EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
With respect to the member’s comments, as I stated previously, we have to review the whole system, not just the administrators but the medical profession. There is a director of medical affairs and some of the complaints have to go through that office due to the reasons that complaints, if they were not supervised, could go all over to people who are not their bosses.
Due to that reason, we have found this process to be very complex, but we will not stop trying to improve our health system, as I stated to the member.
Some time near the middle of the month, the deputy minister will be starting in our department.
For the time being, that’s all I can respond to, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Member for Akulliq.
I thank the Hon. Minister of Health.
I also concur with my colleague, Louis Tapardjuk, who spoke about the fact that we have to appreciate the people who work hard.
We are very appreciative of the workers in the health system. On behalf of my constituents in Repulse Bay and Kugaaruk, I thank everyone who works so tirelessly and they save many lives. The nurses are not thanked enough by our people, and this includes our educators and all of the public officials that we have in our government.
However, when the deputy minister is starting his position, I hope that the minister will speak to him about planning to address these concerns and to ensure that an update is provided to the members on what the plans are to deal with these issues.
Yes, we can undertake that and as per my previous response to the member last week, one of the ways to improve this is to work with the community health committees.
If you also want to see the nurse in charge, you can request that she provide a report or if the committee has any questions, they can request the nurse in charge to attend their meeting.
This also happens occasionally when government officials are asked to attend meetings.
So we will ensure that this is open as it can help alleviate concerns when the concerns are discussed in such forums as hamlet councils.
We like this approach and we are open to this type of interaction.
The Member for Quttiktuq would now like to ask questions.
Question 060 – 3(3): Preventing Viral Illness (Elliott)
Over the past few days, we have heard on a number of occasions of how the spread of viral illnesses, such as RSV, and certain strains of flu have been impacting our communities, some of them tragically.
In response to questions on this issue, the minister indicated that these illnesses are mostly affecting those individuals who have “less strong immunities.”
Can the minister inform this House what measures are in place to provide additional protection to these more vulnerable members of our society to help them fight off viral illnesses, such as the ones they have recently been exposed to?
I think the member is alluding to the response that, in part, I think was the public awareness issued by the Chief Medical Health Officer of Nunavut.
I stand by that response and my statement to him the other day referred to that, that those with less strong immunities should consult with the local health centres, including young children and the elderly people, because this is the time of the year that the flu season has been quite active in Nunavut.
It’s important that the public directive that the chief medical officer issued the other day, I think it was on March 4, should be taken seriously in view of the fact that there are active influenza-like illnesses that are going on.
I understand that there is a specific immunization vaccine that can be given to infants that helps to boost their immune system.
Can the minister indicate what consideration has been given to purchasing and administering such a vaccine to Nunavut’s infants to help them resist viral illnesses?
I think the best thing to do is to consult with the local health officials.
If you’re talking about a particular community, it’s best that advice and that information be obtained from local health centres because many of the most serious illnesses are taken on a case-by-case basis and therefore, the local health facility staff members are able to best answer that particular question.
In 2009, the Canadian Paediatric Society made a number of recommendations with respect to the immunization of children in the North.
Can the minister tell this House if his department now follows those recommendations?
That particular organization makes a series of recommendations every year. Based on their annual reports and so on, that was one component of their recommendations.
The information that I have on that is they are more or less reviewing that recommendation because it’s very complex.
I think it’s difficult to compel people to obligate them to take a particular vaccine when, in fact, it may require a doctor’s advice whether or not the dose of medication that is in question is really appropriate or not.
So I can advise the member that yes, we have considered it.
At the same time, we are advised by the same organization that they are reviewing their recommendations and it may even be taken off their recommendation portfolio.
It seems to me that by making investments in prevention measures, such as vaccines like the one I described, the Department of Health and Social Services could save a lot of money on the expensive intervention that becomes necessary when our very young and elderly residents get so sick.
Will the minister commit to considering purchasing the necessary vaccinations and administering them to Nunavut’s most vulnerable sectors of our population?
We consult with our partners throughout, including Health Canada, and if there is a pandemic flu-like influenza going on, we work together with them.
We will stick by the recommendations of our chief medical officer, including the director of medical affairs, who are in touch with the daily federal activities.
We will do our best to keep track of what’s needed for Nunavutmiut in terms of improving their health.
Question 061 – 3(3): EU Ban on Seal Products (Tapardjuk)
Thank you so much for your public announcement about the Thunder Bay fur sale and the price of sealskins.
I am happy that the skins still have a price, so we need to first of all thank you for that.
If the skins were worthless, it would be very regretful.
