EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
One of the proposals that we have in the strategy is to implement a joint strategy with the Arctic College in developing the Nursing Program and expanding the program to the regional centres – Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay.
One of the proposals is to have an intake of 15 trainees in Cambridge Bay as well as 15 in Rankin Inlet.
We’re also looking at a foundation program for students that are a bit short in their science and math requirements. We’re going to be working with Education and Arctic College in developing a program to facilitate that as well.
We’re trying to look at ways of implementing some professional development incentives in the department for nurses particularly and we’re looking at some career planning for nurses in the department.
So there are a number of things that we have in the strategy that we are trying to facilitate in the department through the strategy.
There are a number of compensation issues that are, as I said earlier, into the collective bargaining process that will also help the recruitment of nurses into Nunavut.
So I’ll leave those to once the collective bargaining process is completed, then the department will include those in the implementation plan when that happens.
I am very pleased to hear that but (interpretation ends) maybe I should speak a little bit in English if I may.
The attraction to the students is very important because I think there has been a lot of... some of the students have a doubt because there actually hasn’t been any advertisement or any brochures from the Health Department.
I know that you people are really working hard with the Education Department to try and come up with the best solution to try and recruit as much nurses from Nunavut as possible.
There might be brochures or any information that is available but sitting somewhere in Nunavut that something is preventing them by distribution to among the communities.
I wonder if the minister would make more available those brochures and the intention of the Health Department and Education to try and attract.
You know how easy it is to try and apply into this, including what sort of funds are available, if you would just enter and write your name down on a piece of application to try and pursue a higher education for yourself.
The ages don’t matter; if you have a kid, one or two, it doesn’t matter.
Just get up and sign up or something like that, just like the United States President said that in World War II, “Come on,” and pointing on people, to try and really get them on the lines of trying to get an education to meet the needs of Nunavut.
I think we really need to highlight a brighter picture of what this government needs. I wonder if you could just maybe highlight some of the work you’re doing now. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I want to thank the member for raising that because there is a brighter picture I think we can all present in entering the health care field.
In terms of trying to promote Nunavummiut to take on careers in the health care profession is a challenge but one that I think we can all be advocating as Members of this House in trying to support our frontline nurses in the delivery of health care services.
Having said that, we have a program... I’m just going to speak to some of the examples that we’re trying to develop internally within promoting working in the health care field within the Department of Health.
We are working with an RFP process to put out the promotional piece of working in the north in the communities and the opportunities that nurses can gain in terms of experience working in our health centres in the north. So we’re working on the RFP process to develop that.
One of the other areas that we’re working with is that we have now about 14 nurses, I believe, have graduated from our program in Nunavut. Those individuals, of course, can work anywhere in Canada but some have stayed in Nunavut.
We have Inuit nurses working in Nunavut now.
In Rankin Inlet, I had a tour of the facility there and the tour was given to me by three Inuit nurses, very competent, and one from Arviat, I think you know her very well, very confident, who works in emergency, and so on. So using those individuals as role models is supporting, within the Department of Health, in the recruitment drive of our communities. So that’s one of the programs that we’re trying to establish.
In terms of promoting more in the education system is to work with the Minister of Education’s division to promote the careers again in our schools - the access years - but not only that, it was to also support our summer students that are in the health care field and working with them to promote the professions as well in our communities and in our health centres.
We have also guaranteed our graduates employment upon completion.
On June 8, the Nunavut Arctic College Nurses here will be graduating and I encourage anyone who is in town to attend their graduation. Those individuals are guaranteed employment in our system.
So we’re trying to get that process rolling through the development of this Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy.
Mr. Alagalak (interpretation): That’s it.
Chairman (interpretation): He’s done.
I would like to backtrack further to Mr. Curley’s statement on H-4 under Directorate.
The training and health strategies that have been discussed is to be used to develop or enhance our nursing compliment in the communities and how we could better serve Nunavummiut.
