EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
We try to do the best we can, but then again, Nunavut Arctic College is also involved in setting up the training program as it’s very important when you’re trying to get a certificate or a Red Seal in a particular trade.
Maybe I can give them the concern you have.
Chairman: Ms. Angnakak:
I thank the minister for his response. We look forward to hearing more about how the department is working towards making sure that the proper components are in place at the trade school so that people can get and be accredited for the courses that they take.
In your business plan you also talk about changes made to the Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupations Certification Act and you made these changes through the regulations.
Can you describe how the regulations have changed and what specific impact this will have on the programs and policies associated with the legislation?
Hon, Johnny Mike: (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (interpretation ends) Yes, there are probably five or so that have been identified to the apprenticeship program review; changes to the trade designation order based on consultations with industry; expand the occupational designation order; improve the process to apply for an apprenticeship and that’s where you already mentioned about; and to increase promotional activity, visibility, and communications; and work closely with the Nunavut Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Board.
On the legislation proposed changed, I think my DM or my director probably can define it better in terms of the technical side of the proposed minor change.
Mr. Chairman, give me a minute here.
(interpretation) I apologize. Our corporate director will give you an explanation.
Ms. Modesto-Vardy.
What we have so far is that the apprenticeship program is currently under review and we had it completed around September 2016. Changes will be presented, as the minister stated earlier, identifying those actions that will be included in that review.
I think it’s really something to look at. We know the trade school is fairly new, we want it to work well, and we want to try to have the whole course to be delivered in Nunavut.
In that way I am really interested in how your department works with Nunavut Arctic Collage when it comes to accreditation and the Red Seal. I think there needs to be a really close relationship there. (interpretation) That’s all. (interpretation ends) Mr. Chairman, (interpretation) that was just a comment.
Next name on the list, Mr. Shooyook.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to welcome the minister, the deputy minister, and the director.
The question I was going to ask was asked already.
Perhaps I will refer back to your opening comments if you would allow me.
If I may, I have a question on your opening comments in the Inuktitut copy on page 2.
In the proposed 2017-18 main estimates for the Department of Family Services the operating budget is $113,162,000, which is an increase of 0.3 percent, or $419,000, over last year’s main estimates. “The staff complement for the department has increased from 216.63 PYs in 2016-17 to 228.7 PYs in the proposed 2017-18 main estimates.”
Can you elaborate further on that?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Thank you. I also thank my colleague for asking that question.
The $138,262,000 is $3 million less than last year’s budget.
As I indicated earlier, the elders’ homes now fall under the Department of Health.
The budget of $138 million is an increase of 0.3 percent, which is not even 1 percent, or $419,000.
I can’t really tell you exactly where that slight increase is, but the staff complement for the department has increased from 216 PYs in 2016-17 to almost 229 PYs in the 2017-18 main estimates.
Those have been approved and funded, but there are approximately 154 PYs and there are quite a large number of vacancies.
I would like you to know that in 2017-18 there are 228 PYs, but we have to make sure that they’re properly funded and there are a lot of vacancies.
The $419,000, as I indicated earlier in my opening comments, is geared towards suicide prevention.
Inunnguiniq and parenthood are also dealt with so that new and young parents get training on proper child rearing. I also mentioned that suicide prevention is covered and for child sexual abuse that need to be addressed.
That’s out of the $419,000 towards suicide prevention and child sexual abuse.
We have to provide support for victims of child sexual abuse and this is where the $419,000 has been added for those programs.
Everything else has remained pretty much the same.
There are some changes, but they don’t increase the amount of money. $138 million might sound like a lot, but it’s not.
The amount of $138 million is what you as members have identified and we think this will be adequate for now to provide those types of programs that I mentioned.
Mr. Shooyook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I also thank you for that explanation.
Victims of child sexual abuse are scarred for the rest of their lives, so it’s very important that we provide services to those individuals who need help.
It’s something that’s very sad and sometimes leads to suicide.
Once a suicide is committed, all of Nunavut is affected.
You indicated that there are still quite a number of vacancies.
Due to the importance of these positions, within the 2016-17 plans towards the end of the fiscal year, I wonder if the positions you referenced can be filled that are related to suicide prevention and sexual abuse.
Will all of these positions be filled or do you anticipate them remaining vacant, even though this is a very important sector?
Can you please clarify that for me?
I believe we mentioned the 228 funded positions that have been approved.
