EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
The Health Board has in place a policy to allow for operational requirements and to make sure the standard of care is there on the absenteeism or when a nurse leaves to go somewhere else, or indeed, if the nurse is going to be replaced. If the nurse chose to stay in the community that would be up to her.
That is my understanding Mr. Speaker.
Question 78 - 1 (2): Contract for Transitional Plans on Health and Education Boards
Mr. Speaker my question is to the Premier, and I’ll understand if the Premier doesn’t have all the details to provide to the House, but today if he could possibly give some background.
Mr. Speaker, a few days ago I posed a question to the Minister of Health and Social Services regarding a contract that we thought was awarded to study, to review I guess, some models that would be used with, I believe, the Health Board and the Department of Education.
You were absent at the time, Mr. Premier and the response was that they were not aware that the contract may have been awarded.
Mr. Picco responded later in a written response that indeed it was awarded to a Mr. David Ramsden the former Minister, or Deputy Minister rather, of Health and Social Services of the NWT.
I wonder, Mr. Premier whether or not you could provide us with some details as to how the contract was awarded, whether it was sole source, and the value of the contract?
Mr. O'Brien when you are asking a question please refer to the Speaker.
Hon. Paul Okalik: It relates to the Minister of Health Portfolio, I believe that my colleague could answer that question.
Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that it is not an actual contract that is in place.
It is actually an employment contract.
The person has been hired by the Department of the Executive to do projects on behalf of the Government.
One of those projects indeed would be looking at the amalgamation of the Health Boards into one, what type of an organizational plan would we have in place after March 31/2000.
Mr. Speaker whether it is a contract, a sole source contract, an employment contract, whatever, it is still a form of a contract, an agreement. If it wasn’t a sole source contract, were there any invitations I guess, for other parties to have an opportunity to take on this study or review.
For example, just to get to the point here, I am just curious as to whether there was nobody in Nunavut who could have done this study as opposed to going out to the GNWT or to somebody else outside of this new Territory?
Mr. Speaker it is not a study.
Indeed what Mr. Ramsden is trying to do, and the guy has been a former Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, and a former Deputy Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, right now is doing a Doctoral Thesis on organizational systems.
It is an employment contract.
Working for the Department.
It is not a contract, so it wouldn’t have been issued on an RFP.
He has been hired.
He is an employee. I don’t know if that clarifies how the man has been put in place.
He has not been hired by my Department, he was hired by the Department of the Executive and is doing work on behalf of the Executive and one of the projects that this man is working on is the organizational chart for the Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board, the Keewatin Health and Social Services Board, and the Kitikmeot Regional Health and Social Services Board on how the Department will be, how the Department of Health will be after the dissolution of the Boards after March 31, 2000.
Third supplementary, Mr. O'Brien.
Excuse me Mr. O'Brien, your mike.
Mr. O'Brien: Mr. Speaker.
I am not sure if the Minister is intentionally trying to avoid answering my question but it would seem to me that there would have to have been some kind of process in place for the selection of such an individual to do this study, or this work.
And it is my understanding, I believe that Mr. Ramsden was the Deputy of Health and Social Services in the GNWT when we had such very, very serious problems with our health care in the Keewatin.
And I will get back to my question.
Was there not anybody else in Nunavut who could have done this work?
Call it a study, call it work, call it employment, whatever.
I am sure it is a short-term project that will end in a few months so that is the question.
Mr. Speaker I don’t think anyone here wants to look at, or try to begrudge or impugn any type of handling of a job done by someone previously.
I don’t think that is what we are here for.
I think the point is that Mr. Ramsden had the expertise, he had specialized knowledge, he did work with the Boards when they were under the GNWT.
He has actually worked on a doctoral thesis.
He has the expertise needed.
Specialized expertise, familiarity with our Boards, the operating structures of the Department of Health as it is right now and indeed, looking at the reorganization of same.
If there is someone in Nunavut that could do it, I don’t know.
The point was, Mr. Speaker, that indeed the announcement was only made three short weeks ago.
I met with the Health Board people, we wanted to get someone in place right away, the members here have asked for the organizational chart, we cannot have it both ways.
So the person has the expertise, he is on the ground, he is working right now, he is on a contract with the Executive there is no hiding of any facts.
There is no mystery, no controversy indeed Mr. Speaker there is nothing being hidden here.
It is all open.
So I would like to say again, I guess that the guy has the expertise and specialized knowledge and everything.
And I wouldn’t want to impugn any motive as to what he was doing previously when he was the Deputy Minister.
I think the point has been made that the guy was hired.
He is on a short-term contract.
He is doing the work, as requested by the Members of this House, to look at the organizational chart and have it ready by the Fall, in September so we can go to the Standing Committee on Health of this House and show them the organizational chart and have it in place.
