EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Mr. Speaker, what is the minister’s decision as it relates to his departmental staff, to cite this example, the nurses who travel to Nunavut to work as health professionals?
As the minister, what is your understanding of the term of employment for nurses here in Nunavut?
Is there a limitation to nurses staying at one community? Can you provide me with information as to the residency requirements that pertain to nurses? Does this mean they could conceivably work in one community for 30 years or can they be resident in a community for longer than that?
Regarding our nursing professionals who work in Nunavut, we appreciate their dedication and commitment to work in Nunavut to provide health care to our residents. They provide many benefits to residents of Nunavut.
Some nurses are very protective of their patients under their care while some aren’t as committed based on the details I have been provided with. Most people in that position are stressed out. This department doesn’t limit nurses with a finite period they can work in a community, plus once they are resident in our territory of Nunavut, they form part of our society.
Likewise, I appreciate the Inuit who have dedicated their lives to the nursing profession and of the provision of care. The numbers are slowly increasing in our health centres with Inuit now in the role of nurses. We welcome each and every Inuk who works in this profession, as they are fulfilling their civic duty and their fellow residents requiring health care.
Although I appreciate the response, I don’t quite understand it.
What I was trying to raise in my question was, for example, similar to RCMP officers who have limitations in the length of service in one community. Similar to the reasons why RCMP officers aren’t allowed to stay longer than a set period, when nurses are resident in one community for several years, we observe the subtle change in their attitudes. Some residents are treated with respect while other residents are treated with disdain.
No employee should colour their actions in that manner.
Part of our role as MLAs is to welcome every person in front of us and to be attentive to government employees.
In that same vein, frontline service providers, such as nurses, with that kind of attitude, I have seen four cases in several communities where the nurses treated people unequally, especially when they have lived in the community for several years.
Is this type of employee relations going to be considered?
For example, although I understand the stressful nature of their positions, frontline service providers have to treat all their patients equally when they come into the local health centres.
With some of the long-term residential nurses, many are extremely pleasant to work with and they tend to be more knowledgeable of illnesses or afflictions some patients have and what treatment they will require.
This is extremely helpful in those cases due to their clinical knowledge of the cases in the community.
With regard to the member’s comments, I have heard them and further, we will look at ways to resolve the issue based on his question. I can look into this matter further to see if we can resolve the matter to our mutual satisfaction.
Let me ask once more, although I grasp the reasoning behind your response of stress.
However, I feel this requires resolution, especially in planning for our future needs and we have to have proper plans in place. I understood the need for improving this situation, as people have almost succumbed to their illnesses, with some unfortunate cases of people losing their lives in Nunavut as well as it almost occurring in my constituency. That is why treating everyone equitably is so important.
Further, any staff member in these stressful frontline positions and nurses in particular use every capacity to deal with their patients.
However, the objective should be seen in light of employees with a set timeframe who would then be sent to another community where they aren’t so intimate with local patients. This would alleviate some of the issues down the road, as I believe we can improve the system.
Furthermore, I didn’t receive a response and as this is my last question, I can’t express thanks at this time.
Therefore, I am not expressing my thanks.
Yes, these issues form part of the external review. We will research the root cause and this will be investigated carefully. Obviously this may lead to further opportunities to make improvements in providing health care in every community.
Our department will remain open and will assist the member if this matter requires further investigation.
Question 379 – 4(2): Administration of Medical Travel Leave (Joanasie)
Prior to asking my question, I would like to ask that we return to Item 5 in the Orders of the Day. No? I’m sorry.
Let me just proceed with my question.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Finance, who is responsible for the Public Service Act.
Section 29.1 of the Public Service Regulations provides for a medical travel leave for a Government of Nunavut employee.
The purpose of this provision is to address the circumstances of employees who do not live in Iqaluit or other major centres and who do not have the luxury of simply driving to the hospital for their appointment.
Under this provision, employees who are required to travel outside of their community to receive medical services may apply for medical travel leave for the actual time taken to travel so that they do not need to use their sick leave entitlement.
However, concerns have been expressed to me that the government’s current interpretation and administration of this provision is overly restrictive in that it only covers actual flight times…
Mr. Joanasie: …and does not take into account the realities of travel in the north, which often involves delays due to weather, mechanical problems, or other factors beyond the control of the employee.
Consequently, I have been told that employees have been forced to choose between using sick leave or taking leave without pay.
Will the minister commit to reviewing this issue?
Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Joanasie is probably aware, there’s a collective agreement that has been negotiated between NEU and the Government of Nunavut that covers sick leave and travel. I think that covers it.
It’s a negotiated agreement signed by all the parties.
That leads me into my second question. As I noted in my preamble to my question, the government’s rules concerning medical travel leave are provided under section 29.1 of the Public Service Regulations, which can be amended by cabinet at any time.
Medical travel leave is also addressed in the collective agreement between NEU and the government.
As the minister is aware, the most recent collective agreement expired in September of last year.
Is the government open to considering proposals to improve this section of the agreement for the benefit of GN employees who live in smaller communities?
As Mr. Joanasie is probably aware and he indicated, it is a union collective agreement issue. We’re in collective bargaining right now with NEU. As such, there’s a statutory freeze.
As a government, we can’t make any changes to the collective agreement that I’m aware of.
For all I know, this might even be a bargaining item. I can’t comment one way or the other.
Although the government’s annual reports on public service contain important information regarding the management of the government’s workforce, they do not include any substantive information regarding the administration of sick leave.
Will the minister commit to ensuring that this issue is addressed in detail in future annual reports to the Legislative Assembly?
I’m not sure what the member is asking. I don’t know why we need commitments for that.
My staff at the Department of Finance and human resources compiles a lot of information for the benefit of this House and the Legislative Assembly. If more information is required, I don’t know to what benefit.
My officials are watching and we will take that under consideration.
Question 380 – 4(2): Dental Services in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
Mr. Speaker, I have raised the need for a full-time dentist in Rankin Inlet a number of times in this House.
I last asked the Minister of Health about this issue on October 27, 2014, at which time I was assured that there should be a full-time dentist in Rankin Inlet.
Over four months has gone by and we still have no full-time dentist.
Can the minister provide an update on the status of a full-time dentist for Rankin Inlet and clearly explain why we still do not have one in place?
I will look into that and once the information is available, I will be able to provide that response to the member.
Question 381 – 4(2): Eye Team Visits to Baker Lake (Mikkungwak)
Mr. Speaker, a number of my constituents have expressed concerns about the limited number of days that the eye team visits Baker Lake.
When the eye team visits, some people are unable to get an appointment because the team is always booked up solid.
Can the minister clearly explain how the total number of eye team visit days is determined and what steps must be taken to increase the number of days that the eye team visits a community in a given year?
I heard more than one question, but I will try to respond to some of them.
With respect to that issue, it was brought up during our appearance before the committee about the possibility of extending visitations of the specialist teams and that we have to look at better ways to provide that.
At this current time, some of the visits don’t coincide with the people in need, so we will need to conduct further studies into how these visits by specialists, such as the optometrist teams and other specialist doctors, can be better utilized during their availability to provide their services.
This is something we are looking into, to review ways to improve these visits.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, as you and my colleagues who wear eyeglasses are aware, it is important to have your eyes checked on a regular basis to make sure that your eyeglass prescription is up to date.
Can the minister indicate what other options can be made available to individuals who need new eyeglasses but are unable to get an appointment with the eye team when it visits the community?
During Committee of the Whole, I spoke to this issue and stated we will review this matter. We will look at how we can improve the system or the administration of it.
We know it’s an issue and we are trying to resolve it.
Mr. Mikkungwak: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that the federal government has some responsibility for providing eye care services under the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.
However, it is the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Health which coordinates service delivery through the health centres.
The Department of Health must have records of the number of people who need to see the eye team.
Will the minister commit to bringing forward a case to the federal government to request more support under Non-Insured Health Benefits for an adequate number of eye team visits for the community of Baker Lake and other communities across Nunavut?
Yes, these are part of the matters we are looking to review as to how to improve the system and this includes plans to that effect.
We aren’t the only party involved as the government of this territory, as our sister northern territories and governments are the ones we have to collaborate with on this issue.
We will be discussing that issue next month as we have planned to meet about providing more support and to encourage the federal government to provide more support.
Question 382 – 4(2): Status of Government of Nunavut Standing Offer Agreement for Medical and Duty Travel (Enook)
Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and they will be based on the responses to questions yesterday about medical and duty travel.
Yesterday, the Minister of Community and Government Services informed the House that the Department of Health is responsible for signing and administering the government’s medical travel/duty travel contract.
He also indicated that the current contract expires in August this year.
Can the Minister of Health indicate whether the contract will be renewed for an additional one-year term or will the government be issuing a new request for proposals?