As I stated earlier, there are only 154 positions that have been filled out of those 228 positions. Further, the seven community positions related to child and family protection services where the social workers for this branch will be employed include Arctic Bay as one of the listed communities.
With respect to suicide prevention efforts, once the positions are filled, it would alleviate some of the problems we face.
The social workers in the communities are also being trained in the changes to the operations of the Department of Family Services and how they can better support their clients.
They are aware of these challenges.
However, training and education are two areas we are trying to increase our efforts.
We all concur that suicide is unacceptable. I have experienced it personally, as I lost a family member, and you get placed in a very difficult situation. I have first-hand knowledge.
Once a person has suicidal thoughts and wants to commit suicide, nobody can stop them.
I have experienced this myself.
Even though we offer everything to benefit our relatives, they can still commit suicide unexpectedly.
Even when provided with resources they need, loving care and life experiences, once a person has suicidal thoughts, even if they are in a good place or not, the decision that I am talking about can occur.
When I experienced suicide, I happened to read an article from the United States to determine how others have dealt with their losses.
Last year approximately 44,000 people committed suicide. 44,000 people! What have the survivors undergone?
With the idea of suicide prevention and building up particular measures to help those at risk, we may have some success in preventing suicides.
Even with all of these efforts, if people don’t care about the impact and don’t bother with the individual who may be suicidal, the government could introduce all sorts of laws and funding, but you can’t change the mind of a person who has become suicidal.
It is obvious that suicide prevention is a good idea, but it is obvious that as a government and the Department of Family Services, we are trying to assist in programs to combat suicide and looking at ways to combat suicidal thoughts.
It has been the subject of much study and work for many years.
Again, we welcome anybody who may have a personal initiative. If they can identify themselves, it would really provide tangible assistance, even if it is outside of our government programs.
However, what I am referencing here are the services Nunavummiut feel are part of what is missing in this area, my colleague.
Chairman: Mr. Shooyook
I also thank the minister, as quality of life is exceedingly important and it is a critical matter.
In following Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, there are experts in our communities, although the numbers are dwindling.
I wonder if this position can only be handled by people with formal education related to life counselling skills.
As an example, we have nurses who are educated in mental health.
I know of a few elders who have the same level of knowledge but specific to traditional ways that are used to decipher whether certain lifestyles can become problematic.
Is using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit completely out of the picture?
Can you clarify that for my understanding about traditional Inuit counselling?
Trying to have a good quality of life is supported by the Department of Family Services and the different government departments that are trying to do something about it.
When a request is submitted by a community or if an enquiry has been submitted on the issue related to the quality of life or healthy living, collaboration is the first part of that.
Further, the mandate of the government is to abide by the eight Inuit cultural principles listed and that is the foundation of the work we try to accomplish.
They are included in this process.
I am aware that residents without formal training provide assistance outside of government practices by using the traditional Inuit cultural knowledge.
It is now a requirement as more anecdotal evidence supports this knowledge. Earlier today the Minister of Culture affirmed that when he was asked about the issue.
Yes, we are trying to use Inuit values, specifically revolving around collaboration and partnership where the quality of life can be improved.
Again, it will be contingent on funding availability, as the quality of life will require operational funding.
As you stated earlier, Arctic Bay has been included in this initiative and this is gratifying.
Nevertheless, operational funding will be required.
I want to ask when you could hire people in Arctic Bay in the short-term future, such as 2018, as it will have to include the housing related to the position.
My question is: when will this work commence and in which fiscal year?
I would like clarification on the dates.
Requests for office space have been proceeding.
Because of the fact that there was no office space, we have been using CGS to help us find office space. I know that they have been looking for office space and they’re working on it.
Arctic Bay is included.
There were some office spaces that were approved.
This is not new information.
We have been looking for office spaces for the staff of the Department of Family Services.
It has not proceeded because of the lack of space. There have been some requests for proposals looking for office space in the affected communities.
We’re on page D-4.
The first question I would like to ask is in your opening comments on page 4 under the Income Assistance Branch.
It states here, “people 18 years of age and over and their dependants.”
If I understand the question correctly, it means that if you are over the age of 18, you’re eligible for income support.
I believe that is the question.
If they live in Nunavut, that is what it says and that is a plan for the future.
It’s an effort to help people become more independent and if necessary, they can get income support. That is what it’s trying to say.
My other question was already asked about poverty reduction.
I would like clarification and I’ll ask about it. It wasn’t actually asked, but it was sort of touched up on.