Final supplementary question.
Mr. Speaker it is not my intention to impute a motive here.
I am just stating a fact.
I know that this individual was involved with the study of the Keewatin Health Board and we had such serious, serious complications in matters over there and now we have hired the same individual.
To revisit this and to review some of the type or promote some of the type of model that we may put into place.
My question simply is, did we look at anybody else that could have done this type of a job or study, review or what you want to call it?
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Picco, or Mr. O'Brien, sorry.
Mr. Picco, Minister of Health.
Mr. Speaker, I mean the member is referring to a previous Government, it is not relevant to this Government, what happened with that guy, with Mr. Ramsden in the past.
I don’t know Mr. Ramsden very well personally or anything.
I think the guy has good professional qualifications.
I did see him briefly in Ottawa when I was down there to meet with the Minister, the Honourable Allan Rock and spoke to him on it.
Has the Department of Executive gone out and done an ad for the position, I don’t think they have.
They tried to find the person to do the job, who has the expertise, the knowledge and familiarity with Nunavut with the Health Boards, that is a pretty unique position.
So I would say to the member, I don’t know if the Department of the Executive has placed an ad.
I did not hire him. He was not hired through my department, he was hired through the Department of Executive, but I am fully confident that Mr. Ramsden has the ability to do the job.
And again, the point here Mr Speaker, is that we wanted to fast track this organizational plan.
We just made the announcement about four weeks ago now with the Health Boards requesting the organizational chart as well as the chairs of the Health Boards and the CEO's.
That is what we are trying to expedite here.
I would like to advise the members to be careful about asking questions about things that happened in the past.
This is a new government, this is a different government, not accountable for the previous government. Thank you, Oral questions.
Question 79 - 1 (2): Status of Negotiations on James Bay Islands
I asked this question previously to the Premier, but I will redirect my question.
Regarding the offshore islands, I wonder what is the status of the negotiations on the James Bay islands?
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Kattuk.
Next week and today the James Bay Cree will be meeting with my officials.
This week, just to identify the problem areas or concerns from both parties.
We are presently just trying to identify the issues at hand.
Oral questions, Mr. Kattuk.
The reason I am asking this question is that the people of Sanikiluaq are living in proximity to those islands and they are concerned about future use of those islands that are currently being used by the Sanikiluaq people.
Sanikiluaq people are concerned about not taking part in the discussions and also in the agreement.
They are worried that they will be restricted in the use of those islands which they have used traditionally for harvesting.
That is why the residents of Sanikiluaq are concerned.
Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier if there are going to be actual negotiations and an agreement the people of Sanikiluaq will be involved.
The Inuit are also able to hunt outside of the traditional harvesting areas and I would just like to further add that, the Inuit are not restricted to harvesting in the traditional areas.
Oral questions, Mr. Irqittuq.
Question 80 - 1 (2): Use of Government Facilities by Contractors
I am not sure which Minister I should be directing my question to.
Perhaps it is to the Premier, or it may be going to Ms. Thompson.
The contracts with the Government of the Northwest Territories.
We have adopted many of the contracts that were initiated by the GNWT and we have inherited them as Nunavut.
Those contractors, Mr. Speaker, who will be maintaining the present infrastructure?
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Perhaps the member can clarify what exactly what he is talking about.
I think what he said was that the people who are building the garages and the other Government infrastructure, is he saying that the contractors should be fixing their vehicles and what not.
Speaker (interpretation): Mr. Irqittuq could you clarify your question please.
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): Yes, thank you Mr. Speaker that is the question.
For example, in the Arctic Airports garage would they be able to use the Arctic Airports facilities even though they are just working on contracts?
Speaker: Ms. Thompson.  Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Whatever needs to be fixed, on the government contracts no matter what contract it is, they're able use the facilities that are available in a community.
Perhaps if could get some more detail about what the members specific concern is about, if there was a problem about what was being fixed in the government facilities, but whenever a contract becomes available it anybody can get on it.
Speaker (interpretation) Thank you Ms. Thompson.
What I am trying to say for example if I had a contract for a project, would I be able to use government facilities, whether it be GNWT or Nunavut Government, even though I may hold a contract with the government can I take my equipment or if it was broken can I use their building or their garage to fix my equipment?
Hon. Manitok Thompson (interpretation): I don't think that we are understanding each other but the way I understand it is, if a person has a contract with the government and their equipment or car breaks down would they be able to use the government garage, for example, to use to fix his car?
If there was nothing much available in a community and if certain equipment that is needed breaks down they can be fixed in the community.
Usually there is an agreement with private contractors when and how they can use the government facilities, but we treat these on a case by case basis, so if he has a specific concern I can look into it and respond further to his specific question.