I heard that there are 14 new nurses and I’m very pleased to hear that, but the present nurses that we have, for example, in Pond Inlet, we have a nurse who is neither Inuk nor is she a white person.
She is of First Nation descent and her daughter is also a teacher up there.
She’s just like apart of the Inuit and she’s lived up there for many years but she is giving up because when the agency nurses come in, she has to continually train them.
She’s at the verge of giving up because she has to train them continually as they don’t know who Mrs. Qajaaq or who Mr. Katsiq and the way they live.
Those people don’t know the lives of the individuals at the local level, so she has to continually train them.
The question that I would like to ask, Mr. Chairman, is that I spoke to the head nurse in Pond Inlet, I’m not going to mention her name but I’m sure you know the individual, but this individual has been working up there for a long time.
She has her own snowmobile, a home, and enjoys living in Pond Inlet, but she is not happy with the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy and she said that this is not satisfactory yet.
They will still envy the agency nurses.
I would like to ask a question because the minister said that, during the negotiations with the NEU, we’ll see an improvement to this and we already know that Government of Nunavut is part of NEU.
Although they hire consultants, the agency nurses don’t know about the situation at the local level.
As the minister with your department, what can you do to assist the Arctic College nurses who are taking the program? Perhaps, you can provide them with more support, especially so that there could be less stress amongst the families who are taking the Nursing Program. What kind of programs will be in that strategy?
I’m just trying to get clarification on the member’s question, if I can just, perhaps, rephrase that.
Is the member asking what support we have provided to our nurses at the community levels that are not in the program?
You told us in the last session in the fall that the nurses’ training programs falls under the regular FANS program, financial assistance program under the Arctic College.
Since then, you have introduced a training and retention strategy paper.
What do you have in there that will improve the financial assistance for nursing students that are written right in the strategy plan?
Hon. Leona Aglukkaq: Thank you for the clarification.
The Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy initiative, as it relates to supporting our students, I’m going to have the deputy minister respond to that question.
We are looking at a tutoring program for the nurses that are taking the nursing training program. We’re also looking at providing some additional support for their daycare expenses that they incur while they’re attending college. We’re also looking at extra support for upgrading some of their skills as well while they’re taking the training program.
So those are three specific things that we would be doing as a department in addition to what they’re presently getting from the Department of Education through the FANS program.
I’m sorry, Mr. Arvaluk, I have an announcement to make. As per Rule 6(1), I recognize the clock and will report progress.
Thank you, Ms. Downe.
A reminder of a meeting of the Regular Caucus on Monday at ten o’clock in the Tuktu Boardroom.
Orders of the Day for February 25:
Members, I would like to remind you that we are invited to meet with people at the Brown Building at 2:30 (interpretation ends) with the Embrace Life Council. (interpretation) This House stands adjourned until Monday, February 25, at 1:30 p.m.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Pages 2840 – 2914
Opening Prayer 2840
Ministers’ Statements 2840
Members’ Statements 2844
Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery 2849
Oral Questions 2850
Tabling of Documents 2870
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters 2871
Report of the Committee of the Whole 2913
Orders of the Day 2913
Monday, February 25, 2008 2840
132 – 2(4): Minister Brown Absent from the House (Picco) 2840
133 – 2(4): Local State of Emergency in Rankin Inlet (Picco) 2840
134 – 2(4): Partnership Between NHC and Illamar Marshalling Incorporated (Netser) 2841
135 – 2(4): Barb Harvey – Nurse to Know Centennial Achievement Award (Aglukkaq) 2842
136 – 2(4): Update on the Nunavut Adaptation Program 2008 (Akesuk) 2843
315 – 2(4): Shortage of Water in Community Reservoirs (Barnabas) 2844
316 – 2(4): Gratitude to Municipal, Fuel Delivery, Airport and Housing Workers (Simailak) 2844