The things that are sold in the stores in the smaller communities are the most expensive in all of Nunavut, if not the entire world.
What are your thoughts on the store owners? Will this initiative help the stores to be able to provide more food for the people that need income support?
We know that retail stores in any community in Nunavut have very different prices. For example, because of the small airstrip in Pangnirtung, everything that is brought in is raised by 30 percent even before they get the store markup.
The Department of Family Services is always trying to find solutions along with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation and in partnership with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated to do something about the high cost of food and other items.
Through the Canadian government’s Nutrition North program, we’re always trying to see how we can maximize its impact on food prices.
If the policy was changed and if the Nutrition North program was changed, we could look more closely on the food consumed by young people and children and how to make greater reductions for their benefit under the Nutrition North Canada Program. My department as well tries to teach proper money management when it comes to budgeting for food.
That’s what we try to promote to them.
It is very hard to work on the store prices because we can’t control what prices they charge.
Under existing legislation, the Department of Family Services is working with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated and the regional Inuit organizations.
We also work along with the Department of Family Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Environment, the Department of Culture, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, the Department of Finance, the housing corporation, Community and Government Services, and the groups in the communities or anyone or private businesses, hamlets and communities.
I wanted to explain who we’re working in trying to do something about the high cost of food.
I would like to ask a question about something else.
Suicide prevention was touched up on earlier.
We know that suicide prevention is very challenging work.
As the minister was talking about it, the mind can be very strong; it can be even stronger than the physical body.
Our elders have talked about it and it’s very true what they say, although I’ve never had to go through it.
The question I would like to pose is: does the staff in your department work with other groups like NTI, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, and other RIAs, the government, the Department of Justice, Health, or the federal government?
Do you work with any of those groups on suicide prevention?
With suicide prevention, the work is done in collaboration with the Department of Health.
The Government of Nunavut tabled a suicide prevention initiative plan to lower the numbers of suicides in Nunavut.
This initiative was quite strong.
The groups I mentioned are our partner agencies, all three regional Inuit associations, as they also have their own initiatives designed for that. It included how government can provide more resources to combat suicide.
There are quite a number of organizations that are involved in this initiative.
Furthermore, with the numbers of groups already involved and with various departments in the Nunavut government, pretty well all departments are involved.
The Department of Family Service has primarily taken on the suicide prevention file.
As I stated earlier, the social workers from the Children and Family Services Branch will be involved. This includes the various matters that I already alluded to earlier about child abuse, whether it is sexual abuse, or in trying to teach Inuit social skills.
These are various means that our department can utilize.
However, we are working in conjunction with many organizations.
As well, over the five years that the groups have worked together, NTI and the Department of Family Services, amongst others, will work to come up with new plans.
This is being done in partnership with the Department of Health.
This involves plans and work timelines.
Yes, it is quite a challenging issue, but I just spoke to what our department is involved in now.
Moving on to a different topic, please let me know if I’m asking questions on the wrong page, but I want to get clarification on the opening comments.
I’ll read it in English.
In the (interpretation ends) Director of Child and Family Services 2015-16 Annual Report (interpretation) specifically related to the protection of children and youth, it speaks to the protection of a child, including perhaps teenagers.
In relation to this usage of the word “child,” what is the definition or age category?
I would like clarification on this matter and that is why I am asking about it.
Perhaps you can allow my deputy minister to respond to that question.
With respect to child-related services in the 2015 report that he referred to where it speaks to children requiring protection, it ranges from 12 to 16 years of age.
We provide different levels of services, for example, following the legislation that mandates our work.
Although there aren’t too many references to adults, if they have any kind of disability, then the Department of Family Services provides assistance to them.
Regarding foster children as well as apprehended children, the ages range from 12 and younger.
If the child is 12 or 14 years of age, the support has to be provided following the legislation.
I raised that question because it is related to social counselling services.
When an Inuk deals with counselling services, irrespective of their age or stage in life, if they are suffering from mental health issues, they may become suicidal at any time and it would be hard to determine that.
Taking that into consideration of a child who may have experienced abusive situations, they may become distressed. When they become distressed, they may become suicidal as well.
I wonder how social workers would be able to provide immediate counselling.
With this government, would there need to be triggers to initiate that?
Mr. Chairman, this will be my second-last question.
In my opening comments I said that child sexual abuse is linked to suicide.
As the Department of Family Services, we are working on various ways with the Nunavut government in regard to this issue along with the Department of Health.