On behalf of my constituents, I thank you for the fact that sealskins still have a price and many people are grateful to have an income.
Mr. Speaker, with respect to his report about the European Union and their sealskin ban, which they put into a lawsuit to enact the ban, I would like to know if that ban is now in place and I would like the minister to provide an update.
In his Minister’s Statement, he talked about the ban and the fact that the seal ban was enacted by the European Union. I would like to know what the status of that particular ban is because my constituents in Igloolik and Hall Beach, comprising Amittuq, want to know its status.
Is the ban still in effect or can we expect that this ban will be overturned?
I’ll try and clarify the situation for him.
The European Union has put a ban in place that is in effect right now. However, the member knows that there are two processes that are in place to oppose this ban.
One is through the ITK and all of the individual groups and HTOs that are responsible that are taking legal action on their own.
The other one that we support also is through the Canadian government, through the World Trade Organization.
So there is a ban in effect.
However, we are opposing those bans and both of them are in legal action opposing them.
Maybe it would have been better if I had included this as an addendum to my question. At this time, my question I want to ask is… .
I just wanted to continue my questioning and not lose a supplementary, Mr. Speaker.
What are your expectations on this lawsuit currently being fought by the European Union and Canada with respect to the matter that is before the World Trade Organization? The agreement has been sidestepped and based on this, what are your expectations about the World Trade Organization’s decision?
Well, I’m not a judge and I can’t foresee the future.
However, obviously we hope the outcome is in our favour and that our appeals are upheld and won so that the European Union nations can accept seal products and we can sell sealskins back to the European Union.
It’s very important that this issue be resolved at some point into the future.
I think at this point in time, though, I want to make it clear to Nunavutmiut and to the member that ever since this ban came into place, we are still delivering our seal program as it was prior to the ban.
Sealers and hunters are still receiving the same amount of money that they always did and we will continue those programs and support them throughout this process.
I thank my hon. colleague for that response.
You are obviously aware that the government doesn’t have endless funds to keep paying for skins without getting paid for these skins and recuperating some of their funds.
Based on what I understood from your response, the government will still buy these sealskins even though they may not be worth much money.
How long will this program run, especially if you look at the sealskin ban? Will the sealskin purchasing be ongoing? Can I tell my constituents not to worry as the government will continue to buy their sealskins?
Can you clarify that for their benefit?
I’m a little puzzled about the member’s situation and comments. On one hand, he wants to support the sealers and on the other hand, he doesn’t want the government to do that, so I’m a little puzzled about that situation.
We are in place to support the sealers. We are not sure how long the seal ban is going to be on and the legal action it’s going to take.
However, it’s costing the Government of Nunavut approximately $500,000 annually to implement the sealskin program and to pay the hunters and sealers a fair market price.
As I said in my Minister’s Statement today, we are selling our sealskins at maybe somewhat of a loss. However, we are also bringing a lot of those sealskins back into Nunavut to be reclaimed and reused in Nunavut.
Let me speak to this issue first. I never stated that I wanted the government to stop purchasing sealskins.
What I asked was: how long will this program continue with the low returns on sealskin prices?
I wanted it clearly understood.
Let me ask my last question. We just heard about a new agreement between China and Canada to start selling sealskins, including seal products, such as meat and blubber. How or what expectations should my constituents have in Amittuq regarding this new agreement?
The member brings up a very good question.
Establishing this market with China is a very positive step, both in the sealskin and the edible products of seals.
It’s going to take time to develop and market the meat and edible products.
However, the demand that China shows, even in the sealskin products in the future, could be very good.
Hopefully this relationship we have will increase our sealskins and China will buy more of them.
As they have such a huge population of 1.4 billion people, if we can secure that market, the European market is going to be outnumbered by China.
Question 062 – 3(3): Public Tender - Medical Travel (Elliott)
In a GN press release that was sent out on March 2, it talked about the public tender for the medical air travel contract.
In it, it describes how, and in conjunction with some of the questions that were answered during Committee of the Whole, there was a three-year commitment to the medical travel in the initial agreement with an extension of one by one.
My understanding is that in September of last year, the Government of Nunavut could have, if they so wished, written to the contractor to continue on with the medical contract.
They did not do this, so they have now put out the request for proposals and gave a four-month extension to that.
I just wanted to ask the minister why his department chose to go with releasing a new RFP instead of renewing the one by one part of the contract.
It is the responsibility of the government to exercise that option. As a government, we chose to exercise the option of going for an RFP.
Were there specific reasons why the government chose to go in that direction?
