EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) To date, I am not aware of any discussions that have taken place with the federal government.
I’ve always expressed the willingness to try and do our part as a government to try and help assert our sovereignty, and to date, there have not been a lot of cooperation.
I am hoping that that would change with this current government. It has been, at times, difficult and I am hoping that this trend will not continue. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
(interpretation ends) Last week’s Federal Speech from the Throne included a number of references to the North.
Can the Premier tell the House today how the Government of Nunavut has reacted to the speech from the Throne?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I think I did my response earlier last week that we had some mixed emotions towards the Throne Speech. I was very pleased to hear that the Prime Minister will finally apologize to the victims of residential schools and I was relieved to hear that.
The Throne Speech mentioned that there would be some housing money; we don’t know where that will go but if it’s going towards Nunavut, we would be very happy to be helping out wherever we can as a government.
But at the same time, our long standing position on devolution was barely mentioned in the Throne Speech.
So I’m hopeful that something will happen but we were expecting a little more in the Throne Speech than what was outlined. So there are some mixed feelings on our part towards the Throne Speech. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I have frequently raised concerns in the House about the high cost of living in the High Arctic.
Can the Premier tell me today how his government is lobbying Ottawa to achieve improvements to the Northern Residents Tax Deduction? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I raised this with my colleagues during our Northern Premiers’ Conferences and the three territories have established a working group with our Departments of Finance. So this issue is continually being put together with our colleagues in the North. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Premier. Your final supplementary, Mr. Barnabas.
Can the Premier outline for me today what further support he believes we can realistically obtain from Ottawa to address the shortage of housing in the High Arctic?
Hon. Paul Okalik (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. (interpretation ends) I think what we’ve done has helped in the past.
We have been lobbying very hard for all of Nunavut for the lack of housing and we partnered well with NTI and we were able to leverage 700 plus units. And we had outlined, there were a shortage of 3,000 units throughout Nunavut.
So we still have a long ways to go.
So we will continue to press our expectations in the housing issue and try and do our part, like we heard from our colleague from Iqaluit Centre that we’re trying to build Habitat Housing.
That will help but we all have to do our part in terms of trying to get employment so that people can afford their own homes.
But we all know that we need more social housing. So we will continue to press our federal partners on that. (interpretation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Member for Tununniq, Mr. Arvaluk.
Question 229 – 2(4): Training Programs for Health Care Professions (Arvaluk)
As I said earlier towards the health issues, I have a question directed to the Minister for the Department of Health and Social Services.
We are all aware and know that we need to have more nurses in the communities and we all know that the government has not pushed enough to get nurses, as I know they’ve tried.
At the same time, I have a question to the minister.
We will need to get nurses. If we could maybe set up something right away so that some of the communities could get nurses and training programs for the registered nurses in our communities. We need to get nurses for the communities and train our people for positions in the health field.
I can provide an overview of some of the training programs that the Department of Health has worked on for the last few years and the health care professions that are currently being delivered in Nunavut.
There are a number of programs that cover nursing, that cover social work training.
Midwifery training was just expanded to be offered in Iqaluit and we had some graduates from Rankin last year. We also have a program that the Nunavut Arctic College will be delivering for the continuing care facilities.
We also have programs to support our students, student summer employment.
Alcohol and drug training has been offered in Cambridge and Kivalliq in the pass. We have X-ray training as well, CHR training, and Inuktitut translator training for medical translators in health.
I appreciate the answer, however, it’s very broad.
In the health professional area, I guess, our biggest concern in Nunavut is registered nurses that are absent or practically absent in our communities.
We get several permanent nurses, and few and far between agency nurses.
What we need is a registered nurses’ training aggressively in Nunavut.
Will the minister tell me that there is an immediate plan in place to accelerate or to be aggressive for our nurses’ training plan from the government?
Minister responsible for Healht and Social Services, Minister Aglukkaq.
One program that I forgot to mention earlier in the first question, a reply was the Mental Health Training Program, and I was very proud to attend the first ever mental health graduation on Saturday where seven Nunavummiut graduated in the program.
The member, in terms of the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Strategy, I will be tabling that in the House. I am anxious to release that information and it will outline some of the broad multi-dimensional approach that we’re trying to take in addressing the whole issue of nursing capacity in Nunavut.
So during this sitting, I will be presenting that plan.
Will this document you will be tabling include the budget allocation and business plan to affectively carry out your plans to deal with the health professionals issue?