317 – 2(4): Annual Drum Dancing Concert (Mapsalak) 2845
318 – 2(4): Tahera Diamond Mine Closure (Peterson) 2846
319 – 2(4): Response to Statement by the Member for Iqaluit West (Tootoo) 2847
320 – 2(4): Young People & Elders’ Sporting Event at Gjoa Haven (Aglukkaq) 2849
396 – 2(4): Conditions at the Repulse Bay Airport (Mapsalak) 2850
397 – 2(4): Update on Safe Harbour Proposal for Arviat (Alagalak) 2851
398 – 2(4): Update on the Meadowbank Mine Training (Simailak) 2853
399 – 2(4): Details of the Business Training Tax Credit Program (Tootoo) 2856
400 – 2(4): Funding for Replacement of Grise Fiord Office (Barnabas) 2858
401 – 2(4): Community Development Fund (Peterson) 2859
402 – 2(4): Update on Polar Bear Study at Sanikiluaq (Kattuk) 2862
403 – 2(4): Update on Inuujaq School Conditions (Barnabas) 2863
404 – 2(4): Overview of Presentation to Senate Committee on Poverty (Peterson) 2864
405 – 2(4): Capital Estimates Approved Last Fall (Tootoo) 2868
179 – 2(4): Crown Agencies Council Activities Report from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007 (Tapardjuk) 2870
180 – 2(4): 2007-2008 Letters of Expectation to Crown Agencies (Tapardjuk) 2870
181 – 2(4): Correspondence from Standing Committee Regarding Bill 13 “Energy Efficiency Act” (Tootoo) 2870
Bill 23 – Appropriation (Operations & Maintenance) Act, 2008-2009 – Consideration in Committee – Health & Social Services 2871
Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Honourable Olayuk Akesuk, Mr. David Alagalak, Mr. James Arreak, Mr. Levi Barnabas, Mr. Peter Kattuk, Honourable Peter Kilabuk, Mr. Steve Mapsalak, Honourable Patterk Netser, Honourable Paul Okalik, Mr. Keith Peterson, Honourable Edward Picco, Mr. David Simailak, Honourable Louis Tapardjuk, Mr. Hunter Tootoo.
Speaker (Hon. Peter Kilabuk)(interpretation): Good day.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Alagalak, Mr. Premier, Ministers, and Members.
Minister’s Statement 132 – 2(4): Minister Brown Absent from the House (Picco)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to advise the members that the Honourable Levinia Brown will be absent in the House most of the day, and hopefully, she will be coming in from Rankin Inlet later on this afternoon.
Minister’s Statement 133 – 2(4): Local State of Emergency in Rankin Inlet (Picco)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to update the House today on the current situation in Rankin Inlet.
Over the weekend, the power did stay on, and we were even able to open up the schools and the GN offices this morning, although the GN offices are on a half-day rotating schedule.
Minister Brown and Mr. Curley went back to Rankin Inlet on Saturday to meet with their constituents, and will be returning this afternoon.
QEC has been able to purchase a brand new generator in Calgary, which has been tested, and we’re hoping to have that arrive later today in Rankin Inlet or early tomorrow.
The conservation effort on the part of the Rankin Inlet residents will likely need to continue, Mr. Speaker, for the next couple of weeks.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of those involved in this emergency situation in Rankin Inlet.
First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Rankin Inlet for their patience and their efforts at conserving as much energy as possible over the last several days.
Also, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Lorne Kusugak and the staff and council at the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet, for all of their hard work over this past week, ensuring that the community was made aware of the rotation schedule and updating the community on a regular basis.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at QEC and CG&S, including the Emergency Measures staff, for their long hours of hard work, much of it done outdoors in this cold weather.
Mr. Speaker, First Air was able to supply us with a Herc aircraft, and the Canadian Military, who were ready and are ready and waiting if we needed their logistic as well as technical support.
I would also like to thank Nuna Logistics for the use of their generator, the one that was located just outside of Rankin Inlet, as well as the NWT Power Corporation, for the use of one of their generators, which was flown into Rankin Inlet from Yellowknife.
We were also in touch with the Quebec Hydro and the Quebec Government has told us they would give us whatever support that we would require, as well as making standby generators available through the auspices of Hydro Quebec.