The term of the contract is approaching fast and time is of the essence. With regard to the exact set-up, we haven’t incorporated anything as of yet, although we are looking into the issue to see how we can initiate that prior to the end of the term.
This is not a simple process and it requires a comprehensive detailed plan, if we are going to look for a new contract.
We are looking into how we can improve our current system.
Much has changed; routes cancelled and issues with cargo having priority over patient travel, etcetera.
The government’s RFP that was issued back in 2011 indicated that the GN “requires equivalent bulk discounts on duty travel business.” It also indicated that “annual duty travel business is estimated at $26 million across Nunavut in 2009-2010.”
Can the minister indicate how much money the government has saved over the past four years as a result of its standing offer agreements for duty travel?
Yes, I believe they were bundled together, although our department administers the travel for all medical patients.
That is the only aspect I can respond to, but the employees responsible for that aren’t under our operations, so I can’t really provide a response on it.
The main reasoning for my questioning is related to yesterday’s Blues. I believe we got them yesterday.
When the minister responded to my question, it states, and I quote, “The Department of Health is responsible for signing and administering the medical/duty travel contract.”
Although I can appreciate why the Department of Health is responsible for administering the government’s medical travel contract, it is not at all clear why the Department of Health is also responsible for administering the duty travel portion of the contract.
Given the concerns that I have been raising with the Minister of Finance regarding departmental compliance with duty travel rules, can the Minister of Health indicate if the government is considering transferring administrative responsibility for the duty travel contract from the Department of Health to the Department of Finance?
The reports provided to me only speak to medical travel contracts and they are the only ones I have. I can’t really respond to that question as I am not responsible for human resources.
That is why I am at a loss to provide an answer to the question, as our staff is under another department, and I can’t answer the question at this time.
Question 383 – 4(2): Condition of Fire Trucks in Rankin Inlet (Sammurtok)
Mr. Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) My question today is for the Minister of Community and Government Services.
On October 22, 2014, the minister tabled the Office of the Fire Marshal’s 2013 annual report. This report indicates that in 2013, there were a total of 161 reported fires in Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, it is important that the territory’s emergency responders have the necessary resources and equipment to ensure the protection of residents and property, and it is particularly important that each community has fire trucks that are in good condition.
Can the minister indicate how often his department inspects the conditions of fire trucks within communities?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also thank the residents of Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet, and Nunavut. I hope everyone is safe today.
We try to have the firefighting trucks and emergency services vehicles inspected yearly.
In response to an increasing population, developers have been constructing larger commercial and residential buildings in Rankin Inlet. With the arrival of new and larger buildings, there is also an increased risk in building management and safety.
In response, the community’s fire department is working to increase its efficiency and effectiveness.
However, the community currently has only two fire trucks, one of which is over 20 years old.
Will the minister allocate funds to assist the Municipality of Rankin Inlet in purchasing a new fire truck?
We are currently in discussion with the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet regarding their request for a backup fire truck. (interpretation) Thank you.
Can the minister indicate what specific guidelines his department uses to determine when a fire truck needs to be replaced?
Hon. Tom Sammurtok (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) We do have specific guidelines that are already outlined in our policy manuals and those are the guidelines we would follow when we do these frequent inspections. (interpretation) Thank you.
Speaker (interpretations): Thank you.
Question 384 – 4(2): Government Liaison Office (Rumbolt)
Mr. Speaker, the Department of EIA is responsible for the Government Liaison Office.
As the Premier is aware, I have been a supporter of the GLO program.
It is my understanding that the GLO position in Sanikiluaq, which has been filled on a casual basis in recent months, became vacant as of last week.
Can the minister confirm when his department will be advertising to fill this position on a permanent basis?
We’re halfway through our session here and this is my first question, so I really appreciate that.
Mr. Speaker, to respond to the member’s question, the screening has already taken place and the interview process is being set up at this point.
It is good to see that the process is moving along.
For the benefit of the House and other members, can the minister indicate which communities currently do not have a full-time GLO in position?
Sanikiluaq, Kugluktuk, Gjoa Haven, and Cambridge Bay, and we will be checking into the reasons behind why Kugluktuk is not getting a GLO.
Question 385 – 4(2): Victims Assistance Services (Angnakak)
On November 4, 2014, the minister tabled the 2013-14 Annual Report on the Victims Assistance Fund.