Where there are monetary requirements to implement the plan, the department will be working with FMB to put that process in the main estimates process but it will identify the finances required to implement the strategy for Nunavut.
Mr. Arvaluk: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will this also include the ultimate goal, the end result requirement that it will have actual tangible benefits at the end of the program, at the end of the plan?
In the development of the strategy, we tried to, again, address the strategy in a multi-dimensional approach and tried to address a number of concerns that were raised by nurses, as well as the staff and the challenges that we face.
So without getting into the specifics, it is an approach that we’re trying to take in a broader context and once I release that information in this House, I will be glad to speak in more detail on those initiatives outlined in this strategy.
Question 230 – 2(4): Support for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs (Evyagotailak)
My questions today are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.
In my Member’s Statement today, I informed the House about Kugluktuk’s decision to establish an Alcohol Education Committee.
(interpretation ends) Mr. Speaker, the Cabinet recently held meetings in my community of Kugluktuk. After its retreat, the Cabinet announced that the government will plan for an alcohol abuse treatment facility and programs.
Can the minister give me and other members some more details today about her department’s plans to establish a new alcohol abuse treatment facility in Nunavut and would she consider locating this facility in Kugluktuk?
The department’s approach to A&D has been to do a comprehensive review on, currently, what we provide in Nunavut for alcohol and drug counselling and to examine those programs that are in place, and then to look at the various methods we’ve used in Nunavut for delivery of various A&D programs.
One example is the 28-day live-in program in Cambridge Bay model as a means to try and develop programs here. We have not discussed the building infrastructure per se, but right now, we’re looking at what review we need to do and what work we need to do to develop an A&D program in Nunavut.
My thing is that if we can deliver an A&D program in existing facilities to get it more out into the communities, absolutely, that would be a more viable way to deliver programs through our communities.
So the issue on the building itself, there have been no decisions on it if long-term but it is an option that we’re also looking into.
And at the same time, we’re also looking into the design and review of the existing programs that are offered in Nunavut.
The Department of Health and Social Services budgeted just under $1 million in 2007-08 for funding to Nunavut municipalities to provide alcohol and drug treatment programs.
Can the minister tell me today how much of this funding has been provided to Kugluktuk?
I don’t have the main estimates’ books in front of me but every community currently receives funding for a PY for an alcohol and drug counsellor and that funding is in the form of a contribution agreement to the hamlet.
The exact amount, I will get that for the member.
The Liquor Act allows Alcohol Education Committees to organize education and counselling programs.
Can the minister tell me today what support, if any, is provided by her department to Alcohol Education Committees across Nunavut to deliver alcohol education and counselling programs?
The member makes reference to the Liquor Act.
That responsibility falls under the Minister of Finance as it relates to the Education Committee for A&D Committees, so I can’t answer his question.
But what I can say is the department, under the Public Health Initiative for initiatives to educate the general public on the harms of alcohol and alcohol abuse; we have a number of programs we offer through our health centres and through our CHRs.
One example is FASD; the impact of drinking while you’re pregnant is one program that we offer.
So programs of that nature are distributed through the health centres.
But in terms of the specific question related to the committees, I cannot answer that.
Over five years ago, the Government of Nunavut’s Addiction and Mental Health Strategy was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The minister indicated that her department is working on a new strategy.
Can the minister update us today on the status of this new strategy and indicate when she expects to table it?
I said earlier that we’re examining the current ways that we deliver A&D programs in Nunavut and evaluating whether that’s effective or not.
I had made this commitment as well when the Member from Arviat had raised it.
We’re looking at models that we can use in Nunavut to deliver A&D programs, such as the 28-day program model in Cambridge Bay; whether that can be applied throughout Nunavut.
In terms of the strategy itself, we’re in preliminary stages of reviewing that. So I can’t speak to when I’ll be prepared to table that report.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Madam Minister. Oral Questions.
Question 231 – 2(4): Financial Control Systems in Place at Finance (Peterson)
My question is for the Minister of Finance on this year’s fiscal update of the 2008-09, Capital Estimates. I thank the minister for the updates.
It’s very important information I think we should all read.
When I was reading through it and listening to the minister, I highlighted a couple of areas that tweaked my interest and some of the language that he used, “... to manage our finances prudently,” on page 3, “... managing our fiscal resources widely,” on page 7, they’re sending signals to me.
So I thought I would question the minister and ask him what financial systems and controls has the Department of Finance put in place to manage the GN’s finances prudently and widely in 2006-07.
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Within the Department of Finance, we are fully staffed at this time finally and we have very capable workers.