Minister’s Statement 134 – 2(4): Partnership Between NHC and Illamar Marshalling Incorporated (Netser)
I rise today to inform this House about a new partnership agreement between the Nunavut Housing Corporation and Illamar Marshalling Incorporated of Chesterville, Ontario, to handle the delivery of building materials for Nunavut Housing Trust projects.
Mr. Speaker, the corporation has entered into a two-year agreement with Illamar Marshalling Incorporated to provide marshalling and distribution services.
This involves the collection, packaging and delivery of construction materials for over 200 new public and staff housing units across Nunavut this year.
Mr. Speaker, I travelled to Chesterville with Housing Corporation representatives to take part in the grand opening of this facility.
While I was there, I had the opportunity to meet with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ontario Minister of Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, and the federal Member of Parliament for that riding as well, Mr. Speaker. Our discussions centered on how we can work together on a long-term partnership that would see a federal commitment for investing in housing for Nunavut after 2009.
I was very impressed, Mr. Speaker, with the facility that Illamar is utilizing, along with the very high level of organization and professionalism shown by the owners and staff. The facility’s proximity to rail lines and major trucking routes will ensure packaged materials can be transported in a timely basis to the seaport for shipment to our Nunavut communities.
Mr. Speaker, it’s my hope that this initiative will mark the start of a successful working relationship in which the federal government recognizes and addresses Nunavut’s unique challenges, leading to long-term sustainable funding levels towards improving the housing situation here in Nunavut.
Minister’s Statement 135 – 2(4): Barb Harvey – Nurse to Know Centennial Achievement Award (Aglukkaq)
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Ms. Barb Harvey, Registered Nurse of the Professional Practice Unit in Kugluktuk who recently received the Nurse to Know Centennial Achievement Award from the Canadian Nurses Association.
Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, presented the award to Ms. Harvey in Toronto on February 1, 2008.
This award is in recognition of the leadership and exceptional contributions Barb has made to the health of Canadian citizens.
Ms. Harvey originally arrived in Kugluktuk as a registered nurse with the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and after three years she became the Kugluktuk Health Centre’s nurse in charge.
Several years ago, Barb became a community health nursing specialist. She works with other governmental and nursing departments and organizations on issues relating to the profession of nursing and nursing practices in Nunavut.
And Mr. Speaker, after 20 years, she’s still in Kugluktuk.
Barb has served on the board of the Registered Nurses Association for the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (RNANTNU) for three terms and was a member of the practice taskforce of the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Initiative.
Ms. Harvey’s extensive background in nursing and her contributions to the nursing profession in the North and across the country serve as a model of dedication and excellence, not just for the employees of the Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services, but for all Nunavummiut.
Mr. Speaker, once again I want to offer my congratulations to Barb on her national recognition on behalf of Nunavut and thank her for her continued contribution to the wellbeing of Nunavut’s citizens.
Minister’s Statement 136 – 2(4): Update on the Nunavut Adaptation Program 2008 (Akesuk)
Mr. Speaker, in 2007, climate change adaptation workshops were held in three communities in Nunavut – Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay.
We wanted to understand how climate change is impacting communities in each region, identify priority areas and increase a community’s ability to adapt.
Last year, we also partnered with GN stakeholder departments, Natural Resources Canada, the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, and Memorial University to start research activities in Iqaluit, Clyde River, and Hall Beach.
Through this project, we are attempting to integrate traditional knowledge and scientific research on climate change impacts.
We hope this research will serve as a practical model on how to incorporate adaptation planning into community-based planning.
This March, a final climate change adaptation workshop will be held in Iqaluit, bringing together the elders and youth of Nunavut, who we hope will give us even more ideas.
Over the next three years, this project will be able to identify local climate change conditions, vulnerabilities, resiliency and adaptive strategies. We will be able to predict future conditions, support local planning processes, and produce networks of shared knowledge.
With the information collected from the workshops, research projects, and other sources, we anticipate a draft Adaptation Plan prepared by October 2008.