As the minister pointed out, there were specific reasons to not renew it and I was just wondering if he could explain what those were.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, absolutely yes, there were.
I was wondering if the minister could actually walk us through point by point what those specific reasons were, not yes and no but if he could outline what they are in short, concise answers.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, the government will entertain the RFP.
The contractors have agreed to extend the service and they agreed with our proposition that they will be active in submitting their proposal.
We look forward to improving the service not just for one component of the regions but for all of the regions throughout Nunavut.
I know the minister was mentioning that the current contractor is in negotiations and putting in an RFP.
Going back to the specific reasons as to why cabinet and the GN decided to put out the RFP, the minister said earlier that there were specific reasons but he still hasn’t told me what those specific reasons are.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Mr. Speaker, I could probably do that, but I don’t know whether the member would take my word for it; he hasn’t often done that.
So the reason is I think we’re moving forward with the request for proposals mode right now and it won’t be long before we receive the proposals.
All of the Nunavutmiut, particularly medical clients, will have improved services which will cover all aspects of the conditions and we hope that the contractors will comply with the conditions that are put into the RFPs and the contracts.
Question 063 – 3(3): Feasibility Study for New Airport in Kimmirut (Schell)
My question is for the Hon. Minister of Economic Development and Transportation.
I’m going back to my Member’s Statement earlier on today in regard to the runway conditions in Kimmirut.
The residents of Kimmirut have been waiting for a long time to try to get a new airport and as a matter of fact, I think, since 1989.
When I went there campaigning when I was running for MLA, I stated that we would try to get them a new airport.
They basically told me, “There were many MLAs prior to you that tried that and I’m sure there will be a bunch more after you leave.”
My question for the minister is: when will the minister commit to actually doing a feasibility study as to the relocation of the airport in Kimmirut?
Mr. Speaker, I don’t have that level of detail with me at this moment, so I’ll take the question as notice.
When they have the response, they will provide it to you.
Question 064 – 3(3): Assistance for Victims in Igloolik (Tapardjuk)
I made the move to this side, so let me raise questions now that I am able.
I find that on this side, responses make you want to ask questions.
This is a very difficult matter to voice, but we also have to know that the Minister of Health is responsible.
I would like to raise this question. We have heard via the radio and other news media about the difficult time we are experiencing in our community based on the deaths of a couple of young babies.
This is not about the illness but about a matter that impacts the adult residents of our community.
Currently the Catholic priest who was brought in from Belgium to face charges is in the news and he is currently incarcerated awaiting his trial.
As this case continues, it seems Igloolik is hanging on a limb.
As people are aware, based on the news, he has impacted many people who are in immense pain and who have had flashbacks about the abuse that they suffered at his hands when they were just children.
A lot of these past victims are now adults, but they were abused as young children and many of them are suffering even though they are now adults.
Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Health and Social Services tell me whether or not there will be counsellors or a psychiatrist who can provide support for these victims in the interim period between now and when the court case proceeds?
We seem to be in limbo and I think we really need to provide assistance to these people who need it.
Mr, Speaker, I would like to start with that question.
I completely agree with my fellow MLA’s assessment of the situation.
We are sympathetic with those victims who were abused as youth and are now adults.
I have spoken with the member in the past about these situations.
I believe it was February 4 that we started looking at the medical side of trying to provide these services.
We had sent a psychiatric nurse to Igloolik.
We also shipped up another assistant who could provide more help. There was more than one staff member who was dealing with this matter.
We have dealt with the Embrace Life Council to see how they can provide assistance.
We will continue to have dialogue with various agencies to see how we can provide more resources to assist those victims.
If the member can provide some more feedback on those who require immediate help, then we can try to see how we can deal with it.
We also have a psychiatric doctor, Dr. Crawford, who is our sounding board and our expert with respect to the medical services to be provided.
We have used her skills to identify those who are most in need.
If there are other urgent cases that we need to hear about, we would like to be apprised of them as soon as possible.
I have identified previously in this House that this minister is working extremely hard to fulfill his mandate.
I don’t want anyone to think that I feel the Minister of Health is not working hard enough, but we have to understand where things come from, and I have to thank the Department of Health for their excellent work.
This is something that communities are clamouring for. Yes, we have doctors, especially psychiatrists, and other experts who can provide assistance, but we must not forget that our own culture and our lives have been severely impacted.
Can the minister advise me if the hamlets were to request assistance… ?
For example, the healing group in Coral Harbour has been very effective, as well as others.
This has impacted more than just the victims; it has impacted the parents and others. It’s not just the victims themselves who need consoling.
