niaqunnguut that have made efforts to get facilities established here in Iqaluit. I’ve got to thank my mayor and the community of Kugluktuk in making efforts in trying to find ways to establish and build a facility to take care of our seniors at home.
I recognize that the government must evaluate needs before taking action to address them.
However, a number of comprehensive studies have already taken place and needs have already been identified.
Can the Premier explain why the government has not taken concrete action to meet such identified needs as the establishment of more long-term care facilities in Nunavut?
Again, for the most part, as a territorial government, we do run up against a brick wall in some cases where we do need money and budgeting for certain types of initiatives.
That’s one of the things we face constantly: the lack of funds to get the things that we want that we consider as a priority.
There are many needs.
Again, I’ve got to thank the health minister and the finance minister that pushed very hard when they were negotiating the new Canada Health Accord, the Canada health transfers for specific items like that.
There are some things that were set aside for mental wellness and seniors’ care by the federal government. Again, I’ve got to say that it’s not enough to get some of these things on the move. It’s very small amounts of money.
It’s very difficult to increase the amounts that we get from the federal government, but I’ve got to say that during the month of December I’m sure many hours every day were spent on the phone between the three of us, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Health, and me, to try to increase our health budgets from Canada.
As you know, Mr. Speaker, the amounts of the health transfers from Canada to all jurisdictions were cut. I can’t recall the exact number, but it is approximately by $60 billion over 10 years for all jurisdictions.
You can see why it’s very difficult to get any kind of infrastructure and program money for such type of initiatives.
Question 751 – 4(3): Need for a Kivalliq Elders Facility (Sammurtok, T)
This is a perfect follow-up to my colleague’s questions. Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Health.
(interpretation) Mr. Speaker, the need for more long-term care for residents in the Kivalliq region has been discussed many times in this House. I am confident that the minister will be very familiar with this issue.
As our elders are aging, the number of Rankin Inlet residents needing long-term care is steadily growing.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, can the minister describe how his department evaluates the level of need for long-term care for senior residents in Nunavut’s communities and how his department decides where to place elders in long-term care facilities?
When we are talking about care for elders, it hits all of us.
We all have family members that are either approaching senior age of needing increased care or at least we know somebody.
When a person is assessed clinically, it’s a clinical review or assessment of what level of need that they require of care and it’s between level 1, which is a very low need, to level 5, which is a very high need usually associated with dementia or very severe health cases.
When we are looking at placement for Nunavummiut in facilities, first of all I would like to say that we do our best to keep them at home for as long as possible. We have a very good home and community care division and teams throughout the territory that work very hard to keep our elders or people of increasing health care needs at home.
Where the need does arise where we actually have to place them in a facility, we first look in-house. We do have facilities in Igloolik, Gjoa Haven, and Cambridge Bay with increased beds recently. We also have some lower level care facilities that the Department of Health has just recently taken responsibility back in Baker Lake and Arviat.
First of all it’s based upon the level of need and what beds are available in the territory.
As a last resort we do send people out of territory through contract on a case-by-case basis. There has been a recent RFP sent out for a more stable amount of beds. As members are aware, we’ve got quite a few of our residents at Embassy West in Ottawa, who are able to provide a very high level of care for our residents, but it’s still not in the territory.
It’s something that we’re continuously working towards with partners.
As the Premier mentioned, there are a couple of groups that we’re aware of that are working very diligently to provide infrastructure space so that the Department of Health would be able to utilize those services in the territory. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
To date I am aware of at least seven Rankin Inlet elders who have had to leave the community for long-term care. There may even be more.
Would the minister agree that, as the numbers grow, it would be more economically viable for the government to keep our elders at home in a community-based long-term care facility?
I can’t speak to exact numbers on how economical it would be. Like I had mentioned, we do have facilities in the territory that in my opinion aren’t as economical as they could and should be.
As the Premier mentioned, we’re looking at doing a preplanning feasibility of the Igloolik facility to look at how we can make it more economical, I guess if you want to say that.
In addition the Gjoa Haven facility is a very similar structure with the same number of beds of 10.
We’re looking at making sure that resources that we allocate can look at making sure that we’re more efficient and still able to provide a high level of care.
