EdinburghNLP/nunavut-hansard-plusplus huggingface dataset:
What the member is talking about, nationally they purchase their fuel on a daily basis, but in Nunavut, we purchase our fuel once a year.
That price stays the same, but in other Canadian provinces, they purchase their fuel on a daily or weekly basis so therefore, we purchase our fuel in bulk to last us for a year, so I don’t expect to see an increase in our fuel prices.
Question 521 – 1(6): Funding for Access Roads
Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Transportation.
The Department of Transportation, for access roads in the communities, I would like to ask the department if there is funding now available for access roads.
Yes, we would like to hear from the Members and the Members are lobbying to have access roads and each and every one of the Members here talk about access roads.
Access roads are very important to the communities and these access roads are very important for their recreation and to the hunters of the communities.
Mr. Speaker, now that we can travel all over the terrain and it’s now ruining the terrain, what I can say to my colleague since they are lobbying to have access roads in the communities and as a Minister, I believe in obtaining access roads in the communities.
Even though we have limited resources for it, the government is still committed to access roads at the community level and to improve the access roads for the hunters and for the tourists and everyone in the community.
Thank you, Minister for focusing on the needs.
The reason why I'm asking that question is because I have two communities in my constituency, Taloyoak’s terrain is composed largely of boulders, I was wondering of the Minister could look into the access roads in Nettlik and there is also a spring camp close to that community, but the terrain is very rough, comprised mostly of boulders and it is quite dangerous to travel.
If they happen to have an accident, it is quite a safety hazard.
Perhaps if you could ask you officials to look into this situation.
The communities who would like to obtain access roads, yes, they go through proposals as to where the access road would be going and how long the access road would be.
They make those kinds of proposals.
My officials in Cambridge Bay, perhaps in Taloyoak, I will ask them to work with the municipality of Taloyoak to get their proposals going for access roads.
If you can look into that and also the Taloyoak residents had built their own bridge on the river made of plywood. They built their own bridge.
I was wondering if you can look into this as soon as possible, and also in Taloyoak, the graveyard, during the summer, we have to pass through the grave yard in order to travel to our hunting area so I was wondering if the Minister can look into this because the community residents have to travel by Honda through the graveyard.
Can the Minister commit to looking into this as soon as possible?
Yes, we can look into this as soon as possible and investigate it and I will ask my officials from Cambridge Bay to look into this matter and to work with the municipalities and go inspect the area this summer when there is no more snow.
Mr. Speaker, we were told by some members that perhaps we can work with the Department of Sustainable Development and to improve the access roads.
Also, perhaps use it for tourism attraction.
We have to consider all those.
I will ask my officials to work with these people and to look into this and I will ask my officials to look into how they can give assistance to Taloyoak community.
Question 522 – 1(6): Breakwater Study for the Communities
Mr. Irqittuq (interpretation): My receiver got caught on my ear.
I forgot to mention that my mother’s birthday is on April 1st, too.
If she’s watching on TV, I would like to wish her a happy birthday.
During our previous session, he made a Ministers' statement about the breakwaters and that they would be looking into all the breakwaters of the communities of Nunavut.
Have they completed the review?
I would also like to wish Mr. Irqittuq’s mother a happy birthday.
Yes, we have been given some recommendations by the communities as to how they would like to see their breakwaters.
Yesterday, I think, Mr. Speaker I recognised and acknowledged the people from Quebec who are looking into the breakwater and investigating.
Their shores are similar to ours.
We are working on how to improve these breakwaters.
We are currently working on this.
We received correspondence stating that some community breakwaters will be worked on.
For example, the Bathurst Port and some of these projects will be funded by the Federal Government.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister in regards to her Minister’s statement, her first Minister’s statement, stating that she will work with the Federal Government in the investigation.
So I was wondering if, when you’re looking into breakwaters, ports and docking facilities, do you take the Bathurst road and port as your priority or is the minister’s statement geared towards all the communities of Nunavut?
I think the member is talking about the Bathurst road port and also they’re would be a docking facility in Kimmirut and yes we’re now doing a review on that and they are funded through different avenues.
The Federal Government has funding to improve breakwaters and also to improve the docking facilities because the ships have to unload their material so they have to have proper docking facilities and in regards to the breakwaters how we can make it so that they could be used by the hunters and harvesters.  Mr. Speaker, the funding for breakwaters, we’re now trying to obtain it from the Federal Government for docking facilities.
They were geared towards more like ships docking facilities but the breakwaters at the community level weren’t made focusing to benefit the hunters.
This is a very first time that I have heard that they would be docks made to for the ships to unload.
Then does that mean that the breakwaters for the hunters are going to be lower priority then the other?
What I’m trying to say is that when the ships start arriving to the communities we call them barges in Coral Harbour.