Question 81 - 1 (2): Recruitment of Social Workers
In the smaller communities the Social Workers are getting fewer and fewer and when people have quit they have not been replaced.
What is this department doing to recruit for those positions that have become vacant? This is in the area of Social Work.
Thank you Speaker.
This is for Mr. Picco.
One of the most important positions or jobs in our smaller communities, indeed in all of our communities is the social worker.
What we've tried to do as a department through the health boards, again the social workers are employees of the health boards, when a position is vacant the health board works towards filling those positions.
The training of social workers is a different aspect.
There have been some training programs going on at Nunavut Arctic College.
We've had programs for social workers, we just had seven recently graduate.
In Igloolik, as an example, we have seven social workers that are involved in a training program.
They have finished their certificates and now would like to go on to the diploma program and as a department we are helping to facilitate that.
Thank you Mr. McLean.
Question 82 - 1 (2): Staff Housing Buy-Back Policy
Mr. McLean: My question is to the Minister of Public Works.
Does the Nunavut Government have a staff housing buy back policy?
Minister of Housing Mr. Anawak.
Oh, sorry Minister of Public Works Ms. Thompson.
I am not aware of that issue right now, I can take it as notice.
Question 83 - 1 (2): School Buses in Iqaluit
Mr. Speaker last week on the 19th I made a members statement regarding the concerns in Iqaluit here about bussing.
My question to the Minister responsible for Education is has any of the staff discussed the need for more bussing here in Iqaluit due to the forced growth that we are facing?
Hon. James Arvaluk (interpretation): Mr. Speaker the bussing programs are done by standard criteria for each community.
And if that happens then bussing will also be looked at.
Mr. Speaker could I please ask the Minister to repeat that, due to technical problem I did not hear the answer.
Can you rephrase your answer Mr. Arvaluk.
The bussing program is status quo from the Northwest Territories Government.
The criteria for bussing services to all communities are the same throughout Nunavut.
If there is an increased requirement for Iqaluit bussing, if that comes about that will be looked at.
I cannot answer that right now because we haven't been told about actual enrolments and requirements.
As soon as that arrives into our department through the Divisional Board then we will look at that immediately.
Mr. Speaker the Minister is saying that his department has not to date received any correspondence or any concern from either the Iqaluit Education Authority or the District Education Council regarding bussing.
Is that what he is saying?
Hon. James Arvaluk: Mr. Speaker not that I know of right now.
Okay we'll go to item seven.
Written questions Mr. Nutarak.
The Member for High Arctic has asked me to table this petition because he's the Speaker of the House.
Speaker (interpretation): I apologize, I'm sorry we are on item seven under written question.
You can table your petition on item eleven.
Written questions, Mr. Iqaqrialu.
Question 3 - 1 (2): Runway Extension for Clyde River
My question is to directed to Minister Jack Anawak.
I would like to thank him for taking the plane to Clyde River but I would like to ask why they have no longer have the air strip extension.
Speaker: Written questions.
Item number eight.
Item number nine replies to opening address.
Replies to opening address. Replies to opening address.
Item ten.
Replies to budget address.
Item 10: Replies to Budget Address
A little over a week ago my honourable colleague from Cambridge Bay presented Nunavut's first budget in this house.
In making my reply today I am mindful of the fact that Ministers of Finance across this country do not have the easiest of jobs.
When times are difficult they are the ones who have to go back and say no.
When times are good they are still the ones who have to sometimes say no to a request for new or expanded funding.
As members though we have an obligation to stand up for our community.
It is not easy for any of us to return our communities and be faced with questions as to what we could and could not achieve for them.
The minister's budget as we recognize it is essentially a status quo budget.
Neither Ministers nor regular members had the level of input into its development that I hope to see for the next year.
The fact that the minister did not announce any new programs reinforces that we have the opportunity now to think clearly and deeply about our collective goals in the future.
In his opening remarks the minister referred to changes that are in the planning stages and to substantial reforms that will require study and consultation.
I am pleased to have the opportunity today to speak to some of the priorities and aspirations of the people of Baker Lake.
Standing on our own two feet achieving real self-sufficiency is a theme that I applaud.
We all know the fiscal realities facing Nunavut - our dependence on Federal transfers, the unfair way in which Nunavut is denied it's fair share of resource revenues, I could go on but the tale has been told before.
The Minister's budget address is admirable in the way in which he pledges to fight for Nunavut's fair share.
What we need to do as a territory and a people is to move from dialogue and then to action on how we can provide more for ourselves.
Real decentralization is a step, a job and a spin off in Nunavut's smaller communities will help to kick-start local economies.
I again urge the government to move forward quickly on this issue.
The budget address touched on the vital issue of economic development and increasing employment opportunities.