Climate change is affecting the way we live, work and play in Nunavut.
The Nunavut Climate Change Adaptation Plan will be the first of many steps to come in climate change adaptation in Nunavut. With the support of Nunavummiut, along with the proper resources, tools, partnerships, and investments, we can address the issues of climate change today to prepare for a sustainable future in Nunavut tomorrow.
Before I acknowledge anyone, Mr. Kattuk will eventually come in today and Mr. Evyagotailak is unable to attend this meeting until Thursday because there is a family member who is ill.
Member for the High Artic, Mr. Barnabas.
Member’s Statement 315 – 2(4): Shortage of Water in Community Reservoirs (Barnabas)
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the shortage of water in the communities.
Currently, in the High Arctic, in Grise Fiord, I was told that the water holding tank was 45 percent full and just as recent as last month, it was 35 percent full.
Mr. Speaker, during the spring, I do visit Igloolik once in a while to see my relatives living over there.
Igloolik residents, when they lack snow in the wintertime, there is a shortage of water.
For that reason, Mr. Speaker, a shortage of water is becoming a problem in my constituencies along with Nunavut communities, including Grise Fiord.
Perhaps, the Igloolik residents and my constituency communities are suggesting that there would be a program where individuals go get ice and sell it to the communities.
In the Igloolik area, the hunters look for icebergs to get fresh drinking water for community use, and they use their own pocket money to buy their own fuel.
They say that the climate is changing and that the glaciers are melting.
So therefore, I believe we need to look into or consider looking at the communities to see if we can get an additional program like that.
Member’s Statement 316 – 2(4): Gratitude to Municipal, Fuel Delivery, Airport and Housing Workers (Simailak)
I want to send my greetings to Baker Lake and I listened to Noah this morning and I was very pleased to hear you when you called this morning.
Yes, they say that the climate is changing. I would like to talk a bit about Baker Lake because it’s inland and it gets extremely cold.
Especially last month, in that time, the blizzards are continuous and the coldest weather time of the year is minus 60 degrees Celsius with the wind chill, and it gets extremely cold when there are blizzard conditions because it gets quite windy.
I, too, would like to thank an individual in Baker Lake, especially the weather station, who works for the hamlet council because the hamlet council’s heavy equipment is operational everyday even though the weather is extremely cold.
They deliver water and they never run out of water in the homes, so I would like to thank the municipal services and also the mechanics, especially because the vehicles tend to break up during cold weather and they continue to work on them.
Also, during the extreme cold, the fuel delivery guys continue to deliver fuel to our homes even though the weather is extremely cold, and also, they continue to maintain the airport and they continue to remove the snow.
Also, the Housing Corporation staff worked extremely hard in cold weather to maintain homes.
I would like to thank all of the people who do municipal services in the community of Baker Lake and acknowledge them, especially those who have to work outside in the extreme cold. I would like to extend my appreciation to them.
Member’s Statement 317 – 2(4): Annual Drum Dancing Concert (Mapsalak)
I rise today to share with my colleagues that Repulse Bay has been chosen for the second time to host the Annual Drum Dancing Conference.
Mr. Speaker, this Drum Dancing Conference was started about six years ago.
The first conference was held in Rankin Inlet, and each year, the board votes and selects where the next conference will take place.
Mr. Speaker, this conference will be held during the week of April 25 to May 2 of this year.
There are usually about five or six people from each community in Nunavut who attend this conference.
During the day, the conference participants share stories about the history of drum dancing and how they can promote drum dancing to our youth in Nunavut.
During the evening, the participants perform drum dancing.
Mr. Speaker, our very own interpreter, Attima Hadlari, participates in this Drum Dancing Conference and I’m pretty sure he enjoys that, and I am proud of everyone that is making efforts to promote drum dancing in Nunavut and I look forward to Repulse Bay hosting this conference.
Member’s Statement 318 – 2(4): Tahera Diamond Mine Closure (Peterson)