When they had worked with Hudson’s Bay Company since they were unloading their supplies these docking facilities were constricted to support the ships or the barges but after Nunavut Government was created and after listening to the member’s concerns about breakwaters we understand now that we need to improve them whether its for the ships or for the hunters.
Yes, we do understand the fact that we need to improve their breakwaters and docking facilities.
Question 523 – 1(6): Plans for Early Detection of Cancer
Mr. Speaker, over the last 4 or 5 years, I’ve been asking him questions regarding cancer treatments in patients and he’s given me good answer in the past.
But the minister update, me because we know there is a lot of smokers in Nunavut and now cancer is starting to pop up everywhere.
What is the minister’s plan to combat early prevention, early detection of cancer in Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, cancer is not just one disease; it’s a group of different diseases.
For example Mr. Speaker, there is leukemia, lung cancers which usually are caused by tobacco, smoking cigarettes and so on, there is ovarian cancer Mr. Speaker, we have put in place several different process for example, pap smear for women, helps with early detection, those types of cancers, Mr. Speaker.
There are different things that are put in place through the medical services for the different types of cancers that present themselves.
Again Mr. Speaker, cancer is not just one disease.
It’s a range of different types of diseases that we brand under the cancer names.
So there are different treatments in different types of procedures that can occur for early detection and so on.
Mr. Speaker, the cancer that seems to be running wild in Nunavut today cancer from the result of heavy smokers, and stuff like that.
Does the Minister have any early detection that can alleviate maybe it being so critical and lethal?
Does he have any preventative measures so they can catch the cancer, the lung cancer early?
Mr. Speaker, one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Nunavut is lung cancer.
That is directly attributable in most cases, Mr. Speaker, to smoking and the usage of tobacco.
However, Mr. Speaker, I think that it is important to point out when Heather Crowe, who the Members all had an opportunity to meet here, came to Nunavut about two weeks ago.
She was a good example of a person who never smoked in her life, but worked in a situation where people smoked.
She was a waitress.
After 40 years of working as a waitress she got cancer, terminal cancer.
She will die from her cancer, Mr. Speaker.
In her case she did not even know that she had it until she went to the doctor.
Mr. Speaker, early detection is very important.
That is why, Mr. Speaker, we have programs in place, the Pap smear, and so on.
At the same times, Mr. Speaker, on some forms of cancer, it does not present itself until other situations develop.
Maybe wait loss; there could be susceptibility to different types of diseases, and so on.
So, Mr. Speaker, those are the types of things that present themselves and at that time the person is maybe diagnosed with cancer.
If cancers can be caught quickly enough, Mr. Speaker, in many cases today with the different types of drugs and medications that are available, it can be cured.
Mr. Speaker, cancer is a deadly and serious disease and I know that his department is being vigilant about it.
Eventually, all types of cancer are going to come into Nunavut.
What is his department doing early detection for breast cancer and cervical cancer?
Mr. Speaker, for cervical cancers, we still believe and maintain that the World Health Organization, and other groups, that the pap smear is the best early detection for women.
Mr. Speaker, for breast cancers, Mr. Speaker, self examination is again is still pointed out.
If indeed a lump is found, Mr. Speaker, people at a certain age, I believe that it is over the age of 40, if a woman is over the age of 40, then there is a recommendation of a mammography if there is a history, for example, a history of breast cancer in the family.
My last question is what is the department’s proactive answer of early detection of prostate and colon cancer for men?
Mr. Speaker, again one of the most prevalent forms of cancers now for men is prostate cancers and colon cancers.
Mr. Speaker, under the direction of the Medical Association, and so on, there is recommendations that most men between the ages for 40, or over, where if possible, should have their prostate checked, Mr. Speaker. That is carried out when a person goes for their yearly examinations and so on.
Again, Mr. Speaker, early detection is great for those types of cancers again, are adding 60 to 70, or even up to 80 % success rate of being able to survive after having it.
Cancer is not the death sentence, Mr. Speaker, that it used to be.
Early detection is one of the key early warning systems that is put in place by medical professionals to ensure that it is not the death sentence that is used to be and being proactive in prostate, colon, cervical cancers, and so on, Mr. Speaker, is one way of helping alleviate, as well as having it in place is a proactive way of dealing with it.
Question 524 – 1(6): Plans for Community Based Training Programs
For past few years I’ve been making statements on the mining and mining related training programs in Nunavut.
The best route is to go with the community based training program instead of having to go through the regional centres.
I just want to ask the Minister responsible if there’s any, first of all I shouldn’t say, the facility that was used in Kugluktuk for example, if you put training programs and mining training related jobs which is now will be used for something else because it’s a Hamlet building.
I just want to ask the Minister if he has any plans in looking at the community based training programs and a facility that is needed to make that happen especially in my community.
I’d like to inform the member that is an area I know is of great concern, not only to the member but also to the community and region.