As the Department of Family Services, I’m sure that in our action plan for child rearing, child sexual abuse is one of our priorities.
Our priority for fiscal year 2017-18 is to deal with child sexual abuse and reduce its incidence.
There has to be improvements we can make and that is why we are starting to make plans based on proper child rearing.
I am continually talking about the need to deal with this pressing issue.
With the Department of Family Services’ plan, suicide prevention is included in there.
We’re at Family Services.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Chairman, for allowing me to ask another question.
I would like to get clarification on funding for homelessness and poverty reduction. It’s included on page D-4 under Corporate Management.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the minister: how do you define a person being homeless?
Within the Department of Family Services, their clients can become homeless when their home burns down.
There are various programs for the homeless.
You can become homeless by either being evicted from your home or it could be absolute homelessness outside of an emergency, becoming homeless from an actual unit.
That’s the definition.
I know that there might be some people living in shacks and tents, not a real house.
If they become homeless from a house, they can be considered as homeless.
If an individual lives in a shack, are they considered not homeless or if they live in a tent, under your definition, they are not homeless?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Well, we now live in large apartment buildings. A person who is not living in these units is called homeless. That is the definition of homeless.
Today we may live in a house with bedrooms or in public housing units.
If there is an individual who lives outside of public housing, when they have no home, they are called homeless.
In order to have a complete understanding on this issue, if the person isn’t in a housing corporation housing unit or in a government staff housing unit and they don’t own a private home, is that the definition of a homeless person?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Yes, that’s the definition.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for clarifying that to me.
I have been asking this question for the last five years now perhaps.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to get back to an error.
First of all, Mr. Chairman, I apologize to you and let me apologize to my colleagues.
When I referred to the amendments to the Act having received assent, I said it was on page 139.
I had the January business plan, but it’s on page 138 in the new business plan. I was off by one page. I was looking at January’s business plan.
I know that the status has not changed, even though it’s on page 138.
The status of that has not changed, but I apologize for using the January business plan.
We got the updated version and I was off by a page, but the sentence remains the same.
I apologize first of all.
Mr. Chairman, in regard to the status that’s written in the business plan, it says that the Act received assent. Minister Mike, you said that it received assent during the fall sitting.
I think it’s evident and again I might be wrong because we all make mistakes. I believe that the status needs correction. I believe that you agreed that this needs correction.
I would like to ask you, Minister Mike: can you agree with me that the status here is written wrong?
As I said before, I want to leave it at that because I want to check the way it is written with our lawyer.
I want to check it with our legal counsel before the completion of the review.
Perhaps someone from the Department of Justice can assist me in regard to this.
I would like to look into it first so that I can respond accordingly.
We will allow Minister Mike to consider this and he needs to consult with a legal counsel.
Therefore I move that the consideration of the proposed 2017-18 main estimates of the Department of Family Services be deferred.
We have to get the motion translated, so we will take a 10-minute break.
>>Committee recessed at 18:13 and resumed at 18:28
There’s a motion in front of you.
To the motion. Mr. Enook.
The way the motion is written is very clear on the intent, so I’m just asking for support.
Before the motion is passed, I would like to apologize to the House for the error now that I am aware of it.
It is an error. It should have stated in English... .
The wording is wrong. (interpretation ends) At the time the business plan was drafted, assent was anticipated. (interpretation ends) That’s how it was supposed to be.
Chairman: Does the mover have… ? To the motion.
Based on Minister Mike’s comments, I withdraw my motion.
Mr. Enook (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me an opportunity.
In reference to the minister’s, it’s clearly written in error.
I would to ask, has the incorrect wording affect any part of your business plan?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): No, it doesn’t affect anything else.
I would like to ask Minister Mike: as soon as a replacement page with proper wording is available, can you provide that copy for us to keep?
Hon. Johnny Mike (interpretation): Yes, I can provide one.
Total Operations and Maintenance, to be Voted. $8,471,000.
I have a short question for clarification.
I think this is for residential care due to lack of facilities in Nunavut for people with mental health issues or who need continuing care.
I think that’s in there. I think I have asked the minister in the House before on this issue. Yes, I have asked him before when we were in question period.
With respect to clients sent outside of Nunavut, when they reach 20 years of age, they can only be visited once annually.
There are regulations pertaining to this matter. Further, the minister responded that he would look into the matter about this singular visit.
I want to ask the minister a question. I wonder if this is mentioned in the business plan and whether this has been changed based on the request to review this requirement.