That being said, we currently don’t have any facilities in the territory that provide level 5 care.
I would have to see an example of a business case and actual numbers before I could say whether it’s more fiscally responsible to have a facility here in the territory versus sending people out of territory.
That being said, there is also a human factor when we’re talking about keeping our Nunavummiut in the territory for care.
That is obviously a preferred option.
I recognize that at the beginning of the current fiscal year on April 1 the Department of Health became the department responsible for providing support for all elders facilities, including those that were previously under the Department of Family Services.
Will the minister commit to evaluating the need for long-term care across all of Nunavut communities and work towards opening new facilities where they are needed the most?
As our aging population or our demographic of our aging population continues to increase, this is something our long-term and continuing care division constantly looks at and evaluates.
With regard to putting facilities in, again, as the Premier had mentioned, it’s a very difficult challenge. Some of the facilities that the member mentioned are run by societies that we contract to provide care.
We all know how long it takes to get a project on the capital plan, but if there are third parties and partners available out there that are looking at investing in infrastructure and facilities such as this, it would be something that the department would obviously look very favourably upon to provide that level of care in the territory.
With regard to the member’s question on the facilities that we have taken over, the transition team worked very hard to make sure that it was a smooth transition and I’m very happy with the progress that has been taking place at this point.
Question 752 – 4(3): Nunavut Housing Corporation Capital Plan (Mikkungwak)
As the minister will recall, the Legislative Assembly approved $4.9 million in capital funding during the fall 2016 sitting for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to begin construction on a much-needed new warehouse and office complex for Baker Lake’s local housing organization.
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s tender for this project closed on March 31, 2017, just over two months ago.
Can the minister confirm what company has been awarded the contract for this work and when the construction will begin?
Today is Friday, but let me start by thanking my colleague for his question.
As today is Friday and the (interpretation ends) weekend (interpretation) is approaching, I wanted to leave him with a smile.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad to be able to say today in response to his question that the contract has been awarded and the construction is scheduled to take place this summer.
This will include the office for the housing authority, including the (interpretation ends) workshop (interpretation) to house the maintainers’ equipment. That is how it will be designed. Mr. Speaker, we expect it to be completed by 2019, most likely in the fall.
With respect to which company was awarded the contract, as per his question, I don’t have that information, but I can provide it to the member later.
I also thank the minister. (interpretation ends) As the minister will recall, the Legislative Assembly also approved capital funding during the fall 2016 sitting for the Nunavut Housing Corporation to begin construction on five much-needed new staff housing units for Baker Lake.
Yes, what the member says is true. There are five staff housing units that will be constructed under the NHC that GN employees will occupy, which is scheduled for the 2017-18 fiscal year in Baker Lake. Five units will be constructed.
As to which company has that contract, it is the only detail not included in the information I have, but the contract was awarded and construction will begin as scheduled for these five GN staff housing units. I will have to research the company awarded the contract in our departmental files.
Once I have the information as to which company it is, I will ensure I provide it to my colleague.
As the minister is aware, the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s public housing allocation formula did not result in any new public housing units being scheduled for construction in Baker Lake during the current 2017-18 fiscal year.
Can the minister confirm if the Nunavut Housing Corporation will review Baker Lake’s numbers before any final decisions are made with respect to public housing construction during the upcoming 2018-19 fiscal year?
Mr. Speaker, I always state that it is a very important issue whenever the question comes up about which community will be getting housing units. With a widespread shortage of housing in Nunavut, we never have enough money.
Because of its importance, the housing corporation is working closely with local housing organizations to put together a list of priorities as to which communities will be getting the new units that will be constructed. We always use the same formula.
We look at the communities that are most in need. That’s what we base our decisions on.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to assure my colleague that the work is continuing and we look at the communities that are in the most need for new public housing units.
Bills 27, 45, and 46 with Mr. Enook in the Chair.
>>House recessed at 10:40 and Committee resumed at 10:53
Before we get started, Nunavummiut who are watching the televised proceedings and listening to the radio broadcast, welcome to your committee.
Mr. Mikkungwak (interpretation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) We wish to continue with the review of Bill 45, followed by Bill 46.