Is there any other assistance available that they can provide if an agency or council were to request further funding assistance or even more facilitation or even healing that is more Inuit-friendly?
At a minimum, can an expert go to the community to assist the older people especially who are impacted by this event?
Some of the elder parents of the victims are unilingual and they are the ones who must not be forgotten as they need the help.
As per my response, if they require more assistance, I want to be notified as soon as possible so that we can provide assistance to Igloolik residents.
We have to deal with this separately, but we are open to offering assistance and if you were to request assistance, then we will immediately respond to the Hamlet of Igloolik’s request.
We will await the request for assistance.
Mr. Tapardjuk (interpretation): Thank you very much.
I am very grateful for that offer and it’s obvious that I will have to consult with my constituents.
Perhaps the churches themselves have to be partially to blame because they are supposed to be offering these services since they were the ones who sent the person to our community.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I just want to express my gratitude for the hospitality and I want the minister to expect a request of assistance from the hamlet council. I have brought it up because earlier on this morning, I had called to find out about their needs and this is what they wanted to know about.
Thank you for that piece of information, Mr. Speaker.
Question 065 – 3(3): Single Entrance/Exit Dwelling Units (Ningark)
I forget how they are called in English, three-plexes or multi-plexes. I was informed that there was one three-plex that has only one door.
Apparently when the door is iced up, it can’t open and it becomes a safety hazard.
Has the minister been informed whether or not this is the case?
This is the first I have heard of it. I would like to get more details from the member if that is the case.
I haven’t been informed whether or not this is the case.
Mr. Ningark (interpretation): I would like to thank the minister for his response and the fact that this is the first he has heard of it.
Perhaps if he could check with the housing manager in Repulse Bay, he can be informed as to whether or not this is the case. I was informed about this situation from Repulse Bay.
Hon. Tagak Curley: Thank you. (interpretation) Yes, we can look into that to see if they are public housing or whether or not it is a separate unit or if it is privately owned.
We will find out the details and once we look into it, we will provide the details to you.
Question 066 – 3(3): Upgrading of Energy Generator Program (Elliott)
My question is directed to the Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
This afternoon, we received a response to the 5 kV and 15 kV distribution systems.
The other day there was a Minister’s Statement talking about the 25 kV distribution system. In his Minister’s Statement, he spoke about this being an upgrade and it being a major multi-year project for QEC.
I’m just wondering: in which year did this multi-year project actually begin? I know in the information he gave in reply to the question from Mr. Schell, it said a date of 2005.
The upgrading of the 25 kilovolt, I believe, was in the latter part of the 2000s.
I don’t know exactly what year that started, Mr. Speaker.
For this project, I was wondering: exactly when will the total upgrade be complete, in which year that will be done?
We are anticipating phase 1 of the project to be completed some time between May and June of 2011.
In terms of all of the phases in the program, when will be the completion date actually be?
Speaker (interpretation): Minister responsible for the Qulliq Energy Corporation.
We’re anticipating the completion, I believe and I stand to be corrected, if my information serves me correct, would be around 2013.
For my final question, I was wondering: what’s the total anticipated cost for the entire project?
I believe it’s around $14 million, Mr. Speaker.
Again I stand to be corrected, but I think that’s the projected cost.
Question 067 – 3(3): $3 Million Outfitter Liability Fund (Elliott)
Recently he talked about $3 million in the Federal Community Development Trust Fund.
I was wondering if he could explain exactly what that trust is.
Speaker (interpretation): Minister of Economic Development.
I’m trying to recall when I made the member’s statement about the $3 million community trust fund.
I believe that was an Act to repeal an Act that was related to the outfitters liability insurance.
If that’s the case and the $3 million will be going from the repeal of the Act, what will be done with that money?
Will it be going to Nunavut Tourism?
The actual amount was $3.8 million. The repeal is to access that fund to include it in the poverty strategy file that we are working on and one of them, of course, is for the community freezers.
So the actual amount is $3.8 million, which I thank the minister for pointing that out.
At the same time, you had mentioned that part of the money was going to the Anti-Poverty Strategy fund, and then going to the community freezers.
Do you have any dollar figures as to exactly how much that is and a breakdown?
Speaker: Minister for Economic Development.
We do have a schedule of the amounts yet to be approved and these are extending into 2014.
Of course, some of the amounts include some other departments, such as DOE, the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, and the Department of Environment.
These amounts include $1.3 million going to DOE, $260,000 for tourism and cultural industries, $320,000 going into the regional socio-economic monitoring committees, and also another $300,000 for the Nunavut Coastal Resource Inventory.