Having said that, I'm more than willing to look at how we can best accommodate the needs of such an opportunity that exists here with the mining exploration.
I'm more than willing to look at my capital plan and also how we can possibly accommodate the needs, and also explore possible partnership arrangements to accommodate the needs.
Good to hear that the Minister if in recognizing the needs for the facility, train these people on the mining related jobs.
More and more activities are happening and more exploration companies are coming in.
How soon can you look into this?
We need some timeframe because we need it as soon as we can; we have lots of unemployed, so we need to act on this as soon as possible.
When can the Minister look into this matter?
As all members know, later on in the fall when we do the capital planning, the opportunity would present, if there was an opportunity to include it there with good partnership arrangements, that’s something we can seriously consider.
However, to initiate the discussions, the explorations, how we can possibly to put these into the capital plans, I’d have to have meetings with my officials to see where these are in the capital plan and also if we can advance the program with possible partnership arrangements.
I’ll commit to the member and tell him that before our meeting in the next session in Baker Lake I’ll have more word for the member on this matter.
Question 525 – 1(6): What Kind of Flu Closed the Pond Inlet School
I stated before that two schools in Pond Inlet were closed down due to a flu outbreak.
The flu season, it is thought to be coming from Europe and is spreading to Nunavut and other places.
Does he have an idea of where this flu is spreading across to Nunavut?
Mr. Speaker, there are different types of flu, influenza, that normally occur using this time of year in the spring time.
Mr. Speaker, in most cases the flu can come from a variety of sources.
I would suggest to you that the flu that has shut down the two schools in Pond Inlet probably came from the south and most cases the flu can originate for example Mr. Speaker in South East Asia.
We have no notification where any indication what so ever that the flu situation in Pond Inlet has any thing to do with the virus that we’re seeing right now in southern Canada.
So, I want to make sure that we put the house and the people of Nunavut to rest.
We have no indication of that.
Has that flu appeared in other communities and has others schools resulted in close off because of that epidemic?
Mr. Speaker, I’m not personally aware of any other school having been closed down recently.
I know that from time to time we’re in a community there is a huge outbreak of flu, flu like systems that present themselves and indeed with corporation of the school officials, the local DEA and the health centres so that you can actually contain the outbreak and not spread it around the community more, then one of the recommendations to close down the school.
But I don’t know if there are any cases of that happening in anywhere else right now in Nunavut, to my knowledge.
The health minister stated that in order to contain the spread of these flues that they, one of the things they do is close down the schools.
If this flu is spreading across Nunavut and I think it is. in May there is a big suicide prevention conference with over 500 participants.
What I’m trying to say, Mr. Speaker, is that in order to contain the spread of this flu is there any way we can limit the amount of contacts between people and the reason why I ask that was this suicide prevention conference will be attended by people from different communities and other parts of the world I guess.
And we’ve heard the participants will be over 500 of them attending this conference.
Have there been any considerations in order to limit the spread of this flu and to limit the number of meetings with the many participants?
Mr. Speaker, most of the flu or influenza that we’re seeing right now in Nunavut is because of the, it’s flu season and it occurs annually every year not just in Nunavut but in other communities also.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, a lot of activity going around me.
Mr. Speaker, there are different types of influenza or flues that present themselves.
Mr. Speaker, we had not put any preparations in place for the suicide conference.
The member is correct; there are a large number of delegates that will be coming to the community.
Mr. Speaker, on a daily basis our chief medical health officer, review the situation and if there is a concern in 6 or 7 weeks when that conference occurs, then we would be letting the public know that at this time Mr. Speaker, we have not put a plan in place to cancel anything or bring any of that type of information forward.
However, Mr. Speaker, like anything else, we have to monitor what is happening. Health Canada is in the process, for example, Mr. Speaker, of putting a plan in place for the Sarus virus that we’ve all heard about.
The Department of Health and Social Services is in cooperation, in conjunction, being informed by Health Canada, like any other jurisdiction in the country on that type of situation.
This is not really a question, Mr. Speaker.
I was going to mention in my preamble to the Minister of Health and Social Services, that I’m glad that he’s considered the flu season in Pond Inlet.
Question 526– 1(6): Update on Building a New Health Centre in Repulse Bay
Mr. Speaker, I will be directing my question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
I will ask this question more than once regarding the Repulse Bay Health Centre.
I would like to ask the Minister when they’re going to be getting a new health centre in Repulse Bay.
When are you going to be considering building a new centre?
Speaker: Minister for Health, Minister Picco.
Mr. Speaker, the member has been a strong advocate for the people of Repulse Bay on the health centre issue.
I have had an opportunity to be at the facility and I would concur that it needs to be replaced.
Mr. Speaker, the up to date information that I have is that the design of the project is in place.
It is progressing for the design of the new facility.