We have been working with the other departments within our government with financial control services.
We have been working with the Auditor General, who was here recently and had left not too long ago.
I met with this individual yesterday, last night.
We’ve been working closely with them and we’re looking for ways of how we can improve the government’s financial system.
There are other various things that we’ve been dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance mentioned the deficits in a couple of areas.
Deficit is usually an important word to pay attention to, so if you have a deficit you have financial problems, and it has impacts and effects on all of us.
My question for the minister: when he’s talking about deficits, can he tell us today if they’re projecting an affect on current programs and services; will there be any cutbacks in programs or any freezes on employment, or any capital projects cancelled?
Hon. David Simailak (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, we have not even thought about freezing any programs or capital projects.
So at this time, we’re not considering any ideas on what you have spoken about.
I thank the Minister of Finance for the answer.
I’m not sure if it’s that’s good news or bad news at the moment.
Mr. Speaker in 2006-07, we carried over quite a few capital projects from the previous fiscal year and a lot of their explanation was sky rocketing capital costs and the lack of staff to see the projects through to completion.
On page 2 of his update, he mentioned that “… the Department of Community and Government Services to actively recruit four additional project officers and a quantity surveyor to enhance their technical division’s ability to assist in the planning and costing of capital projects.”
I wonder if the minister could clarify for us. I think we all know what a project officer is but what is a quantity surveyor? Can the minister explain how that position will help the Government of Nunavut save money and deliver capital projects on schedule?
My colleague knows exactly what a quantity surveyor is, and this individual will be working on several projects in the communities.
I’m not quite sure what those surveyors do, so I’ll leave it at that.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Minster Simailak.
Mr. Peterson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister of Finance for clarifying a little bit.
I’m not sure that when he gives fiscal updates that he should put terms in there that the listening public might not understand.
I certainly didn’t know what a quantity surveyor was until last month when I asked a technical person in the Community and Government Services, but it seems to be a very important position and it will help us.
Perhaps, the Minister of Community and Government Services will clarify at some point during this session.
Mr. Speaker, I was at the Kitikmeot Inuit Association AGM last week, and I sat there for a couple of days and I listened to a lot of their concerns. And I appreciate that three ministers had shown up, made presentations, and answered questions.
When it was my turn on the ‘hot seat’ over there, one of the delegates asked me a very important question. I said I didn’t have the answer but I told him that I would certainly ask the Minister of Finance if the opportunity arose.
The question to me was, “With the tremendous demands coming from all across Nunavut with programs and services and capital projects will the Government of Nunavut have enough money to deliver in all the programs and services that they have promised the Nunavummiut?”  So I’ll ask my question to the minister and hope my constituent is listening for the answer.
As I indicated in February with the budget being approved by the Legislative Assembly, we will be proceeding with all the projects that we have identified and also capital projects that were identified last year.
We have set aside funds that will be used for capital projects. And for this year, if the capital estimates are approved, the programs and projects, and everything that the government has identified will go ahead as planned.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister Oral Questions.
Question 232 – 2(4): Capital Block Funding Project Contribution Agreement (Tootoo)
Mr. Speaker, I know that the minister as well as all members are aware that a project that went on here in Iqaluit, as being the only tax-based community, was the Capital Block Funding Project Contribution Agreement that was in place over the last number of years.
I understand that funding for the initial contribution is ending this March.
I am just wondering if the minister could give us an update on that and where things are at. Can the City be looking forward to a renewal of some type of capital contribution agreement that they can plan for future use as well?
I have some information in relation to that.
The contribution agreement approach has worked very well in meeting with the objectives.
The current CGS capital plans contain provisions for further funding to extend this program under a new agreement. It will begin in 2008.
I am sure that the City officials will be happy to hear that.
Given the timing of things, we know that the City is on a different fiscal year than the government, theirs is in December, and they’re putting their budget together for that year right now.
I’m just wondering if the minister could indicate that they have been made aware, for their budgeting purposes, if an amount will be forthcoming as the government funding through a contribution agreement.
Minister of Community and Government Services, Ms Brown.
Both the City of Iqaluit and the Government of Nunavut are eager to continue this agreement, and they also have monthly meetings. So from there, I am sure that the agreement will still be going on.
A long-term stable and unpredictable funding allows the City to develop its own five-year plan within the funding envelope, and provides a more manageable approach than annual project-specifying funding.
I’m sure and glad to hear that the government has been satisfied with the way things are going and hope to continue with process into the future.