This report indicated that approximately $256,000 in funding was distributed to a number of community-based programs that provide services and assistance to victims of crime across the territory.
Programs that received funding during the 2013-14 fiscal year include community wellness training in Cambridge Bay and peer support training in Iqaluit.
Can the minister provide a list of additional and specific training that his department offers to its staff and to the community justice committees to improve the victim support that they provide?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Yes.
Speaker (interpretation): Your first supplementary question, Ms. Angnakak.
Ms. Angnakak: That was fast.
Let’s go on.
The 2013-14 annual report also indicates that the Victims Assistance Fund is used to provide funding to support community-based projects and activities that provide services and assistance to victims of crime through research into and the distribution of information about services to victims and the needs and concerns of victims.
Can the minister indicate if the department is currently pursuing any Nunavut-specific research to determine the specific needs and concerns of victims in our territory?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I remain open to any proposals that may be submitted to the Victims Assistance Committee, who reviews all submissions and recommends their approval to me. To date, I have not denied the committee any of their recommendations, so I look forward to more proposals coming from our territory to reduce and to support victims of crime in our territory. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It’s good to know that he’s open to be receiving reports.
I hope our audience is listening.
The 2013-14 report also indicates that the Victims Assistance Fund is used to provide funding to direct services that assist victims through crisis response, personal support, follow-up assistance, victim information, and systems referral.
Can the minister indicate what specific positions in his department are also responsible for providing these direct services, and if those positions provide assistance to victims of crime throughout the entire process, from crisis response to follow-up support?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) Each proposal is different.
We have supported all kinds of different projects over the years and I look forward to any submissions that may assist us in addressing the many challenges faced by victims.
I will remain open and do what I can to assist the committee in moving forward with any projects that may assist our victims in moving forward with their lives. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Question 386 – 4(2): Review of Subsidies for Homeowners (Hickes)
I have a question for the Minister of Finance today.
Mr. Speaker, with the household allowance that’s provided to employees of the Government of Nunavut that was initiated in 2008, the amount has been $400 per month.
With the upcoming review of different programs across the government, is the Minister of Finance looking at re-evaluating that number to assist homeowners and full market rental employees of this government?
Mr. Speaker, at this time, I’m not considering it.
The review has to take place and we need to get the report. I think I indicated last week that there are two phases, phase 1 and phase 2. We will see what the report recommends and then go from there.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you. Thank you.
This household allowance has been in place for approximately seven years now.
Has the department ever done any analysis on the valuation of this subsidy to government employees prior to this announcement of the program review?
I appreciate Mr. Hickes’ concern for that program.
It is a very valuable program for the homeowners across Nunavut.
Something in my memory base is that we have done reviews. In our Department of Finance, we are constantly reviewing our programs, but I just can’t say with certainty if we have considered increasing or decreasing it.
The $400 was brought into the program in 2008, as he indicated.
There was a larger-than-anticipated uptake on the program, so it tells me that it is a program that is well received by homeowners in Nunavut.
In the criteria for this household subsidy program, it talks that it is available to all eligible indeterminate and term employees of the Government of Nunavut.
Mr. Speaker, a number of times, I have stood up in this House and spoken to the treatment and the borderline abuse of the use of casual employees and the length of term that some people are held to in a casual status.
I’m wondering if the minister will take a look at considering adding casual staff, even if it’s on some minimum term basis, to be included in the eligibility for this program.
I am not sure if Mr. Hickes is referring to borderline abuse.
There are many reasons why people don’t want to become indeterminate employees. There are some casuals who want to be casuals because of the flexibility it offers.
There are many reasons why there are casuals. At this time, I’m not considering adding the casuals to the Household Allowance program.
Question 387 – 4(2): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (Enook)
I was caught by surprise since that was so quick.
I want to ask more questions to get further understanding from the Minister of Family Services.
Let me use this as a foundation for my question, the Blues for Monday, March 2, 2015.
Mr. Speaker, I know that the Blues aren’t an edited version of the minutes, but I wanted to refer to a response provided by the minister.
I’ll read the response.
I had a question yesterday about the position of the Government of Nunavut as it relates to the request to hold a national inquiry to determine the fate of murdered and missing aboriginal women. What is the position of this government on this issue?
Let me read the actual Blues and quote her response. Hon. Jeannie Ugyuk’s response was, “With respect to the national inquiry, it will cost an exorbitant amount to hold that inquiry and we are looking at ways to resolve our social issues through other avenues.”
That was the end of the quote.