You didn’t have to rush, did you?
Does the committee agree that we first deal with Bill 45?
Bill 45 – Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 2, 2017-2018 – Consideration in Committee
Yesterday we were considering this bill and we left off on page 12, so I’ll return to that page.
I would first like to ask Minister Peterson if he has officials that he would like to join him at the witness table.
Yes, Mr. Chairman, I have two witnesses I would like to bring in.
Minister Peterson would like to have officials with him at the witness table. Do you agree?
Minister Peterson, for the record, please introduce your officials. Minister Peterson.
To my right is Jeff Chown, Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance. To my left is Eiryn Devereaux, Acting Deputy Minister of Community and Government of Services.
Mr. Chown and Mr. Devereaux, welcome to the House.
We can proceed where we left off yesterday. Bill 45. Page 12.
Turn the page. Page 13. Community and Government Services.
Capital. Not Previously Authorized. Total Community and Government Services. $49,898,000.
On page 13, I would like clarification on the Baker Lake garage floor for $500,000.
When is this work scheduled to begin and can you indicate the completion date?
I believe the work has been contracted to begin and the project will be completed in November 2017.
Sorry, can I get clarification?
We’re on pages 12 and 13, correct? Okay.
To start off with, can I get further explanation for Item 1, $24,258,000, the energy management project in the Kivalliq? I understand that this is not an actual cash transaction, but maybe the minister can clarify what this project involves.
Because it’s a fairly complex question that involves accounting, I’m going to ask Deputy Minister Chown to answer that question.
This project is going to do energy management retrofits. It is going to do retrofits to Government of Nunavut facilities in the Kivalliq region. The intent of this project is that the savings that are generated from reduced energy costs will be used to pay for the costs of the upgrades.
The appropriation that’s before you today is what we have called a non-cash appropriation. This contract, although it is not a capital asset per se, is a large long-term contract that we’re entering into with multi-year payments. What we have brought before the Assembly today is an appropriation for the present value of those estimated future payments under the contract.
That’s so the Assembly has an opportunity to vote on the full scope of this project before the contract is entered into.
Just to be clear, the retrofits that will be taking place are for GN-owned buildings.
That’s correct, only Government of Nunavut-owned buildings.
Moving along to a different project, the Cape Dorset Baler Shear, it says that you’re carrying over $79,000. From my understanding, this equipment was to be used to help clean up the debris of the Cape Dorset school that burned down. Can the minister clarify why they have to carry over some money for that project and what’s intended for this equipment moving forward?
The plan this summer, working with the Hamlet of Cape Dorset, is to provide training to local people.
This summer and subsequent summers we will move the baler around to other communities to provide those services in those communities.
The other project listed here is the Kimmirut Waste Water Treatment, a carryover of $625,000. I was looking at the substantiation sheet for this project under the scope of work. On page 3 of 4 it says that “CGS is in the process of looking into some promising new wastewater treatment technologies that may be suitable for Kimmirut.”
I’m wondering if this new technology is already currently being used in Nunavut.
I’m going to deflect that question to the Minister of Community and Government Services, Minister Savikataaq.
Minister Savikataaq, if you would like to respond to the question, I now give you the opportunity to do so.
Can the member just rephrase the last part of his question? I didn’t get it.
Chairman (interpretation): Thank you. (interpretation ends) Mr. Joanasie, rephrase it.
Under the scope of work for this project, it says that “CGS is in the process of looking into some promising new wastewater treatment technologies that may be suitable for Kimmirut.”
Is this new technology already being used in Nunavut?
Minister Peterson gave the question to Minister Savikataaq. I would like Minister Savikataaq to continue responding to the question.
Do you understand the question now?
We’re always looking at new technologies in terms of sewage lagoons and we might put a different kind of screening material to hold back certain types of solids or particulars or contaminants.
I’m not sure if what we’re looking at is currently being used everywhere, but we’re always looking for better-priced items that we can use to get the job done.
I can’t say for sure what the new technology is, but I can assume that it’s a different kind of screening or material to filtrate the sewage lagoon.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
Also for this project it says in the substantiation that the carryover is required to continue from the design phase to construction.