It referred to efforts to develop a northern economic strategy and an economic development agreement in partnership with the Federal Government.
I am pleased to see the Minister of Sustainable Development promoting Nunavut during his recent trip to Montreal.
It is vital that the message be heard elsewhere in Canada and abroad that we are open to investment, that we are open to partnerships, that we are open for business.
The creation of a Nunavut Appropriate Investment Fund would be an initiative that I would support.
The Premier's participation in last weeks premier's conference shows that we are finding our voice and finding forums in which our voice can be amplified.
The support of the western provinces and our northern neighbours for a highway linked to Nunavut is gratifying.
I applaud the Premier for his efforts.
The conference also called for strong efforts to be made in the field of trade development and tourism.
We need a team Nunavut approach to these issues.
We are all stakeholders that are involved.
An economic strategy for Nunavut must be holistic, being content with make work programs or indiscriminate subsidies is not a sustainable path to pursue.
Incentive programs must be carefully thought out and avoid the traps made in the past by other governments.
Our future depends to no small extent on the people of this land creating their own wealth through the traditional economy.
Our current situation where the government takes in more than twice as much money from tobacco taxes as it does from corporate income taxes is simply unacceptable. We are a large territory with few people.
Our economy has to grow based on our core strengths, both natural and human.
Education is absolutely central to this.
As a strategic investment in our future, education must in a word include resources and get first call on additional funds, as it is through education that we gain strength.
A person with education and skill has a choice to work for him or herself, to join the public service, to start a business that will in turn provide a job for others.
Education and health go hand in hand.
I was pleased for my colleague, the member for Arviat, that his community will see the benefits of a P3 Project, a new health centre.
I support the principle of P3 when projects focus on the education and health needs of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister's budget stressed the governments' commitment to consultation and to integrating the values of our people into how we make decisions.
The months ahead will put us all to the test Mr. Speaker.
I look forward to joining the challenge.
Replies to budget address Mr. Akesuk.
Mr. Speaker, many of my concerns were addressed by the Honourable Kelvin Ng, Minister of Finance.
However, in my constituency where I serve the people of Kimmirut and Cape Dorset there continues to be many areas of concerns to all of us.
Housing, education and decentralization are among a few.
Understandably housing is an issue to all the members and to the people of Nunavut.
Even in Ottawa a standing committee report of the House of Commons concluded that the shortage of housing and high cost of air transportation are crippling and restrict economic development efforts.
Since our first and second session it is obvious that this issue continues to be an important subject.
Mr. Speaker the promotion of home ownership seems to be a catch 22 situation.
People that are renting from the local housing authority cannot seem to save enough money for a down payment because of the high cost of rent.
Even with the 15 thousand dollar down payment assistance program, it is barely enough.
However, this program has been less successful here because of the higher cost of houses in Nunavut.
In my constituency there are an average of 4 people living in each household, while 40% have five or more people per household.
I am certain that this is a similar situation in every community.
I will quote from the budget address, "the availability of adequate and affordable housing to meet the needs of our growing population is one of our highest infrastructure priorities".
Mr. Speaker, 117.4 million dollars is going towards education.
This must be used wisely.
We need to educate our youth and prepare them for future employment.
We must provide quality education.
Education that is geared towards specialized areas such as schoolteachers, nurses and much more.
Another area of education that we have talked a lot of as well as is the need of preserve our culture, our language, taking care of our land, hunting and harvesting.
The need for Inuit Qaujimajatunqangit to be integrated with our government.
We must consider the needs of our youth.
They are our future leaders and must be given every opportunity to succeed.
Mr. Speaker, recently the Mayor of Cape Dorset expressed concerned on the radio about decentralization.
The decentralization model that was approved on October 2, 1998 indicated that 56 full time positions were slated for Cape Dorset.
Forty-one of these positions were to be transferred from Iqaluit.
No positions were slated for Kimmirut.
Mr. Speaker, before being elected, I worked as an employment assistance officer in our community.
We used to partner with the government, Inuit organizations, and lending agencies when funds were not sufficient for a particular project.
With this budget these are the types of things that we will have to do.
Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that this year's budget covers these issues.
Speaker: Thank you Mr. Akesuk.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to reply to the budget address.
I would like to touch on several themes that are very important to me, and Mr. Speaker not all the themes that are important to me.
This is quite lengthy but it is scaled back so please bear with me.
The first theme is housing.
Mr. Speaker I am pleased to see 20 million dollars allocated for social housing.
I think it is important that we make a distinction between social housing and other types of housing.
Mr. Speaker there has been a growing private market for housing especially in the regional centres, as more and more people build or purchase their own housing. However, we have had to make hard decisions about where to put limited public dollars.
Do we help those people who already have money for housing?
Or do we help those who do not have money for housing?
It that simple.