We would hope Mr. Speaker, that there would be some site work this year, 2003, and the construction tender and so would be scheduled for the fiscal following that, so it would probably be 2004/05/06 where we would see the actual construction.
Again, Mr. Speaker, we need to be able to move extra resources into the capital budget of the department but the member is correct.
The design is in progress for the new facility and there will be a new facility built in there in the next three to four years.
I would like to thank the Minister for giving me that positive response.
I’m sure that the people are looking forward to the building of their new health centre.
Exactly which year are you going to be erecting the building?
Hon. Ed Picco: Mr. Speaker, unless additional funds are put into the capital budget next year, we would plan to be able to complete the design, move forward on site work in 2003/2004.
So that would be some site work done this year with more site work done the following year, 2004.
The construction would be complete by the following year, 2005/2006.
Question 527 – 1(6): Update on Old Government Offices in Grise Fiord
I will be directing my question to the Minister of Public Works and Services.
As I indicated a few days ago, I was talking about the old government office in Arctic Bay and Grise Fjord, and the response I got from the Minister was that he was going to look into it.
Did he look into it yet?
I had directed my staff to look into the situation but I have yet to get the information. I will inform you about the details possibly after to today’s sitting date.
At this time, I don’t have the information.
I would like to thank the Minister for his response and I would also like to invite the Minister if he could up to the high arctic in the spring, inviting the Minister to Arctic Bay and Grise Fjord.
Is it possible for the Minister to go to those communities, possibly in June?
Hon. Peter Kattuk (interpretation): As the member stated earlier, she said that she was going up there by snowmobile.
I will consider her invitation.
Question 528 – 1(6): Radiation Treatments in Nunavut for Cancer Patients
This is a supplement to Mr. McLean’s question to the Minister of Health and Social Services.
As was indicated, we were talking about the increased rates of cancer and having to send clients down to the medical centres in the south, like Ottawa for example.
Has the Department of Health and Social Services considered the radiation treatment for the patients?
Mr. Speaker, the different types of treatment that are in place for the different types of radical cancer, two major ones that the members are aware of, one is chemotherapy and the other one is a form of radiation treatment.
Mr. Speaker, we haven’t the facility to be able to do those types of treatments here in Nunavut.
As the member has said, we said people out to for example, Winnipeg or Ottawa or to Edmonton for those types of treatments.
Mr. Speaker, when people have to be sent out for those types of treatments from Nunavut, and Mr. Speaker, we make sure that all the comforts are given to the patient or to the client.
Those treatments are carried out in the very best, professional way in Ottawa or the location where those treatments are given.
In regards to radiation and chemotherapy, I personally think that once they go through those treatments, their health seems to deteriorate a lot faster.
They tend to lose weight and their health deteriorates.
In regards to chemo and radiation, does it accelerate the deterioration of the health of the individual?
Mr. Speaker, many cases, chemo therapy and radiation treatments are very aggressive to deal with those types of cancers that present themselves within the individual.
As a result of chemo and radiation therapy, in some cases Mr. Speaker, as you know, people can loose all their hair, they get sick, they vomit, and weight loss is also one of the major things that are associated with these types of radical and aggressive ways to treat cancers.
Mr. Speaker, if a doctor has prescribed radiation chemotherapy; in most cases it’s one of the last resorts to be able to help the patient.
Initially after the therapy Mr. Speaker, the person may have experience to weight loss and so on.
But Mr. Speaker, the person would get better, it makes them stronger in the end because the reason for using the chemotherapy and the therapy Mr. Speaker, is to negate and medicate the concern that have been brought forward by the cancer, the illness itself.
These are ways of treating those illnesses in an aggressive way.
Mr. Iqaqrialu (interpretation): Thank you, Mr. Speaker and I understand your response.
I have a supplementary question regarding radiation and chemotherapy that is applied to a patient.
Are there alternative methods of treating the patients that is less aggressive and much of the side effects on the patient.
Are there alternative ways of treating the patients, possible through medication or otherwise?
Just a reminder to the members that the minister is not a doctor, the answers that he can to provide are limited.
Mr. Picco, would you like to address the question?
Thank you for the clarification, no I am not a doctor.
I’ve never pretended to be.
I never have presented myself to be one and thank you Mr. Ng. Mr. Ng, remembers very well sometimes I’ve had treatment for some of his mental illness.
Mr. Speaker, moving forward with the question.
Mr. Speaker, when you use chemotherapy and radiation therapy those are aggressive treatments that are put in place based on the recommendations of the physician that’s attending the patient.
Mr. Speaker, the other way to dealing with cancer could be radical that the removal of the infected parts and so on.
Mr. Speaker, I am not a doctor but I would suggest to you that when radiation and chemotherapy are prescribed by the attending physician its because there are few other opportunities to present themselves to help the patient.