Can I ask the minister if she can check into and find out whether city officials, who are in the middle of preparing their budgets right now, that are required by December, if they’ve been officially informed by the department of the amount of funding that they’re going to be receiving as the minister outlined, or not?
If they haven’t been officially informed, would the minister commit to doing that?
I will look into this and see where the City is at.
I always try to make sure that there’s a good working relationship between the Government of Nunavut and the City of Iqaluit.
They have been in existence for quite a long time, and we get updates regularly, or even on a daily basis, on how it’s going.
I can appreciate the minister is committing to look into it, but I would just like to ask the minister, if once that’s been done and the city has been formally informed, if she could notify the members from Iqaluit here as well.
I didn’t hear a question. I would like to ask the member to rephrase his question so that I can respond properly.
Mr. Tootoo, would you please rephrase your question?
I was just asking the minister and thanked her for committing to look into finding out whether the city has been officially informed or not.
So I just asked her: once that’s done, could she also inform the three members from Iqaluit as well?
Question 233 – 2(4): Polar Bear Study in Western Hudson Bay (Kattuk)
I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Environment in regard to the polar bear studies around the Belcher Islands or around the Sanikiluaq area in Western Hudson Bay.
I think it was stated that the 2007-08 study will be completed.
Could the minister indicate to the House as to whether that study is completed?
With regard to the surveys in the Hudson Bay, they were going to be completed in the fall but we have not received a copy of the report to date.
I will inform the member as soon as they are completed and ready.
Did the minister say Southwestern Hudson Bay?
I think I understood what you said. You stated that once the study or the report is ready, you will inform us.
My question is: is the study completed around the Western Hudson Bay area? I’m asking a question about polar bears.
We were never consulted by the individual who was doing the study on polar bears. Could the minister indicate to me whether the study has been completed or not?
Once I have the proper information for the member, I will relay it to him.
Speaker (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Minister. I apologize. Oral Questions.
Question 234 – 2(4): Vacant Positions in Kugaaruk & Repulse Bay (Mapsalak)
In the communities that I represent, I just recently came back from Pelly Bay, or Kugaaruk, and there were two concerns regarding Health and Social Services.
We have no social worker in Repulse Bay and we don’t have a mental health worker in Kugaaruk.
Could the minister tell me when those positions are going to be filled?
The ad for the positions in Kugaaruk, I have seen that competition out recently. I’m not aware if the interviews have been concluded or not.
In terms of the Repulse Bay vacancies for a social worker, I’m not aware if an ad has been put out for that vacant position or not, but I can look into it.
We have heard in the House, and I have heard personally, that they don’t utilize Inuit for mental health or social work positions.
You don’t see too many Inuit holding those jobs.
There is a concern where they want to see people who understand what they are going through and they would prefer to talk to Inuit workers.
Is it very difficult to get an Inuk mental health worker, or social worker, and do they have to have formal training in order to get into those positions?
The department works very hard to try to find Inuit to work in those positions, and not just community social workers and so on.
Under the child welfare legislation, there are some requirements to have certain levels of training and so on in order to meet the legal requirements under the legislation. But in trying to balance those two, many efforts have occurred to train Inuit for those positions that can provide counselling in Inuktitut to Inuit.
At the same time we also have to look at the fact that there are other skills that are required to deal with the functions of the job; of child welfare workers, as an example.
Under the legislation, the requirements to deal with the courts in apprehending and so on; the procedures related to that. So it’s a combination of both.
My constituents are mostly Inuit. There are a very few Qallunaat in those communities.
It’s clear that it’s probably like that in other smaller communities.
When the Inuit understand what their fellow Inuit are going through, why can’t they get into the social service positions? They have to import from the south when their qualifications are not really met by the Inuit.
We put every effort to train Inuit of Nunavut for those jobs. They are Inuit that have the Inuit knowledge. At the same time we carry out the functions of what’s required under legislations; as an example, the child welfare legislation.
Another good example is the Mental Health Worker Training Program. We just graduated six Inuit from Nunavut in that field.
A combination of both is what we’re looking for to deliver those services. It takes time.
We have a Social Worker Training Program in Cambridge Bay to train people from Nunavut. We’re trying to train more Inuit nurses, as well.
So it’s a long-term process. We’re open to anyone who wants to get into those fields and we promote that.
As it is right now, we haven’t caught up with every position to have Inuit. As it stands right now, the Department of Health’s Inuit employment statistics, I believe we stand at 52 percent of our workforce within Health are Inuit at all different levels.